WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON?

By John Carlo Santiago

Have you ever wondered if the Book of Mormon was mentioned in the Bible? In this
compilation, you can find prophecies and references from the Bible that talks about the coming
forth of this sacred ancient record.

A friend from another faith asked me if there is any prophecy or text in the Bible that
talks about the Book of Mormon. While the only sure evidence of the truthfulness of The Book of
Mormon is through personal witness from the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:5), still, there are many
references to this sacred book in the Bible that confirm that testimony.
I have included here only 12 of these biblical references and expounded it with the
support of the Standard Works and the words of latter-day prophets.
With this article, I'm not trying to prove the truthfulness or divinity of the Book of Mormon
because that is not my duty. To adapt what President Ezra Taft Benson have said, "(I) do not
have to prove (that) the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is
read it and declare it! The Book of Mormon is not on trial—the people of the world, including the
members of the Church, are on trial as to what they will do with this second witness for Christ"
(A New Witness for Christ, Ensign, Nov. 1984).

Note: The interpretations of the scripture passages contained herein are not my private
interpretations. An effort had been made to ensure that it came from the divinely appointed
sources (e.g. Prophets, Apostles, General Authority, and Church publication manuals, Church
websites, etc). You may also notice that I have used the same passages of scriptures on
several occasion. It was intended because of the allied nature of the subjects.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the responsibility of the author and do not
necessarily represent the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"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” (Title Page of the Book of
Mormon).

1. 2 Corinthians 13:1—THE LAW OF WITNESSES

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

(see also Deut. 17:6; Deut. 19:15; Numbers 35:30; Matt. 18:15–16; John 8:12–29)

In harmony with the biblical law that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall
every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1), both the Book of Mormon and the Bible
testify of Jesus Christ and teach the principles of His gospel. President Russell M.
Nelson taught that “scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was
explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was ‘written for the
intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the
Book of Mormon] also’ [Mormon 7:9]. Each book refers to the other. Each book stands
as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets.”

"To doubters of that second witness—the Book of Mormon—the Lord issued a

warning: ‘Because you have treated lightly the things you have received … [you] shall
remain under … condemnation until [you] repent and remember … the Book of Mormon
and the former commandments which I have given … , [the Bible, and] … do according
to that which I have written.’ (Doctrine & Covenants 84:54, 57)." (Scriptural Witnesses,
Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 43).

WE NEED THE BOOK OF MORMON.

“The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is
this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight
lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For
a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those
straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and
that each of those interpretations represents a different church.

“What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point

representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between
these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one
interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses.

“Again and again the Book of Mormon acts as a confirming, clarifying, unifying
witness of the doctrines taught in the Bible.” (Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of
the Seventy, The Book of Mormon—a Book from God, Ensign, Nov. 2011, 75.)

ADDITIONAL READINGS:

 Acts 14:15-17; Romans 1:20-25—God provided witnesses so that we will be left

without excuse
 Acts 10:40-43—"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
 1 Nephi 13:38-40—The Book of Mormon establish the truth of the Bible
 2 Nephi 11:2-3—God sendeth more witnesses and he proveth all his words
 2 Nephi 29:8—The testimony of two nations is a witness unto the people that He
is God.
 2 Nephi 29:3-7, 12-13—The Bible itself would not be sufficient and the Lord
would establish his word by bringing forth The Book of Mormon
  Doctrine and Covenants 10:45-52—The people in the ancient times prayed to
God for the people to receive the Book of Mormon in the latter-days. It is not
meant to destroy the Bible but to build it up.
 2 Nephi 25:26—Book of Mormon prophets talk and testify of Christ.

BOOK OF MORMON WITNESSES

 2 Nephi 27:12 (Ether 5:2-4)—Three witnesses to see book by power of God and
testify to its truth.
 2 Nephi 27:13-14—in the mouth of many witnesses as seemeth Him good will He
establish His word.
 Doctrine and Covenants 17—by faith the three witnesses will see the plates and
other sacred items. Christ bears testimony of the divinity of The Book of Mormon.
FULFILLMENT

 Front of The Book of Mormon:

 The Testimony of the Three Witnesses—an angel of God came down
from heaven and showed them the plates.
 The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses—they beheld the plates as shown
to them by Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-
a-witness-with-the-bible?lang=eng
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1990/02/we-prophesy-of-christ-
the-law-of-witnesses-in-2-nephi?lang=eng
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/11/scriptural-witnesses?
lang=eng

