The primary
evidence for the authenticity or truth of the Book of Mormon
comes from God. As promised in the Book of Mormon, anyone
can know of its truth by reading it and asking God with a
sincere heart and with real intent to know that it is true
(see Moroni 10:3–5).
"With real intent" means that those who ask must be willing
or committed to act upon a manifestation once it is
received. Otherwise, there is no promise. The Holy Ghost confirms the
truth by revelation directly to the individual. All other
evidences for authenticity of the Book of Mormon are
secondary. Millions of people have testified that they have
received a personal witness from God by the power of the
Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true.
The Book of Mormon is
another testament of Jesus Christ. It was written and
preserved by the original writers to convince future readers
that Jesus is the Christ and to persuade them to come unto
Christ and be saved.
The Lord has revealed
that:
• The Book of Mormon
is translated from plates containing engravings of ancient
records (see D&C
3:19, 8:1).
• The translation of
the Book of Mormon is true (see D&C 17:6).
• It contains the
truth and His words (see D&C 19:26).
• It was translated
by power from on high (see D&C 20:8).
• It contains a
record of a fallen people (see D&C 20:9).
• It contains the
fulness of the gospel (see D&C 42:12).
In many other verses of
the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord refers to the people and
prophets of the Book of Mormon.
Joseph Smith translated
the Book of Mormon (over 500 pages) by the gift and power of
God in about 60 days. During the translation process, Joseph
dictated one line at a time, but did not pause to review
previous sentences or pages. There is no evidence that he
had any notes, manuscripts, or documents to assist him
during the translation. There is also no evidence that
Joseph Smith did any research or much reading at all before
he published the Book of Mormon. The resulting book, with
its complex account of individuals, communities and nations,
religious teachings, and source materials is internally
consistent and evidence in itself that Joseph Smith did not
write it.
That Joseph Smith
actually had the golden plates for a period in the late
1820s has been established by 11 witnesses who saw the
plates and handled them.
From the time the Book
of Mormon was first published until now, critics have
assailed its authenticity in a variety of ways. All attempts
to find an explanation for the origin of the Book of Mormon
other than the one given in the book itself have failed.
There is no evidence to discredit the Prophet Joseph Smith’s
testimony. The Church continues to grow, and people from all
nations continue to receive a knowledge of the truth of the
Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost.
(See also Book of Mormon Title Page;
Book of Mormon
Introduction; The
Testimony of Three Witnesses; The Testimony of Eight
Witnesses; Testimony of the Prophet Joseph
Smith.)
