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Weighing And Measuring In The Worlds Of The Book Of Mormon, John W. Welch

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

This article addresses the seemingly misplaced discussion of weights and measures in the middle of Alma 11 in the Book of Mormon. Although the interruption initially seems strange, John Welch offers new insights to explain its purpose in the Book of Mormon. For instance, knowledge of the Nephite monetary system supplements a reader’s comprehension of the bribery and corruption that occurred in that society. Evidence of this monetary system also shows a link between Near Eastern civilizations and Book of Mormon civilizations, thus providing further evidence for the divinity of Joseph Smith’s work.

Pondering The Word, Dennis Packard, Sandra Packard

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Despite the emphasis that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints places on scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, some members find it difficult to truly love the scriptures. This article claims that by pondering the scriptures often, members can better understand and appreciate the prophetic words. In order to find a deeper love for the scriptures, readers should consider the following details while reading: the setting of a passage; the meaning of various words and phrases; the author’s attitude when he wrote the passage; the possible comparisons between passages; the possible implied messages of the authors; the possible …

All My Endeavors To Preserve Them: Protecting The Plates In Palmyra, 22 September-December 1827, Andrew H. Hedges

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

After Joseph Smith received the gold plates from the angel Moroni, he had to take great measures to protect them from people who wanted to steal them for their monetary value. Although Joseph did not leave much documentation of such experiences, the people who were closely associated with him at the time did. Using what records still exist, Hedges pieces together some of the stories of Joseph’s challenges in obtaining and protecting the gold plates.

A Mesoamerican System Of Weights And Measures? Did The Ancient Peoples Of Mesoamerica Use A System Of Weights And Scales In Measuring Goods And Their Values?, Journal Of Book Of Mormon Studies

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Ancient Mesoamericans used some systems of weights and measures; items in the market, though, were usually sold by volume. The Mesoamerican weights and measures may coincide with the weights and measures described in Alma 11 of the Book of Mormon, but more research is necessary in order to make conclusive claims.

A Reader's Library: Efficacious Scholarship, James P. Bell

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Bell reviews the following books about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon: Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate Jr.’s edited volume Joseph Smith: The Prophet, the Man; Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor’s edition of The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother; John W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks’s edited volume King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom”; and Donald W. Parry and John W. Welch’s edited volume Isaiah in the Book of Mormon.

Charting The Book Of Mormon: Visual Aids For Personal Study And Teaching, John W. Welch, J. Gregory Welch

Maxwell Institute Publications

This book is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the Book of Mormon. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching.

Arranged in 15 sections, these charts consist of tables, diagrams, chronologies, flowcharts, bar graphs, pie charts, maps, and other effective schematics that represent Book of Mormon data in new and thought-provoking ways. General topics range from the history, doctrine, structure, and chronology of the Book of Mormon to its literary, …

Pressing Forward With The Book Of Mormon: The Farms Updates Of The 1990s, John W. Welch, Melvin J. Thorne

Maxwell Institute Publications

This book presents the FARMS Research Updates of the 1990s, plus some similar short notes from the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, in a new collection edited by John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne. Aimed at a general audience, these updates are brief, easy-to-read reports of new research on the Book of Mormon. Each contributor offers intriguing ideas and developments that have emerged from exploring the Book of Mormon from many perspectives. Pressing Forward will interest all people who want to know what’s new in Book of Mormon research.

Finding Biblical Hebrew And Other Ancient Literary Forms In The Book Of Mormon, Hugh W. Pinnock

Maxwell Institute Publications

One important and fruitful area of Book of Mormon studies has focused on ancient Hebrew literary forms present in the text. After years of studying these fascinating forms, Hugh W. Pinnock offers his perspective on their beauty, function, and background. By design this book offers a basic working knowledge of only some of the ancient literary forms identified in the Book of Mormon. Together they represent a significant percentage of the types of ancient forms drawn upon by the Nephite prophets.

The author explains that knowledge of ancient Hebrew writing forms and Jewish poetry is incomplete even today, and much …

The Coming Forth Of The Book Of Mormon In The Twentieth Century, Noel B. Reynolds

Faculty Publications

I hope this study, however preliminary it might appear, will provide a sound first step toward developing our self-understanding as Latter-day Saints of the history of Book of Mormon use in the twentieth century and the phenomenal increase in understanding, appreciation, and study that has taken place over the last three to four decades. This study may also offer one useful perspective for the gradually emerging history of cultural Mormonism and its antipathy to the Book of Mormon. This study is grounded in the analysis of a number of possible indicators of intensity of interest in the Book of Mormon …

The Journey Of The Hero: Archetypes Of Earthly Adventure And Spiritual Passage In 1 Nephi, Tod R. Harris

