See the icons used for the links to the available media types for an article
Search the full Interpreter Foundation Bibliography
Advanced Search of the full Interpreter Foundation Bibliography
This form allows you to perform an advanced search. You only need to fill in one field below. This can be any field. If you select "not" as your match criteria, you must select at least one other field.
Citations with multiple authors are listed multiple times, once under each author’s name
Briefly 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.
The New Rendition of the epistle to the Ephesians provides a modern English translation of the letter’s Greek text. It is excerpted from the forthcoming volume on Ephesians by S. Kent Brown. This Rendition was created by Philip Abbott. The matchless, quiet Epistle to the Ephesians allows glimpses into the tides of Christian life in Asia Minor, modern western Turkey. More than this, from this letter we gain clear views of the premortal council that set events on this earth in motion, of the Savior’s descent into the spirit prison to release its captive souls, of the firm foundation of apostles and prophets that undergirds the church, and of the armor of God that protects a believer from the wiles of the devil. The New Rendition, sensitive to meanings that carry significance for Latter-day Saints, offers a fresh look at eternal truths draped in the letter’s worshipful dress. This Rendition is part of the BYU New Testament Commentary series. This scholarly project aims to create a faithful modern English translation together with a full, in-depth, carefully researched Latter-day Saint commentary for each book on the New Testament. More of the New Rendition and commentary volumes will be added in coming months and years. As of 2019, volumes have been published on Mark, Luke, First Corinthians, and Revelation.
RSC Topics > G — K > Judgment
RSC Topics > G — K > Justice
RSC Topics > L — P > Prophets
RSC Topics > Q — S > Revelation
RSC Topics > T — Z > Worship
To be like the Savior is to be whole, which implies that we are engaged in acts of selfless service. Selfless service requires personal action, a desire to pick up our beds and walk. It is easy to give away excess money, used equipment, and used clothing. It is more difficult to give of our time, to give of our personal presence to help others.
Book of Moses Topics > Temple Themes in the Book of Moses and Related Scripture
Book of Moses Topics > Literary and Textual Studies of the Book of Moses
Book of Moses Topics > Source Criticism and the Documentary Hypothesis
Book of Moses Topics > Temple Themes in the Book of Moses and Related Scripture
Book of Moses Topics > Literary and Textual Studies of the Book of Moses
Book of Moses Topics > Source Criticism and the Documentary Hypothesis
At times I wonder if we know how to think, if we are developing a creative mind, because that is where all good works and all important accomplishments begin.
The nature of deity in the composition of our spiritual organization opens the door to the vision of eternal life and divine destiny.
The Holy Ghost has the power to bring light and understanding to our lives, but we must pay the price to seek and win His companionship.
The Book of Mormon culture is found to be strikingly similar to that of the Middle East. An Arab Latter-day Saint tells his experience with the Book of Mormon and how he is able to relate to the stories within its pages because of his cultural origins. Among the congruities discussed are the structure of the family, the concept of taking oaths, the behavior of women, and the danger of the desert. Together, these points demonstrate the worth of the Book of Mormon and show how each reader is able to draw from his or her own cultural background in order to infer different messages.
Sister Aburto testifies of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and that His Atonement helps us overcome sorrow and find hope.
I testify that “thru cloud and sunshine” the Lord will abide with us, that our “afflictions [can be] swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
Sister Reyna I. Aburto speaks at the 192nd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2-3, 2022. Sister Aburto teaches that the Church of Jesus Christ accomplishes its work through its members.
In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other, and we need to be unified.
An evangelical essay attempting to demonstrate that the American Indians are descendants of the lost ten tribes by comparing certain features of American Indian life and customs with Old Testament practices. Deals with Indians’ division into tribes, worship of Jehovah, nations of theocracy, belief in the ministration of angels, prophets and high priests, celebration of festivals, fasts, religious rites, daily sacrifices, ablutions, anointings, traditions concerning laws of uncleanliness, social relations, manner of curing the sick, burial of the dead,and raising up seed to a deceased brother. Some critics have suggested that Joseph Smith may have drawn upon this source in writing the Book of Mormon.
