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"Come To The Knowledge Of Their Redeemer": The Book Of Mormon's Message To The House Of Israel, Kevin Leon Clawson Jul 2019

"Come To The Knowledge Of Their Redeemer": The Book Of Mormon's Message To The House Of Israel, Kevin Leon Clawson

Theses and Dissertations

One of the major themes in the Book of Mormon is the promises of the Lord to the house of Israel. Even before Lehi and his family left the promised land, Lehi and Nephi prophesied of the future scattering and gathering of Israel. After the family of Lehi arrived on the Americas, prophets continued to teach about God’s covenants with Israel. The destiny of the house of Israel was a major theme in the books of 1 and 2 Nephi, and also at the end of the Book of Mormon in the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mormon, and Moroni.In Lehi’s …


Book Of Mormon Atonement Doctrine Examined In Context Of Atonement Theology In The Environment Of Its Publication, David Scott Wetzel Aug 2012

Book Of Mormon Atonement Doctrine Examined In Context Of Atonement Theology In The Environment Of Its Publication, David Scott Wetzel

Theses and Dissertations

Alexander Campbell, a contemporary of Joseph Smith, was the first to publish a critique of the Book of Mormon after actually having read it. Among other allegations, he arraigned that Joseph Smith wrote the book to resolve, with a voice of prophecy, theological issues contemporary to its publication. This study undertakes to examine Campbell's charge with regard to atonement doctrine. To assess the statement, this study first identifies the controversies about atonement doctrine in the years prior to the publication of the Book of Mormon, in the Northeastern region of the United States. It then compares the teachings inherent to …


Taking The Gospel To The Lamanites: Doctrinal Foundations For Establishing The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Mexico, Matthew G. Geilman Aug 2011

Taking The Gospel To The Lamanites: Doctrinal Foundations For Establishing The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Mexico, Matthew G. Geilman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a study about the influence of the Book of Mormon message to the Lamanites upon the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico, primarily focusing upon the years 1875-1950. Several important events, people, and publications from the first seventy-five years of the Church's history in Mexico are evaluated as historical case studies in order to examine the extent to which the message to the Lamanites influenced the beginnings of the Latter-day Saints there. These case studies include the first mission to Mexico in 1875, early publications in Spanish, the dedication of Mexico …


"And Well She Can Persuade": The Power And Presence Of Women In The Book Of Mormon, Wendy Hamilton Christian Jan 2002

"And Well She Can Persuade": The Power And Presence Of Women In The Book Of Mormon, Wendy Hamilton Christian

Theses and Dissertations

This work is the first of its kind on women in the Book of Mormon. It (1) is an exhaustive treatment of the book's female characters, (2) analyzes how women function in the text, and (3) delineates the text's female-inclusive language. This thesis contains a complete list and discussion of the identifiable women in the Book of Mormon (Chapter 1); provides a compilation and treatment of the book's gender-inclusive language—comprising over 200 words and more than 5,000 references to them—and its bearing on the doctrines and depictions of women in the narrative (Chapter 2); and illustrates the significant influence individual …


The Isaiah Passages In The Book Of Mormon: A Non-Aligned Text, Carol F. Ellertson Jan 2001

The Isaiah Passages In The Book Of Mormon: A Non-Aligned Text, Carol F. Ellertson

Theses and Dissertations

Since the advent of the Dead Sea Scrolls, four biblical textual scholars have emerged at the forefront of the dialogue concerning textual evolution. They are: Frank Moore Cross, Emanuel Tov, Shemaryahu Talmon and Eugene Ulrich. Though there is some overlap in their hypotheses, each scholar has put forth a framework of biblical textual development in light of these new discoveries.

If a new biblical text were discovered today, how would each scholar approach it? This thesis evaluates each scholars' views and concludes that Emanuel Tov's criteria for judging a newly discovered text is the most thorough and explanatory. Tov's views …


Because Of Thy Exceeding Faith: A Choreographic Portrayal Of Women In The Book Of Mormon, Wendy L. Bone Jan 2001

Because Of Thy Exceeding Faith: A Choreographic Portrayal Of Women In The Book Of Mormon, Wendy L. Bone

