Whether people admire Joseph Smith or question his claims, one thing is clear: the Book of Mormon was central to his life and teachings. Joseph Smith described it as a sacred record designed to bring people closer to God and Jesus Christ. But what exactly did he say about it, and why did he place such importance on the book?
Why Was the Book of Mormon So Important to Joseph Smith?
Joseph Smith grew up in a religious family in New York and was familiar with the Bible from an early age. As a teenager, he was deeply interested in knowing God and finding spiritual truth, especially during a time when many different churches and preachers offered competing religious beliefs.
According to Joseph Smith’s account, he prayed to know which church he should join. His religious search eventually led to what he understood as a divine commission to bring forth another sacred record: the Book of Mormon.
The book tells the story of ancient peoples who lived on another continent and describes their relationship with God, their struggles with faith, and their anticipation of Jesus Christ. For Joseph Smith, the record provided another witness of the Savior and expanded the scriptural story beyond the biblical world.
Joseph Smith’s Two Important Statements About the Book of Mormon
Two statements attributed to Joseph Smith capture why he considered the Book of Mormon so significant.
“The most correct book on earth.”
He also taught:
“A man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.”
These statements emphasize that Joseph Smith viewed the Book of Mormon not simply as a historical record, but as a guide for living. Its value, in his view, was demonstrated by what happens when people study its teachings and apply them in their lives.
The Book of Mormon and the Bible Work Together
The Book of Mormon does not present itself as a replacement for the Bible. Instead, its message centers on Jesus Christ and provides another testimony of His life, mission, Atonement, and teachings.
One reason the transcript connects the two books is Jesus’ statement in John 10:16:
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold.”
For believers in the Book of Mormon, this passage points to the possibility that Jesus had followers beyond the people described in the biblical record. The Book of Mormon presents itself as an additional witness from people who lived elsewhere and who also looked forward to the coming of Christ.
A Story About Choosing to Follow Jesus Christ
At its heart, the Book of Mormon can be summarized as a story about choices. Its people face the same fundamental question that believers face today: Will we follow Jesus Christ?
The record describes individuals and societies who choose faith and obedience, as well as those who reject God or turn away for a time. These stories illustrate the principles of agency, repentance, faith, humility, charity, and perseverance.
That is one reason its teachings can feel relevant even when the events take place in a distant time and place. The circumstances may be ancient, but the spiritual principles are presented as timeless.
Applying Scripture to Our Own Lives
The Book of Mormon encourages readers to apply scripture to themselves. Rather than viewing these accounts merely as stories about ancient people, readers are invited to consider what the experiences of those people can teach them about their own challenges.
Even stories about conflict and war can offer principles about spiritual preparation, strength, temptation, and the importance of building a foundation of faith. The goal is not simply to know what happened in the past, but to discover how God’s teachings can shape decisions in the present.
The Tree of Life: A Powerful Example
One of the best-known examples is Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life. The imagery includes the word of God, a path toward the tree, distractions that lead people away, and the challenges represented by the mists of darkness.
The central lesson is straightforward: staying connected to the word of God helps people navigate temptation, confusion, and adversity while remaining focused on Jesus Christ.
In this sense, the Bible and the Book of Mormon serve a similar purpose. They point readers toward God and invite them to strengthen their relationship with Him through faith and obedience.
Why Read the Book of Mormon?
The transcript’s answer is ultimately practical. The purpose is not merely to settle an intellectual question about Joseph Smith or the origins of the book. The invitation is to read it, reflect on its teachings, pray about its truth, and consider whether its principles bring you closer to Jesus Christ.
For readers who accept Joseph Smith’s testimony, the Book of Mormon is a divine witness of Christ. For someone who is simply curious, reading the book can be an opportunity to explore its message firsthand and form an individual conclusion.
Joseph Smith’s Invitation
Joseph Smith’s emphasis on the Book of Mormon ultimately points back to a personal invitation: read it and seek to know for yourself whether its message is true.
The enduring question is therefore not only, What did Joseph Smith say about the Book of Mormon? It is also, What can you learn from the book if you read it for yourself?
For those willing to explore that question, the Book of Mormon offers stories of faith, repentance, agency, struggle, and hope—all centered on Jesus Christ and the possibility of drawing closer to God.