As Elder Holland and Elder Scott suggest, let us all, both personally and collectively, look at our traditions and the established way we do things and make sure they are in line with how the Lord would have us live and, if necessary, establish new traditions.
A copy of a “Lecture on the authenticity and scriptural character of the Book of Mormon,” written by George J. Adams in 1844. Confirms that the Book of Mormon is not the only scripture accepted by the Church, the Mormons also believe the Bible “as far as it has been translated correctly”
The following lecture was delivered by particular request to crowded audiences, in the town hall of Charlestown, on Sunday Evening, February 4th, and on Wednesday Evening, February 7th. The reporter submits his sketches to the public, because the subject is important, and may lead to investigation that will drive prejudice from the minds of many sincere inquirers after truth. It has been generally supposed that the Latter Day Saints, commonly called Mormons, hold the Mormon Bible - as it is falsely called - as their only rule of faith and practice, disregarding the Scriptures of Truth, contained in the Old and New Testaments. This error has prevailed because the people will not listen to the truth. Slanderous tongues and lying lips have been busy against the book. But it stands immoveably fixed on the Rock of Ages, and the gates of hell, and opposition of the sectarian world cannot prevail against it. If the doctrine is of men, it will come to nought, but if God is its author, it must prevail.
Letter of George J. Adams addressed to John Tyler, President of the United States, describing a revolution that is to take place in the United States. Adams utilizes Book of Mormon scriptures and other references within the letter.
A polemical work against Mormonism. The author discusses issues relating to the translation of the Book of Mormon, dismisses the testimonies of the Book of Mormon witnesses as unreliable. The Anthon denials are discussed, and the author alleges that the Book of Mormon has little value beyond what it plagiarizes from the Bible.
A reference to an experience of a Captain Barclay, recorded in the Australian Review of Reviews, where Barclay saw sacred stone figures on an island in New Zealand. Subsequently he saw similar figures in the Easter Islands and in Peru. This is seen by Adams as evidence that the Polynesians came from the Americas.
No abstract available.
Old Testament Topics > Biblical Criticism
Most scholars who reject the one-man authorship of Isaiah do so because they reject prophecy
Old Testament Topics > Biblical Criticism
RSC Topics > L — P > Old Testament
Old Testament Topics > Biblical Criticism
Linda Hunter Adams expressed gratitude for Nibley’s article.
Hugh W. Nibley Topics > Hugh Nibley > Scholarship, Footnotes, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, CWHN, Editing > Discipleship
Old Testament Topics > Adam and Eve [see also Fall]
Old Testament Topics > Women in the Old Testament
The Manti Sanpete County, Utah, inscriptions include eight limestone tablets discovered in 1963, four additional tablets found in 1970, and small lead plates situated in a lead box discovered in 1977. The authors conclude that all three finds were “fraudulently manufactured”
The discovery in Jerusalem of two inscribed silver strips, dating from the seventh century BC, support the Book of Mormon claim of writing on metal plates.
Michael D. Coogan identifies the silver plates found in a Jerusalem burial site as one of the ten most significant finds for biblical archaeology because “they are our earliest witness to the text of the Bible.”
A three-foot sword excavated at Vered Jericho, likely dating to 620 BC, lends credence to the description of the sword of Laban in the Book of Mormon.
Old Testament Topics > Literary Aspects
Finds that ancient scribes, both non-biblical and biblical, took many liberties in their translations. Suggests that up to 30 percent of the original text of the Old Testament may have been deleted as the angel told Nephi would occur (1 Nephi 13:23).
