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I very much appreciate your kind words and thank you for your question. I just answered a similar question, and quoted from the Book of Mormon itself. I think I will do that in an effort to answer this question.
First, let me give a little background.
There are two common Christian positions in the world. One is that Christ organized a church, and it has continued all down through A SECCESSION to the present time. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches claim that they are that original church. The other position is that of the reformers who were convinced that men had changed the original church to the extent that they felt the need to Protest (Protestants) and REFORM the church. There are hundreds of protestant churches. The Church of England had an unusual beginning with the reign Henry the VIII and his motivations did not appear to have much to do with either of these positions.
We also believe that Christ's original church and gospel was changed by many different interpretations, but that a complete RESTORATION was needed. This restoration was actually predicted by Peter when he wrote the
"times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of RESTITUTION of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19 - 21)
We believe that the restitution or restoration was accomplished by the Lord, communicating directly through a prophet as he had done anciently, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is, in fact, that restored church. The restored gospel teaches clearly of the Savior's suffering and death on the cross and his resurrection to overcome death for all and to pay for the sins of those who will follow him. We accept the right of people to worship how they may, but we also believe that the changes and interpretations that have taken place down through the ages cannot substitute for the true teachings, organization, authority and ordinances taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. (see John 14:6)
The Book of Mormon consists of writings from prophets who lived in what we call Ancient America and is part of the restoration. It is also a second witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible even states, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)
The following words are from the Lord to Nephi, (an Ancient prophet of the Book of Mormon) concerning this book:
3 And because my words shall hiss forth-many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible....
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. ( 2 Nephi 2:3 & 8)
Then, in the fisrt book of Nephi, within the Book of Mormon, it states, "These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved". (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 13:40)
I first sincerely read the Book of Mormon as a teenager and earnestly prayed about it. I gained a very strong conviction of its truth that has stayed with me throughout my life. This book, coupled with the Bible has been a great strength to me.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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