The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon Provides Answers to Life's Questions (1:39)

Another Testament of Jesus Christ (1:22)

The Book of Mormon Is True (0:32)

Book of Mormon Provides Answers to Life's Questions (1:39)

The Book of Mormon Reminds Us to Be Obedient to God’s Commandments (0:29)

As part of the Restoration? of the gospel?, God brought forth the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ?.  By the power of God, Joseph Smith translated this book from an ancient record written on gold plates?.  The Book of Mormon is “a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible?, the fulness of the everlasting gospel” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon).

The Book of Mormon is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.  It helps us understand His teachings, including those in the Bible.  Examples of Book of Mormon witnesses of Christ include:

• Nephi, who saw the birth and death of Christ in a vision ( 1 Nephi 11:13–15).
• The brother of Jared, who saw the Lord because of his great faith ( Ether 3:7–16).
• The prophet Samuel the Lamanite, who prophesied of Christ’s coming and gave the signs of His birth and death ( Helaman 13–14).
• Christ Himself, who, after His Resurrection, appeared to the people of ancient America and invited them to come forward one by one to see and touch Him until “they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves” ( 3 Nephi 11:13–17).

In the Bible, Jesus told His Apostles?, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” ( John 10:16).  Soon after He was resurrected, the Lord visited these “other sheep”—the inhabitants of ancient America.  During this visit to the American continent (recorded in the Book of Mormon), Jesus Christ:

• Invited people to feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side.
• Taught His gospel.
• Called twelve disciples to teach His gospel.
• Healed the sick.
• Prayed for the people.
• Performed miracles.

In September 1823, Joseph Smith was visited by a heavenly messenger named Moroni?, in the same way that angels often appeared to Church leaders in the New Testament.  Moroni informed Joseph that God had a work for him to do and told him that a record of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent was buried in a nearby hill.  He stated that the record contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ ( Joseph Smith—History 1:27–34).

In September 1827, Joseph received the record, which was written on thin plates of gold.  Joseph translated the book into English by the inspiration? of God and called the book the Book of Mormon.  It is named after Mormon?, an ancient prophet who compiled the sacred? record.  The book verifies, as another testament of Christ, the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is, then, a second witness that affirms the truth of the Bible.  Since its publishing in 1830, the Book of Mormon has blessed the lives of millions of people through its powerful message about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Restoration, The

A series of events, beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 1820, that marked the restoration or restitution of Jesus Christ’s Church and gospel to the earth.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Book of Mormon

A volume of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a collection of writings and teachings of the ancient prophets and followers of Jesus Christ who lived in the Americas from approximately 590 B.C. to 421 A.D. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by divine inspiration from gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni. Books in the Book of Mormon are named after the prophets who kept the records, such as Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, and Mormon. A reference from the Book of Mormon may look like this: Alma 37:35-37.

Gold Plates

Plates made of gold upon which the ancient American prophet Mormon abridged the record of his people. Joseph Smith translated the writings on the gold plates into what became the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Holy Bible

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Bible is divided into two main books: the Old Testament, which contains a history of God’s people before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which is a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Each of these books is broken up into smaller books, which are divided into chapters and verses. A reference from the Bible may look like this: Matthew 7:21.

Apostle

One sent forth to serve as a special witness of Jesus Christ. There are fifteen Apostles living on the earth today. They make up the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church.

Moroni

A Book of Mormon prophet who was the son of Mormon. He received the record of his people from his father, and after writing a final message he buried the gold plates in a hill until they could be brought forth and translated. He appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and gave him the gold plates for translation, as well as instruction pertaining to the Restoration of the gospel. A statue of Moroni, with a trumpet to his lips, appears on almost all temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has come to symbolize the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ in latter-days to every creature.

Inspiration

Divine guidance that comes through the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Mormon

The Book of Mormon prophet who compiled the records of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Sometimes used as a nickname to refer to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.

Sacred

Regarded with reverence; holy.