The Book of Mormon: Why do "Mormons" have separate scriptures from the Bible?

When I was a child I loved to tell my friends that The Book of Mormon told the history of the people who lived in America or the Indians. I felt like I knew something they didn't and that everyone should be excited to read it. That excitement has been tempered by the realities of life and the difficulties in convincing others that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. But I don't have to convince anyone. If you read The Book of Mormon for yourself and pray sincerely to ask if it is true, the Holy Ghost will testify to you.

The Book of Mormon is a record of a people that lived during the time of Zedekiah in Jerusalem, about 600 years before Christ was born. Lehi, the father, was told by God to leave Jerusalem because it would be destroyed. Lehi and his family were guided to America. Because some of Lehi's children chose to follow God's commandments and others did not, the people separated themselves into two groups--the Nephites and the Lamanites. The books in The Book of Mormon contain the history of these people and the teachings of prophets. After Christ died and was resurrected, he visited the people in America and taught his gospel.

Last week the missionaries practiced a discussion with our family. Our foreign exchange student is not Mormon. After the discussion, one of the missionaries asked her what she thought and how they did. I had shared my experience that every time I finish reading The Book of Mormon, I kneel and pray and ask again if it is true. I always receive a warm, tingly feeling and a comfortable burning in my chest and am filled with happiness. This tells me that The Book of Mormon is true. Our foreign exchange student said that while she did not feel uncomfortable while the missionaries were teaching us, she had never felt the feelings I've felt. Does that mean that The Book of Mormon is not true for her? I think it means that she hasn't read it to know if it's true and specifically prayed and asked God.

I love that the truths that are in the Bible are also in The Book of Mormon. I love that we have a second testimony of God's teachings to his people. The Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible. And you can know too that The Book of Mormon is true by reading, studying, and sincerely asking God in prayer.