WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND THE BOOK OF MORMON TO BE THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

While there are many books in existence that are claimed to be the inspired word of God, we believe that only the Bible and the Book of Mormon can stand up to the test of this claim. We believe this due to the fact that, unlike others, these documents are supported by additional documentation in history.

            The Old Testament of the Bible is, of course, the original Jewish documents handed down by the people who inhabit Israel. The Jewish people have written many commentaries on the books of the Old Testament, and these commentaries themselves are the documentation needed to prove that the books of the Old Testament have been around since the beginning of the Jewish race. The New Testament is the books and letters written by the people who were the eyewitnesses and followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ actual existence is documented by Roman records, as well as archeological evidence discovered in recent years.

            The Book of Mormon is a text that was discovered and translated by a gentleman named Joseph Smith in 19^th century America. His account of how this came to pass may have faced criticism in past years, however the result of his efforts speaks for itself. The Book of Mormon tells the story of how, after the sack of Jerusalem by the Babylonian hoards, a band of Jewish refugees took to the sea and ended up on another continent. Whether this was the continent of South America or Africa is currently under debate, but they found a glorious, fertile land, where they commenced to build a civilization. After His crucifixion, Jesus visited this land, where He spoke with and taught the people there. Before He left them, Jesus promised that He would return sometime in the future. The Book of Mormon is supported by history and American Indian legend, both of which confirm the promise of a Great White Teacher that will return to the people.

            While there are portions of the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, that was written for the people of its time, and therefore should be interpreted only metaphorically, this does not mean that the text itself was not inspired by the spirit of the Creator. And we believe that this is indeed the case. Therefore we say, “We believe the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be the inspired Word of God.”