How the Bible and the Book of Mormon Work Together

Both books can help you draw closer to Jesus Christ and learn more about His gospel.

The Book of Mormon and the Bible testify of one another

The Bible is the word of God

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like many people around the world, find comfort and inspiration in the Bible. We believe it to be the sacred word of God and a holy record of Jesus’s ministry on earth. We cherish its teachings.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul taught, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). When God teaches an important principle, He sends another source to confirm it. The Book of Mormon is a second witness to the Bible’s teachings.

The Book of Mormon: Another witness

Just like God spoke to Moses and Noah in the Bible, He also spake to people in the Americas. These men wrote down God’s word. Their writings were eventually gathered into one book, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is evidence that God loves all His children in all parts of the world.

The Bible and Book of Mormon support each other

Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. Each book supports the other’s teachings. Both describe God’s interactions with people in a different area of the world and teach the same principles. The Book of Mormon confirms what the Bible says about Jesus Christ and clarifies many other Christian doctrines. Both books are evidence that God lives and wants to help all of His children.

A passage in the Book of Mormon teaches the relationship of these two holy books:

“Therefore … lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews [the Bible], which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.

“For behold, this [the Book of Mormon] is written for the intent that ye may believe that [the Bible]; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them (Mormon 7:8–9).”

From the Bible or Book of Mormon?

Can you guess which passage comes from which book? Flip the card over to see which book each verse belongs to.

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ …”

Flip

Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 25:26

Read

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.”

Flip

Bible—John 17:3

Read

“Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy.”

Flip

Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 2:25

Read

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”

Flip

Bible—Philippians 4:13

Read

Gain a better understanding with both books

By studying both the Book of Mormon and the Bible, you can get a better understanding of who God is and what He wants for you. Together, the books contain thousands of years of inspiration, guidance, and instruction. Though they were written a long time ago, you can still find lessons that apply to you today.

For starters, read verses on the topics below from both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and see how you can gain additional insights by using both texts.

The Bible

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” —Isaiah 53:3–5

The Book of Mormon

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” —Alma 7:11–12

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” —2 Nephi 25:26

The Bible

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” —Ecclesiastes 12:13

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” —Matthew 6:33

The Book of Mormon

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

“… Therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.” —Alma 34:32–33

“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” —2 Nephi 2:25

The Bible

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” —John 11:25–26

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” —Revelation 21:4

The Book of Mormon

“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

“The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.

“And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.” —Alma 40:12; 23; 25

The Bible

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” —Matthew 6:14–15

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” —Matthew 18:21–22

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” —Matthew 5:44

The Book of Mormon

“Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.

“And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.” —Mosiah 26:30–31

“But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.” —Moroni 6:8

The Bible

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” —Luke 11:9

“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” —Psalm 34:17

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” —James 1:5

The Book of Mormon

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” —Alma 37:37

“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.” —2 Nephi 4:35

“And 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