The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel and is an abridged account of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the American continents from about 2247 BC to 421 AD. These records preserved a true knowledge of God, of the mission and ministry of his Son, and of the doctrines and ordinances of salvation. Incidental to these gospel truths, much information was also preserved relative to the history and the social, economic, cultural, educational, governmental, and other conditions that existed among these peoples.

The purposes of the Book of Mormon are 1. To bear record of Christ, certifying in plainness and with clarity of his Divine Sonship and mission, proving irrefutably that he is the Redeemer and Savior; 2. To teach the doctrines of the gospel in such a pure and perfect way that the plan of salvation will be clearly revealed; and 3. To stand as a witness to all the world that Joseph Smith was the Lord’s anointed through whom the foundation was laid for the great latter-day work of the restoration.

Almost all of the doctrines of the gospel are taught in the Book of Mormon with much greater clarity and perfection than those same doctrines revealed in the Bible. Anyone who will place in parallel columns the teachings of these two great books on such subjects as the atonement, plan of salvation, the gathering of Israel, baptism, gifts of the Spirit, miracles, revelation, faith, charity, (or any of a hundred other subjects), will find conclusive proof of the superiority of the Book of Mormon teachings.

On November 28, 1841, following a meeting with the Twelve Apostles, the Prophet wrote in his journal: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by it’s precepts, than by any other book." (History of the Church vol. 4, p. 461.) On another occasion he said: "Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none." (Teachings, p. 71.)

"We believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." (Eighth Article of Faith.) The book is true and was translated correctly. By revelation the Lord said of Joseph Smith: "He has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true." (D&C 17:6.) "We ... have seen the plates." the three witnesses testified, "and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true." (Testimony of Three Witnesses, Book of Mormon.)

There are numerous Biblical and other ancient prophecies foretelling the coming forth of, and various things pertaining to, the Book of Mormon. (Moses 7:59-62; Ps 85:11; Isa. 29: 45:8; Ezek 37:15-28; John 10:16; Rev 14:16-17; 2 Ne 3.

But the great and conclusive evidence of the divinity of the Book of Mormon is the testimony of the Spirit to the honest truth seeker, found in Moro 10:4. The spirit always finds a way to confirm to this person whether on the noisy streets or in their noisy homes, the truth of the Book and of our message.

THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS - At this festive season, as we contemplate that 2,397 have embraced the beauty of this Book so far this year, by following it’s direction to repent, be baptized, and then be cleansed by fire and the Holy Ghost. What is the greatest gift we can give those 7.5 million souls still without hope of eternal life in this great city. Christ has appeared to man on this the American continent, in 34 AD and numerous times since 1820 to living prophets. Let us be unswerving in out devotion to this cause. Do not allow ourselves to be distracted from such a noble cause, as we were in November.

THE STANDARD OF TRUTH - Let us never forget what Joseph Smith said; "Our missionaries are going forth to different nations ... the standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, until it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, until the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

"NOTHING GET’S ME DOWN" - We will never give up. No matter what. This city is too important to the Lord. D&C 84:114-117 indicates three cities that are special to the Lord. We must continue to cleanse and thus save the inhabitants of this city. They must repent. A Temple has been announced. As great blessings accompany such announcement, so do trials and tribulations. We are New York New York South missionaries. As President Cruz has said "Nothing gets us down!" We must continue in the task of "bringing thousands ... into the garners."

On December 19, 14 of our Elders and Sisters return home; missionaries who have baptized well over 800 persons during their missions. Those who remain must continue with their vision and faith. We must learn to be "better than they were." We must "step-up". Are we ready to carry their vision forward of consistently bringing 300 "souls unto Christ" every month. As I have mentioned before "Be consistently involved in retention and reactivation, then conversions will follow. Remember, you are responsible for your converts beyond baptism, throughout this life, to ensure they receive their ordinances, endowments and sealings in preparation for Celestial living together."

THE BOOK - OUR LEGACY TO CONVERTS - Use the Book of Mormon in all your teachings. There is no greater legacy of retention, to leave your converts, but a love for the Book of Mormon, it’s prophets, the Christ; a love they have felt from you because of your great love for it’s pages. This book is truly the keystone of our religion and it will be the "capstone" of your success. Hold fast to it’s teachings throughout your life, but more especially now, as we continue our "excellence" together.