2. Isaiah 28:10—GOD REVEALS TRUTH LINE UPON LINE, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little."

While we were teaching about the Book of Mormon one day, the person we were
teaching asked why the Book of Mormon didn’t came out at the same time as the Bible.
She was also curious why, of her 66 years of existence in the world, was it the first time
she heard about this book? My companion and I responded with the truths found on the
following scripture passages:

 2 Nephi 28:29-30—God reveals truth line upon line, precept upon precept. If we
hearken to God’s precepts and counsel, we will learn wisdom. If we receive
God’s words, He will give us more. If we believe that we do not need more of
God’s words, we will lose those we already have.

 Doctrine and Covenants 98:12—“For he will give unto the faithful line upon line,
precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.”
  Doctrine and Covenants 42:61—"If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation
upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the
mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life
eternal.”

 Doctrine and Covenants 59:4—“And they shall also be crowned with blessings
from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their
time—they that are faithful and diligent before me.”

 Doctrine and Covenants 50:24—“That which is of God is light; and he that

receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth
brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

 Mormon 8:26-32—Moroni described the conditions that would exist when the
Book of Mormon would come forth.

 Mosiah 26:3—Because of unbelief, people could not understand the word of

God.

 Alma 12:9—"It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless
they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to
the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to
the heed and diligence which they give unto him."

 Alma 12:10-11—He that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser
portion; he that will harden not his heart is given the greater portion.
 Alma 6:5—The word of God was liberal unto all. None were deprived.

 3 Nephi 17:2-3—By pondering and praying to the Father, we prepare our minds
to receive greater understanding (see also D&C 50:40; 98:12; 128:21)

 3 Nephi 26:8-10—The Book of Mormon was given to try men's faith. If men
believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
They that will not believe these things shall the greater things be withheld from
them, unto their condemnation.

OTHER BOOKS ARE YET TO COME:

 Article of Faith 1:9

 2 Nephi 29:13-14

 Doctrine and Covenants 128:18

  2 Nephi 27:11

 2 Nephi 30:16, 18

 Ether 4:7

 Doctrine and Covenants 101:32

 Doctrine and Covenants 121:28

 Alma 12:28-30

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1986/11/god-will-yet-reveal?
lang=eng#title1

3. Revelation 14:6-7—THE APOSTLE JOHN SAW ANOTHER ANGEL FLY

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue,
and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the
fountains of waters."

(See also Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–39)

President Gordon B. Hinckley quoted Revelation 14:6 and then declared, “That
angel has come. His name is Moroni” (Stay the Course—Keep the Faith, Ensign, Nov.
1995, 70). The angel may also represent a composite of the many heavenly
messengers, including Moroni, who have assisted in the latter-day Restoration of the
gospel of Jesus Christ (see Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,
3 vols. [1965–73], 3:529–31; see also D&C 13; 110:11–16; 128:20–21).

 Book of Mormon Introduction, Paragraph 4-5—fulfillment of the prophecy

 Joseph Smith—History 1:30-60—Moroni's angelic visitation to the young Joseph

Smith and his instructions to obtain the sacred records written in gold plates.

 Doctrine and Covenants 27:5—Moroni was sent by God to reveal the Book of
Mormon and it was he to whom God committed the keys of the record of the
stick of Ephraim.

 Doctrine and Covenants 42:12—The Lord commanded the elders, priests, and
teachers of the Church to teach the principles of the gospel which are in the
Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.
 "The fact that John saw a messenger from God reveal anew a lost gospel
negates the argument that further revelation could not be added to the Bible." (Howard
W. Hunter, No Man Shall Add to or Take Away, April 1981 General Conference)

Referring to the prophecy in Revelation 14:6-7 and its fulfillment in these latter-
days, Elder LeGrand Richards commented, "This would not have been necessary if
there had been a continuation of the gospel." (The True Church, April 1972 General
Conference).

"Joseph Smith obtained this ancient record from a heavenly messenger, just as
John prophesied. This angel appeared to him and revealed the location of ancient
records which were inscribed on metallic plates and buried in a stone vault. In due time,
the young prophet was given the plates and the means by which they were translated.
The book was then published to the world as canonized scripture."

