The Book of Mormon -- what is it? what's it about?

We, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe in Christ and are so grateful for the Holy Bible which has helped millions (billions? no idea on the real numbers here...) learn about and--more importantly-- come closer to Christ.

We also have another book of scripture, called the Book of Mormon.**

What is it?

Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon contains the records from several prophets and their prophecies about Jesus Christ. In fact, the full title of the book is "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ". The Holy Bible is, of course, the first testament about him--containing prophecies about him, records of his earthly ministry and the teachings of his apostles after his death.

Similarly, the Book of Mormon contains prophecies about the coming of Jesus Christ, a few records about his earthly ministry and further teachings of his prophets. 

What's it about?

The book begins with a prophet, Lehi (we usually pronounce it lee-high), who was commanded by the Lord to take his family and leave Jerusalem around the time of the prophet Jeremiah (ca. 600 B.C.). He then traveled with his family across the ocean to a "promised land" which for them meant the American continent(s--depending on whether you count it/them as 1 or 2 :) ).

The Book of Mormon proceeds to tell about Lehi's family and his descendents--and how sometimes they were righteous and obedient to God's commandments..and sometimes not (like the stories we read in the Bible).  Several prophets kept these records, including Nephi (Lehi's son; we normally pronounce his name, knee-fi (instead of Wi-fi :) ) ), Alma, Helaman, etc.

Near the end of the book (around 400 A.D.), a prophet/historian named Mormon collected and abridged these records. That is the reason the book is called The Book of Mormon--and this book is the reason why we have the nickname "Mormons".

One of my favorite stories

One of the most amazing stories from the Book of Mormon tells about how, after Jesus Christ was resurrected, he came to the Americas***. He showed himself to the people there and blessed them.

In the book of 3rd Nephi it tells about how, at the time of Christ's death, there were a lot of earthquakes, fires, floods. Soon after this the people heard the voice of God the Father and he said, 

• "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:7)

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art/book-of-mormon?lang=eng

Then they saw a man, dressed in white, descending from heaven. This was Jesus Christ and in verses 10-11 of 3rd Nephi he tells them, 

• "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. (11) And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

Jesus let the people touch the wounds in his hands, feet and side, he blessed them and taught them. Then he ascended back into heaven. That must have been an amazing experience.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art/book-of-mormon?lang=eng

**You can find more information about the Book of Mormon, how it was translated from ancient records, and what it teaches here, at http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon

***In fact, in the New Testament, in John 10:16, Jesus talks about his 'other sheep'. 

• "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

We believe that he wasn't just talking about the gentiles (non-Jews), who should also receive his gospel, but about his going to visit other peoples as well. He visited the Americas and while he was there he told them that they were some of those "other sheep". 

• "And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (3 Nephi 15:21) 

However he also told them that there even more people he was going to visit. 

• "And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
• (2)  For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
• (3)  But I have received commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them." (3 Nephi 16:1-3) 

Sadly we don't have records from these other islands and countries, but I think it's amazing and wonderful how Jesus Christ went to visit some of his 'other sheep'. God loves all of his children and wants to help us wherever we are!