The Book of Mormon mentions synagogues in twenty-five passages. An important resource that may help us understand what the Book of Mormon means by the word synagogue is the body of research on biblical synagogues. This is especially true of research related to the years prior to the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, which began in 586 BC, since this is the time period when Lehi left Jerusalem. We would expect, therefore, that the nature of biblical synagogues before the captivity would have greatly influenced the concept of the synagogue that Lehi and his family took with them to the New World. In this article, William J. Adams Jr. details the historical development, nature, and cultural function of synagogues of the biblical era and relates them to the history, form, and religious function of synagogues in the New World.
Debate concerning editorial changes to the Book of Mormon. Shute desires a complete revision with special attention to punctuation; Christianson refutes Shute’s proposed revision saying that changing even a comma changes the book’s meaning; Adams points out that language is constantly changing and future editions would be needed to stay current.
Feelings of foreboding were experienced by some members of the Quorum of the Twelve while serving missions in the northeastern states on June 27, 1844, the day the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were assassinated. Their promptings led them to return to Nauvoo in haste. We will discuss Sidney Rigdon’s efforts to assume guardianship of the Church in August 1844 and Brigham Young’s resounding response. Then, we will explore the various claims and results of efforts by several aspirants to claim the mantle of the deceased Prophet Joseph. Next, we will examine the solidifying influence of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by their president Brigham Young. Finally, I will recount the resulting exodus of the majority of the Saints from western Illinois to Iowa in early 1846. Young continued to deal with the “scattering” of certain individuals and their adherents for several more years and was required to provide the counsel and direction to those apostles that were assigned to facilitate the trek westward from Kanesville in the years that followed.
Abstract: Fifteen months after the Church of Christ’s inception in April 1830, Joseph Smith received a revelation indicating that Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, was to be the “center-place” of Zion and a “spot for a temple is lying westward, upon a lot that is not far from the court-house.” Dedication of this spot for the millennial temple soon followed on August 3, 1831, by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. A building sketch was prepared in Kirtland, Ohio, and sent to church leaders in Independence in June 1833. Smith also forwarded his plat for the City of Zion, showing 24 temples at its center and giving an explanation for their use. Tragically, the church was driven en masse out of Jackson County only months later. Reclaiming the original Partridge purchase in December 1831, known as the Temple Lot, became an early driving force for the membership of the church. A physical effort to reclaim the saints’ land and possessions in Jackson County was organized in 1834 by Joseph Smith and became known as “Zion’s Camp.” After traveling 900 miles and poised on the north bank of the Missouri River looking toward Jackson County, Smith’s two hundred armed men were unable to proceed for various reasons. While contemplating what to do, given the reality of their situation, Smith received a revelation to “wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion.” That poignant phrase — “the redemption of Zion” — became a tenet of the church thereafter. In the years following the martyrdom and the subsequent “scattering of the saints,” three independent expressions of the Restoration returned to Independence to reclaim or redeem the Temple Lot in fulfillment of latter-day scripture. This essay examines their historical efforts.
[Editor’s Note: Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article is reprinted here as a service to the LDS community. Original pagination and page numbers have necessarily changed, otherwise the reprint has the same content as the original.
See R. Jean Addams, “The Past and Future of the Temple Lot in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri,” in Proceedings of the Fifth Interpreter Foundation Matthew B. Brown Memorial Conference, 7 November 2020, ed. Stephen D. Ricks and Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Temple on Mount Zion 6 (Orem, UT: The Interpreter Foundation; Salt Lake City: Eborn Books, 2021), in preparation. Further information at https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-past-present-and-future/.].
This fireside will begin by describing the premonitions of Joseph Smith about his impending death in the years preceding his tragic martyrdom. We will review the series of circumstances that led to his and his brother Hyrum’s demise at the hands of the mob that stormed the jail in Carthage. The little-known story of Joseph and Hyrum being rowed across the Mississippi River in the very early hours of the Sunday prior to their fateful trip to Carthage to consider options and secure legal counsel while out of the reach of his enemies will be told. The story demonstrates the devotion of the Prophet to his people and to the incredibly challenging destiny God had appointed for him. It further demonstrates the love of the Smith family and the Saints for their son, husband, brother, and friend. In all these events, the hand of God was clearly present during the tragedy and eventual triumph of the Prophet’s mission as a witness of Jesus Christ and His Restored Church.
