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Lost Lands of the Book of Mormon From ample archeological evidence, it appears the lands of western and central New York were once populated by ancient civilizations. The question that must be asked is- did they belong to the Nephites and Jaredites? Only by reconstructing that ancient setting can we hope to locate the lost lands of the Nephites and Jaredites, and that is what Lost Lands of the Book of Mormon sets out to do. >> CLICK HERE |
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"THE KEYSTONE OF OUR RELIGION" by Ted L. Gibbons  One Welcome to lessons for 2004. Welcome to the Book of Mormon. I consider your presence in this Cyberspace Sunday School at LDSLiving to be a serious stewardship. I will generally follow the Sunday School manual in my lessons. But I am not interested in replacing your Sunday School teacher. I will be honored if I can help you in your study of this book, but I will be devastated if my work lessens your interaction with the auxiliaries of the Church. Go to Sunday School. Each week I will provide you with a favorite quote regarding the Book of Mormon. Here is the first one: Quote of the week: My brethren and sisters, the Book of Mormon is one of the greatest works in all the world. With the witness that I speak of there has come to me other knowledge, without which the testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon would not be of much value; but, the Book of Mormon being true, the truth-fulness of it having been borne in upon my soul, I know . . . that God lives as an entity, a tangible being, in whose form I am fashioned and in whose likeness I am made. I know, beyond all peradventure of a doubt, that he is in very deed my Father, that I can call upon him as such, and that when I come before him in prayer, in sympathy, he will hear; and if my prayers are for righteous things he will grant unto me those things for which I ask. Through this book, knowing that it is true, I also have this witness, and to me it is valid, that Jesus is the Son of God; that he is the Redeemer of the world; that he was born of woman and lived in the world among men and ministered unto them and established the gospel; that he was nailed upon a cross and suffered for the sins of all men, redeemed them from the grave, broke the bonds of death, and instituted the resurrection, becoming the first fruits of it; and he lives, for this book testifies that he lives (Rey L. Pratt, Conference Report, October 1929, p.20). INTRODUCTION: We stand at the entrance to a great edifice, with innumerable rooms of varying size and purpose, and every room a repository of the riches of eternity. I saved a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon because of the lesson it teaches about the scriptures. Calvin had a shovel and was digging in the yard. Hobbes came along to observe, and wanted to know if Calvin had found anything. “An few dirty rocks, a weird root, and some disgusting grubs,” were the things Calving mentioned that he had found. “On your first try?” Hobbes asked, amazed. “There’s treasure everywhere!” Calvin assured him. And in like manner I assure you that in this place–in this book–there’s treasure everywhere! I will point out some exquisite sculptures we sometimes overlook. We will look at some etchings of silver glittering in infrequently explored closets and upper rooms. We’ll examine some fabulous jewelry that has often been noticed but perhaps not fully appreciated. Feel free–indeed, feel obligated, to wander off on your own Take all the time you can. Move slowly through building. Shine your light around and stop to examine what you see. Walk out on the balconies of the Helaman rooms and wander through the back hallways of the large Alma wing. Investigate the sheds and the out-buildings of Ether. And when you find things of great value, ask the important questions: Why is this treasure here? How will it enrich me, my family, my ward. Elder Holland suggested to CES personnel that they teach their students to read scripture in the following way, a way that has had great value for me: Invite them to read more slowly and more carefully and with more questions in mind. Help them to ponder, to examine every word, every scriptural gem. Teach them to hold it up to the light and turn it, look and see what's reflected there. For some student, on a given day with a given need, such an examination may unearth a treasure hidden in a field, or a pearl of great price, a pearl beyond price (Jeffrey R. Holland: CES Video Conference, 20 June 1982, videocassette). During this tour, we will linger at times, pausing to examine and reflect and compare. Some corridors and rooms we will pass through more quickly. You may wish the pace were altered to fit your personal tastes, but since I am the guide, you are rather compelled to move at my speed, unless of course you choose to strike off on your own. I hope you will! There are no locks in this castle that cannot be opened with time and the Spirit. Go where you will. Stay as long as you like. If you decide to join us again, you know where we will be and we will be delighted to have you back again. It is no small thing to volunteer to guide believers through the halls and rooms of the most remarkable scriptural edifice ever constructed. But if you are willing to tag along once in a while, I am willing to try. Are you ready? Let’s open the door and go in. Prophets are here waiting to teach us. > Read the Entire Book of Mormon Lesson
 DESERT BLOSSOMS #118by Ted L. Gibbons The men who have led the Church since the restoration have been wonderful. All of us who have studied their lives, and who have, during our own lifetimes, watched those who have presided, have been astonished at their capacity for goodness and for accomplishment. They grew into what they became of course. They were not born with their prophetic gifts and powers in place, but with the potential to discover and acquire them. The following story from the New Era in 1977 is an excellent example of one of them going through part of the process of becoming what he was fore-ordained to be.
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