"Also, in harmony with the testimony of John, the book contains ‘the everlasting
gospel.’ It is now preached by our missionaries to the world" (Ezra Taft Benson, Joseph
Smith: Prophet to Our Generation, Oct. 1981 General Conference).

God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ and brought forth The Book of Mormon
to prepare the earth’s inhabitants for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelations
14:7).

4. Psalms 85:11—TRUTH SHALL SPRING OUT OF THE EARTH AND

RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN
"Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."

 Isaiah 29:1-4 (2 Nephi 26:16)—"Isaiah prophesied of the destruction of

Jerusalem, which occurred because of the wickedness of the people who lived
there. He also referred to the Nephite nation, which would also be destroyed
because of wickedness. The phrase, “thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a
familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust”
(verse 4) refers to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, which was
translated from plates hidden in the ground by Moroni. The voice of the Nephite
people speaks to us today from the pages of that book. Isaiah also spoke of
the conditions of the latter days (see verses 5–10)." (Old Testament Seminary
Teachers Manual). The Book of Mormon would come forth in the last days
during a time when many people would be prideful and unbelieving (2 Nephi
26:14-19).

 Isaiah 45:8—Let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation.

 2 Nephi 27:6,14 (6-26)—The Lord God shall bring forth the words of a book,
and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered (deceased
prophets who kept the records that became the Book of Mormon).
  Mormon 8:4,14—Moroni hid up the records in the earth.

 Moroni 10:1-2—Moroni sealed up the records.

 Mormon 8:15,16,23—The Book of Mormon shall be brought out of the earth

and shall come unto the knowledge of the people. The saints who wrote them
shall cry from the dust.

 Moses 7:59-62 (Pearl of Great Price)—The coming forth of The Book of

Mormon is a sign of the commencement of the gathering of the elect.

 Moroni 10:27 (25-29)—Moroni warned that those who reject the gifts and
power of God through unbelief will experience sorrow and suffering.

 Joseph Smith—History 1:34-35, 42, 51-54, 59—Joseph Smith obtained the

sacred records out of the earth.

 Isaiah 29:18 (2 Nephi 27:29-35)—the Book of Mormon would help people gain
spiritual sight and learn true doctrine.

5. Genesis 49:22-26—JOSEPH IS A FRUITFUL BOUGH WHOSE BRANCHES RUN

OVER THE WALL
"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the
wall."

 Genesis 49:22-26—"The prophecy that Joseph’s 'branches [will] run over the
wall' [verse 22] refers to the scattering of his posterity throughout the earth,
especially across the sea to the Americas [see 1 Nephi 15:12]. Lehi, a Book of
Mormon prophet, would be 'a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of
Joseph' [Alma 10:3].

"(The Book of Mormon) tells how these descendants of Joseph came “over the
wall”—a metaphoric expression which denoted a barrier to them. That barrier
was the great ocean between the continents of Asia and the Americas. This
record tells how they were guided by the hand of the Lord to the land of America,
a land of promise to Joseph and his descendants, a land “of everlasting hills.” It
tells how Joseph’s posterity became very numerous upon the land until they filled
it with a mighty nation. All this was in fulfillment of Joseph’s blessing! The Book of
Mormon further records the destruction of this mighty civilization because of their
departure from the commandments of the God of Israel." (President Ezra Taft
Benson, A Message to Judah from Joseph, An address to Mormons, Non-
Mormons, and Jews at the Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 2,
1976)
  1 Nephi 1-18—Lehi and his family (tribe of Manasseh–Alma 10:3) together with
Ishmael and his family (tribe of Ephraim–Helaman 8:20-22) leaves Jerusalem
and sailed to the land promised to them by God (Ancient America).

 3 Nephi 15:12-13—God led them to the land of America which is specifically

designated by the Lord for a remnant of the house of Joseph.

 Genesis 48:19 (15-19)—Ephraim's seed shall become a multitude of nations.

 Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24-26, 30-31—Joseph of Egypt

prophesied that a branch of Ephraim will be broken off and will write another
testament of Jesus Christ.

 Deuteronomy 33:13-17—Moses blessed the tribes of Israel. He promised Joseph

of a new land in the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills (see Elder LeGrand
Richards, He Has Sent His Messenger to Prepare the Way). The phrase “he
shall push the people together to the ends of the earth” (v. 17) is symbolic
language that describes how the tribe of Joseph would be instrumental in
gathering the scattered tribes of Israel in the last days.

