Book of Mormon. One of the four Standard Works. Contains the alleged story of an ancient Jewish civilization that existed on the American continent. It was originally compiled on gold plates that were buried in a hill in New York and translated by LDS Church founder Joseph Smith. Missionaries often use Moroni 10:4 found at the end of the scripture to challenge prospective converts to receive the confirmation of this book’s truthfulness.  It contains the story of a group of Jews led by a man named Lehi who left Israel and sailed to the American continent around 600 B.C. with, among others, his sons Nephi and Laman. The book records the wars and ultimate demise of their followers known as Nephites and Lamanites. The narrative also includes the story of a group of people known as the Jaredites whom God spared from having their language confused at the Tower of Babel. Joseph Smith claimed the Book of Mormon was “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” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194).

For articles related to issues on the Book of Mormon, see here.

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