Book of Mormon
Many Christians are surprised to find that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints place so much emphasis on the Book of Mormon. (For a short video explaining the Book of Mormon, click here).
They feel that this must mean that we do not believe in the Bible. Latter-day Saints do believe in the Bible and it is a critical element in our testimony of Jesus Christ. We love the Bible and study it and teach our children from it. The Book of Mormon, however, also serves an important and unique purpose.
-The Book of Mormon teaches us more about Jesus Christ and His Gospel, including about his visit to ancient America.
-The Book of Mormon is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet.
-The Book of Mormon is a witness that God has not stopped speaking to His children in our day.
-The Book of Mormon proves that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s true Church, and that all men must be baptized by the proper authority found in this church in order to be saved.
-The Book of Mormon is a sign that the Lord is preparing the world for the Second Coming of Christ, and that all men must repent and prepare themselves.
Because of these important roles that the Book of Mormon plays, it has been called the “keystone of our religion.” A keystone is the stone that holds up all the other stones in an arch.
Once people receive a witness from God that the Book of Mormon is true, they can know all the claims made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are true.
Bruce R. McConkie, a modern-day apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, has explained that because of what the Book of Mormon claims to be, all mankind must examine it–because the book is either true or false. If it is false and we accept it, we will be damned. If it is true and we choose to reject it or ignore it, we will be damned.
He said: “The plain fact is that salvation itself is at stake in this matter. If the Book of Mormon is true—if it is a volume of holy scripture, if it contains the mind and will and voice of the Lord to all men, if it is a divine witness of the prophetic call of Joseph Smith—then to accept it and believe its doctrines is to be saved, and to reject it and walk contrary to its teachings is to be damned… Either the Book of Mormon is true, or it is false; either it came from God, or it was spawned in the infernal realms. It declares plainly that all men must accept it as pure scripture or they will lose their souls. It is not and cannot be simply another treatise on religion; it either came from heaven or from hell. And it is time for all those who seek salvation to find out for themselves whether it is of the Lord or of Lucifer.”
The Book of Mormon is also a unique book of scripture because God has built in a way to know for oneself if it is true. It promises that everyone who studies it for themselves with sincerity and then prays to the Lord will receive an answer and know that it is true (See Moroni 10:3–5.). This promise is also in harmony with the teachings of the Bible which teaches us to study and to learn for ourselves. (James 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Jesus taught that we can know whether something comes from God or from another source (John 7:17). Because of this, we invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. We know for ourselves that those who do this and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Once people receive this witness from the Holy Ghost, they will also know that Jesus Christ truly is the Savior of the world and is active in our day. They will also know that Joseph Smith was chosen by Christ to be his prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom on the earth, and is responsible to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Messiah.
Elder McConkie also shared his personal testimony about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon: “As it happens, I am one of the many who have come to know, by the revelations of the Holy Ghost to my soul, that the Book of Mormon is true. And, knowing that I will be accountable for that witness before the bar of the great Jehovah when he judges all men, I testify that as he lives the Book of Mormon is true.” We also share our witness that the Book of Mormon is of God and will fill your life with light and joy. It will help you know Christ and how to follow Him and find happiness.
Because it can be challenging to begin reading the Book of Mormon without any experience and background, we have included a few links (Book of Mormon Stories, Introduction, and Brief Explanation of the Book of Mormon) to help you begin to read.
We also invite you to use the contact form included on this page to communicate with members of our Church. They can further explain the Book of Mormon to you and answer your questions.