 Isaiah 43:5—The Lord will bring the descendants of Jacob (Israel) from the east
(Eastern Hemisphere: Old World) and gather them to the west (Western
Hemisphere: American Continent).

 2 Nephi 3:4-8—Lehi explained that Joseph in Egypt prophesied that God would
raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a
branch which was to be broken off (Joseph Smith, the latter-day seer), and He
will command him to translate the Book of Mormon. (See also 2 Nephi 3:6-15).

6. Ezekiel 37:15-20—THE STICK OF JUDAH AND THE STICK OF JOSEPH WILL

BECOME ONE IN THE LORD'S HAND

What is the stick of Judah? (The Bible. The Bible was preserved primarily
through the Jews, many of whom were of the tribe of Judah.)

What is the stick of Joseph? (The Book of Mormon. Lehi and his descendants,
some of whom kept the records now contained in the Book of Mormon, were
descendants of Joseph.)

 Zechariah 10:6—Judah and Joseph were both scattered and then gathered in
the last days.

 2 Nephi 3:12 (Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 50:31)—Joseph in Egypt

prophesied about Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
 The Book of Mormon and the Bible work together to confound false doctrines,
establish peace, and bring people to the knowledge of the Lord’s covenants.

To learn more about how the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together to
confound false doctrines, you can read Elder Tad R. Callister's October General
Conference talk titled “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God” (Ensign or Liahona,
Nov. 2011, 74–76).

 Matthew 1:1-2—The Bible came from the lineage of Judah, and therefore a
record of the Jews (see also 1 Nephi 5:12; 1 Nephi 13:25; 1 Nephi 14:23).

 Doctrine and Covenants 27:5—The Book of Mormon was identified as the stick
of Ephraim. The Book of Mormon people are literal descendants of Joseph (see
1 Nephi 5:14-16; 1 Nephi 6:2).

 1 Nephi 13:38-41—The Bible and The Book of Mormon shall be established in

one.

 2 Nephi 29:8—Testimony of two nations shall run together.

 Mormon 7:8-9—The Book of Mormon was written that people may believe the
Bible.

Ellis T. Rasmussen, author of A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament,

commented on the term etz:

“Commonly translated stick, the Hebrew word used is 'etz,' a generic word meaning
‘wood’ (there are other words meaning ‘stick,’ ‘staff,’ ‘branch,’ or ‘scepter’). This was
wood upon which it was possible to write. Babylonian writing tablets of wood have been
found hinged together and faced with wax, with writing engraved on them. Two wooden
tablets represent the scriptures from Judah (the Bible) and Joseph (the Book of Mormon)
to ‘be one in mine hand’ (Ezek. 37:15–19 and fn.)” (A Latter-day Saint Commentary on
the Old Testament [1993], 608).

In addition, while serving as an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham

Young University, Keith Meservy commented on the discovery of some ancient wooden
tablets:

“The discovery in 1953 of these writing boards from biblical Calah in Mesopotamia
altered the thinking of scholars about how Middle Eastern cultures made records.
Wooden tablets filled with wax represent the ‘earliest known form of ancient book’ and
help us understand an important prophecy of Ezekiel foretelling the uniting of the Bible
and Book of Mormon” (Ezekiel’s Sticks and the Gathering of Israel, Ensign, Feb. 1987,
4).
 Ezekiel’s prophecy that the two sticks would be joined “one to another into one stick”
(Ezekiel 37:17) is clarified by the phrase “shall grow together,” which is found in 2 Nephi
3:12. This phrase helps us understand that the joining together of the two sticks is a
process that will occur over time.

One way the Bible and the Book of Mormon are united is by the LDS footnotes that
provide cross-references between the two books. Find a verse in the Book of Mormon
that testifies of Jesus Christ (such as Helaman 5:12) then look in the footnotes of the
verse you found, and you will identify a verse in the Bible that testifies of Jesus Christ.

"Where is the fulfillment of this important commandment? Who claims to have the record
of Joseph today? The Book of Mormon Fulfills Joseph’s Prophecy.

