Introduction to the Home-Study Seminary Program

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the writings of ancient prophets, giving an account of God’s dealings with one branch of the house of Israel on the American continent. For Latter-day Saints the Book of Mormon stands alongside the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as holy scripture. The Book of Mormon is a record of great ancient-American civilizations.

Since it was first published in English in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been translated into many languages, and printed copies have totaled more than 150 million. It has been described by prophets of God as the “keystone” of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught that the blessing of drawing nearer to God awaits you as you study the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart:

“Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book.

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (see D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

The Book of Mormon was written for us today. Mormon, the ancient prophet after whom the book is named, and his son Moroni abridged centuries of records when compiling the gold plates from which the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. God, who knows the end from the beginning, inspired His prophets on what to include in the abridgment that we would need for our day. Moroni, who was the last of the prophets to write in the Book of Mormon, foresaw our time: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35).

President Benson also taught that studying the Book of Mormon will help you discern between good and evil:

“The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel. It testifies of his divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint.

“Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 64).

The Book of Mormon is made up of 15 smaller books. Eight of these books begin with a heading that was written on the original gold plates translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith: 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, Jacob, Alma, Helaman, 3 Nephi, 4 Nephi, and Ether. Some chapters in the Book of Mormon are also preceded by a heading that was included on the original gold plates (except for the sentences about the inclusive chapters): Mosiah 9, Mosiah 23, Alma 5, Alma 7, Alma 9, Alma 17, Alma 21, Alma 36, Alma 38, Alma 39, Alma 45, Helaman 7, Helaman 13, 3 Nephi 11, and Moroni 9.

At the beginning of each chapter in the Book of Mormon there is a brief summary of the chapter printed in italics. These chapter summaries were written and added under the direction of the First Presidency and were not part of the original Book of Mormon text from the gold plates.