A few misconceptions I'd like to clear up

Ok, So I have a bit of time this week, so I'd like to make this special email specifically for the blog. 

On my mission, I have noticed a lot of people know of the Book of Mormon. I also have noticed that basically no one has a correct understanding of it. So, I would like to make this list of some common misconceptions people have of the Book of Mormon, and clear things up a little. 

1. The Book Of Mormon is our Bible: Not true. We believe that the Bible is the word of God, and it is an extremely important book. We use both of these books of scripture together to learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book Of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, just as the Bible is. 

2. The Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith: Again, not true. The Book of Mormon, is a collection of records of Prophets that lived in the ancient Americas. These people came over from Jerusalem about 600 B.C. as a family led by a prophet named Lehi. His son Nephi, also a prophet, began his record and passed it down to his brother, and so on and so forth until a prophet living about 400 AD was commanded to take all of the records and compile them. This prophet was named Mormon (which is why it is called the Book of Mormon.) He gave the combined version to his son, Moroni, who buried it. It was hidden until Joseph Smith was guided to it by Moroni, then a resurrected and glorified being. He translated the plates into English by the power of God. So he  did not write it; he only translated it.

3. The book of Mormon is about Joseph Smith: Really it doesn't mention him more than once. As you read above, it is about the people that lived here in the Americas. This civilization had the gospel of Jesus Christ and prophets, just like in Jerusalem. It records their prophecies, as well as the wars that were had with their rival nation, the Lamanites. It'a actually got a really good story to it. 

Well, I don't have a whole lot of time to finish. Let me just say this. I know there are some of you  out there who do not believe in this book or still have some misconceptions about it. If that is your case, do some research. There is a really good website, mormon.org, that tells you everything about it in clear terms. They also have missionaries like myself on there to answer any more questions you have. But when it really comes down to it, there is only one way to really know the truth about this book, and that is to read it. There is a promise, written by the prophet Moroni, just before he buries the plates. He says, "And when ye shall receive these things (or the Book of Mormon), "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 him with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the 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." That's really the only way that anyone can really know. I promise you that this works. I have done it, and I have seen others find out for themselves by doing it. If you have any other questions, let me know.