Why prophets write

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 2 Ne 25:23

Why did the prophets write? To bring us to Christ, for they knew Him personally and knew that "there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ . . . whereby man can be saved." 2 Ne 25:20

"Ne" is short for "Nephi". This reference comes from the book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon.

Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon is a compilation of books by different men, most of whom were prophets. Nephi is the first writer, hence the first book is called the first book of Nephi.

Near about 600 B.C. Nephi's family lived in Jerusalem. His father, Lehi, was one prophet, along with Jeremiah and others, who were warned by the Lord of the impending Babylonian exile. Lehi was warned in a dream to take his and another family and flee into the wilderness. After over eight years of travelling in the dessert, they arrived at the shore of the Indian Ocean in Oman. They built a ship and sailed to America where they settled and eventually began a new civilization.

After that, Nephi and others kept their records on plates of ore. Eventually a prophet-historian, Mormon, compiled and abridged those records on plates to form the Book of Mormon.

So, while prophets, and eventually, the apostles were writing the books that now make up the Bible in the Old World, there were prophets writing about Christ here in the New World.

From about 600 b.c. until 435 a.d., 10 centuries. (thanks for correcting me)

I admire your diligence in defending your faith in Christ! I wish you could see that the Book of Mormon and the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do not in any way contradict your belief in Christ. The foundation of everything that is taught in the Book of Mormon is Christ. Every page is filled with testimonies of him.

I think the only part of your belief that the Book of Mormon contradicts is your belief that the canon of scripture is closed. The Book of Mormon, if it is true, is evidence that the canon of scripture is not nor ever will be closed. Whenever Christ's prophets or apostles are on earth they will write His words and that is scripture.

In the Book of Revelation, John says w soul not add to this book. Many Christians, not all, take that to mean the Bible. But Jig was referring only to the book he was writing. Deuteronomy says the same thing. Why would Christ reveal His word to prophets for for millennia and suddenly stop for the last two? He always follows the same pattern of teaching His children and that will never change.

Lastly, you say the Book of Mormon can't be true because of a lack of archeological evidence to support it. First there is plenty of evidence in digs and research done in both South America and the Middle East. But does that matter? Since when do we base our testimonies of Christ or His word on scientific evidence. When someone tells you that science proves there is no God, does that affect your belief? No! Through prayer, study and experience, you know with out a doubt that Christ use your Savior. You know the Bible is His word. I know the same thing and it it's because of faith and experience. I also have prayed about the Book of Mormon and know it is true I felt an undeniable witness from the Spirit that no one can take from me. I know Christ is my Savior and I know it because I have felt His life and power in my life. I also know it because I know that both the Bible and Book of Mormon are true. Because I know these books are true I know that Good reveals His gospel to prophets ancient and modern and I know Joseph Smith was one such prophet. Does that make sense to you why I believe what I believe? My testimony of Christ is made no less by it, in fact, I feel privileged to have even more accounts of God's love contained within the Book of Mormon and other scripture. I am not ashamed of Christ and I am not ashamed to be a member of His Church organized in the same way as the ancient church, with prophets and apostles, revelation and scripture. All I can say is come and see. Read the Book of Mormon and pray perhaps you may join your witness with millions of others who have prayed and received a witness and know it is true. They have all been blessed by that testimony as have I.