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Study of the varied metaphorical levels of the Book of Mormon continues to yield new insights into the message and meaning of that book. Several prominent typological readings of aspects of the Book of Mormon have been published, but despite calls for such an effort, little inquiry into its possible archetypal levels, or what has been called “the mythic dimension” of the book, has yet been undertaken. As an initial attempt at such an endeavor, I compare certain events described in 1 Nephi with the elements of one prominent mythic archetype, the hero’s journey, as elucidated by Joseph Campbell in …

Nephi's Convincing Of Christ Through Chiasmus: Plain And Precious Persuading From A Prophet Of God, David E. Sloan

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

One of the principal themes of Nephi’s writings on the small plates is his desire to convince others of Christ. A second, related theme is his desire to write plain and precious things on those plates. Some of the most plain and precious writings of Nephi are those instances in which he used the name Christ in chiasmus or other forms of poetry. Perhaps more than any other portion of his words, Nephi intended these plain and precious writings to convince both Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the one true Messiah.

Girded About With A Lambskin, Matthew B. Brown

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The publication of the Book of Mormon brought forward the first of many comparisons between the restorational work of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his surrounding environment, including Freemasonry. One point of comparison has been the lambskin apparel mentioned in 3 Nephi 4:7. A possible connection exists between this item of apparel and ritual clothing that was worn in ancient Israel, Egypt, and Mesoamerica. I suggest a possible reason for the use of this item of clothing among the secret combinations in the Book of Mormon and discuss the lambskin apron used in Freemasonic ritual.

The Way Of Life And The Way Of Death In The Book Of Mormon, Mack C. Stirling

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The Book of Mormon describes a great division in mankind between the few who walk in the way of life and the many who walk in the way of death. This division results from the response of each individual to Christ or to the voice of God during probation. Men either hearken to the voice of Christ and progressively acquire spiritual life or they hearken to the voice of the devil and progressively descend into spiritual death. Nine Book of Mormon texts reveal detailed teachings on life and death. A diagram illustrates the ideas of each text. The conception and …

A Case For Lehi's Bondage In Arabia, S. Kent Brown

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The lengthy sojourn of Lehi’s family in the Arabian desert invites the almost inevitable question whether circumstances forced family members to live in the service of tribesmen either for protection or for food. In my view, enough clues exist in the Book of Mormon—they have to be assembled—to bring one to conclude that the family lived for a time in a servile condition, a situation that apparently entailed suffering and conflict.

Book Of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence For Ancient Origins Noel B. Reynolds, Dow R. Wilson

BYU Studies

Noel B. Reynolds, ed. Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins. Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research ad Mormon studies, 1997. 574 pp. Index. $19.95.

The Anthon Transcripts And The Translation Of The Book Of Mormon: Studying It Out In The Mind Of Joseph Smith, David E. Sloan

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Prophesying of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Nephi foretold that an unlearned man would be asked by God to read the words of a book after a learned man had failed to do so. The unlearned man was initially unwilling, claiming, “I am not learned” (2 Nephi 27:19). One interpretation of Nephi’s account is that Joseph Smith could not translate the Book of Mormon before the meeting of Martin Harris and Charles Anthon. Early historical accounts are consistent with this interpretation. However, according to Joseph Smith—History 1:64, Harris did take a translation to Anthon. Although this translation …

Sam: A Just And Holy Man, Ken Haubrock

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Nephi’s older brother Sam was a holy and just man who experienced and witnessed many events in early Nephite history.

The Literary Structure And Doctrinal Significance Of Alma 13:1-9, James T. Duke

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Alma’s sermon at Ammonihah includes a remarkable passage (Alma 13:1–9) that contains a main chiasm as well as four shorter chiasms and four alternates. It also uses synonymia, cycloides, repetition, and an important Nephite idiom (rest). In addition, this passage explains the doctrine of the priesthood and the eternal nature of Christ in conjunction with the priesthood, and introduces the doctrines of a preparatory redemption and the rest of God.

Book Of Mormon Authorship: New Light On Ancient Origins, Noel B. Reynolds

Maxwell Institute Publications

The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS)

The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies encourages and supports research and publication about the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and other ancient scriptures.

A Comprehensive Annotated Book Of Mormon Bibliography, Donald W. Parry, Jeanette W. Miller, Sandra A. Thorne

Maxwell Institute Publications

A.

A.001 “Aaron Teaches Lamoni’s Father.” Friend 23 (March 1993): 32-33. Scenes from Aaron’s conversion of King Lamoni’s father illustrated in color for children. [S.H.]