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a choreographic exploration that illuminates and defines moments in the lives of women who are mentioned in the Book of Mormon. These women are Sariah; the wife of King Lamoni and Abish, her servant; and the Ammonite mothers of Helaman's two thousand stripling warriors. It is through these stories that their faith was evident. By understanding the roles these women played in the history of the Book of Mormon, we can use their example to strengthen our own testimonies.
It was discovered through this process that, although one can read about the life of another, a deeper …


Since Joseph Smith's Time: Lexical Semantic Shifts In The Book Of Mormon, Renee Bangerter Aug 1998

Since Joseph Smith's Time: Lexical Semantic Shifts In The Book Of Mormon, Renee Bangerter

Theses and Dissertations

In the years since Joseph Smith completed the translation of the Book of Mormon, the English language has changed; some common phraseologies and word meanings are dissimilar to today's. Often, in reading the Book of Mormon, we impose our current definitions onto terms that in 1830 had a different meaning. Our interpretation of these words, as well as the passages in which they are found, is skewed by our modern definitions. These words, when they occur in the Book of Mormon, demonstrate dialectal and obsolete senses. In the case of some words, the dialectal or obsolete sense is so far …


The Choreography And Production Of "Jacob Five: A Journey Into The Olive Vineyard", Laurie Behunin Jan 1993

The Choreography And Production Of "Jacob Five: A Journey Into The Olive Vineyard", Laurie Behunin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of choreographing "Jacob Five: A Journey into the Olive Vineyard" was to artistically express a religious allegory in order to praise God as well as to bring the audience, dancers, and choreographer to a new understanding of the passage from which it was derived. The 39-minute dance was presented April 10, 1993 as a dance fireside. Following the performance, an informal discussion was held to give the audience an opportunity to respond to the dance. These comments were considered and recorded as part of the evaluation of this thesis. Both the thesis and video of "Jacob Five: A …


Symbolic Action And Persuasion In The Book Of Mormon, Keith H. Lane Jan 1990

Symbolic Action And Persuasion In The Book Of Mormon, Keith H. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contends that the Book of Mormon can be profitably read from a rhetorical perspective. It employs Kenneth Burke's ideas concerning language, texts, and his method of dramatistic analysis, to reveal certain persuasive aspects of the Book of Mormon, and to urge action in response to the persuasion of the Book of Mormon.

Chapter one discusses common ways of reading scripture, and explains some of the inadequacies of these approaches. It gives a rationale of a rhetorical approach that concerns itself with action, and recommends this approach for the Book of Mormon. Chapter two applies a rhetorical reading to …


A Hermeneutic Of Sacred Texts: Historicism, Revisionism, Positivism, And The Bible And Book Of Mormon, Alan Goff Jan 1989

A Hermeneutic Of Sacred Texts: Historicism, Revisionism, Positivism, And The Bible And Book Of Mormon, Alan Goff

Theses and Dissertations

As methods by which texts are to be understood, positivism and historicism have a long tradition and continue to exert wide influence in all academic disciplines. Other approaches to textual concerns have recently emerged to challenge the dominance of these two approaches. Foremost among these new approaches are hermeneutics and deconstruction. Both of the latter approaches recognize that interpretation is inescapable. The latter challenges even the possibility of determinate meaning. A theoretical discussion of historicism and positivism uncovers questionable and troublesome difficulties. Hermeneutics in its conservative or radical variations overcomes the difficulties of interpretation that positivism and historicism can't explain. …


Pronouns Of Address In The Book Of Mormon, Lyle L. Fletcher Jan 1988

Pronouns Of Address In The Book Of Mormon, Lyle L. Fletcher

Theses and Dissertations

The first section of this thesis is a diachronic examination of second person pronouns in English with special focus on variations in usage such as pronominal shifting between thou (and related forms) and ye (and related forms), as well as an examination of the second person pronoun usage in the English Bible (especially the King James Version) with a similar focus. From the thirteenth century on variations in usage have been common.

