The words of God and the words of His Son, Jesus Christ, are found in the scriptures. Therein we find truth, wisdom, and knowledge, and we learn how we should conduct our lives. For without the word of God how could we understand His will?

The Bible contains revelation given to the Lord's prophets. The 39 books of the Old Testament deal with the creation, the patriarchs and kings, and events prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament's 27 books tell of the ministry of our Savior - His birth, crucifixion and resurrection.I am a convert to the Church of five years and have always had the Bible in my life. I know the Bible teaches the commandments of our Heavenly Father and explains the mission of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the prophets, for their love of the Savior, for their examples and commitment to the commandments.

The eighth Article of Faith states plainly: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly." This indicates that some parts of the Bible have not been translated correctly. Regarding the books of the New Testament, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "Though they have not been preserved to us in their original and perfect form, yet their teachings are to be accepted as true and accurate except in those cases in which matters have been clarified by latter-day revelation." (Mormon Doctrine, p. 535)

I am so thankful for latter-day revelation to help explain some of the concepts of the Bible that I find hard to understand.

The second half of the eighth Article of Faith states: "We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ. Like the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon contains the writings of prophets who lived in the Americas. A prophet named Lehi left Jerusalem around 600 B.C. with his family, sailed across the ocean and established a civilization on the American continent. The Book of Mormon deals with the ancient inhabitants of America. The record extends primarily from 600 B.C. to A.D. 421. It has 15 separate books within it that contain the word of God.

The Book of Mormon has given me the opportunity to have a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. When I read the Book of Mormon I am able to understand the plan of salvation and the love of my Savior for all His children. The Book of Mormon is written in simplicity and plainness.

The prophet Joseph Smith said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on Earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." (History of the Church 4:461.) I know the Book of Mormon is a powerful book of knowledge, truth, and testimony of Jesus Christ. Knowing that a person can get closer to God by reading the Book of Mormon is a wonderful indication of the wisdom within its pages.

I remember so clearly how people in the mission field were excited to see and read the Book of Mormon. As we shared the Book of Mormon with our investigators and asked them to pray and ask God if it was true, it was such a blessing to see those who felt the Spirit and accepted the Book of Mormon as the word of God.

We taught a wonderful Spanish woman who came to love the Book of Mormon. As my companion and I visited her each day, we could see that she had been reading from the Book of Mormon before we arrived. She shared with us her testimony of the Book of Mormon and expressed her love for the Savior because of it. She felt the Spirit as she read the Book of Mormon and accepted the invitation to be baptized. I know this woman felt the Holy Ghost in her life and developed a closer relationship with Jesus Christ because of the Book of Mormon. Throughout my 18-month mission I saw more than 100 people accept the Book of Mormon as the word of God and as another testament of Jesus Christ.

I know the Book of Mormon is true because I have personally asked our Heavenly Father in prayer, after reading it and studying it. The Book of Mormon has changed my life by adding a new dimension of knowledge in helping me more fully understand the plan of salvation. I love the Book of Mormon. When I read it I feel good about myself and about others. The stories in the Book of Mormon encourage me to love and serve mankind.

It is as King Benjamin taught: "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) When I read the Book of Mormon it motivates me to keep the commandments and to strive and be more righteous and obedient to Heavenly Father.

I'm so grateful that the Book of Mormon is spreading across the world. There is no better guideline to follow. D&C 42:12 states: "This church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in which is the fullness of the gospel." I know that if a person will read the scriptures he will gain a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ and His atonement, sacrifice, and love of all mankind.

- Jeanette Young, from Weston, Mass., served in the Missouri Independence Mission.