Lesson 8

What lessons can I learn from the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. It testifies of Jesus Christ, contains the fulness of His gospel, and restores truths lost through the Apostasy. Joseph Smith taught that the Book of Mormon is “the keystone of our religion, and a [person] would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (introduction to the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon contains a promise and a description of how anyone can know that it is true (see Moroni 10:3–5).

Copies of the Book of Mormon and principles of the gospel

As a teacher, prepare yourself spiritually

Prayerfully study these scriptures and resources. Other resources may be included later in the outline as well. What scriptures will help the service members understand that the Book of Mormon testifies of the Savior Jesus Christ?

• 1 Nephi 1:9–10; Mosiah 3:5–7; Alma 7:10–11 (Prophecies of Christ)

• 1 Nephi 13:20–28, 35–40 (The Book of Mormon restores lost truths)

• 2 Nephi 9:20–23 (Christ saves all men)

• 2 Nephi 25:26 (We preach of Christ, and we know where our remission of sins comes from)

• Mosiah 3:19 (The natural man is an enemy to God)

• 3 Nephi 11:10–17 (Christ visits the people in the Americas)

• 3 Nephi 11:31–41 (Jesus teaches His doctrine)

• 3 Nephi 17:5–10 (Christ heals the sick and blesses the children)

• Mormon 8:34–35 (The Book of Mormon was written for our day)

• Moroni 10:32 (Come unto Christ)

• Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,” Ensign or Liahona, Aug. 2005, 2–6

• Boyd K. Packer, “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ—Plain and Precious Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 6–9

• Henry B. Eyring, “A Witness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 68–71

• Tad R. Callister, “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 74–76

• Videos: The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd (DVD); How Rare a Possession (DVD)

Begin the learning experience

Use the following idea or think of your own to introduce the lesson.

• Show the service members a copy of the Book of Mormon, and call attention to the title of the book. Read the title page, and discuss its contents.

Teaching tip

“Plan questions that encourage learners to share what they are learning on their own and in their families. The more diligently you have studied in advance, the more prepared you will be to adapt to and support the needs of individuals” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 18). 


Learn together

Each of the following activities can help service members understand how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more of the following activities that will work best for the class.

• Invite the service members to view the first eight minutes of the video How Rare a Possession. Discuss the importance of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ. Discuss how the Book of Mormon was written. What is its message?

• Have one of the service members in the class read the following quote from President Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ—Plain and Precious Things”: “The central purpose of the Book of Mormon is its testament of Jesus Christ. Of more than 6,000 verses in the Book of Mormon, far more than half refer directly to Him” (pages 8–9). Ask service members to share their own experiences of the Book of Mormon and what it means to them—especially as it has taught them about Christ.

• Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair one of the following scriptures: Mosiah 3:5–7; 3 Nephi 11:31–33; 3 Nephi 17:5–10. Have each pair discuss the scriptures together. After five minutes, ask a representative of the pair to share what the scriptures mean to him or her with the rest of the class. You could also do a similar activity with the conference talks listed in this outline. Divide portions of the talks among the pairs, and invite a representative to explain to the class what he or she learned about the Book of Mormon from the talks.

• Write on the board these passages from the Book of Mormon that testify of and explain Christ’s mission: 2 Nephi 9:20–23; Mosiah 3:19; Alma 7:11–13; 3 Nephi 11:10–17. Assign each service member one of the scriptures. Have them read it to themselves and then ponder the significance of the scripture and what it means for them. Have them share their thoughts.

• Show a segment from the video The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd, which portrays Christ’s appearance to the Nephites on the American continent after His death and Resurrection in Jerusalem (begin showing the video at 59 minutes, 41 seconds). After the segment, ask the service members to explain what they saw concerning Jesus Christ. What did they learn from this segment? Invite them to think of and share how the Savior can help them in their own lives.

• Write the reference 1 Nephi 13:35–40 on the board. Explain that the Book of Mormon restored the plain and precious things that were lost from the Bible and makes known unto all people that Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Have a service member read the scripture passage. What is the book that “proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew”? How will the Book of Mormon establish the truth of the Bible?

Ask the service members to share what they learned today. Do they understand how the Book of Mormon can help them come unto Christ? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this topic?

Invite to act

Invite service members to think about how this lesson can help them during the week. Have them pick a scripture from the lesson and ponder its significance for them during the next week. Challenge them to read the Book of Mormon daily, and testify that Jesus is the Christ.

Teaching in the Savior’s way

The Savior cared for and loved His fold as the one true Shepherd over all of us. He healed the sick and lame. How can you show the Master’s love for those you are teaching? Share your testimony of how the Savior’s love has changed your life.

The Savior loved, prayed for, and continually served His disciples. He knew their interests, hopes, desires, and what was happening in their lives. What do you know about the service members you are teaching?