Commentary For Book of Mormon

Introduction 

For the next year, my goal is to comment on the 2020 Sunday School Curriculum. My initial plan is to copy the chapters we're reading for each week and then annotate the verses. My hope in doing this is not only to provide my insight, but to model how we should read the scriptures in order to get the most out of them. My hope is to have each week posted by Monday. That way you can use my commentary while you read the assigned scriptures for the week.

The Book of Mormon is a powerful and wonderful book. As the title page indicates, it was written by the Nephite people for us, the Gentiles, as well as Jews and Lamanites. The writers of the Book of Mormon were aware that their words would go forth to a future audience. This meant that they tailored their message to us. It also means that their writings contain the information we need to know to avoid making the same mistakes as the Nephites and Lamanites.

This then makes it an invaluable book because, in it, we are given the chance to learn about an ancient civilization who knew and interacted with God and heaven. In turn, we're also able to read about their successes and mistakes. And by doing so, learn from them in order to avoid making the same mistakes as they did.

Additionally, the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel. This means that by drinking deeply from its pages, we have access to the crucial elements of the gospel. The elements that matter for our salvation.

Seeing the benefits of such a book, we should not treat it lightly. Instead, we should spent time and energy, in all diligence, pouring over its meaning in order that we grow in the knowledge of God.

While there is still much insight I have to gain from my reading, I have greatly improved my understanding of it. And I've been able to do this because I've been willing to push aside my understanding of what I think the text is saying or what I've been told it's saying, and really dig into the language and meaning.

But besides providing my understanding I also intend to push everyone by asking the hard questions and not providing the answers. Though I'd like to help and provide all the insight I've gained, I also want to encourage everyone to search and ponder the questions for themselves so that they may be taught by the Spirit.

My hope is that we all can understand and truly appreciate how wonderful a book it truly is.