God has given us many ways to understand how He wants us to live our lives. In addition to prayer and the words of living prophets, we can also turn to the scriptures for divine instruction.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is an ancient, holy book of scripture written by prophets and other inspired record keepers. These writers, inspired by God, recorded the history of God’s children over thousands of years, starting with the Creation of the earth and ending a few years after Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection.
In the Bible—which is divided into two sections, called the Old Testament and New Testament—you will find God’s commandments for us. You can also study the life and teachings of Jesus, read about inspiring examples of people who acted in faith, and be strengthened by comforting words about God’s love for you.
What is the Book of Mormon?
Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ. It, too, was recorded by ancient prophets and record keepers inspired to bring us God’s word.
While the Bible mostly focuses on the history of God’s children in the Middle East, the Book of Mormon is a record of God’s people in the Americas. It shares inspiring stories of faith and cautionary tales of disobedience. It records the words of prophets who taught important truths about God’s plan and helps clarify some of the teachings of the Bible.
The most important event in the Book of Mormon is Jesus Christ’s visit to the people of the Americas shortly after His Resurrection. There, He taught those people the same truths He taught in other parts of the world and organized His Church.
Where did these scriptures come from?
The Bible as we know it today evolved over hundreds of years as religious scholars and clergy collected, organized, and translated holy writings. It is used by most Christian religions.
The Book of Mormon was compiled hundreds of years ago by a man named Mormon. As Mormon’s people were extinguished by a brutal war, his son Moroni hid the book, carved on gold plates, in the ground.
When Joseph Smith, a prophet called by God, reestablished Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth in the 1800s, Moroni appeared as an angel to show Joseph where the plates were hidden. With God’s help, Joseph translated those plates into what is today known as the Book of Mormon.
Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints can introduce you to the Bible and the Book of Mormon and help you draw closer to God by studying His word in the scriptures with you. |
