Along with verses from the Bible, this book cites sources which are not universally accepted as scripture by all Christians. It is acknowledged that these verses will not be recognized as authoritative by most. However, the intent of using them is to present evidence that the ideas they contain are not plucked out of thin air.
For those curious of the sources cited, the briefest summaries are listed below:
- The Book of Mormon is a record of several peoples led from the Old World to the Americas in ancient times. The book records some of their history and sermons from about 2200 BC to about 421 AD, at which time their record was buried by the commandment of God in order to protect it from an allencompassing civil war destroying their society. In 1827, God directed a man named Joseph Smith to the record and inspired him to translate it into English. Just as the Bible is found to be valuable by people of many substantially different faiths, one’s view of the Book of Mormon ought to be independent of one’s view of any of the several churches that recognize it as scripture.
- The Doctrine and Covenants is a record of the dealings of God with Joseph Smith during his life. While much of the book consists of text of limited utility to those in different times and circumstances than its contemporaries, the book contains many valuable expositions of gospel principles in unrivaled clarity and content.
- Sirach is a book originally included in the Bible but later rejected by Protestants. It is used here when the ideas contained in its verses are expressed more clearly than elsewhere.
At a minimum, any honest person should be able to read the cited verses in the same way they would a quote from a novel: open to insight and scanning for valuable application to life. All that is asked for is an open mind.