The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

America's Greatest Work of Religious Fiction

Joseph Smith's "The Book of Mormon" is without question America's greatest work of religious fiction. Written between 1828 and 1830, Joseph Smith took a then popular belief (that the Mound Builders of the eastern and midwestern US had been displaced Israelites)and constructed an ancient thousand year 'history' of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Through this 'hsitory' he debated the most controversial theological issues of the Second Great Awakening (the evangelical Christian movement of the 1810s and 1820's.) These issues included the Divinty of Christ (Smith accepted the doctrine of the Trinity when he wrote the book; by the end of his career he rejected not only the Trinity but monotheism itself), Original Sin, infant baptism, the relationship of republican government to the established churches and even Freemasonry (which in the book he referred to as "Secret Combinations"), anti-semiticism (he rejected it), Biblical infallibility (he rejected this also) and, most importantly, the role of Native Americans in teh future of the United States.
The book was privately published in Palmyra, New York in the Spring of 1830, but sales were so poor that Martin Harris (who paid for the publishing) completely lost his investment. Nevertheless, the few copies that were circulated deeply impacted religous seekers of the day.
In late 1830 an entire community of Christian Primitivists in Kirtland, Ohio, under the leadership of Christian restorationist minister Sydney Rigdon, accepted the book as scripture. Joseph Smith and his scribe, Oliver Cowdrey, movwed the dozen or so families who belonged to their local congegation, The Chruch of Christ, to Kirtland, Ohio.
Joining forces with Sydney Rigdon, Joseph Smith established a seminary (called the School of the Prophets), began studying theology and developing new doctrines that would alter Mormonism, turning it into a new American religion--as different from Christianity as Christianity is different from Judaism.
THIS EDITION of "The Book of Mormon" is the verison published by the Utah LDS Church (the largest, but NOT the only Mormon denomination.) The modern subtitled "Another Testament of Christ" was created by the Utah LDS Church in 1983 in that church's attempt to transform itself into a more mainstream Christian denomination. THIS EDITION also contains over a century of rewrites and word changes, many of which change the meaning of the text as originally published. The most drastic changes involve changing references to race and skin color by substituting the words "pure" for the word "white."
"The Book of Mormon" was not reprinted until the 1840's, and was NOT used as the basis of Mormonism's more profound and innovative doctrines. In fact, until the early 1980's when the subtitle "Another Testament of Christ" was added by the LDS Church, Joseph Smith's LATER writings were the ones that LDS Church members studied the most.
Rather than reading this edition, I would recommend that you read the ediiton recommended below--which is a reprint of the 1840 ediiton.
ALSO check out the recent-award winning bioraphy of Joseph Smith by Dan Vogel (recommended below) entitled "Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet." This book goes through "The Book of Mormon" exploring what Joseph Smith was dealing with in his personal life, day by day and week by week, as he wrote each chapter.

5 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

The best

This book is life changing

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Holy Smokes!

This book is Totally awsome! I wish everyone would read this book and see what all the excitment is about.

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Love it Love it

I really think its true

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Indeed, one of the greatest books I've read in my lifetime!

When I first heard of Jesus Christ descending to the Indians on a Christian television channel last week, I did more reserch on the matter, and came up finally with a great result--the possession of the osim BOOK OF MORMON! A glorious book no doubt! and one which will not let you put it down until the last page has been read and turned. That honesty displayed unto ya'll, I recommend this great book.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This book has the answers to all of lifes questions. It will inspire, lift up as well as inform. If you would like to know more about the American continent and who lived here before,during and after the time of Christ, this book will give you the answers. This is another testiment of Christ and compliments the Bible.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Required for any Christian Library

Anyone who claims to be a student or scholar of Christianity will want to read this book. At a time when so many scholars are second guessing biblical sources and meanings, it is refreshing to have another source that reaffirms the basic truths and fundamentals of Christian faith. The print format makes reading and analysis easy and enjoyable. This is a must read for any serious student of Jesus Christ and his teachings.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Broadway

The play was okay

I have read it 3 times

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!!!!!!!

Almost made me crap my magic underwear!!!!!!!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Satans words have never been so clear

Any who follows what this satanic book willl find themselves within the fires of hell. To deny the Lord Jesus Christ is to guarentee eternal damnation. Repent and turn to the One True God!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Awsomeness

This is so awsome it is like a cold morning in california with a

bright rainbow shining made of sprinkles

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

America's greatest work of religious fiction

"The Book of Mormon" is America's greatest work of religious fiction. It's influence on the course of US history is unparralled. HOWEVER, read it in it's original 1830 format--not in this heavily re-edited and in many cases rewritten version from the Utah LDS Church.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It is True!

THE BOOK OF MORMON AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites¿Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel and also to Jew and Gentile¿Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation¿Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed¿To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof¿Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile¿The interpretation thereof by the gift of God. An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven¿Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever¿And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations¿And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun. First English edition published in 1830

Wonderful book

This is one of the greatest books every published. I recommend this book to those seeking to live a Christlike life.

Study with someone!

It really helps to have someone to study this book with. A very Eye opening book. Something different about LDS is that irregardless of what another person believes the LDS do not believe everyone is going to hell if they don't believe in their religion. Christ loves everyone... not just some...

The Most Inspirational Book!!

The Book Of Mormon is a book very close to my heart. It helped me define who I really am today. It is very inspirational and is the most powerful and uplifting book I have ever read. It gave me a feeling of hope and belonging to something so great that I just feel like screaming with joy:) It taught me some very important principles of the gospel. It taught how important it is to stay close to the Lord and the importance of obedience. It is beyond words!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The best book!

There is so much wisdom in this book. It is the record of the ancient people in the American continent and the visitation of Jesus Christ. There are so many wise things that apply to our life today - this book will touch and change your life!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A must have.

The best book I ever read. My life now seeems to have become brighter, and continues to grow every page I read. I strongly reccomend that everybody read this book.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Testament of Jesus Christ

This is a book filled with profound, prophetic insights about Jesus Christ, his Atonement, his eternal mission, his status as the Creator and Redeemer of all mankind. Anyone who wants to know Him better--or who desires to know if He lives--should read this book thoughtfully and carefully. It confirms the Bible and add to our understanding of Jesus Christ in myriad ways. I testify of its truthfulness.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.