Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon was published by Joseph Smith, Jr, in March 1930 in Palmyra, New York, USA. Latter-day saints (Mormons) believe that Joseph Smith translated the contents of the book from golden plates by use of "seer stones" called the Ummim and Thummin. The purpose of the book is to represent "another testimony of Jesus Christ" as it describes the history of the Nephites, an ancient people in the Americas originating from Jerusalem. Jesus Christ appears before this people at a point in the book, after his crucifixion and ascendance as described in the New Testament in the Bible. The Book of Mormon was revealed and named after the prophet-historian Mormon who, according to the text, compiled most of the book. Belief in the authenticity of this book is considered a cornerstone in Mormonism.