Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts

by Gaye Strathearn (Editor), Charles Swift (Editor)

Mark Twain reportedly said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” Perhaps a similar statement could be made regarding the Book of Mormon: the person who reads the Book of Mormon but does not follow its teachings is not much better off than the person who does not read it. The 2007 Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, Living the Book of Mormon: “Abiding by Its Precepts,” focuses on how the Book of Mormon can immeasurably bless our lives as we strive to live what it teaches.

In this volume are papers presented at the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium held on the Provo campus of Brigham Young University on October 26–27, 2007. This year the symposium takes its theme from Joseph Smith’s statement, “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 its precepts, than by any other book” (introduction to the Book of Mormon).

Topics of the 2007 Sidney B. Sperry Symposium include redemption through Christ, the “three Rs” of the Book of Mormon, and the divine precept of charity. Presenters include Elder Joe J. Christensen, Terry B. Ball, Richard O. Cowan, and Robert L. Millet.

This symposium is distinctive in that it centers on the practical application of the precepts taught in the Book of Mormon—precepts that can help us draw nearer to God.—Elder Joe J. Christensen, emeritus member, First Quorum of the Seventy.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2007

Reviews

[Rex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jared Parker's essay of Abinadi's explanation of the Father and the Son was phenomenal. It is a succint explanation of a very difficult passage of scripture. I would recommend it to anyone reading Abinadi's speech in King Noah's court. I wasn't as impressed with the rest of the book. None of the other essay are must-reads, although some show glimpses of insight.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays on the Book of Mormon. The essays were all fine but they didn’t draw me in. This book isn’t terribly long but it took me months to get through it. I don’t think I’ll be rereading this one.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information

[Daniel Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few years ago I decided to make a goal to read the scholarship from the BYU Sperry Symposium each year. This edition was about the Book of Mormon and takes a look at different elements of written text of the book. It's written by different BYU professors who offer essays on various topics usually under the umbrella of a unique theme. These are good books to add to your library and offer some insights on scripture that you might not have considered previously.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book such as this is difficult to give one overall rating. It is a collection of talks and presentations given at a BYU symposium, all under the theme of the Book of Mormon. A handful of the talks were particularly moving and I plan to read them again. Others didn't touch me as much. However, I did feel that I gained greater insight into scriptural teachings and understanding of the Book of Mormon.

[Kymberli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and inspiring because it helps me live the principles I learn from my Book of Mormon readings. Each talk is very applicable to every day life.