Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon? Have you ever wondered where it came from? Why is
this book embraced by an entire religion as Holy Scripture, just like the Bible? And where does the
word Mormon even come from? Great questions. When God spoke to prophets in ancient times
in the Old World, they recorded His words on scrolls and other records.
These records were eventually complied into the Holy Bible which testifies of Jesus Christ
and teaches about God’s promises to his children throughout the world.
One ancient prophet named Lehi lived in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. Like other prophets in his day,
he told the people to repent of their sins, but they tried to kill him.
God warned Lehi to flee with his family because Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. Lehi and
his family were led across the ocean and landed somewhere in the Americas. Bringing with them
sacred records containing much of the Old Testament.
Over time they built up a great civilization. Throughout their history God called prophets
among Lehi’s people in the Americas. To preserve their writings God commanded them to record their
teachings and prophecies on thin sheets (or plates of metal). Among the records were prophesies that
Christ would personally visit the people in the Americas soon after His resurrection.
You may remember Jesus telling his disciples in ancient Israel: “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.” After His resurrection, Christ visited Lehi’s descendants in the Americas.
He confirmed that they were among those “other sheep” of which he had spoken. During his time
among them Jesus organized His Church, performed miracles, and taught them His gospel. After
which they lived in peace for almost 200 years! About four hundred years after Christ’s appearance
in the Americas, a prophet named Mormon had in his possession all of the records of Lehi’s people.
God told him to make an abridgment, or a condensed version of their nearly 1,000-year history.
Mormon then gave these records to his son, Moroni, who concluded the record.
In the year 1823, this same Moroni appeared as a resurrected being to
a young man named Joseph Smith. Moroni showed him the ancient scriptural record,
and through the gift and power of God, Joseph Smith was able to translate it into English.
This record, called “The Book of Mormon”, is named after the prophet
who abridged most of its history. I have here in my hands a copy of
the Book of Mormon. Let me read a few lines from its “Introduction” to you, “The Book of Mormon
is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It contains a record of God’s dealings
with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.”
The last two paragraphs state, “We invite all people everywhere to read the Book of Mormon,
to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God,
the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and
ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
“Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power
that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world…” Now, let me share with you an amazing passage from
the text of the Book of Mormon itself. In Chapter 11 of Third Nephi, the people are gathered around
a temple after a period of great destruction when they hear a voice from heaven declare,
“Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven;
and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe;
and he came down and stood in the midst of them; And it came to pass that as he stretched forth
his hand he said to them: I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.”
This remarkable passage confirms that after his death and resurrection Jesus Christ DID visit
the Americas where he taught His gospel, performed mighty miracles, and established His church among
his people just as he did in Jerusalem. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 1,
states that “…In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The
Book of Mormon IS that second witness. With the Bible, it testifies of the reality and divinity
of Jesus Christ. It clarifies the message of his gospel and affirms that only through him
can we obtain salvation and eternal life. The final chapter of the Book of Mormon
makes a unique promise to sincere seekers of truth. It declares that if the reader will pray
and ask God if it’s true, “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,
[then God will] manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost……”.
In other words, God will reveal the truth of this book to anyone who sincerely asks him in faith.
I know for myself that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. As I’ve studied it and the Bible
together, they have brought me closer to Jesus Christ. And I know they’ll do the same for you.
If you would like to receive your own copy of the Book of Mormon,
click on the link in the description. You can find out for yourself if it really is Holy Scripture.