Written records of both God and man are important. The written words of God tell us of our conditions here on this earth, and how we can overcome them through the Lord's Plan of Redemption. The records of men tell us how we are doing in relation to this plan, and more importantly what has been and what is important to the world.
The records are so important that when Christ comes in person, He refers people to the written records.
"And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them (the written records) unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.
And he saith: These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.
And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;
And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil" (3 Nephi 26:1-4).
And in our day He said:
"Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true.
And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;
For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock" (D&C 18:2-4 emphasis added).
King Benjamin taught:
"And he (Mosiah) caused that they (his sons) should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord.
And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.
For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.
I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct" (Mosiah 1:1-5).
Alma responds to a question by Antionah concerning the placing of a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, by teaching the word of God concerning the fall of Adam, and then says: "...it was appointed unto men that they must die;... and after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them, therefore he sent angels to converse with them..." (Alma 12:27-29).
He then teaches of the plan of redemption and equates hardening of the heart with lack of repentance, and teaches that: "But God did call on man, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you through mine Only Begotten Son" (Alma 12:33).
The first written record of God's word goes back to the time of Adam, and is recorded by Enoch in the Book of Moses. Enoch says:
"For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God, and it is given in our own language. And as Enoch spoke forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand in his presence. And he said unto them: Behold because that Adam fell, we are; and by his fall came death; and we are made partakers of misery and woe. Behold Satan cometh among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him; and men have become carnal, sensual and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God.
"But God hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent" (Moses 6:46:47).
Enoch goes on: "And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying, I am God; I made the world and men before they were in the flesh. ...If thou will come unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent..., and be baptized...in the name of mine Only Begotten Son...which is Jesus Christ...ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost..." (Moses 6:50-52).
So the first recorded words from God and those given by Alma are the same. Why? Because Alma had those words in the brass plates, and also asked that they be revealed to him personally, which he tells us they were. So he is not just reading what God said to Adam, but is teaching us through the spirit of revelation what he received. (See Alma 5:45-47)
And those who do not receive His written words "do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct" (Mosiah 1:5) "The records have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries and have his commandments always before our eyes."
And how are we doing? Just read the writings of men to find out.
