You can find out for yourself. The Book of Mormon ends with a promise: if you read it, think deeply about it, and sincerely ask God whether it is true, He will answer you by the power of the Holy Ghost. You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it—not a missionary’s, not a friend’s, and not ours.

That promise is found in Moroni 10:3–5, and millions of people have put it to the test. Here is what it says, what it asks of you, and what an answer can feel like.

The Promise in Moroni 10

Moroni was the last writer in the Book of Mormon. Around A.D. 421, as he finished the record, he wrote directly to future readers—to you. He gave a simple pattern:

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, … that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, 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 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.” (Moroni 10:3–5)

The introduction to the Book of Mormon repeats the same invitation to every reader: “We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true” (Introduction).

Four Simple Steps

Moroni’s promise breaks down into steps anyone can take.

1. Read. Start reading the book itself. You don’t need to finish it before you pray, but you do need to give it a real chance. Many people begin with 1 Nephi, or with 3 Nephi 11, where the resurrected Jesus Christ visits the people.

2. Remember God’s mercy. Moroni asks you to think about how merciful the Lord has been to people throughout history—and in your own life. Gratitude softens the heart and opens it to hear God.

3. Ponder. To “ponder” means to think carefully and quietly, with your heart as well as your head. Ask yourself, What is this passage really saying? Does it lead me toward Christ? Does it make me want to be better?

4. Ask God. Pray to your Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ. Talk to Him plainly, the way you would talk to a loving parent. Ask Him if the Book of Mormon is true.

“Sincere Heart” and “Real Intent”

Moroni names three conditions: a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ.

A sincere heart means you are honestly asking—not testing God to prove a point. Real intent means you are willing to act on the answer you receive. You aren’t asking out of curiosity alone; you are ready to follow where God leads. And faith in Christ means trusting that He is real and that He wants to help you, even if that faith is still small.

If your faith feels small, that is enough to begin. A Book of Mormon prophet named Alma said, “Even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you” (Alma 32:27).

What Does an Answer Feel Like?

People often expect a dramatic answer. Sometimes God does answer powerfully. More often, the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God, who testifies of truth) speaks quietly. The Lord described it this way in modern scripture: “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).

Alma compared God’s word to a seed. If you give it room in your heart, he said, “it will begin to swell within your breasts,” and you will begin to say, “it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:28).

The Bible describes the feelings the Spirit brings: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). The Church’s study guide on this question, “How Does the Spirit Witness to Me That the Book of Mormon Is True?”, notes that an answer may come as gratitude and joy, as a desire to do good, or as clearer understanding—“almost as if a light is shining in your mind.”

The Book of Mormon gives a simple test as well: “every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:13). Jesus taught something similar: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Notice what the book does in you as you read it.

A Young Man Who Asked

The Book of Mormon came forth because a 14-year-old boy took a Bible verse seriously. In 1820, Joseph Smith was confused by competing churches and didn’t know where to turn. He read James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

He later wrote, “Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine” (Joseph Smith—History 1:12). He went into the woods to pray, and God answered him. The same invitation to “ask of God” is open to you.

If the Answer Seems Slow

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel something right away. Keep reading. Keep praying. Keep living what you are learning. Jesus promised, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Many people find that their answer came gradually, like a sunrise, until one day they realized they knew.

President Russell M. Nelson, who led the Church until 2025, offered this promise:

“You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018)

Common Questions

What is the Book of Mormon?
It is a volume of scripture, comparable to the Bible, containing the record of ancient prophets in the Americas. Its crowning event is the visit of the resurrected Jesus Christ to the people there (Introduction).

Do I have to read the whole book before I pray?
No. You can pray about it from the first page. Many people pray each time they read, asking God to help them understand and to show them whether it is true.

What if I’ve never prayed before?
That’s okay. Address Heavenly Father, thank Him for your blessings, ask Him what is on your heart, and close “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” He hears simple, honest prayers.

Are there other witnesses?
Yes. Besides Joseph Smith, eleven other people saw the gold plates the book was translated from and signed written testimonies, printed at the front of the book (see “The Testimony of Three Witnesses”). But the witness that matters most for you is the one God gives you personally.

Your Next Step

The promise in Moroni 10 is not just for Latter-day Saints. It is for anyone willing to read, ponder, and ask. If you don’t yet have a copy, you can request a free Book of Mormon from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and missionaries will deliver it at no cost. They can also read with you, answer your questions, and help you learn to recognize the Spirit. You can also start a conversation at ComeUntoChrist.

Open the book. Read a chapter tonight. Then kneel down and ask. God keeps His promises.

For Readers Who Want to Go Deeper

Primary scriptures for this theme include Moroni 10:3–5; Moroni 7:12–19; Alma 32:26–43; James 1:5–6; John 7:17; Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3; and Joseph Smith—History 1:10–20.

Helpful Church resources include the Book of Mormon Introduction and witness statements; “How Does the Spirit Witness to Me That the Book of Mormon Is True?” (Come, Follow Me, 2020, Appendix A); Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018; and the Topics and Questions entry “Book of Mormon”.

None of these sources replace your own prayer. They are there to help you ask with more confidence—and recognize the answer when it comes.

A tool we recommend: Scripture Notes is a Latter-day Saint scripture study site and app for searching the scriptures, keeping notes by verse, and finding patterns faster—built to help you get more revelation in less time. We support their work; if you’re going deeper on these passages, it’s worth a look.

If you’d like to put into words what you believe, you can share a testimony at https://myldstestimony.com/.

Independence note: Witness the Signs is an independent project and is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Church. Content here reflects our own study and opinions; for official doctrine and materials, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Witness the Signs writes for anyone seeking God—to help readers recognize His hand, feel hope, and take a next step toward Jesus Christ and His restored Church. We are not here to frighten anyone into faith. We are here to point to the Prince of Peace—and to the living invitation to come and see.