Mormon and all other known truths, whether religious, historical, or scientific."--Apostle Orson Pratt in _Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon_, p. 56. LECTURE XV. THE BOOK OF MORMON.--Continued. =Article 8.=--... We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. AUTHENTICITY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. =1. The Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon= constitutes our most important consideration of the work. This subject is one of vital interest to every earnest investigator of the ways of God, to every sincere searcher after truth. Claiming to be, as far as the present dispensation is concerned, a new scripture, presenting prophecies and revelations not heretofore recognized in modern theology, announcing to the world the message of a departed people, written by way of commandment, and by the spirit of prophecy and revelation--this volume is entitled to the most thorough and impartial examination. Nay, more, not alone does the Book of Mormon merit such consideration, it claims, even demands the same; for surely no one professing the most cursory belief in the power and authority of God can receive with unconcern the announcement of a new revelation, having the seal of Divine authority upon it. The question of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is therefore one in which the world is interested. =2.= The Latter-day Saints base their belief in the authenticity and genuineness of the book on the following proofs:-- I. The general agreement of the Book of Mormon with the Bible. II. The fulfillment of ancient prophecies accomplished by the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. III. The strict agreement and consistency of the Book of Mormon with itself. IV. The evident truth of its contained prophecies. To these may be added certain external, or extra-scriptural evidences, amongst which are:-- V. The strongly corroborative evidence furnished by modern discoveries in the field of archeological and ethnological science. I. THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE BIBLE.