Anyone curious or wary of The Book of Mormon may gain a greater appreciation for it when they understand the reality of the book, along with it's origins and purposes. This is because The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, can be esteemed with dual significance when recognized as both a historical record, and as an additional book of scripture.
Read more to see how...
As a Historical Record:
As a historical record, The Book of Mormon is a very real and ancient artifact. The various books and epistles in the Book of Mormon were painstakingly compiled by an Ancient American historian who was named Mormon (circa 400 AD). This is where the title of the book originates. Mormon gathered all of his content for The Book of Mormon from records that were archived by his ancestors. Ancestors who, it may interest the reader to know, had migrated from Jerusalem to the American Continents some 1,000 years prior (600 BC). From these extensive records, Mormon transcribed a more consolidated but nonetheless comprehensive history of his people onto thin plates of metal, having received revelation from God that someday the ensuing account would be of great worth. After completing his work Mormon's son, Moroni, buried the finished product in a hillside to protect it from intolerant invaders.
There it was laid for the better part of a millennium. It's writings, not being accessible, and therefore not being subject to the censures of man, remained unaltered. And, due to the book's metallic structure, it was not subject to decay, and remained intact until its eventual retrieval.
In 1840 the plates were unearthed by Manchester, New York resident Joseph Smith who cared for the book and translated the writings therein. Besides handling the record himself, Joseph showed the book to eleven other men. These eleven eye-witness described the book in great detail. They all attested that it was large, with dimensions of approximately six inches of width, eight inches of length, six inches of thickness, and an estimated weight of 60 pounds. It was composed of thin metal leaflets that had the appearance of Gold, and held together at the margins by three large rings. During the translation process, it was also revealed that the book contained Semitic phraseology; and renowned scholar/linguist Professor Charles Anthon confirmed, via facsimile, that it was written with authentic Egyptian characters.
When treated as a historical record alone, The Book of Mormon is invaluable. It offers impressive insights into the cultures, interactions, and theologies of Pre-Columbian American inhabitants. It, in effect, mends the gaping holes in the fabrics of Meso-American anthropological history that have frustrated scholars and historians for centuries.
But when treated as a book of scripture, the worth of the Book of Mormon simply cannot be measured.
As a Book of Scripture:
The clarion claim of The Book of Mormon is that, when acting in tandem with the Bible, it contains a fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of this camaraderie with Biblical canon with declarations such as the following: 1Nephi 13 : 23-25
As you undertake your own study of the Bible and The Book of Mormon you will see for yourself that The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible as the word of God. It does not replace or negate the Bible in any way as some misinformed critics nowadays suppose. Every member of the LDS church believes in both the Bible and The Book of Mormon as being the veritable Word of God. The Book of Mormon has been intensively examined and reexamined ever since it's publication, and was found in no way to contradict the teachings and doctrines of the Bible. In fact after it has been found to reinforce the teachings of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon also clarifies and expounds on vague or controversial doctrines. For example, on the subject of baptism, it confirms the necessity of the ordinance and relays precise instructions on how baptism should be performed. From the lips of the Savior Himself, we read 3Nephi 11:22-26. This verifies the Bible's account that Jesus came straight up out of the water for His baptism and expostulates defiantly against other modes of baptism. There is no scriptural evidence for any other mode of baptism than immersion. Moroni 8:8 also explains that baptism is only necessary for mature and penitent adults, and that little children are saved by the grace of Christ, and have no immediate need of the ordinance .
Finally, The Book of Mormon offers further depths of insight into the nature and character of our Heavenly Father. All the ancient American prophets who contributed any part or portion to The Book of Mormon believed in God. Several of them recount severe trials and hardships that they endured, and they all credit God for their deliverance. Through its pages, they testify of God's tender mercies towards man, and of His divine characteristics.
They also believed in His son, Jesus Christ, and they testified of His atonement. They rejoiced in the comfort they derived from the knowledge that they could receive forgiveness for their sins. They looked forward to Christ's birth and mortal ministry with fervent anticipation, even despite the disheartening news that it would occur on a separate continent.
Nevertheless, they had faith that somehow, someway, the promises of their prophets would be fulfilled, and they would get the chance to meet their Savior. And, on page 427 of the Book of Mormon, we can read how their faith was rewarded. In this crowning climax, the Book of Mormon testifies of a visitation of the Savior, Jesus Christ, to these ancient inhabitants of the American Continents. He administers to multitudes of believers over a period of several days and confirms that they are the other sheep that He made reference to in Jerusalem, when he declared "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold..." ( John 10:16 compared to 3Nephi 15:21 )
One of the prophet authors gave this explanation for the purpose and preservation of the writings of the Book of Mormon:
26. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ,
we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies that our
children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their
sins. 2Nephi 25:26
Is this scripture alone not proof enough of the Christian proponency of this book? The Book of Mormon, from the beginning to the end and all throughout, is nothing less than a second testament of Jesus Christ. And, as the Savior has said himself,
"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."
2 Cor. 13:1 - Matt 18:16 - John 8:17
I present, for your review and consideration, The Book of Mormon as that second witness. And furthermore I challenge you to review the Book of Mormon by reading it, and consider it's claim as scripture by asking God through prayer if it is true.You cannot come to any accurate conclusion about the Book of Mormon without first having read it.
This publication of The Book of Mormon is a victory for Christianity. A victory the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hopes to share with the world. We can approach the gospel of Jesus Christ with more confidence than ever before, having two harmonious witnesses to more fully establish the Law and Letter of Christ's Word and Will.
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