Along with verses from the Bible, this book cites from other 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. It is hoped, however, that their use will support the fact that these ideas were not plucked out of thin air, and that the reader will open-mindedly consider their content even if they are unfamiliar with or unconvinced by their source.
For those curious about the sources cited, brief 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 God’s dealings with them from 2200 BC to 421 AD, at which time their record was buried by the commandment of God in order to protect it during an all-encompassing 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. Though the Book of Mormon is considered scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon churches, those who find value in it are no more compelled to subscribe to a particular church than those who believe in the Bible are compelled to be Catholic.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a record of the dealings of God with Joseph Smith and his followers during his life. While much of the book consists of text of questionable value to those in different times and circumstances than its authors, the book contains many valuable expositions of gospel principles in unrivaled clarity and content.
The Books of Moses and Abraham are accounts by each author reproduced through revelation to Joseph Smith.
Several books originally included in the King James and earlier Bibles but later removed by most Protestant denominations are cited here where the ideas therein are expressed more clearly than can be found elsewhere.