The second section is a synchronic examination of second person pronouns as used by Joseph Smith and some of his contemporaries, followed by an analysis of these pronouns …


Lehi's Vision Of The Tree Of Life: An Anagogic Interpretation, Julie Adams Maddox Jan 1986

Lehi's Vision Of The Tree Of Life: An Anagogic Interpretation, Julie Adams Maddox

Theses and Dissertations

The significance of Lehi's life tree is that it gives life. Lehi's tree expresses the nonverbal, renews Lehi, effectually creates a culture, and keys the structure of a literary, viable, and contemporary scripture. My thesis chapters grow out of my reading of myth, tree mythology, and Lehi's dream. I see Lehi 1) traveling a polemic course toward the tree, 2) confronting the tree's death, and 3) by suffering, opening the symbol to his inner vision.
Lehi's first dream images, a dark and dreary wilderness vs. a man in white, suggest the birth of mythic creation. By traveling through and reconciling …


Stylometry And Wordprints: A Book Of Mormon Reevaluation, Brian Curtis Roberts Jan 1983

Stylometry And Wordprints: A Book Of Mormon Reevaluation, Brian Curtis Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a project which investigates the science of stylometry and wordprints; the analysis of writing style characteristics. The focus is placed on reexamining a wordprint study done by Wayne Larsen and Alvin Rencher wherein the Book of Mormon was analyzed against texts by those who are purported to have written it. The difference in this study from the first was that new wordprint definitions were developed using a junction grammar program created by Eldon Lytle, the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon was employed as the base text, the phrase "it came to pass" was deleted and …


The Japanese Translation Of The Book Of Mormon: A Study In The Theory And Practice Of Translation, Jiro Numano Jan 1976

The Japanese Translation Of The Book Of Mormon: A Study In The Theory And Practice Of Translation, Jiro Numano

Theses and Dissertations

English and Japanese are very different from each other in tems of their structures. And consequently no one would call the present translation of the Japanese Book of Mormon a low rank-bound translation.

However, a substantial amount of grammatical categories of English such as number, redundant subject for Japanese, pronominal expression, and the passive voice which is not used so often in Japanese as in English, are introduced in the translation. The improper placement of subject, verb and object also serves as a cause of foreign tones. Thus the present translation has more factors of Formal-Equivalence translation than those of …


An Examination Of The Strategies Of Instruction Employed By Prophets And Teachers In The Book Of Mormon And Their Potential Application To Current Lds Instructional Settings, Bruce A. Van Orden Jan 1975

An Examination Of The Strategies Of Instruction Employed By Prophets And Teachers In The Book Of Mormon And Their Potential Application To Current Lds Instructional Settings, Bruce A. Van Orden

Theses and Dissertations

The problems with which this study will deal are based upon three premises:
1. There is a tremendous need in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for qualified, spiritually-motivating teachers.
2. The Book of Mormon has a record of many outstanding teachers and examples of teaching.
3. Teachers in the Church today can improve their effectiveness by learning from the teachers and the instructional process as found in the Book of Mormon.


The Tradition Of Isaiah In The Book Of Mormon, Gary L. Bishop Jan 1974

The Tradition Of Isaiah In The Book Of Mormon, Gary L. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents a textual and grammatical analysis of 52 passages of Isaiah as they are found in Cave IV of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the King James version, and the Book of Mormon. The objective was to determine the relationship, if any, of those verses in the Book of Mormon with the other textual traditions. Based on the differences between the Book of Mormon text and the King James version, and upon the confirmation of those Book of Mormon differences by the other traditions, it was concluded that The Book of Mormon follows its …


A Study Of Some Textual Variations In The Book Of Mormon Comparing The Original And The Printer's Manuscripts And The 1830, The 1837, And The 1840 Editions, Stanley R. Larson Jan 1974

A Study Of Some Textual Variations In The Book Of Mormon Comparing The Original And The Printer's Manuscripts And The 1830, The 1837, And The 1840 Editions, Stanley R. Larson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a study of textual variations in the two manuscripts and the first three editions of the Book of Mormon. Successive collations of each of these were made against the text of the first edition. From these collations some 427 specific textual variations were selected for inclusion in the thesis.

The research disclosed that some genuine corrections as well as editorial revisions were made by Joseph Smith in 1837 and 1840. However, it was also concluded that some alterations of the text arose from accidental causes.

The most significant contribution of this study was that both the Original …


Possible Lexical Hebraisms In The Book Of Mormon: (Words Of Mormon - Moroni), Melvin Deloy Pack Jan 1973

Possible Lexical Hebraisms In The Book Of Mormon: (Words Of Mormon - Moroni), Melvin Deloy Pack

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis has been a study of possible lexical Hebraisms occurring in the Book of Mormon in the sections entitled "The Words of Mormon" through "Moroni." A Hebraism was defined as any word or phrase which appeared to be a literal rendering of a Hebrew lexicographic mode of speech, in that the English had a usage or connotation which was not normal; whereas, if translated literally into Hebrew it would represent standard usage.

