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Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a record of God's dealings with the people who lived in the ancient Americas. Prophets of the Lord engraved the original records on gold plates. On September 22, 1827, an angel named Moroni—the last Book of Mormon prophet—delivered these records to the Prophet Joseph Smith. By the gift and power of God, the Prophet Joseph translated the record into English.

Additional Information

The primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people "that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations" (title page of the Book of Mormon). It teaches that all people "must come unto him, or they cannot be saved" (1 Nephi 13:40). Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon is "the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (introduction to the Book of Mormon).

The Book of Mormon is another witness for the truths taught in the Bible. It also restores "plain and precious" truths that have been lost from the Bible through errors in translation or "taken away" in attempts to "pervert the right ways of the Lord" (see 1 Nephi 13:24–27, 1 Nephi 13:38–41). The Bible and the Book of Mormon "shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace" (2 Nephi 3:12).

Near the end of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni teaches us how we can know the book is true: "When ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4; see also Moroni 10:3 and Moroni 10:5).

See also Scriptures

—See True to the Faith (2004), 157–58

Church Magazine Articles

  • "Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon"

    Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1988, 4–6
    The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon. . . . We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!

  • "The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God"

    Ezra Taft Benson, Tambuli, May 1988, 2–7; or Ensign, Jan. 1988, 2–5
    The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book.

  • "The Power of the Book of Mormon in My Life"

    Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Oct. 1984, 6–11
    It is not sufficient that the Book of Mormon be found in our homes; its principles must be captured in our minds and hearts.

  • "The Keystone of Our Religion"

    James E. Faust, Liahona, Jan. 2004, 2–6; or Ensign, Jan. 2004, 2–6
    I question whether one can acquire an understanding of this great book except through singleness of mind and strong purpose of heart, manifest through study and prayer.

  • "Testimonies of the Book of Mormon"

    Ensign, Jan. 2004, 7–9
    Church leaders testify of the Book of Mormon.

  • "A Testimony of the Book of Mormon"

    Russell M. Nelson, Liahona, Jan. 2000, 82–86; or Ensign, Nov. 1999, 69–72
    Each individual who prayerfully studies the Book of Mormon can also receive a testimony of its divinity.

  • "Another Testament of Jesus Christ"

    Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Mar. 1994, 60
    The major significance of the Book of Mormon is its witness of Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father, who redeems and saves us from death and sin.

  • "The Keystone of Our Religion"

    Ezra Taft Benson, Tambuli, Aug. 1992, 2–8; or Ensign, Jan. 1992, 2–7
    There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.

Additional Online Materials