REL 275C Outcomes

According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “the title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal
translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of
plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole
running the same as all Hebrew writing in general; and that said title page is not by any means
a modern composition, either of mine or of any other man who has lived or does live in this
generation” (History of the Church, 1:71).

REL 275C draws its outcomes from this important introduction to the Book of Mormon. Please
read the title page below. Please note the highlighted phrases which serve as the foundation
for the course outcomes.

As we begin this semester, please be aware of the following outcomes guiding this course as
they are found in the title page to the Book of Mormon:
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the
Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and
also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of
prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they
might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the
interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to
come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of
God.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people
of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the
people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the
remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers
(Outcome #1); and that they may know the covenants of the Lord (Outcome #2), that
they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile
that Jesus is the Christ (Outcome #3), the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all
nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore,
condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of
Christ (Outcome #4).

For clarity, these outcomes have been formally stated in the syllabus as follows:

 Identify several “Great things” that the Lord has done for his children.

 Explain  how the “covenants of the Lord” with the House of Israel make it so that
“they are not cast off forever.”
 Teach why “Jesus is the Christ – the Eternal God.”
 Understand how to apply the Doctrine of Christ to “be found spotless at the judgment
seat of Christ.”
Provide short reflections to the following questions:
1. What are some great things the Lord has done for His children as taught in the Book of
Mormon?
As taught from the book of Mormon, the Lord God has led His children out of captivity,
and helped them through their faith to gain renewed hope on Him for the rest of their
lives.
2. How does knowing of God’s power and love affect you?
God’s power has really reflected His love for me in so many times. Whenever His power
is felt, His love is always accompanied. His power and love have increased my faith
tremendously.
3. How does it impact your desire to make and keep covenants?
Without the power of God, we humans will not have that faith in Him. Knowing of His
power and love has made me to know that He is a God that keeps to His words. And
when He says something, He will never go back from it. As such, this only has impacted
my desire to make and keep covenant with Him.
4. What happens if we do not know the covenants of the Lord?
If we do not know the covenants of the Lord, we will be lost forever. It is through His
covenants that we are save through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
5. What happens if we lack faith in the covenants of the Lord?
If we lack Faith in the covenant of God, we won’t be able to feel His power and love for
us.
6. Why is it so important to know that Jesus is the Christ?
The reason why it is so important to know that JESUS is the Christ is because it is only
through Him that salvation is given to all men. So, it is important we know who gave us
that salvation.
7. How are covenants and the atonement of Jesus Christ related?
The covenant is the agreement we and God made with each other. When we keep our
bargain of the covenant we made, He will keep His and bless us. When He blesses us, we
are in turn happy because the blessing will eventually give us light. With this light in our
hearts, the atonement of Jesus Christ will not be a second thought to us.
8. What does the Book of Mormon teach us about what Jesus Christ was anointed to do
for us?
Anoint there means chosen from my understanding. Hence, the book of Mormon
teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the savior of mankind who God has
chosen from before the foundation of this earth.
9. How will making and keeping the covenants taught in the Book of Mormon, and coming
unto Christ as taught in the Book of Mormon, prepare us for our judgement?
If we keep the covenant we make, we will not fear the day of judgement. We will be
glad His coming doesn’t delay.
10. What was the most meaningful thing you learned from the discussion below on
outcomes?
As I was reading, I paused to ask my wife how she felt about the words of the Book of
Mormon. As if she was in my mind, she said, “The words in the Book of Mormon is so
simple that anyone with basic form of education can understand its content without
 stress”. After she finished, I ponder on what she has said and testify in my heart that it
was true. So, the meaningful thing I learned there is that the Lord God do speak to us in
a simple way.

Having considered the questions 1-10, please read the following discussion of the outcomes for
REL 275C:
The Title Page of the Book of Mormon states four primary purposes for the book. First, the
Book of Mormon shows “unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord
hath done for their fathers.” Second, the record begun by Nephi and finished by Moroni makes
known “the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever.” Third, the book was
written “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST.” And fourth, The
Book of Mormon teaches all people how to “be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.”
If these are the stated purposes of the Book of Mormon, we might ask why they are so
important and how much the ideas permeate the pages of the book. Of the four, knowing the
great things the Lord hath done for our fathers may be the least obviously important outcome.
However, upon reflection, knowing the miracles and works of God in the past can give us
confidence in His ability to deliver on His promises—If He did it before, He can do it again.
Furthermore, considering God’s great dealings from the beginning helps us tie the plan
together and see valuable interconnections.
Using the Book of Mormon to learn how to be found spotless at the judgement-seat of
Christ could be a very specific category or become quite broad as we use the lives of disciples,
and those who are struggling, to teach us principles of success or failure as we strive to prepare
to face the Lord. Since discipleship is so central to the purposes of BYU-Idaho, this class will
focus on the Doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and
enduring in faith to the end) and other principles of discipleship that demonstrate worthwhile
and counterproductive things we can do with our probationary estate.
The Title Page also discusses the idea that what was written and sealed up will “come forth
by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof”. Interpreting the scriptures is
both a spiritual and intellectual endeavor. This course will introduce several scripture study
skills that will allow you to interpret the scriptures in personally powerful ways.
There is a flow to these outcomes that makes them interdependent. When we realize that
God is omnipotent, and has done amazing things in the past, we can believe he will do great
things for us in the future. Most importantly, we can see that He has always kept His promises
and will be able to do so in the future—if God offers covenants to us, He can and will deliver on
them. It is through the ordinances and covenants of the gospel that God grants us full access to
the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of covenants we can experience the
infinite atonement in all its many forms, and thereby become qualified and capable to build the
Kingdom and help our brothers and sisters. Experiencing the atonement of Jesus Christ
empowers and motivates us to become disciples who are seeking to return ourselves and
others to the Father in eternity. Understanding these outcomes are at the core of our utilization
of the Plan of Salvation.