The five-section view
- The Small Plates — 1 Nephi through Omni. Personal prophetic writings, ~600–130 BC.
- Mormon's Abridgment — Mosiah through Mormon. The historical heart of the book.
- Christ's Ministry — 3 Nephi 11–28. The pivot point: the resurrected Christ teaches in the Americas.
- The Jaredite Record — the book of Ether. Earlier civilization, abridged by Moroni.
- Moroni's Farewell — Moroni 1–10. Sacraments, gifts of the Spirit, and the famous promise.
A 12-month reading plan (about 1.5 chapters/day)
- Months 1–2: 1 Nephi – 2 Nephi (don't rush 2 Nephi's Isaiah chapters)
- Month 3: Jacob – Words of Mormon
- Months 4–5: Mosiah (King Benjamin's address, Abinadi, Alma the Elder)
- Months 6–8: Alma (the longest book — pace yourself)
- Month 9: Helaman – 3 Nephi 10
- Month 10: 3 Nephi 11–28 (the Christ section — slow down)
- Month 11: 4 Nephi – Mormon – Ether
- Month 12: Moroni + review favorite passages
How to study a chapter
- Pray. One sentence is enough.
- Read aloud or slowly. Mark anything that stands out.
- Footnote dive: pick one footnote, follow it (often into the Bible).
- Journal: write 2–3 sentences — what you noticed, what it might mean, what you'll do.
- Apply: one concrete thing this week.
10 chapters to read first if you only have a week
- 1 Nephi 1 — Lehi's vision and the book's premise.
- 1 Nephi 8 — Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life.
- 2 Nephi 2 — Lehi teaches Jacob about agency and the Fall.
- Mosiah 2–5 — King Benjamin's address.
- Alma 32 — faith as a seed.
- Alma 36 — Alma's conversion.
- 3 Nephi 11 — Christ appears in the Americas.
- 3 Nephi 12–14 — the Sermon on the Mount, restated.
- Moroni 7 — faith, hope, and charity.
- Moroni 10 — Moroni's promise.
Find a ward, branch, or LDS community
Use the Faith Common directory to find LDS wards and branches. Members can claim a free public ward page with sacrament meeting times, ministering contacts, and visitor information.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to read the Book of Mormon?
About 25–30 hours of reading total. At ~10 minutes a day you'll finish in roughly six months; at ~20 minutes a day, around three months. A typical one-year plan with reflection is about 1.5 chapters per day.
Where should I start in the Book of Mormon?
Start at 1 Nephi 1 — the book is meant to be read in order. If you want a sampler first, read 1 Nephi 1–8, Mosiah 2–5 (King Benjamin's address), Alma 32 (faith), and 3 Nephi 11–18 (Christ's visit to the Americas).
What is the structure of the Book of Mormon?
1 Nephi → Omni: the small plates (early prophets). Words of Mormon → Mormon: Mormon's abridgment of the large plates. Ether: Jaredite history abridged by Moroni. Moroni: closing teachings and Moroni's promise (Moroni 10:3–5).
How do I study it alongside the Bible?
Use the footnotes. Isaiah chapters appear in 2 Nephi 12–24 — read them side by side. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) mirrors 3 Nephi 12–14. The Topical Guide cross-references most major themes across both books.
What is Moroni's promise?
Moroni 10:3–5 invites readers to ask God in prayer with a sincere heart and real intent whether the Book of Mormon is true. Most LDS members trace their testimony to this passage.