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Mormons believe that [[Joseph Smith]] translated the Book of Mormon from a set of golden plates he received from an angel named Moroni¹. Smith translated the golden plates by placing a pair of seer stones, called the [[Urim and Thummim]], into a hat he held tight against his face. The translated words appeared as a spiritual light.².

Mormons believe that [[Joseph Smith]] translated the Book of Mormon from a set of golden plates he received from an angel named Moroni¹. Smith translated the golden plates by placing a pair of seer stones, called the [[Urim and Thummim]], into a hat he held tight against his face. The translated words appeared as a spiritual light.².

The Book of Mormon tells the story of the descendents of Lehi, who took his family from Jerusalem to the Americas. His wicked sons, Laman and Lemual, turned against his righteous sons, Nephi and Sam, and were cursed with dark skin{{fact}}. Today, we call their descendents, "Native Americans.{{fact}}" Mormons still refer to them as Lamanites{{fact}}.  

The Book of Mormon tells the story of the descendents of Lehi, who took his family from Jerusalem to the Americas. According to the book, Lehi's wicked sons, Laman and Lemual, turned against his righteous sons, Nephi and Sam, and were cursed with dark skin³. Mormons believe that these people were the ancestors of Native Americans; they call them "Lamanites."⁴

Nephi and Sam's descendents, the Nephites, eventually turned to wickedness and were destroyed by the Lamanites. One of the last Nephites, Moroni, buried the golden plates in what is now New York State to keep them from falling into the hands of the Lamanites.³ Three Nephites were blessed with eternal life and still wander the world today helping Mormon families.⁴

Nephi and Sam's descendents, the Nephites, eventually turned to wickedness and were destroyed by the Lamanites. One of the last Nephites, Moroni, buried the golden plates in what is now New York State to keep them from falling into the hands of the Lamanites.⁵ Three Nephites were blessed with eternal life and still wander the world today helping Mormon families.⁶

[[Jesus]]' post-resurrection appearance in the New World is also documented in the Book of Mormon. In 1982, a subtitle, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" was added to the title⁵.

[[Jesus]]' post-resurrection appearance in the New World is also documented in the Book of Mormon. In 1982, a subtitle, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" was added to the title⁷.

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2. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, [http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1993.htm/ensign%20july%201993.htm/a%20treasured%20testament.htm "A Treasured Testament,"] Ensign, July 1993

2. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, [http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1993.htm/ensign%20july%201993.htm/a%20treasured%20testament.htm "A Treasured Testament,"] Ensign, July 1993

3. [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents The Book of Mormon]

3. [http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/Alma3.htm GospelDoctrine.com]

4. [http://deseretmail.com/mormon-life/curric/story?story_id=1580 "Clyde J. Williams on the Three Nephites and the Doctrine of Translation,"] Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 42, Deseret Book.

4. [http://search.ldslibrary.com/125037 Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]

5. [http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/essays/bookofmormon.htm A Short Introduction to the Book of Mormon]

5. [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents The Book of Mormon]

 

 

7. [http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/essays/bookofmormon.htm A Short Introduction to the Book of Mormon]