Latter-day Saints accept the Book of Mormon as scripture and call it “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” They do not see it as a replacement for the Bible, but as an additional witness of the Savior and His gospel.
What the Book Claims to Be
The Book of Mormon presents itself as an ancient record of peoples in the Americas, written and abridged by prophets and translated by Joseph Smith through the gift and power of God. Its stated purpose is to persuade readers that Jesus is the Christ and to invite them to come unto Him.
Why It Is Called Another Testament of Jesus Christ
The book contains prophecies of Christ before His birth, teachings about His Atonement and Resurrection, and an account of the resurrected Savior appearing to people in the Americas. Jesus Christ is therefore not a side subject in the book; He is its central witness.
Does It Replace the Bible?
No. Latter-day Saints study the Old and New Testaments as scripture and cherish the Bible’s witness of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is understood as a second scriptural witness that supports biblical teachings and can clarify or reinforce doctrines such as faith, repentance, baptism, resurrection, grace, and discipleship.
Why Have More Than One Scriptural Witness?
The Bible itself uses the principle that important truth can be established by multiple witnesses. Latter-day Saints see the Bible and Book of Mormon as separate records that converge on Jesus Christ. Their different histories and settings make the shared witness meaningful rather than redundant.
How a Seeker Can Approach It
The Church invites people to read the Book of Mormon, compare its teachings with the Bible, ponder its message, and pray for spiritual confirmation. The point is not simply to learn facts about a new book, but to test whether its teachings lead a reader toward Jesus Christ.