Ezekiel 37

Imagine you see a social media post that asks, “Why do you need the Book of Mormon if you believe in the Bible?” How confident do you feel in your ability to answer this question?

At the end of the lesson, you will have a chance to practice responding to this question.

During Ezekiel’s day, the house of Israel had been conquered and scattered. The Lord showed Ezekiel the eventual gathering of Israel. In these visions, the Lord explained how His word in the scriptures would help gather Israel. As you study Ezekiel 37 today, invite the Spirit to help you recognize ways the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Read Ezekiel 37:1–6. Mark what the Lord wants the house of Israel to know.

As part of redeeming His people, the Savior promised to bring them into the land of Israel (see verse 12). Ezekiel’s vision can represent the Lord’s desire to gather His people and Israel’s future resurrection.

Read Ezekiel 37:15–20, looking for the Lord’s promise about the scriptures in the latter days.

President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The sticks, of course, are records or books. In ancient Israel records were written upon tablets of wood or scrolls rolled upon sticks. …

The stick or record of Judah—the Old Testament and the New Testament—and the stick or record of Ephraim—the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ—are now woven together in such a way that as you pore over one you are drawn to the other; as you learn from one you are enlightened by the other. (“Scriptures,” Ensign, Oct. 1982, 51, 53)

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

14:33

The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that He is the Son of God, that He lived an exemplary life, that He atoned for all mankind, that He died upon the cross and rose again as the resurrected Lord. They teach that He is the Savior of the world.

Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was “written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also” (Mormon 7:9). (“Scriptural Witnesses,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 43–44)

Make a note next to Ezekiel 37:15–20 summarizing what you learned from President Packer and President Nelson. You could also link their statements to verse 15.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How can I help others see that the Bible and the Book of Mormon both testify of Jesus Christ?

Study two or more of the following gospel topics. Tag the scriptures you study with the topic they talk about.

Gospel topic	Companion scriptures
Gospel topic The Atonement of Jesus Christ	Companion scriptures Bible: Isaiah 53:3–5 Book of Mormon: Alma 7:11–13
Gospel topic Resurrection of all because of Jesus Christ	Companion scriptures Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:20–22 Book of Mormon: Alma 11:42–45
Gospel topic The Savior promises to gather and redeem His people	Companion scriptures Bible: Ezekiel 37:21–23, 26–27 Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 10:14
Gospel topic The attributes of Jesus Christ	Companion scriptures Bible: Isaiah 63:7 Book of Mormon: Mosiah 4:11

If it is available, watch the video “What Is the Book of Mormon?” (0:57).

0:58

Create a social media post responding to the question found at the beginning of the lesson, “Why do you need the Book of Mormon if you believe in the Bible?” Include a few examples of how the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ.

Option B

Why do we need both the Bible and the Book of Mormon?

Notice in the following image how you can make many lines through one point. When you have two points, you can make only one line that passes through both.

How might the points represent the Bible and Book of Mormon?

While serving in the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Tad R. Callister taught:

10:15

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian churches in the world today when they obtain their doctrine from essentially the same Bible? It is because they interpret the Bible differently. If they interpreted it the same, they would be the same church. This is not a condition the Lord desires, for the Apostle Paul declared that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). To help bring this oneness about, the Lord established a divine law of witnesses. Paul taught, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. (“The Book of Mormon—a Book from God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 75).

Using what you learned from Ezekiel 37 and Elder Callister, write in your notebook why we need both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand ways the Bible and the Book of Mormon work together as witnesses of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What you recorded about how the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ.

• Your social media post about the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?