For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant,
and they that escape out of mount Zion:
the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. (2 Kings 19:31)
*Joseph Smith did not refer to passages from the Book of Mormon in his writings or sermons, nor was it cited very often by early church leaders. (Grant Hardy)1*Despite the effort that went into the translation, Joseph Smith did not make the book the foundation of the church. (Richard L. Bushman)2*Joseph seems somewhat detached from the book after its publication. He betrays little if any ‘pride of authorship.’ (Daniel Peterson)3*Mormonism would not have endured had its leaders relied solely on the Book of Mormon. (Kenneth Godfrey)4
Q. Why do we read The Holy Book of Mormon?
A. Because it teaches Christ:
-There are 38% more references to Christ than in the New Testament
-Of its 6607 verses, Christ is mentioned 7,452 times
-There is a reference to Christ every .88 verses9
-Jesus is mentioned by over 100 different names2
Q. Why should you read it?
A. To learn of Jesus.
Q. How many writings are there on the Holy Book of Mormon?
A. 6319 and counting.5
Q. How many copies of the Holy Book of Mormon are there?
A. 200 Million and counting.6
Q. How valuable is the Book of Mormon manuscript?
A. Book of Mormon sets new record for most expensive manuscript ever sold—$30 million.7
Q. In how many languages has the Holy Book of Mormon been printed?
A. 92 full translations + 21 partial translations + American Sign Language + Audio and counting.8
You will be wasting your time if you read it for any other reason.
It does not claim to be a book on geography, though some are mentioned. It does not claim to be a book on wildlife, boat building, metallurgy, farming, or population growth patterns, though these items are mentioned. It does not mention who their neighbors were or how many there were. It simply claims to be about Jesus Christ—His love, mercy, and grace:
3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father for they cannot be written upon these plates for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.
4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. (1 Nephi 6)
Unless you read it for the purpose it was intended, you will be missing the mark.
1Grant Hardy in Royal Skousen ed., The Book of Mormon, the Earliest Text, Yale University Press, 2009, p. xxii) [more quotes here]
2Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, p. 142; Terryl L. Givens, By the Hand of Mormon, p. 186; Susan Ward Easton, Names of Christ in the Book of Mormon
3Dan Peterson, “Embracing the power of the Book of Mormon,” Deseret News, January 5, 2012.
4“David Whitmer and the Shaping of Latter-day Saint History” by Kenneth Godfrey in The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, FARMS, 2000.
5A Comprehensive Annotated Book of Mormon Bibliography by Jeanette W. Miller, Donald W. Parry, and Sandra A. Thorne, Provo: Research Press, 1996.
6Tad Walch, “‘It is a miracle’: 200 million printed copies of the Book of Mormon,” Deseret News, January 4, 2024.
7Printer’s Manuscript, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/26/book-of-mormon-sets-new-record-for-most-expensive-manuscript-ever-sold
8David Schneider, “How many languages have Book of Mormon translations?,” Church News, Dec. 31, 2023, pp. 74-76.
9John Hilton III and Madison Sinclair, “Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, Jan. 2024.