A.002 Abbott, John S. C. The History of the State of Ohio. Detroit: Northwestern, 1875. Brie y discusses Mormonism and the Book of Mormon. The author accepts the Spaulding theory for the origin of the Book of Mormon. He also discusses the 1834 Anthon denial regarding the “sealed book” incident. [M.R.]

Poetic Diction And Parallel Word Pairs In The Book Of Mormon, Kevin L. Barney

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Hebrew poetry is based on various patterns of parallelism. Parallel lines are in turn created by the use of parallel words, that is, pairs of words bearing generally synonymous or antithetic meanings. Since the 1930s, scholars have come to realize that many of these “word pairs” were used repeatedly in a formulaic fashion as the basic building blocks of different parallel lines. The Book of Mormon reflects numerous parallel structures, including synonymous parallelism, antithetic parallelism, and chiasmus. As word pairs are a function of parallelism, the presence of such parallel structures in the Book of Mormon suggests the possible presence …

The Book Of Mosiah: Thoughts About Its Structure, Purposes, Themes, And Authorship, Gary L. Sturgess

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The book of Mosiah is a cultic history of the reign of Mosiah2, structured around three royal ceremonies in 124, 121, and 92–91 BC. On each of these occasions, newly discovered scriptures were read to the people, stressing the dangers of monarchical government and celebrating the deliverance of the people and the revelation of Jesus Christ. This book existed independently hundreds of years before Mormon engraved it onto the gold plates. The most likely occasion for the writing of such a book was in the aftermath of Mosiah’s death when Alma the Younger needed to undermine the Amlicite bid to …

The Exodus Of Lehi Revisited, Mark J. Johnson

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Two additional parallels to the exodus pattern include death and burial in the desert and the transfiguration of Nephi and Moses.

The Jaredite Exodus: A Literary Perspective Of A Historical Narrative, John S. Thompson

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The application of some techniques of literary analysis to the Jaredite exodus narrative in Ether 1–3 and 6 reveals that it is more than just a historical account. The author or editor of the narrative uses imagery and dialogue to help the reader look beyond the historical facts and see elements of the creation, Christ, and temples, among other things.

A Response To David Wright On Historical Criticism, Kevin Christensen

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

In an article criticizing the historicity of the Book of Mormon, David Wright described critical scholarship and traditionalist modes as contrasting paradigms used to approach the scriptures. This article explores the nature of paradigm debate in general, in that context points out weaknesses in Wright's critical approach, and discerns crucial flaws in his definition of believing paradigms.

Wanderers In The Promised Land: A Study Of The Exodus Motif In The Book Of Mormon And Holy Bible, Bruce J. Boehm

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Lehi’s exodus to the promised land is only the first of a series of exoduses occurring throughout the Book of Mormon. Indeed, Lehi’s exodus becomes mere precedent for later flights into the wilderness by Nephi, Mosiah, Alma1, Limhi, and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. For the Nephites, continuing exodus is not merely historical fact. Understanding the biblical exodus as a type and shadow, the Nephites come to see their wandering as a metaphor of their spiritual condition. Thus, even centuries after Lehi’s arrival in the promised land, Nephite prophets recognize their status as “wanderers in a strange land” (Alma 13:23). As did Abraham, …

The Secular As Sacred: The Historiography Of The Title Page, David B. Honey

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The title page of the Book of Mormon acts as a historiographical introduction to the editorial guidelines followed by Mormon in his work of compilation and redaction. These guidelines defined what was important for Mormon to incorporate in his historical record and included the themes of genealogy, covenants, and the teaching and testifying of Christ.

Recurrence In Book Of Mormon Narratives, Richard Dilworth Rust

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

Repetition appears purposefully within Book of Mormon narratives as a principle of reinforcement and confirmation. It seems that every important action, event, or character is repeated in the Book of Mormon. These repetitions emphasize the law of witnesses at work within the book (e.g., “in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established”; Ether 5:4). Further, they underscore the relevance of one character or action to people living in a different time, and they link narratives together with what Robert Alter calls “type-scenes.” Analyzed in detail as particularly striking are threefold repetitions in Nephi’s task to retrieve the …

Taste And Feast: Images Of Eating And Drinking In The Book Of Mormon, Richard Dilworth Rust

BYU Studies

No abstract provided.

Mormon As Editor: A Study In Colophons, Headers, And Source Indicators, Thomas W. Mackay

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

The Book of Mormon contains various colophons and source indicators that signal documents or authors that Mormon and the writers of the small plates used, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized in composing the final text. Some of these headers have been italicized and separated out by the printer; others form an integral part of the text but could as well have been separated and italicized. Mormon’s extensive notation of sources is another set of evidence for the intricate and complex nature of the text and, simultaneously, of the magnitude of Mormon’s work as an ancient editor and historian.