Because of this, because the Atonement is at the heart and core of all we do, it is vital that we study it, understand it, and apply it. Elder Bruce R. McConkie offered the following sobering counsel: "Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement. We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth. We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation" (Conference Report, April 1985, 11).

Because of this, because the Atonement is at the heart and core of all we do, it is vital that we study it, understand it, and apply it. Elder Bruce R. McConkie offered the following sobering counsel: "Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement. We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth. We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation" (Conference Report, April 1985, 11).

Because of this, because the Atonement is at the heart and core of all we do, it is vital that we study it, understand it, and apply it. Elder Bruce R. McConkie offered the following sobering counsel: "Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement. We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth. We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation" (Conference Report, April 1985, 11).

This is no doubt why the Prophet Joseph Smith spoke of the resurrection and Atonement as the fundamental principles of our religion, with "all other things which pertain to our religion" as appendages (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 121). An appendage is something extra, something ancillary, something attached to the body. Such remarkable doctrines as the premortal and postmortal existences of man, salvation for the dead, and the knowledge of various degrees of glory hereafter—such doctrines add vitality and substance to our knowledge of the Father's plan and provide answers to age-old questions in the religious world, but they have meaning for us only because of the mediation and Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Some things simply matter more than others. Even some doctrines, though interesting and even fun to discuss, must take a back seat to more fundamental and foundational doctrines. It is just so with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is the central act of human history, the pivotal point in all time, the doctrine of doctrines. Everything we do and everything we teach should somehow be anchored to the Atonement. Elder Boyd K. Packer testified: "Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is . . . a Mediator. . . . Through Him mercy can be fully extended to each of us without offending the eternal law of justice. This truth," he continued, "is the very root of Christian doctrine. You may know much about the gospel as it branches out from there, but if you only know the branches and those branches do not touch that root, if they have been cut free from that truth, there will be no life nor substance nor redemption in them" (Conference Report, April 1977, 80).

Foreword

We learn that the prophets who lived among the people of the Americas were instructed by the Lord to keep records, and that the Prophet Mormon, the father of Moroni, made an abridgment of all these records, from which the Book of Mormon was translated. The book bears the name of the great prophet, Mormon.

Book of Mormon Prophets Commanded to Keep Records

Moroni's Prediction Concerning Joseph Smith

Professor Anthon Fulfills Isaiah's Prophecy

The Coming Forth Of The Book Of Mormon

Chapter 6

The most important phases of Moroni's visit and message to Joseph Smith were: (1) to acquaint him with the existence of the gold plates containing the history of early inhabitants of the Americas; (2) to reveal the words and teachings of the prophets who lived among them; (3) to proclaim the future destiny of the remnants of that people (the American Indians or Lamanites); (4) to declare that this land of America is "a land which is choice above all other lands" (see 1 Nephi 2:20) and that upon it shall be established the New Jerusalem, according to the promise of the prophets.

Book of Mormon Prophets Commanded to Keep Records

The voice of the Prophet Joseph Smith has continued to be heard until his living followers today number several million souls, not counting those who have passed away nor those who believed his message but have not had the courage to accept it because of the unfavorable attitude of relatives and friends, and the public generally, toward the church that he established under the revelations of the Lord.

All the prophets who have ever spoken upon the earth were insulted by men, and men will insult those who are to come. We can recognize prophets by this, that smeared with mud and covered with shame, they pass among men, bright-faced, speaking out what is in their hearts. No mud can close the lips of those who must speak. Even if the obstinate prophet is killed, they cannot silence him. His voice multiplied by the echoes of his death will be heard in all languages and through all the centuries. (Giovanni Papini, Life of Christ, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., 1925, p. 93.)

Some thought this would end the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith, established under divine revelation from heaven, but the works of a prophet are not so easily terminated:

History has recorded a complete fulfillment of this prediction of Moroni concerning the life of Joseph Smith, for he himself was imprisoned and caused to stand trial many times on concocted charges that had been brought against him, mostly instigated by ministers of religion. In no case, however, was he found guilty of the charges preferred until his enemies are reported to have said: "If the law will not reach them, powder and ball can." (History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 594.) Accordingly, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot to death by a wicked mob at Carthage Jail, Illinois, June 27, 1844.

The claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are of such a nature that the things the Lord himself has revealed from heaven, and through ancient prophets who have visited this earth and committed the keys of their dispensations to the Prophet Joseph Smith, must be proclaimed to the world. How else can the world know of these things? How can scattered Israel be gathered to the lands of their inheritance? How can the gospel be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations before the end shall come?

The True Church, A Missionary Church

Chapter 18

In an address in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Sunday, October 10, 1915, Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, told of a notable religious gathering held in San Francisco in July 1915. It was held in connection with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, known as the Congress of Religious Philosophies. Three days were devoted to this congress, with three meetings each day. The days were designated, respectively, "Christian Day, Hindu Day, and Oriental Day." It was the plan of the organizers to invite to the platform representatives of religious organizations claiming a distinctive status, or professing a philosophical basis for their belief, such as would give them a distinct identity.

The Congress of Religious Philosophies

Many years ago a learned man, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, came to Utah and spoke from the stand of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. I became well-acquainted with him, and we conversed freely and frankly. A great scholar, with perhaps a dozen languages at his tongue's end, he seemed to know all about theology, law, literature, science and philosophy. One day he said to me: "You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don't even know the strength of your own position. It is so strong that there is only one other tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the Catholic Church. The issue is between Catholicism and Mormonism. If we are right, you are wrong; if you are right, we are wrong; and that's all there is to it. The Protestants haven't a leg to stand on. For, if we are wrong, they are wrong with us, since they were a part of us and went out from us; while if we are right, they are apostates whom we cut off long ago. If we have the apostolic succession from St. Peter, as we claim, there is no need of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; but if we have not that succession, then such a man as Joseph Smith was necessary, and Mormonism's attitude is the only consistent one. It is either the perpetuation of the gospel from ancient times, or the restoration of the gospel in latter days."