- 10:30-11:30
親愛的弟兄姊妹們：
My dear brothers and sisters,
今天我的演講主題是「摩爾門經的問世」。
The topic of my speech today is "The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon" .
「摩爾門經」是一部可與《聖經》相提並論的神聖經典，
The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible.
是神與古代美洲居民之間交往的紀錄，包含圓滿的永久福音。
It is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
那麼「問世」是什麼意思呢？「問世」在字典中的意思是「出現」。那麼怎麼樣叫做「出現」呢？
Then, what does "the coming forth" mean? In the dictionary "come forth" means "to appear" Then, what does "appear” mean?
大約西元 421 年，摩爾門經中的最後一位先知，摩羅乃，在他死前，把一部用古代文字刻寫在金頁片上的經文，埋藏在一個地方。
Around 421 AD, Moroni, the last prophet in the Book of Mormon, buried a scripture written on gold plates with ancient scripts in one place before he died.
那地方是今日美國紐約州西部的曼徹斯特鎮的一個小山丘。
That place is a small hill in Manchester, New York, USA today.
1400多年後，西元 1823 年9月22日，即在第一次異象三年半之後，已經復活的摩羅乃，指示這福音期的第一位先知，約瑟斯密到埋藏經文地方，取出金頁片。
About 1,400 years later, on September 22, 1823, three and a half years after the First Vision, Moroni, who had been resurrected, instructed the first prophet of this dispensation, Joseph Smith, to the place where the scriptures were buried , to take out the gold plates.
這事件可以說是摩爾門經第一次「問世」。
This event can be said to be the first "coming forth" of the Book of Mormon.
但是摩羅乃命令約瑟當時不可以帶走金頁片。
But Moroni ordered Joseph not to take the gold plates away.
他要約瑟準備好自己，以便將來能接受金頁片。
He asked Joseph to prepare himself so that he could accept gold plates in the future.
而且等到這金頁片被翻譯完成之後，約瑟必須再把這金頁片歸還給摩羅乃。
And after the gold plate was translated, Joseph had to return the gold plate to Moroni.
摩羅乃警告約瑟，從約瑟取得金頁片起，就有許多人會試圖從他那裏偷走頁片，約瑟必須努力保管他們。
Moroni warned Joseph that since he obtained the gold plates, many people would try to steal the plates from him, and he must strive to keep them.
並且約瑟不得將金頁片給任何人看，除非是由神所指定的見證人。
And Joseph was not allowed to show the gold plates to anyone, save the witnesses appointed by God.
在接下來的四年中，每年的9月22日，約瑟都到那裏，從摩羅乃獲得更多的啟示，知道主的國度在後期時代應當如何管理。
For the next four years, every September 22nd, Joseph went there to get more revelation from Moroni and know how the Lord's kingdom should be managed in the latter days.
1827年9月22日天使摩羅乃將金頁片交到約瑟手中。
On September 22, 1827, the angel Moroni delivered the gold plates to Joseph.
這是摩爾門經第二次出「問世」。
This is the second "coming forth" of the Book of Mormon.
約瑟將金頁片帶回家中，按照摩羅乃的吩咐，進行翻譯摩爾門經。
Joseph took the gold plates home and began to translate the Book of Mormon according to Moroni's instruction.
約瑟斯密說，藉著神的力量，「我把象形文字翻譯成摩爾門經，有關這個文字的知識已從世上失落，我獨自置身在這奇妙的事件中。一個沒受過什麼教育的少年，憑著全新的啟示，挑戰世俗的智慧及累積十八個世紀之久的無知。」
Joseph Smith said, with the power of God, that he “translated the Book of Mormon from [hieroglyphs] (KK[ˋhaɪərə͵glɪfs]), the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event [he] stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation.”
後來約瑟的抄寫員為神在摩爾門經翻譯的過程中，所顯示的能力作證。
Joseph’s scribes testified of the power of God that was manifested while working on the translation of the Book of Mormon.
奧利佛考德里曾說：「這是一段令人永難忙懷的日子，坐在由天上靈感口述的聲音之下，喚醒了胸最深的感恩！日復一日我不受干擾地繼續著，.......寫下他口述的......摩爾門經。」
Oliver Cowdery once said: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated … ‘The Book of Mormon.’”