In a credibility test for witnesses, the following standards must be met: honesty, ability, number and consistency, conformity of testimony with experience, and coincidence of their testimony with collateral circumstances. The Three and Eight Witnesses fulfill all of these requirements.
Demonstrates that the Oaxacan languages are similar to the Semitic languages by comparing Hebrew words with words belonging to the Sawi-zaa languages.
Dedicates about ten pages to Mormonism. Author rejects the Spaulding theory, but believes that the Book of Mormon was the result of Joseph Smith’s “responsiveness to the provincial opinions of his time” This work is reviewed in B.016.
I invite all who hear me today to read the Book of Mormon and to apply the promise it contains. Those who do will know that the book is true.
Elder Aidukaitis gives guidance for recognizing truth—observing its fruits, experimenting on the word of God, and seeking personal revelation.
Elder Aidukaitis teaches youth that God will richly bless them as they overcome fears and insecurities and serve Him as full-time missionaries.
RSC Topics > A — C > Conversion
RSC Topics > L — P > Prayer
RSC Topics > Q — S > Sacrament
“The standard we must demand is that all we do, in the classroom and out, must reflect our respect and appreciation for our differences.”
RSC Topics > D — F > Education
RSC Topics > L — P > Prayer
With your knowledge of who you are and what is important in life and by maximizing options, adding value each day, and avoiding these inhibitors of success, the changing world you face presents great opportunities, not threats, for you.
A history of Kresimir Cosic, his introduction to the gospel, and how that continued to impact him and those around him.
In Dixie Saints, you’ll learn about the daily lives of Saints who grew up between the late 1800s and the early 1900s in the villages of southern Utah, including St. George, and nearby Nevada and Arizona. Explore the many stories detailing their struggles and their achievements during childhood in large families, their experiences in one-room schools, their physical work (all without machines), their health challenges and herbal medicine, and their dealings with American Indians and with the Mexican exiles from the 1912 Revolution. ISBN 978-1-9443-9420-2
RSC Topics > L — P > Parenting
RSC Topics > Q — S > Relief Society
RSC Topics > Q — S > Service
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
Old Testament Topics > Ten Commandments
RSC Topics > D — F > First Presidency
RSC Topics > G — K > General Authorities
RSC Topics > L — P > Priesthood
RSC Topics > Q — S > Quorum
RSC Topics > T — Z > Tithing
Argues that assisting people through “governmental measures” or “charity” is consistent with basic principles of Christianity, the Constitution, and free agency.
RSC Topics > L — P > Marriage
Book review.
