The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul taught, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cherish the Bible as one of those witnesses and the Book of Mormon as another witness of Jesus Christ.
Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon is a divinely inspired record compiled by ancient prophets. It records God’s word to His children in the Americas. You can receive clarifying inspiration, insights, and guidance through reading both books of scripture together.
Christ’s Church Existed in the Americas
The Book of Mormon starts with the story of a prophet named Lehi, who was warned by God in about 600 BC that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Lehi and his wife, Sariah, led by the Spirit of God, brought their family across the ocean, where their descendants eventually grew to become two nations, known as the Nephites and Lamanites. Their stories of faith in God and preparation for Jesus Christ’s coming provide inspiring examples to follow, while other accounts in the Book of Mormon emphasize God’s mercy for all His children or warn against sin.
The pinnacle event of the Book of Mormon is Jesus’s visit to His followers in the Americas after His death and Resurrection. This visit fulfilled His teaching in Jerusalem:
After Jesus taught His doctrine and established His Church in the Americas, the people there lived in peace and righteousness for several generations.
Eventually, the people fell into war and wickedness and the Nephites were destroyed. One of the last surviving Nephites, Mormon, compiled their records into what would be known in modern times as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
An Ancient Record Translated in Our Day
God chose Joseph Smith as a prophet to restore His Church in our day and prepared the way for Joseph to find the ancient records compiled by Mormon and to translate them through divine revelation. Since then, the Book of Mormon has inspired millions of people around the world to change for the better and become more devoted followers of Jesus Christ. It can inspire you too.
The Bible Is the Word of God
The Holy Bible is a sacred book of scripture God has given us—His children—for our benefit. Its teachings can provide you with a source of strength, inspiration, and guidance.
In the Old Testament, you can:
- Learn more about God and the purpose of life by reading about the Creation of the earth and the coming of a Savior revealed to ancient prophets such as Isaiah.
- Find powerful examples of faith, like Queen Esther.
- Draw comfort from the beautiful poetry of Psalms and Proverbs.
In the New Testament, you can:
- Learn more about your Savior, Jesus Christ, as you learn about His mortal ministry. You’ll read about His life, miracles, and perfect example.
- Find the path, through Jesus’s teachings, to a more meaningful and peaceful life and to eternal salvation.
- Learn, most importantly, about Jesus’s sacrifice for you and His Resurrection. Because of Him, you can grow to reach your divine potential as a child of God and prepare to live with God and your loved ones forever.
The Book of Mormon and the Bible Testify of Christ
The Book of Mormon and the Bible testify of Jesus Christ and teach of God’s plan for our happiness. Neither replaces the other, but rather they complement each other’s teachings, similar to the way the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide different perspectives to form a more complete picture of the same doctrine or story.
By studying the Book of Mormon and the Bible together, you can gain a greater understanding of God and your relationship with Him. To get started, you can see what both books say about these subjects: