Is The Book of Mormon True?

The best answer (unless you're a politician) to a Yes/No question requires no more than a single word.  In that context, I'll present the discussion like this:

• Question:  "Is the Book of Mormon True?"
• Answer:  Yes

Now you and I both know that the discussion involves much more than that.  So I'll elaborate.

I come from a family in which my father and mother both joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church) after growing up in different religions.  My mom joined the LDS Church with her family when she was a pre-teen child, and my dad converted when he was in his early twenties. When it later became time for me to inhabit this planet, my parents had been full-fledged members of the church for more than four years.

My experience with the Book of Mormon is this. I grew up reading the book, singing songs about it in Primary (children's Sunday School), learning about it in Family Home Evening (a weekly family get together), and ultimately studying like an investigator through the prism of historical context, complete with objections and criticisms, and with the understanding that my life and lifestyle were greatly dependent upon my finding out the correct answer to the question posed in this hub: "Is the Book of Mormon true?" My examination has involved reading the book itself several times, pondering over its teachings, and reading about the life and mission of Joseph Smith from his adherents as well as those who despise him. Here are a few reasons why I believe the Book of Mormon is true.

1. When I read the book, I feel inspired. Regular reading of The Book of Mormon makes me want to do good, to help other people, to be a better husband and father, to develop my talents and abilities, to generally live a more fulfilling life. This response is consistent with my understanding of the fruits of Holy Spirit, which teaches people to believe in Jesus Christ and to emulate his life.My interaction with The Book of Mormon in that regard tells me that the book is what it is held out to be, the word of God.
   
2. It makes sense to me that the record of the Jews regarding the mission of Jesus Christ is not the only one in existence.  If God is responsible for all people, why would he isolate his teachings, including the understanding of Jesus Christ and his role in the salvation of mankind, to a not so large group of people in the Middle East?  Logic tells me that can't be the case.  There must have been prophets in places besides Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.  These prophets must have kept records.  Following this reasoning, The Book of Mormon naturally makes sense.
   
3. The people whose ancestors are believed to have written the book have adopted The Book of Mormon in great numbers and with great loyalty. The book itself prophesies such would happen, and we can witness the fulfillment of that prophecy in the positive response of the descendants of the Lamanites to the record that has been brought to them for examination.
4. Interestingly, I have found the objections of critics to be one of the major reasons I believe The Book of Mormon to be true. I have seen the book attacked from every angle. Most of the attacks have had no merit, and the ones that show potential for credibility fall short of their aim: to discredit the book and the work for which it is the keystone. Just as gravity strengthens those who choose to stand up in spite of it, the efforts of those who have attempted to discredit The Book of Mormon have buoyed the testimony of those of us who are willing to give the book sincere attention.

The Book of Mormon contains its own litmus test pertaining to its truthfulness:

Moroni 10:4-5

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest he truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I believe these words to have literally been written by a prophet named Moroni, who later revealed The Book of Mormon to Joseph Smith in the 1800's. I'll show you some other testimonies to the same effect.