Why Should I Study the Book of Mormon?

            There are numerous reasons why you and I should study the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ. All the reasons are good ones. Some of them are better, but one of them is the best possible reason. Three of those reasons are stated on the title page of the book.


            The number one reason why everyone should study the Book of Mormon is because it testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Living Son of the Living God, and that His Atonement blesses all people. This is the central theme of the Book of Mormon, which is a second witness to the Old and New Testaments. There are more verses in the Book of Mormon that refer directly to Jesus Christ than do not and more than in the New Testament. 

There are many statements by Prophets and Apostles testifying that the Book of Mormon is a witness for Jesus Christ. However, I was surprised to see a Baptist preacher testifying of the same thing. Here is a video titled “The Book of Mormon: How Baptist Can You Get!” by a Baptist preacher testifying of the Book of Mormon and its teachings of Jesus Christ. He says that the Book of Mormon is for Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, and all other people. I agree that the Book of Mormon is for all people and that anyone searching for Jesus Christ can find Him easily in the Book of Mormon.

            A second reason given on the Title Page for why everyone should study the Book of Mormon is that it teaches about the covenants that the Lord has made with the house of Israel and how He continues to reach out to all of us. A third reason is that it shows “unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers” (Title Page).


            Another reason for studying the Book of Mormon is given in the Introduction as a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” This is the same testimony given by the Baptist preacher! Other Prophets bear the same testimony. 

It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 141).

Brothers and sisters, without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley [2016], 233).

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions – every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign, Nov. 2017, 62-63).

            To answer the question, “Why should I study the Book of Mormon?” I would like to summarize the above information.  (1) It testifies that Jesus is the Christ and that all mankind can be saved through His Atonement. (2) It teaches about the covenants made with the house of Israel and about the many great things the Lord has done for our forefathers. (3) It will help us come closer to God. (4) It will bring power into my life to resist temptation, avoid deception, and stay on the strait and narrow path. (5) I will receive “an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord,” a stronger desire to keep God’s commandments, and a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ. (6) I will make better decisions. The windows of heaven will open and give me answers to my questions and direction for my life. I will be immunized against the evils of our day.


            Listed above are six wonderful reasons why I – or anyone else – should study the Book of Mormon. Here is one more: I have read it many times and can testify of the truthfulness of the book and of the blessings it brings into my life. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and blesses many lives every day. If you desire to grow closer to God, I encourage you to study the Book of Mormon.

Will Studying the Book of Mormon Strengthen Your Family?

            Families who study the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ – together grow stronger and strengthen their communities and nations. Families can read a few verses each day from the regular Book of Mormon, or they can read from a Book of Mormon made for children with lots of pictures and few words. It does not matter how a family studies the Book of Mormon together, but it does matter if they study it. Numerous prophets and Apostles have urged people to read the Book of Mormon, but I will share the words of just one of them. Elder Marion G. Romney said the following in the April 1960 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity – the pure love of Christ – will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1960, pp. 110-13; as quoted by Ezra Taft Benson, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” Ensign, May 1986).

            There are a lot of blessings listed in that paragraph, including greater love, respect, and consideration. However, most parents would appreciate this one: “Children will be more responsive and submissive to … counsel.” What parent does not want their children to be “more responsive and submissive”? Elder Romney says that it will happen for families that study the Book of Mormon.


            I am excited to study the Book of Mormon for the “Come, Follow Me” family study program in 2020. To help us gain more from our studies of this great book, the Church released today the “first in a series of epic Book of Mormon videos.” There will be a new video “released every Friday until the end of the year and later seasons will also be released." 

The first episode includes the first two chapters of the Book of Mormon where God commands Levi to leave Jerusalem with his family. I watched the first video and highly recommend it. As you study the Book of Mormon with your families, I know that you will be blessed and strengthened in such a way that you will strengthen your community and nation.