For additional resources, lesson activity ideas, and more, see the lesson plan on the For Our Day website.

The Book of Mormon begins with the prophet Lehi being commissioned by the Lord to preach repentance to the Jews in Jerusalem. The populace of Jerusalem believed itself to be the chosen people of the Lord, but they failed to keep the Lord’s commandments. They rejected and sought the lives of Lehi and the prophets, many being tortured and put to death. The Lord warned Lehi to flee into the wilderness and eventually covenanted to him a promised land (eventually known as America). The Lehites were guided there by the Lord—founding one of the greatest nations in the world’s history on the teachings in a book of scripture known as the Brass Plates.

The history of our modern civilization is a perfect parallel. Our history begins in the blackness of the Dark Ages with great men and women of character standing for ancient truths found in scripture. They stood alone, sustained by the Lord, against an apostate religious darkness that had covered the earth for centuries and claimed to speak for God.

These Reformers were hunted, driven, and martyred for the testimony of Christ and His Scripture. Groups were led by God to the New World and given direction to keep the covenant of this land, which is, that all those who possess it will serve the Lord Jesus Christ or they will be swept off. These pilgrims, refugees, and covenanters founded one of the greatest nations in the world’s history upon the teachings found in the Bible.

Learning the true stories of men and women who laid down their lives so we could have the scriptures today gives us a deeper appreciation for the records we have!