What Is the Book of Mormon?

Reading its words can help us understand our purpose in life, answer important questions, and draw closer to Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon in 60 Seconds

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The Book of Mormon contains sacred writings from followers of Jesus. Just like God spoke to Moses and Noah in the Bible, He also spoke to people in the Americas. These men, called prophets, wrote down God’s word. Their writings were eventually gathered into one book by a prophet named Mormon.

God’s people have always been taught by living prophets. Like us today, the women and men of those times struggled with temptation, searched for wisdom, and led happier lives when they followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can recognize ourselves in their stories—inspired and inspiring spiritual records. The Book of Mormon is evidence that God loves all His children and is involved in their lives. It serves as a witness to the truths in the Bible and to the divinity and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon answers the big questions

The Book of Mormon can help us understand the essential questions that we all have at some point:

Is there life after death?
What’s waiting for us on the other side?
What is the purpose of life?
How can I find happiness and peace now?
Does God know me and hear my prayers?
How can I avoid sin and learn to truly repent?

If you want, missionaries can meet with you and discuss the passages that answer these questions. They'll also bring you a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

The promise of the Book of Mormon

God promises us that if we read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind, He will reveal to each of us its divinity and its truth through inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Some 80,000 missionaries are teaching people about this book on six continents in 107 languages—and these people are currently putting that promise to the test. Missionaries give out copies of the Book of Mormon for free, yet millions of people count it among their most valuable possessions. Men and women from all over the world, from every possible background, are learning that the Book of Mormon can help us find peace and faith in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

How do we have the Book of Mormon today?

In 1823, Joseph Smith was led by an angel to the ancient records and translated them by the power of God. Like the ancient prophets who came before him, Joseph Smith served as God’s messenger and testified of Jesus Christ’s Atonement and of the Savior’s ability to change our lives for good.

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Why is the Book of Mormon significant?

The principles that were recorded in the Book of Mormon—faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, joy, salvation—changed the lives of an ancient people. In our day, the Book of Mormon has influenced the lives of millions of people around the world by bringing them closer to Jesus Christ. Here are a few stories:

Richard Auger on the Book of Mormon

Richard was diagnosed with cancer and found comfort in the Book of Mormon.

Frank Mansuetto on the Book of Mormon

“I realized that the words that were in [the Book of Mormon] were speaking to me personally.”

Tim Gates on the Book of Mormon

Tim Gates talks about the role the Book of Mormon has played in his life.

words and things

How can the Book of Mormon benefit my life?

Scriptures are more than just old words and stories. They are relevant, timely messages for the problems we face. When you approach reading the Book of Mormon by frequently asking yourself, “What is this really saying?” you’ll find there are many relevant messages for you today. The book was written to inspire readers to make decisions that would ultimately improve their lives and bring them closer to God. It was the authors’ hope that their words would lead people to Jesus Christ and change behaviors; would lift sadness, uncertainty, and fear; would offer purpose and direction to people’s outlook on life; and would give people evidence that God is still “a God of miracles” (Mormon 9:10).

The significance of the Book of Mormon in the world could be measured in the quantity of copies distributed or the overall increase in the number of people who choose to follow Jesus Christ after reading the book. The most important effect, however, is distinctly personal. The Book of Mormon answers questions, provides hope, and solidifies spiritual strength in people, one by one.

Find peace by reading the Book of Mormon

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The people whose lives have changed from reading the Book of Mormon found it when they were sinners or when they were faithful, when they felt hopeless or when they were happy. To find meaning in the Book of Mormon, people may be learned or uneducated, alone or surrounded by friends and family, financially successful or economically strained. The only common characteristic is that people who are affected by this book pick it up with a simple desire to know and understand its truth.

Common Questions

Below are questions often asked about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Click here to see the full list.

Like the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ. The central event recorded in the Book of Mormon is Jesus Christ’s visit—including His teachings and ministry—to believers in the ancient Americas. This account shows that God extends the same blessings and opportunities to all of His children and that His love isn’t confined to people from a single area of the world. No matter what language we speak or what we look like, God loves us and wants us to come closer to Him.

Here’s a synopsis of the epic thousand-year history recounted in the Book of Mormon:

In essence, the Book of Mormon is a story about a family. The father of that family, Lehi, is a prophet in ancient Jerusalem. God warns Lehi in a dream to take his family and leave Jerusalem because the city and its people will soon be taken captive by another nation. They cross the ocean to the Americas. Laman and Lemuel, the oldest sons, don’t believe their father, Lehi, was inspired. They are always complaining. Their younger brother Nephi is full of faith. Nephi is chosen by God to lead the family and be their teacher.

The people eventually split into two groups: the Nephites and the Lamanites. These groups are often at war, and their faith is constantly being tested. This faith fills the pages of the Book of Mormon in the form of powerful sermons, prophecies, life lessons, and spiritual experiences.

After Jesus is resurrected in Jerusalem, He appears to the people in the Americas. He teaches them about baptism and forgiveness. He heals their sick and blesses their children. He establishes His Church. Unlike those in Jerusalem, the people listen to Jesus. Afterward, they live in peace for hundreds of years. Over time, the people lose their faith and a prophet named Moroni buries their records to preserve them for a future time and people—for us! Joseph Smith was directed to those records and translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. Its teachings increase faith in Jesus Christ and inspire millions of people today.

Receive your free copy of the Book of Mormon.

Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon has many authors. It is a collection of journals and histories passed down from one writer to another over a period of about 1,000 years. The first author is the prophet Nephi, who left Jerusalem with his family in 600 BC and sailed to the Americas. Nephi passed the record to his younger brother, who then gave it to his son. Each author gave the record to someone they trusted. Mormon was the name of the prophet who gathered all the writings into one book, so it is called the Book of Mormon.

In 1823 Joseph Smith was led to the ancient records and translated them by the power of God.

Receive your free copy of the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon testifies of and complements the Bible, giving more clarity and understanding to Jesus’s teachings. It’s kind of like in the Bible, how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the same stories about Jesus from different perspectives and it gives a more complete picture.

Together, the Book of Mormon and the Bible contain thousands of years’ worth of inspiration, guidance, and instruction. By studying both books, you can get a better understanding of who God is and what He wants for you. Learn more about how the Bible and Book of Mormon work together, or request a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon

How the Bible and the Book of Mormon Work Together

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