Second, to teach them the covenants of the Lord made with their fathers, that the remnants may know that they are not cast off forever.
Third, that this record may convince both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, and that he manifests himself to all nations.
Fourth, that the knowledge of a Savior might come especially to the remnants of the house of Israel on the western hemisphere, through the testimony of the Nephites and Lamanites as well as through the testimony of the Jews, that they might more fully believe the gospel.
Fifth, that the Jews might have the testimony of the Nephites as well as that of their fathers, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Sixth, and I think mainly, to be a witness for the truth of the Bible, to establish its authenticity, and its credibility by bringing other witnesses to testify to the same great truths that are contained in the sacred pages of the Bible; to restore to the knowledge of mankind many plain and precious truths concerning the gospel which men have taken out of the Jewish scriptures, or obscured by their interpretations; for which cause many have stumbled and fallen into unbelief. In a word, it is the mission of the book of Mormon to be a witness for Jesus, the Christ; for the truth of the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation; for that purpose it was written, preserved from destruction and has now come forth to the children of men through the goodness and mercy and power of God. (Y. M. M. I. A. Manuals, 1903-1905, p. 26-7.)
LESSON III.
SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE.
THE ANCIENT AMERICAN SCRIPTURE—THE BOOK OF MORMON. (Continued.)
| ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
| I. Ancient Migrations to America.
1. The Jaredite Colony. 2. Lehi's Colony. 3. Colony of Mulek. | Myth of the Ms Found (Reynolds), Chap. v. Y. M. M. I. A. Manual (No. 7), Chap. x. Notes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. |
| II. Ancient Nations of America.
1. Jaredite Empire, Its Center of National Life--Form of Government. 2. Nephite Kingdom, When and How Established--Character of Government. 3. Nephite--Zarahemla Kingdom, How Formed, Nature of Its Laws. 4. The Nephite Republic. Distinction Between this Form of Government and the Monarchy. 5. Lamanite Confederation, Evidence of such Confederation--Its Extent and Nature. | Y. M. M. I. A. Manual (No. 7), Chap. xiii. Notes 8, 9, 10. |