Book of Mormon Facts – What Mormons Believe About the Book of Mormon

Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and His plan for humankind’s eternal salvation. It tells of Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem some 600 b.c. in search of sacred records that bear His mark.

It tells of Abinadi’s courage against an oppressive ruler and of Nephi’s unwavering faith.

Why Was It Written?

Mormons hold that the Book of Mormon provides confirmation of information found in the Bible. This text tells of ancient prophets from North and South America who kept extensive records that were then hidden by Moroni as part of his plan for keeping peace on Earth.

There are multiple issues with this claim. First, it directly contradicts accounts from Emma Smith, Martin Harris and David Whitmer that Joseph Smith would use his seer stone in a hat and read off characters until they were recorded correctly – something which would not have been possible without accurate translation.

Additionally, the Book of Mormon contains many anachronisms such as words for animals that did not exist during its purported writing date and KJV passages that could never have been known to its original audience.

Why Was It Written to the Lamanites?

God told Nephi to warn Lamanites and his people against their wicked ways and offered that, should they repent, their people would be restored.

Nephi and his sons could see in vision events that would take place in the future, such as Lehi foreseeing how his brothers would grow increasingly unbeliever.

Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon using a seer stone and two interpreters known as Urim and Thummim to guide his translation process. Although this process could be complicated, in essence Joseph would put the seer stone under his hat and read aloud the English words that appeared while simultaneously having them recorded by a scribe. Wording suggests that Urim and Thummim might have been clear stones set into eyeglasses-type frames similar to eyeglasses.

Why Was It Written to the Jew and Gentile?

One purpose of the Book of Mormon is to spread Christ’s gospel among all nations, tribes and tongues – including Gentiles who must develop a “convincing faith in Christ unto salvation”.

Lehi’s descendants were all Jews because he originated from Jerusalem (see 2 Nephi 33:8); however, prophets of the Book of Mormon often mentioned other tribes known as Gentiles among their number.

Gentile is mentioned in almost one-fourth of Book of Mormon chapters, appearing more frequently at its beginning and end. This could be because God-like beings writing this book had more knowledge about His plan relating to salvation of Gentiles than human writers at that time did.

Why Was It Written to the Nephites?

The Book of Mormon teaches that peace, food, and security will come only as people understand and obey God’s gospel. No one can solve global problems like war, famine, poverty and disease until people repent of their sins and follow Jesus Christ.

Moroni wrote his abridgment of the Bible to be used as an aid in disproving false doctrines, settling disputes and creating peace (2 Nephi 3:12).

In the Book of Mormon, Moroni taught that God loves all people–Jew and Gentile alike, black and white alike, bond and free; male and female (1 Nephi 22:31). Moroni may have written his letters to correct some incorrect beliefs regarding resurrection (such as that the dead must not be raised), as well as help his successors fulfill prophecies about world to come.

Why Was It Written to the Lamanites and Nephites?

The Book of Mormon presents a complex portrayal of pre-Christian American society, using colonial and antebellum biblical hermeneutics, nineteenth century American mythologies about Mound Builder civilization’s origins, as well as Semitic patriarchal curses to naturalize Lamanites as chosen people with Hebrew roots.

Joseph Smith claimed to have received revelations from God using two objects referred to collectively as the Urim and Thummim; however, Joseph never claimed hearing God directly or taking down direct dictation – rather impressions came to him which he then put into words; Joseph and his scribes took great care in reviewing these revelations before publishing them – knowing full well they weren’t word-for-word quotes from Him.