"The record of Joseph has been brought forth in this day to Joseph Smith by a
messenger sent from God. That record is called the Book of Mormon, named after one
of the seed of Joseph who abridged the records of his people. The record tells the
account of a colony of Israelites, descended from Joseph, who left Jerusalem before its
great destruction during the Babylonian siege under King Nebuchadnezzar. It tells how
these descendants of Joseph came “over the wall”—a metaphoric expression which
denoted a barrier to them. That barrier was the great ocean between the continents of
Asia and the Americas. This record tells how they were guided by the hand of the Lord
to the land of America, a land of promise to Joseph and his descendants, a land “of
everlasting hills.” It tells how Joseph’s posterity became very numerous upon the land
until they filled it with a mighty nation. All this was in fulfillment of Joseph’s blessing! The
Book of Mormon further records the destruction of this mighty civilization because of
their departure from the commandments of the God of Israel.

"The records of these people lay buried in the earth for centuries. Then in 1827, a
heavenly messenger turned them over to Joseph Smith. They were subsequently
translated from their ancient reformed Egyptian writing into the English language and
were published to the world in the year 1830.

"The Judean prophet Ezekiel had declared that these records were to be “one in thine
hand.” I witness before you the fulfillment of that prophecy—the record of Judah in one
hand, the record of Joseph in the other—one in our hands today." (President Ezra Taft
Benson, "A Message to Judah from Joseph," An address to Mormons, Non-Mormons,
and Jews at the Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 2, 1976)

Very helpful articles I have read regarding this two sticks can be found in this link:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1987/02/ezekiels-sticks-and-the-
gathering-of-israel?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1976/12/a-message-to-judah-from-
joseph?lang=eng
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/10/scriptures?
lang=eng

7. John 10:16—OTHER SHEEP I HAVE, WHICH ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD.

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

In John 10:16 the Savior was teaching the Jews in Jerusalem that He would visit
Heavenly Father’s children in other lands, teach them His gospel, and bring them into
His fold (His Church). The Book of Mormon gives more information about this verse.

Without the clarifying truths found in the Book of Mormon, it is difficult to

understand who the “other sheep” are that Jesus spoke about to the Jews when He
taught in Jerusalem (John 10:16). Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles explained: “The Bible contains no related passage affording
explanation. Commentators treat this verse as an isolated and unconnected utterance,
and content themselves with the suggestion that the ‘other sheep’ may be the Gentile
nations who are to be brought into the Jewish fold under the one Shepherd. The Jews
who heard the Lord speak so understood Him” (The Vitality of Mormonism [1919], 151).

But it could not have been the Gentiles when He referred to the "other sheep",
because earlier, Christ said, "I am not sent, but to the lost sheep of the House of Israel"
(Matthew 15:24) and also in Matthew 12:21, when he said "And in His name shall the
Gentiles trust" (see also Isaiah 43:7).

 3 Nephi 15:21-24 (15-24)—the Lord told the Nephites that they were the other
sheep of whom He had spoken; however, the Jews in Jerusalem had thought He
was speaking of the Gentiles, or non-Israelites. They had not understood that the
Gentiles would not personally hear His voice.

 The Lord declared that He would only manifest Himself to the Gentiles through
the preaching of others, through the witness of the Holy Ghost, and through the
writings of prophets (see 3 Nephi 15:22-23; 3 Nephi 16:4).

 3 Nephi 15:20; 16:1-5; 17:5—After His resurrection, Jesus Christ also visited
"other sheeps" which refers to those who belongs to the other lost tribes of Israel.

 Matthew 10:5-6—The Lord instructed the apostles to go to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel and not to the Samaritans or Gentiles. This restriction was only
removed after the Savior's earthly ministry when the chief apostle, Peter,
received a revelation which opened the door for the gospel to be taught to all
people without consideration of lineage (See Acts 10-11).
 Romans 1:16-17—the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek
(Gentile).
  John 11:51-52—Jesus Christ will gather together in one the children of God that
were scattered abroad.

 Isaiah 43:5—The Lord will bring the descendants of Jacob (Israel) from the east
(Eastern Hemisphere: Old World) and gather them to the west (Western
Hemisphere: American Continent).

8. Genesis 11:1-9—THE LORD SCATTERED THEM ABROAD FROM THENCE UPON

THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH

Have you ever wondered why there are so many languages in the world today?

 Genesis 11:1-9—All men speak the same language in the beginning. The people
build the Tower of Babel. The Lord intervened by confounding the language of
the people and scattered them upon the face of the earth.

Do we have accounts where the Lord placed these scattered people?

