The Two Books

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

The writings “by the fruit of thy loins” are the Book of Mormon; those by the “fruit of the loins of Judah” are the Bible. The results of the union of these two volumes will be marvelous. False doctrines will be “confounded”; Peace will be established in the world, and the descendants of Joseph will receive knowledge of the covenants made with their fathers.

The Book of Mormon is essentially a book of doctrines, and its teachings are gradually leavening the religious thought of the world. As for establishing peace, it can be said that the great peace movement among the nations, as far as it has had any success, is distinctly American, and I venture the assertion that it has been made a reality, very largely through the proclamation of the Gospel by the Elders of the Mormon Church.

The descendants of Joseph will yet receive the Gospel. The Indians are quick to understand, when given a chance. In August, 1841, a number of Sac and Fox Indians visited the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo. He explained the Gospel to them and exhorted them not to make war and kill each other. The spokesman for the Indians said that he had a Book of Mormon in his wick-i-up, and he added: “I believe that you are a great and good man. I look rough, but I also am a son of the Great Spirit. I have heard your advice. We intend to quit fighting and follow the good talk you have given us.” (From “Joseph Smith, the Prophet,” by Andrew Jenson.)

It may be mentioned here that at the peace conference at Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was attended Dec. 1, 1936, by the U.S. President, representatives of 21 American republics unanimously endorsed a plan designed to banish war for ever from the American continents. Previous to that, a special session of the conference, presided over by a lady delegate from Salt Lake City, Utah, Mrs. Burton Musser, had received a petition for some such action, signed by over a million men and women from all parts of the world. U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull described the action of the conference as “epochal.” And it was. But it is the preaching of the Gospel—the Bible and the Book of Mormon—that has prepared the way for it.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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