Chiasmus 50th anniversary, jsb, brigham young university. The event was sponsored by byu studies and book of mormon central, a private nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire greater knowledge of the book of mormon. Elder holland gave a riveting sermon about the book of mormon in general conference yesterday sunday, oct 4, 2009. Elder holland testifies boldly of the truth of the book of. A book of mormon treasury religious studies center. I love elder holland and his special witness of the savior and of the book of mormon. Welch after the chiasmus jubilee celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. My letter to elder holland re book of mormon heres your reply, assuming youre still a member. Holland president of brigham young university january 17, 1989 devotional. I hold in my hand that book, the very copy from which hyrum read, the same corner of the page turned down still visible.
Of course, the book of mormon is not the churchs only missionary. According to elder holland, one of the remarkable contributions of the book of mormon is that, unlike the bible, there is a seamless transition from the period before jesuss mortal ministry with the law of moses to the period after. New post by elder holland reveals his testimony of the book. Therefore, it can be said that the book of mormon is not just a book supported by witnesses the three and eight witnesses but a book of witnesses nephi, jacob, and isaiah. Holland was called as a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in june 1994. Elder ulisses soares just gave a talk about how it is best to think about the book of mormon production as a revelation rather than a translation. The result is an intelligent observation and thorough study of the book of mormon s contribution to our understanding of christ. Standing like sentinels at the gate of the book, elder holland concluded, nephi, jacob, and isaiah admit us into the scriptural presence of the lord. Elder holland speaks at book of mormon chiasmus conference. Elder hollands 10 best talks of all time utahvalley360. Holland spoke about the power of the book of mormon during the church of jesus christ of latterday saints 179th semiannual general conference with that very book in hand. I want it absolutely clear when i stand before the judgment bar of god that i declared to the world that the book of mormon is true. Holland of the lds churchs quorum of the twelve apostles, left, speaks with law and religion scholar john w. Later when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon.
Elder hollands classic examination of jesus christ as the principal and commanding figure in the book of mormon is now available as an illustrated keepsake. This book is another testament of jesus christ and serves as. One of the book of mormons greatest figures, he is sometimes referred to as alma the elder as seen on the website of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to avoid confusion with his son, also named alma, who is often called alma the younger. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two testators. Jeffrey roy holland born december 3, 1940 is an american educator and religious leader. According to elder holland, preeminent in the lords arsenal to combat the evils of the world is the book of mormon, as the book is infused with the power of christ to counter all troubles in all timesincluding the end of times. Holland quorum of the twelve apostles the church of jesus christ of latter. I choose it precisely because there is so much in it that has given offense to many. How many reasons did elder holland say he has for believing. Did elder holland really just ask the saints to help alleviate hunger in the world. One of the most powerful testimonies of the book of mormon. Holland who shares his apostolic witness of the central figure of the book of mormon the lord jesus christ. He received a bachelors degree in english and masters.
Holland was ordained an apostle of the church in june of 1994 and became a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles later that year. He served as the ninth president of brigham young university and is a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. This conference, held on august 16, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. The book of mormon, elder holland testified, is the sacred expression of christs great last covenant with mankind. In his warm and thoughtful style elder holland writes, the book of mormon is the sacred expression of christs full and final covenant with mankind. It was a autographed copy, as my mission president was elder hollands brotherinlaw. Elder hollands insights on how the book of mormon can. The church changed my life and inspired me to be baptized at the age of 26. Holland explains the background and importance of the book of mormon. This conference, held on august 16, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of chiasmus in the book of. As a member of the quorum of the twelve, holland is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator.
Following those words came one of the most powerful apostolic witnesses of the book of mormon. This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipients and may contain confidential and privileged information. For most of a decade, elder holland has read the book of mormon repeatedly and thoroughly, focusing on all references to the savior and his teachings. Thank you elder holland for reminding me of the reason i love and this gospel.
My name is jeremy goff, my nickname is gogo, hence gogo goff is my pen name. Conference participants also viewed materials about the chiasmus at the harold b. Im not suggesting that elder holland was speaking as a prophet in that moment, its a. This landmark book explores what the book of mormon reveals about the character, attributes, and mission of our savior. Elder hollands testimony of the book of mormon facebook. The result is an intelligent observation and thorough study of the book of mormons contribution to our understanding of christ.
