The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is one of the central scriptures of Mormonism and the broader Latter Day Saint movement. First published in Palmyra, New York, in 1830, the Book of Mormon is used by many churches that trace their origins to Joseph Smith. For people trying to understand Mormon beliefs, the Book of Mormon is often considered the defining scripture that separates Mormonism from other Christian traditions.

According to Joseph Smith’s account, the Book of Mormon was translated from a set of ancient gold plates. Smith claimed that an angel named Moroni directed him to the buried record in a hill near his home in western New York. The plates were said to contain writings in “reformed Egyptian,” preserved by ancient prophets who lived in the ancient Americas. Smith stated that he translated the record “by the gift and power of God.”

The Book of Mormon presents itself as both a religious text and a historical record of ancient civilizations in the Americas. Its narrative begins around 600 BCE with a prophet named Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem shortly before the Babylonian conquest. The story follows the history of their descendants, particularly two rival groups called the Nephites and the Lamanites. The narrative includes wars, migrations, sermons, prophecies, political conflicts, and religious divisions over many centuries.

The book also contains the story of an earlier civilization known as the Jaredites. According to the text, this group traveled to the Americas after the confounding of languages at the Tower of Babel. Their history is primarily recorded in the Book of Ether, one of the later sections of the Book of Mormon.

One of the most important teachings in the Book of Mormon is its claim that Jesus Christ appeared to people in the Americas after his resurrection. This account appears mainly in Third Nephi, where Christ teaches the people, performs healings, calls disciples, and establishes a Christian community. For many Mormons, this section forms one of the theological centers of the book.

The title “Book of Mormon” comes from Mormon, a prophet and military leader within the narrative who is presented as the primary compiler and abridger of the record. His son, Moroni, is described as the final author and caretaker of the plates. According to Mormon tradition, Moroni buried the record and later appeared to Joseph Smith centuries afterward as a resurrected angel.

The Book of Mormon contains fifteen internal books: First Nephi, Second Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, Third Nephi, Fourth Nephi, Mormon, Ether, and Moroni. These books are arranged as a continuous narrative covering many generations of peoples described within the text.

Different Mormon denominations use different editions of the Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publishes its own official edition, while Community of Christ has historically used editions descending from the RLDS tradition. The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) uses an Independence edition. Other restorationist groups may use the original 1830 edition, the 1908 RLDS edition, or independently edited versions.

Used by: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ, Church of Christ, Temple Lot, The Church of Jesus Christ/Bickertonite, Strangites, Cutlerites, Remnant Church, Restoration Branches, Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, Covenant Christians associated with Denver Snuffer, Restored Branch of Jesus Christ, and many Mormon fundamentalist groups.

The Record of the Nephites (affiliate link) is a title used in some Latter Day Saint restorationist branches for the Book of Mormon. The title refers to the portion of the Book of Mormon narrative centered on the Nephite people, their prophets, their wars, their religious teachings, and their record-keeping tradition.

In Elijah Message traditions, the phrase Record of the Nephites is often used as a scriptural title for the Book of Mormon. It emphasizes the book as a record of an ancient people rather than using the more familiar title taken from Mormon, the compiler within the narrative.

The Record of the Nephites is not normally a separate text from the Book of Mormon. It is a title used for the same general book, though wording, edition, and presentation may vary by branch.

Used by: Church of Christ with the Elijah Message and related Elijah Message traditions.