雖然經過許多的挑戰和迫害，藉著神的大能，約瑟終於完成翻譯摩爾門經，並將金頁片歸還摩羅乃。
Although after many challenges and persecutions, with the power of God, Joseph finally completed the translation of the Book of Mormon and returned the gold plates to Moroni.
在此之前，神指定了十一位證人，他們都親眼看見過金頁片，並且在摩爾門經中寫下證詞。
Before that, God appointed eleven witnesses, all of whom had seen the gold plates with their own eyes and wrote testimonies in the Book of Mormon.
1830年3月，首刷 5,000 本的摩爾門經出版了。
In March 1830, the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published.
今日更以一百多種語言印刷了超過1億8千多萬本。
Today more than 180 million copies have been printed in more than 100 languages.
摩爾門經的問世是神的救恩計畫的一個重要的部分。
The publication of the Book of Mormon is an important part of God's plan of salvation.
神促成摩爾門經問世的目的，是要與聖經結合在一起，推翻假教義，建立和平，帶領人們了解聖約，幫助後期時代的人類兒女，也就是我們，認識祂的兒子耶穌基督，並參與聚集以色列，準備迎接救主的第二次來臨。
God’s purpose in bringing forth the Book of Mormon is to integrate it with the Holy Bible, confound false doctrines, establish peace, and bring us to a knowledge of the covenant,
and to help the children of men, in the latter days, that is, us, to know His Son, Jesus Christ, and to participate in gathering Israel to prepare for the second coming of the Savior.
摩爾門經的問世不是一個事件，而是一個持續不斷的過程。
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is not an event, but a continuous process.
今日摩爾門經繼續問世，你我的歸信都是這過程的一部分。
Today the coming forth of the Book of Mormon continues. All of our conversions are part of this process.
我就是因為摩爾門經而歸信的。
I was converted because of the Book of Mormon.
當我研讀摩爾門經，它觸動我的靈魂。
When I study the Book of Mormon, it touches my soul.
對於我而言，才是真正的「摩爾門經的問世」。
For me, it is truly "the coming forth of the Book of Mormon."
這讓我知道我是神的兒子，並認識耶穌基督是我的救主，而我可以藉著遵守救恩計畫中我與神的聖約，得到永生。
This makes me know that I am a son of God and that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that I can get eternal life by keeping my covenant with God in the plan of salvation.
而且我會參與聖工幫助其他的人，不論是活著的世人，或已過世的祖先都能得到一樣的祝福。
And I will participate in the holy work to help others, whether they are living in the world or those who have passed away, obtain the same blessing.
現在我要說明我如何因為摩爾門經而歸信。
Now I will be explaining how I converted because of the Book of Mormon.
我的大兒子和女兒於1990年3月受洗成為耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的成員。
My eldest son and daughter were baptized in March 1990 and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
他們兩人是我們家中歸信救主耶穌基督的先驅者。
Both of them are pioneers in our family who converted to the Savior Jesus Christ.
他們受洗不久之後，就有傳教士來我們家分享福音課程。
Soon after they were baptized, missionaries came to our home to share gospel lessons.
傳教士每一次的拜訪，都會邀請我們閱讀摩爾門經的某些章節。
Every time missionaries visited us, we were invited to read certain verses or chapters of the Book of Mormon.
後來我就自己決定從頭開始研讀摩爾門經。
Later, I decided to study the Book of Mormon from scratch.
經過大約兩年的閱讀，我終於在1993年1月接受洗禮。
After some two years of reading, I was finally baptized in January 1993.
那時候，我已經讀完摩羅乃書第七章。
At that time, I had completed reading the seventh chapter of Moroni.
摩爾門經共有 238 章，其中前 204 章是摩爾門，摩羅乃的父親，節錄在他之前古代美洲大陸的先知記錄做成的。
There are 238 chapters in the Book of Mormon, of which the first 204 chapters are abridged by Mormon, Moroni's father, from the records of prophets in the ancient American continent before him.
