Conflation and Salvation in the Book of Mormon

No study manual or commentary of sacred writ can take the place of complete and prayerful reading of the source. This is especially true for The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This “ancient American “bible,” compiled and abridged for us, remains itself in the crosshairs of conflict between heaven and hell. In spite of the fact that it’s sacred history and doctrine was written by ancient American prophets, and translated by modern day American prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., The Book of Mormon still had to be brought forth and published by the gift and power of God to overcome the opposition to its 150 million copies.This book informs our day of mechanisms behind the judgments, blessings, favors and promises of God to His children. From about 600 B.C. to about 421 A.D., these ancient American prophets and disciples spoke directly to us – and, in some cases, actually saw us – in this compendium of their sacred history and teachings, names after the prophet Mormon who abridged these various personal histories.This volume, “Conflation and Salvation in The Book of Mormon,” presents the author’s personal outlines and commentary on the record’s international, interpersonal and internal conflict, along with its doctrine, witnesses of Christ, and His redemption of the people of Nephi; conflict analysis of a period unique to ancient American history, 73 B.C. – 35 A.D. It is intended to enhance personal study and spiritual growth via this vital text of American scripture. Its contents are further meant to aid spiritual survival and growth in our day of unprecedented conflict. This portion of The Book of Mormon presents exactly what it takes to bring a Christian nation to the very presence of Jesus Christ.This book of commentary is also written with the purpose of giving those who otherwise would not read or even know of The Book of Mormon access to challenging, thoughtful and at times humorous insights into these passages of culture and testimony in ancient American Christendom. Living in obedience to the rudimentary tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ before Christ, these many faithful (and not-so-faithful) Jewish immigrants came to America in 600 B.C. with a belief in Messianic Judaism. Their vanguard of the Gospel, their efforts and failures to keep the commandments of God, constitutes our most complete, relevant and inspired resource for finding healing from conflict and abuse in our day.To receive God’s blessings in our lives, we must carefully study and “liken” (2 Nephi 11:8) these ancient lessons to our world and situation, the better to “getting busy with it” in this pain-filled, tumultuous, ridiculous, magnificent, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we call “life.”