Nearly two hundred such items were found, some one hundred twenty of which were discussed in the body of the thesis. Of these, nouns contributed over sixty …


A Study Of Nephite, Lamanite, And Jaredite Governmental Institutions And Policies As Portrayed In The Book Of Mormon, Donald Arthur Cazier Jan 1972

A Study Of Nephite, Lamanite, And Jaredite Governmental Institutions And Policies As Portrayed In The Book Of Mormon, Donald Arthur Cazier

Theses and Dissertations

Nephite government was essentially theocratic, with both the monarchy and reign of the judges paralleling the similar institutions of the ancient Israelites. Ultimate political authority resided in the prophet. The laws were given by the Lord, and the principle of popular consent was recognized. The role of government was primarily national defense and the punishment of crime, not social reform.

Lamanite government was monarchal and despotic, with notable exceptions when the nation was converted to the gospel. The Jaredites theoretically lived under a theocratic monarchy, but intrigue, tyranny, and oppression were the rule rather than the exception.

In all three …


A Comparative Study Of The Book Of Mormon Secret Combinations And The American Mafia Organization, Ray G. Morley Jan 1972

A Comparative Study Of The Book Of Mormon Secret Combinations And The American Mafia Organization, Ray G. Morley

Theses and Dissertations

The Book of Mormon and the Book of Moses, sacred scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have woven into their pages a brief history of secret combinations on the "American" continent. Secret combinations have caused the destruction of three previous civilizations that have existed on this continent.

The prophet Moroni warned the Latter-day American inhabitants that "This secret combination... shall be among you..." (Ether 8:24).

The evidence summarized in this study leads one to the conclusion that the American Mafia Organization (Cosa Nostra) is the same organization warned against in sacred scripture.


A Comparison Of Passages From Isaiah And Other Old Testament Prophets In Ethan Smith's View Of The Hebrews And The Book Of Mormon, William L. Riley Jan 1971

A Comparison Of Passages From Isaiah And Other Old Testament Prophets In Ethan Smith's View Of The Hebrews And The Book Of Mormon, William L. Riley

Theses and Dissertations

The Book of Mormon, having long been a work of great interest to me, became a natural area of study for my Master's program. I was directed by Roy W. Doxey and Paul R. Chessman who brought to my attention several areas of the Book of Mormon which needed to be investigated for clarification and deeper understanding. The area which was settled on centered around a book which was written seven years prior to the publishing of the Book of Mormon. The controversy which surrounds the View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith is similar to the "Spalding Manuscript" controversy …


The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of The New Testament Events Of Christ's Life, David R. Mangelson Jan 1969

The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of The New Testament Events Of Christ's Life, David R. Mangelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine and present the Book of Mormon's contributions as a witness to the authenticity of the New Testament account of certain events of Christ's life, in order that teachers may have an effective instrument in teaching the historicity of the New Testament account of Christ's life.
This study reveals 177 passages in the Book of Mormon that refer to the life of Jesus. These passages corroborated the New Testament account of Christ's life. There are 61 Book of Mormon passages that refer to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ and His anticipated coming. There …


A Study Of The Definition Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ And Its Theological Implications In Latter-Day Saint Literature, David Earl Perry Jan 1969

A Study Of The Definition Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ And Its Theological Implications In Latter-Day Saint Literature, David Earl Perry

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis attempts to treat four problems: What is the gospel, as defined in Latter-day Saint literature? Do ancient and modern sources agree? Has there been an historical development of the definitions? Can any disagreements be rationalized? The results of this research reveal that the gospel is complex in that it is capable of handling all the problems of eternity, yet it is simple in that it is a plan of specific principles which lead man step by step to perfection. The author determined that ancient and modern sources do agree in placing six "first principles" at the beginning of …


An Evaluation Of The Use Of Selected Book Of Mormon Filmstrips In Improving The Learning Of Book Of Mormon History, Bruce E. Peterson Jan 1968

An Evaluation Of The Use Of Selected Book Of Mormon Filmstrips In Improving The Learning Of Book Of Mormon History, Bruce E. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research and study was to evaluate the use of selected Book of Mormon filmstrips and determine their value in teaching Book of Mormon history. New impetus to use filmstrips was received with the announcement that the Department of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion had produced eighteen filmstrips using episodes from Book of Mormon history. The Department was desirous that the filmstrips be utilized in the most effective way by teachers in meeting the individual needs of students in this course of religious instruction.