 1 Nephi 17:36 (Genesis 1:26-28; Jeremiah 27:5; Isaiah 45:18)—God created the
earth to be inhabited…and He created His children that they might possess it.

 1 Nephi 17:38—God leadeth the righteous unto precious lands.

 Isaiah 43:5—The Lord will bring the descendants of Jacob (Israel) from the east
(Eastern Hemisphere: Old World) and gather them to the west (Western
Hemisphere: American Continent).

 Ether 1:34-43—Brother of Jared’s language and God has lead them to the land
of promise.

 Ether 6:11-12—The 'Jaredites' traveled for 344 days upon the water until they
arrived the promised land.

 Ether 2:9-12—The land given to the Jaredites (Western Hemisphere) is a land

which is choice above all other lands. The Book of Mormon was given to us in
these latter-days to show us the way to escape the coming calamities.

9. Isaiah 29:14—A MARVELLOUS WORK AND A WONDER

"Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a
marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wisemen shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
 “Isaiah foresaw that God would do ‘a marvellous work and a wonder’ in the latter
days (Isaiah 29:14). … That marvelous work would include the coming forth of the Book
of Mormon and the Restoration of the gospel” (Scriptural Witnesses, Ensign or Liahona,
Nov. 2007, 46, endnote 26). The Restoration of the gospel, including the coming forth of
the Book of Mormon, is a marvelous work that corrects false teachings and counters the
wisdom of the world.

While the Book of Mormon can accurately be described as a marvelous work and
a wonder, Isaiah’s prophecy includes more than the book. Elder LeGrand Richards
exclaimed:

“What would really constitute a marvelous work and a wonder? Why should not
honest lovers of truth welcome the pronouncement of such a work? Should any
generation reject revealed truth when sent from heaven, even as they rejected the Christ
when he came among men? Why does it seem so much easier to accept and believe in
the dead prophets than in living prophets?

“In the accomplishment of this promised marvelous work and a wonder, the Lord
had in mind a ‘restitution of all things’ and moved upon Peter to so prophesy to those
who had crucified his Lord: [Acts 3:19–21].” (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp. 34–
35.)

Thus the entire restoration of the priesthood—the Church, the ordinances, the
gospel truths—constitute the marvelous work and a wonder that Isaiah foretold" (Old
Testament Student Manual, page 165).

 Isaiah 11:10-12—In the last days, the Lord shall set His hand again the second
time (the Restoration of the Gospel) to recover the remnant of his people
including from the islands of the sea and the four corners of the earth (see also 2
Nephi 10:19-22; D&C 133:8).
"The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the
Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill the covenants He made to Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob (see Genesis 12:2–3; 3 Nephi 21; 29). The Book of Mormon declares
the doctrine of the gathering (see, for example, 1 Nephi 10:14). It causes people to learn
about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no
Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur." (President Russell
M. Nelson, The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second
Coming).

 Isaiah 11:9—“The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.”

10. Isaiah 29:17—LEBANON SHALL BE TURNED INTO A FRUITFUL FIELD, AND THE
FRUITFUL FIELD SHALL BE ESTEEMED AS A FOREST

What Relationship Does This Verse Have to the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon?

Elder Mark E. Petersen said: “The gathering of the Jews to Palestine is one of the most
outstanding and significant of all the signs of the times. The Lord said through Jeremiah:
‘… I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall
possess it.’ (Jer. 30:3.) Isaiah indicated that Palestine, long languishing in the grip of the
desert, was destined to be turned into a fruitful field in connection with the gathering of
the Jews to their homeland. …

“A sacred book was to come forth before that time—one which was new to the world,
one that told of a fallen nation which was destroyed suddenly—a book to be offered in
the latter days to a learned man who would reject it, but to be given by divine means to
an unlettered man through whom it was to be given to the world. …

“Where is that book? It is one of the signs of the times.

“Not only did the prophets predict its appearance, but Isaiah set a limit on the time of its
publication. That time limit was related to the period when fertility would return to
Palestine. Isaiah said that the book would come forth first, and then added that in ‘a very
little while … Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be
esteemed as a forest.’ (Isa. 29:17.)

“The time limit has expired. This new volume of scripture must have come forth before
now or Isaiah was not a true prophet, for Palestine is fruitful again” (In Conference
Report, Oct. 1965, p. 61).

"The Book of Mormon came first, just as Isaiah foresaw it would” (Old Testament
Student Manual, page 165).

