The Book of Mormon and Other Mormon Scripture

by Karla

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (usually called the Mormon Church by friends of other faiths) has a canon of scripture they refer to as the standard works. These scriptures include the Holy Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, King James Version; the Book of Mormon; the Doctrine and Covenants; and the Pearl of Great Price.

Following is a brief overview of each book of scripture.

The Book of Mormon

Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons”) believe that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is a sacred record of some of the ancient inhabitants of the American continents. Mormons believe the Book of Mormon to contain the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon also tells about the visit of Jesus Christ to the Americas soon after His resurrection.

Joseph Smith (the first prophet of the Mormon Church, who was instrumental in the restoration of Jesus Christ’s church in the latter-days) translated the Book of Mormon into English. He was able to do this through the gift and power of the Lord. Joseph Smith bore his witness and testimony of this book to the world, and he said that it is “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

There were many witnesses to the reality of the Book of Mormon other than Joseph Smith. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris all saw the plates of brass from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, and they all bore witness to that fact. Another eight witnesses include Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith. All of these men bore witness that they saw the plates. Though some of them later left the Mormon Church because of disputes, none of them ever went against his original declaration that the Book of Mormon was truly the word of God.

The Book of Mormon, when read and studied well, will give its readers a witness of the reality of Jesus Christ with power and clarity. Moreover, it is also considered to be the keystone of Mormon doctrine and testimony. Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon broadens their understanding of the doctrine of salvation by restoring plain and simple truths which were taken from the Bible.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (a member of the current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church) wrote that the Book of Mormon “should be considered the most remarkable and important religious text to be revealed since the writings of the New Testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago. Indeed, in its role of restoring plain and precious biblical truths that had been lost, while adding scores of new truths about Jesus Christ and preparing the way for the complete restoration of his gospel and the triumphant day of his millennial return, the Book of Mormon may be considered the most remarkable and important religious text ever given to the world.”

The Blessings of the Book of Mormon

President James E. Faust (former second counselor of the First Presidency of the Church) related an experience shared by Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy that demonstrates the converting power of the Book of Mormon. The story is below.

Sister Celia Cruz Ayala of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission decided to give the Book of Mormon to a friend. She wrapped it in an attractive paper and set out to deliver the present.

On the way, she was attacked by a bandit who stole her purse and with it the wrapped copy of the Book of Mormon. A few days later, she received a letter:

Mrs. Cruz:

Forgive me, forgive me. You will never know how sorry I am for attacking you. But because of it, my life has changed and will continue to change. That book [The Book of Mormon] has helped me in my life. The dream of that man of God has shaken me. . . . I am returning your five pesos, for I can’t spend them. I want you to know that you seemed to have a radiance about you. That light seemed to stop me [from harming you so] I ran away instead.

I want you to know that you will see me again, but when you do, you won’t recognize me for I will be your brother. . . . Here, where I live, I have to find the Lord and go to the church you belong to.

The message you wrote in that book brought tears to my eyes. Since Wednesday night, I have not been able to stop reading it. I have prayed and asked God to forgive me, [and] I ask you to forgive me. . . .  I thought your wrapped gift was something I could sell. [Instead,] it has made me want to make my life over. Forgive me, forgive me, I beg you.

Your absent friend.

Such is the conversion power of the Book of Mormon.

The Bible

The Bible is a collection of sacred writings containing God’s revelations to man. These writings cover many centuries from the time of Adam through the time when the apostles of Jesus Christ lived. They were written by the prophets who lived at various times in the history of the world.

The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Many prophecies in the Old Testament foretell the coming of a Savior and Redeemer. The New Testament tells of the life of that Savior and Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ. It also tells of the establishing of his Church in that day. The Mormon Church and its members believe in the truthfulness of the Bible, and they believe it to be the word of God. The Mormon Church uses the King James Version of the Bible for its English speakers.

Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations. In the first section of this book, the Lord reveals that the book is published to the inhabitants of the earth so as to prepare them for His coming.

This book also contains the revelations received by latter-day prophets regarding the Mormon Church as it has been restored in these last days. Several sections of the scripture explain the organization of the Church, the priesthood, and other important revelations. The Doctrine and Covenants contains 138 sections.

The Pearl of Great Price

The Pearl of Great Price contains the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and some inspired writings of Joseph Smith. The Book of Moses contains an account of some of the visions and writings of Moses, revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in June and December 1830. It clarifies doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives added information concerning the creation of the earth.

The Book of Abraham was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith from a papyrus scroll taken from the Egyptian catacombs. The book contains valuable information about the Creation, the gospel, the nature of God, and the priesthood (or the power believed to be given to man by the Lord to act in His name.)

The writings of Joseph Smith include part of Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible, selections from the History of the Church, and the 13 articles of faith.

Studying the Scriptures

All these scriptures are important. Latter-day Saints seek to study the scriptures everyday as these scriptures help them spiritually and draw them closer to the Lord. It also gives them a broader understanding about the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to these four books of scripture, Mormons believe in continuing revelation through God’s living prophet. Thus, the canon is open to accept new revelations from God.