A Design Study In Costume For Projected Dramatic Productions Prescribing A Book Of Mormon Setting Identified Herein As Late Preclassic Mesoamerican Culture, Amanda J. Brown Jan 1968

A Design Study In Costume For Projected Dramatic Productions Prescribing A Book Of Mormon Setting Identified Herein As Late Preclassic Mesoamerican Culture, Amanda J. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to design costumes for twelve characters, selected from the Book of Mormon, suitable for projected dramatic productions. Selection of the characters was determined by the following criteria:
(1) Sufficient dramatic potential for projected dramatic productions must be inherent in the period from which characters are drawn.
(2) Characters should represent various levels within their society.

The problem of creating the costume designs presumed an investigation of environmental factors which would influence the clothing styles worn by a typical cross section of Late Preclassic Mesoamerican society. Origins of the American Indian are briefly discussed and …


A Visual Interpretation Of Events And Personalities From The Book Of Mormon, Larry Berg Prestwich Jan 1966

A Visual Interpretation Of Events And Personalities From The Book Of Mormon, Larry Berg Prestwich

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to create two paintings and ten drawings pertaining to events and personalities from the Book of Mormon. The art works were done with the special intent of expressing the artist's personal and animated feelings about several men whose writings comprise the book, and certain events pertaining to their particular circumstances.


An Analysis Of Selected Changes In Major Editions Of The Book Of Mormon - 1830-1920, Jeffrey R. Holland Jan 1966

An Analysis Of Selected Changes In Major Editions Of The Book Of Mormon - 1830-1920, Jeffrey R. Holland

Theses and Dissertations

As the title indicates, this thesis is a consideration of selected changes that have been made in major editions of the Book of Mormon. Much has been said recently about changes and modifications in this record but, unfortunately, most of it has been said by those who have been unfriendly toward both the book itself and the church which endorses it. Because this kind of bias is usually an obstruction to objective scholarship, this study has been undertaken by one firmly within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to document not only what changes have been made, but …


Desert Journey: A Religious Dance-Drama And An Evaluation Of Its Effect On A Selected Latter-Day Saint Audience, Frank W. Hatch Jan 1965

Desert Journey: A Religious Dance-Drama And An Evaluation Of Its Effect On A Selected Latter-Day Saint Audience, Frank W. Hatch

Theses and Dissertations

The Holy scriptures abound in references to the use of dance as a means of worship. It would seem that there is a need to understand how present day members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel in regard to the kind of dancing referred to in the Scriptures.

This study will be concerned with the production of "Desert Journey," a religious dance-drama depicting an episode from the Book of Mormon. A record of "Desert Journey" will be made with a movement notation system adapted from Motation, an architectual movement notation system developed by Laurence Halprin of …


The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of Old Testament Events And Characters, Jerome C. Hainsworth Jan 1964

The Book Of Mormon As An Instrument In Teaching The Historicity Of Old Testament Events And Characters, Jerome C. Hainsworth

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine and present as completely as possible the Book of Mormon's contribution to the historicity of the Old Testament's events and characters in order that teachers may have another instrument for the effective direction of learning in Old Testament history. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to determine and point out to the teacher the areas in which the Book of Mormon complements the Old Testament, and sustans its truthfulness as a historically accurate record.

It is the hypothesis of this study that the Book of Mormon has much to contribute …


A Book Of Mormon Course Of Study For Indian Students In Released-Time Seminaries, Robert Lee Hales Jan 1963

A Book Of Mormon Course Of Study For Indian Students In Released-Time Seminaries, Robert Lee Hales

Theses and Dissertations

This course has been written to present a simplified version of the Book of Mormon for use with students whose reading skills are below average. It was specifically designed for released-time Indian seminary students. The Indian students often find it very hard to compete with white students in seminary. Where this problem exists teachers have found it advisable to form all-Indian classes.

Released-time Indian seminary classes are a recent addition to the L.D.S. Seminary system. In the 1962-63 school year two such classes were held. The future holds promise that many more will be instituted. Teaching the Book of Mormon …