Go back to the Bible and the Book of Mormon
The Main Purpose of the Book of Mormon
by
Lynn Ridenhour
The main purpose of the Book of Mormon is not to make a Mormon out of you. Its purpose is
not to proselyte. The Book of Mormon was never intended to be affiliated with any earthly
sect; i.e., the LDS (Mormons), RLDS, or Restoration Branches.
Then why is it called the Book of Mormon?
The book is its own best commentary:
"…And behold, I am Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon-the land in the
which Alma did establish the church among his people…" (3 Nephi 2:96).
Most of us think the book is named after the MAN, Mormon. Not so. It got its name after
the LAND of Mormon where Alma established the church among his people. Or more
specifically, where Alma re-established covenant relationships by baptizing church
members. That happened in the land of Mormon. And these saints entered into a covenant
with one another and with God (RLDS Mos.9:41, 44, 174-179; Alma 5:27). To quote Ray Treat,
"…The land of Mormon to the Nephite believers meant the land where the covenant
was restored; therefore, "Mormon" means restoration of the covenant. And
spiritually speaking, the Book of Mormon means "Book of the Restoration of the
Covenants."
The title page, I believe, should read "Book of the Restoration of the
Covenants." Not Book of Mormon. For such is the primary purpose of the book-to
restore the covenants to God's people during these last days.
in fact is to convince Hebrew and gentiles that Jesus is the Christ
That means-the Book of Mormon is the most non-sectarian book I've ever read! It's meant
for Baptists and Catholics, Mormons and Jews. It's meant for everyone.
Old testament means old covenant and new testament new covenant. and for this reason God
gave us Doctrine and covenants to better specify all the covenants and doctrines of the
church
Lost Covenants
Sadly, the Church has lost the meaning of covenant.
"…For behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which
are plain and precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have been taken
away…"
--I Nephi 3:168,169
Somehow our generation has overlooked the obvious: the Bible (& the Book of Mormon) is
a covenant document!
And what's a covenant?
It's the missing revelation among God's children, among the church at large. That's what
it is. And how sad. Like Mephibisheth, the majority of today's Christians do not know they
have a covenant with the King. We have no idea-we were destined to sit at the table with
the King.
Like in King Josiah's time (II Kings 23), "covenant" has been forgotten among
us. I would say-since the early 1800s we've lost the revelation. We're a generation
without a covenant, without a mandate, without dominion. Yes, today's Church, by and
large, has taken away "…many covenants of the Lord…", has taken away
from the gospel "…many parts…"
There's an Old Testament story that fits here. The story is prophetic.
The Book of the Lost Covenant Found:
One day a young Israelite king was sitting on his throne (II Kings 22). Bored by the
events of the day, the king decides to count his money. He sends for his secretary. All
the king's treasures were kept in the temple. So he instructs a messenger and a priest to
go to the temple to determine his wealth.
While plundering through the chests of gold, rubies and jewels in the house of the Lord,
one of the messengers accidentally finds a strange-looking object. Hidden inside was an
ancient manuscript. The messenger immediately calls for the priest. Without saying a word,
both knew what they had found. They wept as they read of their nation's delegated
greatness!
They had discovered the Book of the Covenant (II Kings 23:2)! Or-rediscovered it.
The king must be told.
The two decided the priest would tell him. Folding the document carefully under his arm,
the priest set out for the king's palace. At first he walked; then he ran. While greeting
the guards at the entrance he motioned for them to get out of the way. He had an important
message for the king.
Running into the king's court, interrupting his conference, the priest held the document
up to the king. The young Israelite king took it. He stood and read silently. The pomp and
glory of the moment ceased. Silence settled over the room like a London fog, and the great
court with all its golden curtains, silver cups and jeweled furniture, waited. Everyone
waited. The kingdom seemed at a standstill. Then the king looked up.
His eyes did not look toward his subjects. They looked toward heaven. Without any warning,
standing before his numbered audience, the king cried out, "….O, God, forgive me
and my people…" He tore his clothes and fell on his face before the Lord, asking
for mercy.
The Prophetic implications of the above story for us are profound:
r In these last days the revelation of the lost covenant will be
rediscovered. It will bring much joy to the saints. We too will realize our delegated
greatness.
r There will come a day when the leaders of our great nation will realize-we have
not kept the covenants of the Lord and will weep with godly repentance-or else.
r There will come a day when the Church-both laymen & clergy-will realize that as
a covenant people we have not kept the covenants of the Lord but have engaged in
dirty politics. The two-party system is corrupt to the core. The liberal Lemuels and
the conservative Lamans both have rejected the offer of Sam and Nephi's Zionic
kingdom.
r As a Church, we have not played by Zion's rules, but have looked to Lemuel's and
Laman's entitlement programs to save us and to take care of us. We have created
our own Welfare State Religion; thereby, stirring the King's wrath.
r Deep sorrow, weeping, and godly repentance must come upon the Church.
