{What's up with the extra book?} Book of Mormon explained.

There is a common (and understandable) misunderstanding that Mormons only believe in the Book of Mormon, and disregard the Bible as a gospel truth.

FALSE.

In fact, I spent two years solely studying the Old and New Testaments every morning before school.

In 1842, thirteen "Articles of Faith" were written to summarize our fundamental beliefs. One of them states:

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."

Now, what you really want to know: what's the big deal with the Book of Mormon? What is it?

To put it simple, it is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is an account of Jesus coming to the Americas after His Resurrection in 33 AD. We believe it to be Holy Scripture, similar in form and content to the Bible.

Like the Bible, it contains guidance from God as revealed to prophets and accounts God's dealings with His people in the Americas from approximately 600 BC to 400 AD.

The Book of Mormon's primary purpose is to convince us all that "Jesus it the Christ, the eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." It was written to solidify our knowledge of Jesus Christ and His earthly mission.

When Jesus appeared to the Nephites (people of the Americas) soon after He was resurrected, He blessed them and taught them his gospel. He told them,"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world" -3 Nephi 11:3.

Having read both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, I have felt a strong confirmation that both books are true to the fullest degree. Both books can bring one closer to God, and coming closer to God is such a wonderful gift.