接著摩爾門自己寫了 9 章，稱為摩爾門書，是把他自己所看到和聽到的事作成的紀錄。
Then Mormon himself wrote 9 chapters, called the Book of Mormon, a specific book of The Book of Mormon, which is a record of what he saw and heard.
由於拉曼人和尼腓人的戰爭激烈，摩爾門把紀錄交到他的兒子，摩羅乃，的手中，要他保管紀錄，並繼續摘錄雅列人的記事。
Because war between the Lamanites and the Nephites was so fierce that Mormon handed over the records to his son, Moroni, and asked him to keep the records and continue to abridge the accounts of the Jaredites.
摩羅乃帶著沈重的紀錄，一邊逃亡，一邊繼續按照他父親的吩咐摘錄雅列人的紀錄，稱為以帖書，共 15 章。
Carrying heavy records fleeing, Moroni continued to abridge the Jaredit records according to his father's orders. The abridgement is called the Book of Ether, with 15 chapters.
以帖書，錄自摩賽亞王時代林海人民發現的二十四張頁片。
The Book of Ether is abridged from 24 pages discovered by the people of Limhi in the time of King Mosiah.
這摩賽亞王時代距離摩羅乃時代大約有 500 年。
This time of King Mosiah is about 500 years before the time of Moroni.
我深思，為什麼摩爾門在臨死前吩咐他的兒子在緊急逃亡的時候，不但要帶著沈重的紀錄，還要躲躲藏藏抽空節錄雅列人的紀錄呢？
I wondered why before he died, Mormon ordered his son Moroni to not only carry heavy records, but also to hide and take time to abridge the records of the Jaredites when fleeing in such an emergent circumstance?
後來，我讀到摩羅乃書第一章的時候，我終於明白那原因，就決定要受洗了。
Later, when I read the first chapter of Moroni, I finally understood the reason and decided to be baptized.
摩爾門經摩羅乃書第一章寫道：
The first chapter of the Book of Mormon reads:
我，摩羅乃，節錄完雅列人的記事後，本以為不會再多寫了，但我還沒有死；我不讓拉曼人發現我，免得他們殺害我。
1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.因為看啊，他們之間的戰爭非常激烈；他們出於仇恨，處死每一個不否認基督的尼腓人。
2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.我，摩羅乃，決不會否認基督，因此，我為了自己生命的安全，到任何我能到的地方流浪。
3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.因此，我要多寫一些事情，這和我當初所想的相反，因為我本以為不會再多寫了；但我要多寫一些事情，這樣或許將來能按照主的旨意，對我的弟兄拉曼人有價值。
4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.
我認為，此時此刻，尼腓人都快要被拉曼人完全滅亡了，
I think that at this moment, the Nephites were about to be completely destroyed by the Lamanites.
他的父親也戰爭中被拉曼人殺死了，而且拉曼人還在追殺他。
His father was also killed by the Lamanites during the war, and the Lamanites were still chasing him.
現在好不容易，他才剛剛完成了他父親的吩咐，節錄了雅列人的記事。
Now with great difficulty, he just completed his father's order abridging the Jaredite's account.
他原本應該把紀錄藏起來，讓自己可以減輕負擔，專心地逃亡。
He should have hidden the record so that he could lighten the burden and concentrate on fleeing.
然而他卻改變自己的想法，順從主的旨意，為他的仇敵，他稱他們為弟兄拉曼人，的好處，繼續在逃亡中寫了10 章，稱為摩羅乃書，做為摩爾門經的完結篇。
However, he changed his mind and obeyed the Lord’s will. For the welfare of his enemies, he called them my brethren, he wrote 10 chapters, called the book of Moroni, as the end article of the Book of Mormon.
讀到這裡，我的心為了摩羅乃感到很沈重。然而我也很敬佩他。
After reading this, my heart felt very heavy for Moroni. However, I also admired him very much.
那麼，摩羅乃在第一章結束之後的九章中，到底寫了什麼對他的弟兄拉曼人民有價值呢？
Then, what exactly did Moroni write of worth to his brethren, the Lamanites, in the nine chapters after the first chapter?
