Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of Mormonism, first published by Joseph Smith, Jr. in March 1830 in Palmyra, New York. The book's self-declared main purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ, through the writings of ancient American prophets. It asserts that it was abridged and compiled by the prophet Mormon and his son Moroni in the 4th century, for "the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God." Joseph Smith claimed to have translated the record by divine inspiration with assistance from the Urim and Thummim.

Further reading

• David Persuitte, Joseph Smith and the Origins of The Book of Mormon, second edition, McFarland & Company (2000), trade paperback, 325 pages, ISBN 078640826X