The Book of Mormon is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, brought forth by the grace and power of God in our day as a second witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and redeemer of all mankind.
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.
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