 Isaiah 29:22-24—The Book of Mormon can help Jacob’s posterity (or the Lord's
covenant people) to have joy, revere God, and understand true doctrine.

11. Isaiah 29:9-14—MARTIN HARRIS AND CHARLES ANTHON INCIDENT PROPHESIED

"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which
men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot;
for it is sealed:

"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and
he saith, I am not learned."

What Was the 'Book That Is Sealed' and to Whom Were Its 'Words' Delivered?
 "Early in the process of translating the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris desired proof that
the translation Joseph Smith was making was genuine.

He obtained permission to carry a copy of several of the “words” from the plates,
together with their translation, to some learned men. Martin Harris’s account given to the
Prophet Joseph Smith states that he took the copy to Professor Charles Anthon of New
York City, who certified that the characters were real and correctly translated. But when
Professor Anthon discovered that the record from which the characters were obtained
was itself received by supernatural means, he retracted his statement by asking for his
certificate back and tearing it to bits.

Martin Harris reports that Anthon said that “if I would bring the plates to him he would
translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was
forbidden to bring them. He replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left him, and went to
Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the
characters and the translation” (Joseph Smith—History 1:63-65).

"The unlearned man to whom the book was delivered was, of course, Joseph Smith.
Elder Orson Pratt once said:

“Now in regard to Joseph Smith’s qualifications or attainments in learning, they were

very ordinary. He had received a little education in the common country schools in the
vicinity in which he had lived (He finished only a third grade education). He could read a
little, and could write, but it was in such an ordinary hand that he did not venture to act
as his own scribe, but had to employ sometimes one and sometimes another to write as
he translated.

This unlearned man did not make the same reply that the learned man did. For when the
book was delivered to this unlearned youth and he was requested to read it, he replied, ‘I
am not learned.’ I suppose he felt his weakness when the Lord told him to read this
book; for he thought it was a great work” (In Journal of Discourses, 15:186 quoted in the
Old Testament Student Manual: Religion 302, pp. 164-165)

 2 Nephi 27:6-14—Purer text of the words of Isaiah as preserved by Nephi.

12. Ecclesiastes 12:12—OF MAKING MANY BOOKS THERE IS NO END

 1 Nephi 13:38-40—Latter-day scriptures are to be a witness for the Bible

 Isaiah 46:10—God declared the end from the beginning. His counsel shall stand
and He will do all His pleasure.
  Isaiah 40:8—The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God
shall stand forever.

 Moses 1:4 (Pearl of Great Price)—Word of God never cease.

 Moses 1:38 (Pearl of Great Price)—No end to God's word.

 Matthew 4:4 (Luke 4:24; Deut. 8:3; D&C 84:43-44)—Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 Proverbs 29:18—Where there is no vision, the people perish.

 2 Nephi 29:6-9—The Lord speak the same words to all nations. He said
"because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak
another.”

 John 8:47—He that is of God heareth God's word: ye therefore hear them not,
because ye are not of God.

 John 20:30-31—"Many other signs did Jesus in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written" in the Bible.

 John 21:25—The world could not contain all the books about Christ.

 Helaman 3:15—"There are many books and many records of every kind."

 3 Nephi 16—Other tribes of Israel are to hear God's word and record revelations.

LOST BOOKS
The lost books of the Bible (missing scriptures) are those documents that are
mentioned in the Bible in such a way that it is evident they were considered authentic
and valuable but that are not found in the Bible today. They consist of at least the
following:
 Book of the Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14)
 Book of Jasher (Josh. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18)
 Book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kgs. 11:41)
 Book of Samuel the seer (1 Chr. 29:29)
 Book of Gad the seer (1 Chr. 29:29)
 Book of Nathan the prophet (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29)
 Prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chr. 9:29)
 Visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22)
 Book of Shemaiah (2 Chr. 12:15)
 Book of Jehu (2 Chr. 20:34)
 Sayings of the seers (2 Chr. 33:19)
  An epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, earlier than our present 1 Corinthians
(1 Cor. 5:9)
 Possibly an earlier epistle to the *Ephesians (Eph. 3:3)
 An epistle to the Church at Laodicea (Col. 4:16)
 Some prophecies of Enoch, known to Jude (Jude 1:14).
 The book of the covenant (Ex. 24:7), (may or may not be included in the
current book of Exodus)
 The manner of the kingdom, written by Samuel (1 Sam. 10:25)
 The rest of the acts of Uzziah written by Isaiah (2 Chr. 26:22)