Many of those nuggets of truth we are to find are waiting for us on the pages of the book of mormon, just as ether 12. At a 50thanniversary commemoration of the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon, lds apostle elder jeffrey r. Safety for the soul is a great talk given by apostle of the lord, jeffrey r holland and is one of my favorites. Elder and sister holland identify the most important. We assume those temples were about like our temples. Elder holland claims to hold the very copy of the book of mormon that bethsheba, hyrum smiths wife, had in her possession from which hyrum smith the prophets brother read to her and had turned the corner of the page down from where he read. Holland testifies of the truth of the bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation from god to his children. Brothers and sisters, elder holland assured, god always provides safety for the soul, and with the book of mormon, he has again done that in.
The highest and most revered purpose of the book of mormon is to restore to abrahams seed that crucial message declaring christs divinity, convincing all who read its pages with a sincere heart, with real intent that jesus is the christ moroni 10. This talk will be quoted for a long time to come, and elder holland has quickly become a favorite for many lds apologists. Holland gave a stirring address about the power of physical evidence in defending the gospel at the chiasmus conference sponsored by book of mormon central and byu studies. Brothers and sisters and friends, sister holland and i are as thrilled as you are to have been part of this wonderful evening tonight. Elder and sister holland identify the most important figure in the. While on my mission several years ago, my mission president let me borrow elder jeffrey r. Provo, utah missionaries should cherish and use the book of mormon above all other proselyting tools god has given them, said elder jeffrey r. Brother phillips, the stake presidency is considering formal disciplinary action in your behalf, including the possibility of disfellowship or excommunication, because you are reported to have participated in conduct unbecoming a members of the church and evil speaking of the lords anointed. My letter to elder holland re book of mormon very long.
Elder holland is excitable, anyone who has heard him speak can quickly pick up on this about his personality, on top of that he was giving a rally speech, rally speeches in general commonly focus on success and the positive and typically omit or minimize the negative. Elder hollands testimony of the book of mormon a powerful witness from an apostle of the lord. Im not suggesting that elder holland was speaking as a prophet in that moment, its a fairly informal setting and hes being fairly conversational. Elder holland bore solemn and soulstirring witness of the book of mormon that was tangibly powerful in the declaration of its veracity. Numerous church leaders, including elder jeffrey r. Truthfulness of the book of mormon dear elder holland. Elder holland invites young adults to pursue the fulness. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. Reply from elder holland mormon apostle to my letter.
Elder holland sent me an email in response to my letter but, being the bully and coward that he is, the following prohibition notice was appended to the email. Let us now examine the prophet josephs characterization of the book of mormon as the keystone of our religion. You can watch elder hollands talk in the video embedded below. At remarks given at brigham young university wednesday, john welch, who first identified the ancient writing style chiasmus in the book of mormon, said, the. Testimony of the book of mormon latterday saints channel. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to. Introducing a major new doctrinal work written by elder jeffrey r. The book of mormon can be the iron rod, and heaven knows, we all need such an iron rod. It is a new covenant, a new testament from the new world to the entire world. Holland, however, puts an unusual twist on the meaning of the parable, rendering it not only unbiblical but contrary to the book of mormon as well. It led me to love the holy bible and the rest of the standard works of the church. As a 19yearold, i read the book of mormon for the first time with real intent. Holland delivers a stirring testimony of the book of mormon to believers, nonbelievers and former belie.
Elder holland explained, a keystone is positioned at the uppermost center of an arch in such a way as to hold all the other stones in place. Gospel quotes, mormon quotes, lds mormon, lds faith quotes, repentance quotes, wisdom quotes, prophet quotes, book of mormon, spiritual thoughts alexis gardner mormon. The twoday conference included presentations by latterday saints and scholars of other faiths discussing chiasmus in the bible and other texts, including the book of mormon chiasmus, which comes from the greek for crossing or diagonal arrangement, is a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions or concepts are repeated in reverse order. George, utah, he received bachelors and masters degrees from brigham young university and a masters degree and. It was while reading this sacred record so hungrily, even ravenously, that i feltagain and againthe undeniable whispering of the holy ghost declaring to my soul the truthfulness of its message.
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