"Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none. . . . " (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 71.)

This statement is simple and direct. It leaves no question regarding the value and validity of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

In 1938 Henry A. Wallace, then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, spoke to the New York City Book Club on the subject "Good books of the Nineteenth Century." In the course of his remarks, Mr. Wallace said, "The greatest book published in the nineteenth century in the field of religion was the Book of Mormon. Although this book was read by less than one percent of Americans, it affected that one percent so powerfully as to change the history of the nation." (Quoted in Conference Report, April 1976, p. 125; or Ensign, May 1976, p. 85.)

Prophets of this dispensation have spoken often and fervently of the Book of Mormon. In addition to the words of Joseph Smith are added:

Brigham Young : "How many witnesses has the Book of Mormon? Hundreds and thousands are now living upon the earth, who testify of its truth." (Journal of Discourses 10:326.)

John Taylor: "The gospel in the Book of Mormon and the gospel in the Bible both agree: The doctrines in both books are one." (JD 5:240.)

Wilford Woodruff: "As I [began to read the Book of Mormon], the Spirit bore witness that the record which it contained was true. I opened my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to understand. I also opened my doors to entertain the servants of God." (Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors, p. 34.)

Lorenzo Snow: "I know Joseph Smith to have been an honest man, a man of truth, honor and fidelity, willing to sacrifice everything he possessed, even life itself, as a testimony to the heavens and the world that he had borne the truth [about the Book of Mormon] to the human family." (The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, pp. 56-67.)

Joseph F. Smith: "There is not a word or doctrine, of admonition, of instruction within its [the Book of Mormon] lids, but what agrees in sentiment and veracity with those of Christ and His Apostles, as contained in the Bible. Neither is there a word of counsel, of admonition or reproof within its lids, but what is calculated to make a bad man a good man, and good man a better man, if he will hearken to it." (JD 25:100.)

Heber J. Grant: "The Book of Mormon is the great, the grand, the most wonderful missionary that we have." (April 1937 general conference.)

George Albert Smith: "The Book of Mormon is a sacred record containing information that is found in no other book." (April 1936 general conference.)

David O. McKay: "The Book of Mormon itself is the best memorial to the claim of the vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith." (Treasures of Life, pp. 273-274.)

Joseph Fielding Smith: "No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon." (October 1961 general conference.)

Harold B. Lee: "There is nothing better that we can do to prepare ourselves spiritually than to read the Book of Mormon." (The Improvement Era, January 1969, pp. 13-14.)

Spencer W. Kimball: "This inspiring book was never tampered with by unauthorized translators of biased theologians but comes to the world pure and directly from the historians and abridgers. The book is not on trial — its readers are." (April 1963 general conference.)

Ezra Taft Benson: "There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path." (October 1986 general conference.)

Howard W. Hunter: "I am grateful that in addition to the Old and New Testaments, the Lord, through prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has added other revealed scripture as additional witnesses for Christ — the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price — all of which I know to be the word of God. These bear witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." — (October 1979 general conference.)

Gordon B. Hinckley: "I thank the Lord that He planted in my heart while I was yet a boy a love for the Prophet Joseph Smith, a love for the Book of Mormon, . . . " (October 1995 general conference.)

This year, we have the opportunity in Sunday School to study "the most correct of any book on earth." (See History of the Church 4:461; also the introduction to the Book of Mormon.) As we study under the guidance of the Spirit, we will gain greater understanding of eternal precepts and our testimonies will grow stronger — testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel.