THE CHALLENGE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON by Evangelist/Patriarch Walter Weldon

The preface to the Book of Mormon tells us that it is to come forth by the way of the Gentiles. In the Book of Mormon there are hundreds of references that speak to the Gentiles. Who are these Gentiles? God is no respecter of race or color. His covenants and promises are to all people. In III Nephi 9:92, it is recorded that this record shall come forth to the Gentiles. If the Gentiles will repent and be baptized and accept the true points of His doctrine, they may be numbered among His people. The House of Israel. We are spoken of as latter day Israel in Doctrine and Covenants l00:3d... "for ye are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham".

Many of our people believe that when they become members of the RLDS church that they are no more Gentiles. Therefore what is told to the Gentiles, by Jesus Christ and the prophets - "to take this record to the house of Israel" - does not apply to them who are now members of the RLDS church. If this interpretation is accepted, we are no longer responsible to take this record to the Lamanites. If this is the case, then who will take the gospel to them. A Gentile who does not know the gospel would not be able to do it unless he had received it first.

I believe this is one of the reasons we have done so little in taking this record to the Lamanites. Doctrine and Covenants 83:8a,b says:

And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation.  And the condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion even all; and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written.

The Lord is speaking here about unbelief. Unbelief is to know the truth and do nothing about it. It is to ignore what you have been instructed to do. If you were working, or hired, by a company and were instructed as to what you were to do and you failed to do the work, you would be fired and replaced. This is exactly what has been happening over the years since the above instructions were given to the church.

The Lord is also saying you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation. The Lord is expressing .~ the seriousness of his word as to what He is telling them - "You must not ignore and treat my "' I '~' word lightly".

The Lord is continuing to say, repent and remember the New Covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments, again not only to say but to do according to that which He has written. It can not be much clearer what we have been told to do. We will never have Zion if we continue to treat the new covenant, the Book of Mormon, lightly.

I hope a new day is dawning as our people are taking seriously these instructions. The teachings of the Book of Mormon are to be taken to the covenant people, the Lamanites, as they are spoken of in this record.

I am encouraged to see the interest and work being given in many places, to God's covenant people. We have been under condemnation too long by our failure to do and follow the Lord's directions set forth so plainly in his word. I encourage everyone of you who are working in this area to not let up. Your efforts will be blessed for this is the Lord's work and it is marvelous in our eyes.