If you will carefully study and ponder the Book of Mormon, you will find that it is not only a history of the people who left Jerusalem at 600 B.C. by the direction of God and made their way to the Americas, and were led by a prophet whose name was Lehi, but we learn far more than just what happened to that family and their descendants. Additionally, you will find within this book, the fullness of Christ's everlasting gospel as preached to those people for 1000 years, from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. Not only will you find those truths, but you will find prophecy about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ coming to the earth and how his atoning sacrifice blesses and saves us all, and you will find how, after he had been crucified and resurrected at Jerusalem, he visited these people who inhabited the Americas where they had the opportunity to witness the reality of him in his resurrected state along with hearing him preach the gospel to them which included all of the saving ordinances and principles of the gospel.

The record of these people over a 1000 year period would actually fill volumes considerably greater in size than the 531 page book that you have examined. The prophet Mormon, under that inspiration and guidance of the Holy Ghost took from that 1000 year record the most choice, important, and timely prophecies and teachings that the prophets of the Book of Mormon had given to the people and compiled those things into what we have today called the Book of Mormon.

Additionally, one of the most important beliefs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that we have a prophet of God on the earth today who gives us continuing words and direction from God. As it states in
Amos 3:7, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Some of the teachings that you mentioned above have come through our living prophets. Truly, it is our belief that God still speaks today, just as he did during the Old Testament, the New Testament, and even the Book of Mormon days.

As it states in 2 Nephi 29:7-8,
" . . . Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?"

To learn more about all of your other questions, concerning the nature of God, our premortal state, and many other gospel truths, I suggest you spend some time visiting with a couple of our missionaries. When you have had a chance to hear exactly what we believe and why in the setting of your discussions with them, then you'll know for yourself whether this is worth pursuing. If I can be helpful in sending them to you, please email me back with your address and phone number and I'll have them contact you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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