How the Book of Mormon addresses modern issues…

[Anonymous]

This is actually a question… I have heard many times that the BoM was “written for our day”,and people claim that it solves almost any problem. Missionaries said this recently in a teaching appointment and said they’ve been calling it The Answer Book.

I would like to hear of examples of unique passages in the BoM that target the problems of our day. I say unique because there are many general passages that speak at a very high, conceptual level that could solve the problems of any era, they are so general and universal. And if all we have are top of the hierarchy solutions to the problems, I don’t see how you can claim that the BoM is to solve problems of our day.

Not to criticize, or shoot them down, but I would like to hear what people with testimonies of the BoM would say to this question.

Do you have specific examples?

[Anonymous]

I think there are some fascinating elements relative to our day, not the least of which is the terrorism narrative.

[Anonymous]

In 1831 Alexander Campbell wrote concerning the Book of Mormon:

Quote:

This prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plates of Nephi, in his book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years. He decides all the great controversies;—infant baptism, ordination, the trinity, regeneration, repentance, justification, the fall of man, the atonement, transubstantiation, fasting, penance, church government, religious experience, the call to the ministry, the general resurrection, eternal punishment, who may baptize, and even the question of free masonary [sic], republican government, and the rights of man (Millennial Harbinger, February 1831, p. 93).

The bible is distressingly vague or silent on a huge number of topics. This has resulted in controversies and schisms over time. The BOM stakes doctrinal positions on many of the controversies and divisions that existed up through the 19th century. I believe this to be a big part of what is meant by the BOM being “written for our time.”

I also believe that the BOM bolsters a belief in the bible among the segment of the population that accepts the BOM as the word of God.

[Anonymous]

Great quote, Roy.

I also see it was written in that time (1800s) for that time and the topics on the minds of the religous seeking new light and knowledge and restorationist movements.

Here is another example:

Quote:

2 Ne 29:3

And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.

…bam…Book of Mormon scripture.

I am glad we have more scripture to apply to our day, that we may talk and teach about Christ…

Quote:

2 Ne 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

[Author]

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