Sacredness 

Other General Authorities have testified similarly. Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "I have read [The Book of Mormon] many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or it vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures. Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose - to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental... When Mormon abridged these records, he noted that he could not write a , 'hundredth part' of their proceedings. Thus, historical aspects of the book assume secondary significance." Conf. Report Oct. 1999)

President Ezra Taft Benson witnessed, "We do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it. The Book of Mormon is not on trial - the people of the world, including the members of the Church are on trial as to what they will do with this second witness for Christ. We are not required to prove that the Book of Mormon is true or is an authentic record through external evidences - though there are many. It never has been the case, nor is it now, that studies of the learned will prove the Book of Mormon true of false. The origin, preparation, translation, and verification of the truth of the Book of Mormon have all been retained in the hands of the Lord, and the Lord makes no mistakes. You can be assured of that." (A Witness and a Warning, p.31, Ezra Taft Benson)

And in the inspired words of our dear Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, "I can hold [The Book of Mormon] in my hand. It is real. It has weight and substance than can be physically measured. I can  open its pages and read, and it has language both beautiful and uplifting. The ancient record from which it was translated came out of the earth as a voice speaking from the dust...The evidence for its truth, for its validity in a world that is prone to demand evidence, lies not in archaeology or anthropology, though these may be helpful to some. It lies not in word research or historical analysis, though these may be confirmatory. The evidence for its truth and validity lies within the covers of the book itself. The test of its truth lies in reading it. It is a book of God. Reasonable individuals may sincerely question its origin, but those who read it prayerfully may come to know by a power beyond their natural senses that it is true, that it contains the word of God, that it outlines saving truths of the everlasting gospel, that it came forth by the gift and power of God..." (Faith, The Essence of  True Religion, Deseret, 1989, pp.10-11.)

"Either the Book of Mormon is true or it is false; either it was translated by the gift and power of God or it was not; either Moroni delivered the ancient record to Joseph Smith or he did not. This brings us to the heart and core of the matter, which is; either Joseph Smith was a prophet or he was not. He and the Book of Mormon go together. Why do men oppose the Book of Mormon? For precisely the same reason they oppose Joseph Smith. The issue is not limited to a book; it embraces the great latter-day work of the Lord in all its parts. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet; if he was sent of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which he organized, is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth; if this church, and this church only , is the Lord's earthly kingdom, then all other churches are false. Hence, all who contend for some other way of life and salvation  must, of necessity, oppose that which would destroy their system.

"This, as it happens, was the identical reasoning of those who opposed and crucified Christ. Either the man Jesus, the carpenter's son as they contended, was  the Promised Messiah or he was not. And if he was the Son of God, then his words were true, and the whole Mosaic system of worship, with its sacrifices and formalities, was fulfilled in him; and if the day of the law was over and the day of Christ was at hand, then men must accept the new order or be damned. There was no middle ground. If they chose to stand by the traditions of their fathers, they rejected Jesus and his apostles.

Thus, those who  oppose Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are in the same position as were those who fought and imprisoned and sought to slay the ancient apostles. they must contend against all that has been revealed in our day or admit their system of religion is false. Oh, that they  would take the wise advice of Gamaliel, given when those in the Great Sanhedrin "took counsel to slay" the apostles. Said he; "Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for it this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but is if be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply  ye be found even to  fight against God." A New Witness For The Articles Of Faith, pg. 461, Bruce R. McConkie.

"Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs. But behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe." (D&C 63: 8,9)

And Moroni's own personal testimony of this sacred writ, "And when ye receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:4, 5).

Certainly, a person through their faith and personal witness of the Holy Ghost, receives a strong  and pure witness of the truthfulness of the gospel without ever going on our tour or any other tour!  But if one has  opportunity to visit these sacred sites, it just adds.  Like visiting our own church history sites in the east.  Remember the feeling you had when you first visited Nauvoo? Or Kirtland? Or Adam - ondi - Ahman? Or the Liberty Prison? And other such sites. It’s a wonderful added upon experience. Isn't it of interest to note that ever so sweet experience Enos had, when the voice of the Lord came into his mind, and said "...I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land..." And thus it is - even a holy land of sacred sites, spirit and meaning. (See Enos:10).

I was reading in the Old Testament and fell upon this scripture that we are all aware of which reads; "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." Then I remembered a CES Conference that I attended several years ago as a Seminary Teacher at BYU when President Thomas S. Monson spoke to that great assembly of Seminary and Institute  instructors. To paraphrase his message, he reminded us of being careful to not give the final interpretation of a scripture passage to our youth in the classroom, as the scriptures are written  in such a way as to inspire and render help or comfort personally, even on a custom basis to all age groups, in various circumstances and needs. Like how a same  reference can help and comfort a little girl who lost her kitty in death, as well as the 85 year old woman who lost her husband of 60 years. When I read the above mentioned verse, I thought we generally think of the Book of Mormon itself, as springing out of the earth, referring specifically to the gold plates being uncovered and taken literally out of the earth wherein they were buried. Which is certainly true. But isn't it fun to also think that it could  refer  to the ancient cities and various archeological sites being uncovered, or, "springing out of the earth," as well? Just a thought.

Together with our educational cups filled, we also fill the wonderful and important cup of inspiration.  For example, there is really nothing quite like standing within the shadows of the Great Pyramids, three in a row, the middle one being the greatest in size and magnitude, possibly representing the Father, and to the right, another, slightly smaller in size, possibly representing the Son, and still another to the left of the Father, possibly originally presenting the Holy Ghost, and then suddenly discovering the twelve sub temples surrounding the Temple of the Son.  It is a thrilling and significant moment of spiritual learning and discovery. 

And when we discuss such doctrines from the scripture as, “The Mountain of the Lord,” representing his Holy Temple, then realizing that this symbolism is seen at many of the sites visited, even great pyramids, or ziggurats, altars to the Lord,  rising high above the ground where the ancient temples once stood - with many steep stairs leading upward, symbolic of the many steps required or the effort it is to come up to the presence of the Lord.  To his Kingdom.  The work that is required to ascend or make it to the top. (See "Research" on menu.) President David O. Mckay said, [Temple ordinances] are the, "step by step ascent into the eternal presence."  (See: 2 Nephi 12:2,3, Mosiah 1:18, 2:1)

And then to sit beneath a lovely shade tree at one site, and within the shadow of a great and impressive wall of stone, and read the account, first hand of the marvelous discourse of  Samuel the Lamanite prophet, when he bravely stood upon his wall, preaching the great warning to the people and the gospel message.  You can almost see him.  You can almost hear him. And at another place, even a beautiful valley within the shadow of an ancient temple site,  to read from the humble and inspiring  teachings of King Benjamin.  And yet at another site, we find an appropriate place, depicting still another setting from the Book of Mormon, and read the heart touching account of the Savior’s personal testament to these people, following his resurrection, wherein he said,   "Ye are they of whom I said: other sheep I have . . . .”  Why it doesn’t get much better than this!  Our spiritual cups truly begin to fill. (This last reading incidentally takes place  in a city their own people referred to as, “The city where God’s are made.”  Think of that! 

And then on our last day, we meet and partake of the sacred emblems of renewal and remembrance, and for those who wish, take opportunity to share our feelings and testimony of this great and significant time spent together.  You will not forget these rich experiences, now indelibly printed upon the sacred part of our memories.  Later that evening, we enjoy our Awards Assembly Fireside!  Here, those brave and hearty souls who ascended either the Pyramid of the Sun or the Moon, are presented with their Certificate of Achievement, well earned, from this, “Other Holy Land.” (And to those who wished they cold have, receive a very special gift, so no one is left out!)