"The foregoing items attest to the fact that our present Bible does not contain all
of the word of the Lord that He gave to His people in former times and remind us that the
Bible, in its present form, is rather incomplete.
"Matthew’s reference to a prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene (2:23) is
interesting when it is considered that our present Old Testament seems to have no
statement as such. There is a possibility, however, that Matthew alluded to Isa. 11:1,
which prophesies of the Messiah as a Branch from the root of Jesse, the father of David.
The Hebrew word for branch in this case is netzer, the source word of Nazarene and
Nazareth. Additional references to the Branch as the Savior and Messiah are found in
Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12; these use a synonymous Hebrew word for branch,
tzemakh.
"The Book of Mormon makes reference to writings of Old Testament times and
connection that are not found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or in any other known
source. These writings are of Zenock, Zenos, and Neum (1 Ne. 19:10; Alma 33:3–17).
An extensive prophecy by Joseph in Egypt (which is not in the Bible) is also apparent
from 2 Ne. 3:4–22, and a prophecy of Jacob (not found in the Bible) is given in Alma
46:24–26. These writings were evidently contained on the plates of brass spoken of in
the Book of Mormon (1 Ne. 5:10–13) (Bible Dictionary, "Lost Books").

 Ether 4:4-8—The visions of the brother of Jared were sealed with the plates and are not
yet revealed to us unto this day.

OTHER BOOKS ARE YET TO COME:

 Article of Faith 1:9

 2 Nephi 29:13-14
 Doctrine and Covenants 128:18
 2 Nephi 27:11
 2 Nephi 30:16, 18
 Ether 4:7
 Doctrine and Covenants 101:32
 Doctrine and Covenants 121:28
 Alma 12:28-30

MY TESTIMONY
During my missionary service here in the Philippines Davao Mission, I have encountered
someone who said, "If you could show me the phrase 'Book of Mormon' in the Bible, then I
will believe that your book came from God."
In response to questions like that, I would like to adapt a quotation from President
Joseph Fielding Smith, “If a person thinks the (phrase 'Book of Mormon') ought to be found
in the Bible spelled out in so many letters, he will search in vain.” (Answers to Gospel
Questions, 3:6.)

That is true; the phrase "Book of Mormon" is not found—at least not in the King James
Version. Nevertheless, if we search the scriptures with an eye of faith, we will discover that
the Lord truly did foretell the coming of this ancient record to "testify that all human beings
are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives,
and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old" (The Restoration of
the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World).
Jesus promised blessings to all who will choose to believe the truth even without seeing
the physical evidences (John 20:29; Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18), however, He also
provides witnesses as a basis for our belief.
I exhort everyone who have not yet received their own witness of the truthfulness of The
Book of Mormon to accept the admonition of Moroni to (1) "read these things," (2)
"remember how merciful the Lord hath been...and ponder (think deeply about) it in your
hearts," and (3) "ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ if these
things are not true" (Moroni 10:3-5).
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency commented on Moroni’s exhortation that
we ask God with “real intent” regarding the truth of the Book of Mormon:
"Moroni did not promise a manifestation of the Holy Ghost to those who seek to know
the truth of the Book of Mormon for hypothetical or academic reasons, even if they ‘ask with
a sincere heart.’ The promise of Moroni is for those who are committed in their hearts to act
upon the manifestation if it is received. Prayers based on any other reason have no promise
because they are not made ‘with real intent’” (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in Heart [1988], 19–20)
(see also James 1:5-7; Moroni 7:9; Psalm 145:18).
To the critics of this sacred book, please do not judge the Book of Mormon without even
accepting the invitation given by Moroni above because "if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow
it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God (Acts 5:39; see also Ether 4:8; Mormon
8:17-18).
As for me, I have gained my own witness that the Book of Mormon is true because I
have prayerfully studied its message and acted in faith. And because the Book of Mormon is
true, I have come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and
His Son, Jesus Christ. And I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the Lord's Church and it is here on the earth today to help us receive the Holy Ghost, the
ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy...(and) to prepare the world for the
promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"(Restoration Proclamation).
I have gained my testimony. You can gain yours, too. Request a free copy of The Book
of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by accessing this link
https://www.comeuntochrist.org/africacentral/form/order-book-of-mormon.