Chapter 15

A Mission to the Lamanites

September 1830

Jesus wanted more people to hear about the gospel. He wanted some of the Saints to go on missions. He called Oliver Cowdery to go on a mission to the American Indians. These Indians were also called Lamanites because some of them were descended from the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon.

Doctrine and Covenants 28:8

Jesus wanted the Lamanites to read the Book of Mormon. He had promised many prophets that the Lamanites would have the Book of Mormon. Now it was time to keep that promise.

Doctrine and Covenants 3:19–20

The Book of Mormon tells the Lamanites about their ancestors who lived hundreds of years ago. It tells them about important promises Jesus made to them. It helps them believe in Jesus. It teaches them to repent and be baptized.

Doctrine and Covenants 3:19–20

Other men wanted to go with Oliver Cowdery to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. The Lord said three of the men could go.

First the missionaries went to some tribes in New York. The missionaries gave the people the Book of Mormon, but only a few of them could read.

Then the missionaries went to preach to some Lamanites in Ohio. These people were happy to hear about the Book of Mormon and learn about their ancestors.

The missionaries left Ohio and went to a town named Independence in Jackson County, Missouri.

There were many Lamanites in Missouri. The missionaries preached the gospel to them and gave them the Book of Mormon. They were very happy and thanked the missionaries for the book.

Other people in Missouri did not believe the restored gospel or the Book of Mormon. They told the missionaries to stay away from the Indians.

The people said soldiers would chase the missionaries away if they did not leave. Saddened, the missionaries went to teach other people in Missouri.

One of the missionaries was named Parley P. Pratt. He went to Ohio to tell Joseph Smith what they had done. Parley said their mission had been good and they had taught the gospel to many people.