We must return to Zion's principles.
"…By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered
Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that
carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us
mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a
strange land? --Psalm 137:1-4
As a nation and Church, we must return to the principles of Covenant theology or suffer
Divine judgment.
Our early fathers knew what a biblical covenant was. America was built upon covenant
theology.
A covenant in those days was a solemn agreement, signed or not, between individuals or
between God and an individual, a church, and/or a nation.
Our founders understood the power of covenants because they were Biblicists. They knew
that God would inevitably act in accordance with His Word if the human covenantor would
obey His Word. God blessed our fathers because they covenanted, agreed, contracted with
God to obey His Son (Psalm 2:10). It's that simple. It's that profound.
The hope of America, the hope of the Church, the hope of this generation, the hope of the
individual, is to reaffirm our covenant. When all is said and done, there are only two
groups of people: 1) covenant keepers, and 2) covenant breakers.
Historical Overview
Let me give a brief prophetic history of the church age and its relation to covenant
keeping. John speaks of different ages in his book of Revelation. Seven churches represent
seven approximate time periods. For example, Ephesus represents that period approximately
29 AD to 100 AD. Smyrna represents 100 AD to 300 AD. Pergamus, 300 to 350 AD. Thyatira,
350 to 500 AD. Sardis, 500 to 1500 AD, the dark ages. Philadelphia, 1500 to 1830 AD, the
Reformation. And the Church at Laodicea, 1830 to present-the age of the lost and forgotten
covenants of the Lord.
Please consider that last point-we're living in an age of "…the lost and
forgotten covenants of the Lord."
Selah-ponder that for a moment.
The Laodicean age-no real commitment to covenants and contracts. The fruit of the
Reformation (sectarianism) changed the concept of biblical salvation "oh so"
subtle among the majority of Protestants. And in the process, the covenants were lost.
Protestantism for the past 150 years has preached salvation by decision-making, not
covenant-keeping. That's a caricature of the real thing. "…Invite Jesus into
your heart," "…Make a decision for Christ," are buzz words of the
modern Protestant movement. The problem is-you don't make a "…decision for
Christ." You enter into a covenant with Him. You make a covenant with the King of the
universe that begins in time but lasts throughout eternity. There's a world of difference
between entering into a covenant and making a decision. One is binding throughout
eternity; the other, more times than not, is mere mental gymnastics.
You say, "Ridenhour, you're just playing with words…semantics." No, I'm
not. The implications are far deeper than a mere play on words.
When a people sign a contract they act differently (especially if the contract is with
God!). They weigh the consequences. In these latter days we will again begin to know what
it means to sign a contract with the Lord of Hosts, and act accordingly. A revelation of
biblical salvation will return to his people. Praise His name.
In other words, the central message of the Book of Mormon is---to repent and come unto
Christ, which means to establish a covenant with Him. And that message is coming to light
in these latter days. And that's why I embrace the Book of Mormon. Our generation knows
very little, if anything, about establishing a covenant with Christ. Protestantism doesn't
teach it. Unfortunately, most of us Protestants are products of "cheap grace"
and "decision-making" Sunday School preaching. Hosea described a people who were
"…half baked" (Hosea 7:8). Like a cake not turned. Sadly, my generation
fits the bill.
Listen to the words of the ancient prophet.
"…Behold, I [the Christ] have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the
world, to save the world from sin; therefore whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a
little child, him will I receive; for of such is the kingdom of God." --3 Nephi 4:51
To make sure we understand…
Scriptural salvation is entering into a personal covenant with Him; thereby coming unto
Christ for all our temporal and eternal needs and wants. The contract is binding
throughout eternity while effectual in time. That's different from Sunday School religion.
And that's why I love the Book of Mormon. Its main purpose is restoration of the
covenants.
r
About the Author:
Lynn Ridenhour grew up in the heart of Missouri near the Ozarks. A
licensed Baptist minister for over 38 years, Lynn read the Book of Mormon and had a
marvelous conversion experience to the restoration gospel as proclaimed by Joseph Smith.
Dr. Ridenhour has a Ph.D in literature with a specialty degree in
composition theory from the University of Iowa. He has taught creative writing in both
Christian and secular universities. Dr. Ridenhour has also pastored Baptist churches for
years, has taught at Jerry Falwell's university, and has been involved in the charismatic
renewal since 1972.
Lynn is the founder of WinePress Publishing Co., and has a heart for evangelism. Paperback
copies of Dr. Ridenhour's booklets may be purchased for $3 per copy.
Write: WinePress Publishing Co.
3601 S. Noland Rd., PMB 230
Independence, MO 64055
Dr. Ridenhour's email address is: [email protected]
Should you want Dr. Ridenhour to come and speak in your church, or
organization, simply email him, giving him the details. Lynn travels extensively for
speaking engagements.
Lynn, his lovely wife, Linda, and their teenage daughter, Lori, make their home in
Independence < www.massimo.bigsmart.com
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