Book of Mormon

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormons, accepts four books of scripture - the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These books are called the standard works of the Mormon Church.

The Book of Mormon is a 'record of some of the people who lived on the American continents between about 2,000 B.C. and A.D. 400. The Book of Mormon tells of the visit Jesus Christ made to the people in the Americas soon after His resurrection.'1 The prophets who wrote these sacred words engraved them on gold plates, after which, they were hidden from man until 1827.

On September 22, 1827, the angel Moroni, who was the last Book of Mormon prophet, delivered the gold plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through the power of God, Joseph Smith was able to translate these records into English. The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote that the Book of Mormon is, "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion..."

Mormons do believe that the main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to teach all people "that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God..." As it states on the cover of the Book of Mormon, it is 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ.' It is another witness of the truths, which are taught in the Bible.

The Doctrine and Covenants are words of modern revelation. In section 1, 'God reveals that the book is published to the inhabitants of the earth to prepare them for his coming.'4 Revelations are given in this book on the following: 'organization of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, offices of the priesthood and their functions, truths which were lost to the world for hundreds of years, clarifies teachings from the Bible and contains prophecies of events to come.' The Pearl of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and writings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The book of Moses contains some of the visions and writings of Moses as they were revealed to Joseph Smith, and gives doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives added information relating to the creation of the earth. The Book of Abraham gives valuable information regarding the creation, the gospel, the nature of God, and the priesthood. The writings of Joseph Smith include some history of the Mormon Church, the Articles of Faith and parts of the Prophet's inspired translation of the Bible.

For more information about the Mormon Church or the Book of Mormon, please see the following websites:
Mormon Church
Book of Mormon