在第二章中摩羅乃重申 400 多年前，耶穌向尼腓人顯現時把授予聖靈恩賜的權力，賜給十二位尼腓門徒。
In chapter 2, Moroni referred that Jesus gave the twelve Nephite disciples power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.
在第三章中摩爾乃根據神的啟示說明長老用按手的方式，按立祭司和教師。
In chapter 3, Moroni described how elders ordain priests and teachers by the laying on of hands.
在第四章和第五章說明長老和祭司主理聖餐的祈禱文。
In chapter 4 and 5, Moroni quoted the mode of administering the sacrament.
在第六章中說明悔改的人受洗並得到交誼，悔改的教會成員得到寬恕，教會成員要藉聖靈的力量來主持聚會。
In chapter 6, Moroni explained that repentant persons would be baptized and fellowshipped, Church members who repent would be forgiven, meetings would be conducted by the power of the Holy Ghost.
在剩下的各章中邀請世人進入主的安息，祈禱要真誠，藉著基督的靈使世人能分辨善惡，警告人們撒但會誘拐世人否認基督並作惡。眾先知會顯明基督的來臨，憑著信心，才有奇蹟和天使施助，世人應希望得到永生，並滿懷仁愛。等等.....
In the succeeding chapters, An invitation is given to enter into the rest of the Lord—Pray with real intent—The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil—Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil—The prophets manifest the coming of Christ—By faith, miracles are wrought and angels minister—Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity.
我反覆思量，摩羅乃怎麼能够身處在那樣慘烈的戰爭中，心境如此平安，思維怗記著他的仇敵未來的福祉，按照神的旨意寫下人們要如何參與建立和管理神的國度，並且個人如何努力才能得到神的祝福。
I pondered repeatedly about how Moroni could be in such a tragic war, with such peace of mind, thinking about the future well-being of his enemy, writing in accordance with God’s will how people should participate in the establishment and management of God’s kingdom, and how can one strive to get the blessing of God.
在這個時刻，終於我能瞭解聖經中許多經文中的意思：
At this moment, I can finally understand the meaning of many verses in the Bible:
「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。」以及「要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告， 這樣就可以做你們天父的兒子。」這是我在歸信以前所不瞭解的。
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” and “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
我研讀摩爾門經，從頭到尾，慢慢瞭解神的愛、天父的救恩計畫、和救主耶穌基督的贖罪力量。
I studied the Book of Mormon, from beginning to end, and slowly understood the love of God, the Father’s plan of salvation, and the atonement power of the Savior Jesus Christ.
可以讓我知道自己的真正的身份，是神所鐘愛的兒子，而且藉著遵守聖約，我可以脫離自然人，而成為聖徒。
This allowed me to know my true identity, a beloved son of God. By keeping the covenant, I could be reborn as a saint from a natural man.
我決定受洗並努力效法摩爾門經中眾先知的榜樣，而成為天父要我成為那樣的人。對我而言，這就是摩爾門經問世的真諦。
I decided to be baptized and try to follow the example of the prophets in the Book of Mormon, and become the kind of person the Father wants me to be. For me, this is the essence of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
弟兄姊妹們，我們每一個人如何因為摩爾門經而歸信的故事，可能都不一樣。
Brothers and sisters, the story of how each of us converted because of the Book of Mormon may be different.
但當摩爾門經的任何章節觸動了你的靈魂，使您歸向基督，認識您自己的永恆身份，並努力尋求神對您的旨意，來實現它。這樣，對您而言，摩爾門經才真正地問世了。
But when some verses of the Book of Mormon touches your soul, that makes you come unto Christ, recognize your own eternal identity, and strive to seek God's will for you, and fulfill it, in this way, for you, the Book of Mormon really comes forth.
我知道摩爾門經是真實的和神聖的。
I know that the Book of Mormon is real and sacred.
摩爾門經問世的顯示神愛世人，見證耶穌是基督，是我們的救主，要叫一切信祂的不致滅亡，反得永生。我這樣說奉耶穌基督的名，阿們。
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon testifies that God loves the world and testifies that Jesus is the Christ and our Savior, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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