Sharing the Book of Mormon: A Cheat Sheet

As the Ward Mission Leader, I'm trying to be a better example of member missionary work. While talking with a neighbor recently, I offered her the Book of Mormon, and she graciously accepted it. I didn't have a copy with me, but it worked out because I wanted to give her a list of verses with the book. Here's the scripture list I came up with. I'd love to see what other verses you recommend.

Overview of the Book of Mormon and Its Origin
The Title Page
Introduction
The Testimony of Three Witnesses
The Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

What Mormons Believe
2 Nephi 2:25 (page 59). God wants us to be happy.
2 Nephi 2:27 (page 59). We are free to choose good or evil.
2 Nephi 31:20 (page 115). If we follow Christ, and love him and all men, we can have eternal life.
Jacob 2:18-19 (page 121). We should seek for Christ before riches.
Mosiah 2:17 (page 148). When we serve others, we serve God.
Alma 36:3 (page 298). Trust in God, and he will support us in our trials.
Alma 41:10 (page 310). Wickedness doesn't bring real happiness.
Helaman 5:12 (page 378). We should build our foundation on Jesus Christ, the rock.
3 Nephi 27:27 (page 460). Christ is our example.
Ether 12:6 (page 509). What is faith?
Moroni 7:47-48 (page 524). We should pray to be filled with the pure love of Christ.
Moroni 10:4-5 (page 529). Pray for guidance, and the Holy Ghost will lead us to truth.

Good Book of Mormon Stories
1 Nephi 1-4 (page 1). The prophet Lehi and his family leave Jerusalem.
Mosiah 17-18 (page 179). Alma believes the prophet Abinadi.
Alma 8 (page 226). The prophet Alma preaches, is rejected, and meets an angel.
3 Nephi 11-26 (page 427). Jesus Christ visits the American continent after his resurrection.
Moroni 10 (page 529). Moroni, the last Nephite, buries the records.

Two missionaries find bag with $1,200 in cash

Little did these Elders know when they started the week that their missionary efforts would catch the attention of the entire town of Albuquerque, NM. Honesty pays a bigger reward than the sacrifice costs. I'm certain that $1200 wouldn't cover the amount of press they've received. Click here to read more:

http://www.abqtrib.com/...

Melchizedek: A Type of Jesus Christ

The purpose of The Book of Mormon is "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations" (Title Page). The Book of Mormon is full of symbols of Jesus Christ and his mission. The prophets, the stories (including the wars), and the tribulations of the people all point us to Jesus Christ. See, for example, Alma 13:16:

"Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord."

One example of this symbolism is the prophet Melquizedek. He is a type of the Savior. Look at how he is described in Alma 13:

Alma 13:15

And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

• Just as Abraham paid his tithes to Melchizedek, the tithing we give to the bishop is really being paid to the Lord. We are returning to Him a small portion of all that he has given us. (D&C 119:3-4)

Alma 13:17

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem;

• Jesus Christ is the Eternal King. (D&C 128:23)

and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

• Because of the Fall, all mankind is wicked and has gone astray. (Romans 3:23)

Alma 13:18

But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith,

• Jesus Christ faithful in his obedient to his Father. (Luke 22:42; 2 Ne. 31:5-7)

and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God,

• It is the priesthood of Jesus Christ. (D&C 107:3)

did preach repentance unto his people.

• The Savior preached repentance. (Matthew 4:17; Mark 2:17)

And behold, they did repent;

• Many have repented because of his call. (D&C 58:42)

and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days;

• “In his days,” Christ taught the gospel of peace and atoned for our sins that we might all find peace. Through repentance, many have found peace. (John 14:27; Romans 10:15)

therefore he was called the prince of peace,

• The Savior is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

for he was the king of Salem;

• Salem, later known as Jerusalem, is Hebrew for 'peaceful' or 'peaceable,' also 'perfect' or 'perfected.' Not only is 'King of Salem' a parallel of 'Prince of Peace.' It also reminds us that we should seek Christ to find peace and perfection.

and he did reign under his father.

• Jesus Christ is our king but reigns under God, the Father. According to Luke, he also reigns under his father David. (Luke 1:32-33)

Alma 13:19

Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards,

• Jesus Christ came during the meridian of time following many generations of great prophets and followed by many more. (D&C 20:26)

but none were greater;

• Jesus did more for the salvation of men than anyone who ever lived on the earth. (D&C 135:3)

therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.

• All prophets have written of Jesus Christ, have preached of Christ, have taught of Christ because he is the author of our salvation. (2 Ne. 11:4; 2 Ne. 25:26; Jacob 7:11)

"We must not think evil of this man"

In a time of hatred, war, and great upheaval, it's touching to see this beam of gospel light shining brightly. The grandfather of one of the slain Amish girls took the opportunity during this horrible trial to teach other children to love and forgive their enemy. If the world would accept and practice this principle, we would enjoy the peace the Nephites and Lamanites experienced at the end of Helaman 5 after the gospel was preached among the Lamanites.

To read more, follow this link:

(WARNING: CNN may display a Victoria Secret ad on the right side of the screen)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/04/amish.shooting/

Easy Member Missionary Activity

"Creating a Personal Referral Pool" is an easy and non-threatening activity to help members do missionary work. Our new mission president shared this in a stake meeting with ward mission leaders (including me) and bishops. This can be done in in a Family Home Evening or Sunday School lesson or in a ward, quorum, or organization activity. Ward missionaries could share this with ward members in their homes. Missionaries could present this to members who feed them.

It involves four steps:

1. Make a list of everyone you know who you'd like to share the gospel with.
2. Take a week to fast and pray to determine a best approach for each.
3. Place each name in one of the following categories:

1. I want to personally prepare and invite this person to hear the message
   
2. I want to talk to this person and invite them to our home with the missionaries
   
3. I want the missionaries to call on this person, use my name and invite them to hear the message at our home if interested
   
4. I want the missionaries to call on this person without using my name
   

4. Share this "referral" list with the missionaries.

This is a completely non-threatening way to involve the members in missionary work. For members who are not ready to invite someone to learn about the gospel, they can leave it to the missionaries (category 'd'). If they're not ready for the Elders to reach out to their friends, they can choose to personally prepare their friends (category 'a') through continued friendship and example. Those members who feel inspired and courageous can invite their friends to meet with the missionaries (category 'b') or have the missionaries contact their friends using their name (category 'c').

If you try this, please post a comment and let me know how it turned out.