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
Winner of the Harvey B. Black and Susan Easton Black Outstanding Publication Award (Gospel Scholarship in Church History and Doctrine), Civil War Saints takes a fresh look at Latter-day Saints and Utah Territory during the Civil War. Come learn the stories of Latter-day Saints who fought in Union blue and others who wore confederate gray. Civil War Saints is a nicely balanced effort to help readers gain a deeper appreciation of the events and experiences that made the Civil War and its effect upon Latter-day Saints and Utah Territory such a watershed event. How many Latter-day Saints participated in the Civil War, and who were they? The answers to those questions have remained elusive—until now. Civil War Saints also includes the most thoroughly researched list of Latter-day Saint Civil War veterans ever published. ISBN 978-0-8425-2816-0
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
An Eye of Faith contains nineteen thought-provoking and new essays about the following topics: ancient and modern temples, revelations to the Latter-day Saints, serving others and sharing the gospel, increasing scriptural understanding, and Church history. Jointly published by Deseret Book and Brigham Young University’s Religious Studies Center, this book was written by established Church scholars including Susan Easton Black, Richard E. Bennett, Kent P. Jackson, S. Kent Brown, Richard Draper, Alexander L. Baugh, Craig Ostler, Brent L. Top, and other notable writers. ISBN 978-0-8425-2889-4
RSC Topics > Q — S > Service
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
This volume takes a fresh look at the history, people, and places in Washington, DC, that have affected the Church. Beginning with Joseph Smith’s earliest interactions with the federal government in the 1830s, the Church’s progress has been shaped by leaders and members interacting in Washington. This volume is filled with essays on many topics about the Church’s history, people, and places in the nation’s capital. It also chronicles many of the Saints and statesmen who have worked to bring the Church out of obscurity and onto a national and international stage. ISBN 978-1-9503-0403-5
RSC Topics > D — F > First Vision
RSC Topics > Q — S > Service
This volume is a compilation of inspirational stories shared by Latter-day Saints who served on the front lines in several recent military conflicts. These stories detail their trials, challenges, setbacks, faith, courage, and numerous victories in overcoming extraordinary circumstances. This book is filled with remarkable first-person accounts from Latter-day Saint soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and civilians who served in the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. Their amazing stories—published together for the first time—chronicle the sacrifice, dedication, and humor of day-to-day life in modern combat zones. This book also shares the story of how fully functioning districts of the Church were organized and operated in the war-torn countries of Afghanistan and Iraq to meet the spiritual needs of the Church members there. Richly illustrated with photographs from the participants, this book will introduce you to a new generation of Latter-day Saint heroes. ISBN 978-1-9443-9487-5
For more than 150 years, “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” the anthem of the pioneer journey, has praised Salt Lake City as “the place, which God for us prepared.” This new book from Brigham Young University’s Religious Studies Center analyzes the fulfillment of that poetic longing. The sixteenth in a series of regional studies on Latter-day Saint church history, it contains a collection of essays by faculty members in the Department of Church History and Doctrine discussing Salt Lake’s place in our sacred story. Topics include histories of significant landmarks, stories from the city’s past, and discussions of Church organizations. The reader will see connections between the revelations of Joseph Smith and Salt Lake City as a modern city of Zion, the place, indeed, where the Saints have been blessed. ISBN 978-0-8425-2799-6
RSC Topics > A — C > Church History 1946–Present
RSC Topics > Q — S > Revelation
RSC Topics > Q — S > Scriptures
RSC Topics > T — Z > Teaching the Gospel
RSC Topics > Q — S > Service
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
RSC Topics > L — P > Priesthood
In rebuttal to Rudyard Kipling’s criticism that the Book of Mormon lacks literary style, Allen provides reasons why the Book of Mormon does not evidence greater variety of style. However, the author does cite evidence of multiple authorship for the Book of Mormon.
“We invite you to let the Book of Mormon change your life-- again-- as you read this second edition of Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon. In doing so, you will learn about the numerous new developments and discoveries that have come forth in the last twenty years about Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon, such as : the correlation of Stela 31 at Tikal as it relates to the great, decisive battle at Cumorah; a comparison of the Maya name Mormon with the Nahuatl name Tehuantepec; the discovery of the name of the Jaredite King Kish, including his date and place of birth; a comparison of Mesoamerican written languages and two high civilizations with the languages and civilizations of the Nephites and the Jaredites; detailed and illustrated map studies of Mesoamerican locations with cities and lands outlined in the Book of Mormon; types-and-shadows correlational outcomes such as those found with vultures, weather, wars, geography, and weights and measures; and much, much more.” [Summary from Book]
Review of Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, Alma through Helaman (1991), by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Helaman
Review of Grant H. Palmer. An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins.
Assistant Church Historian James B. Allen shares his remarks that he made at Davis Bitton’s funeral on Bitton’s scholarly work.
RSC Topics > D — F > Faith
RSC Topics > G — K > Joseph Smith
This book tells an amazing story about millions of people. Since 1894 the Genealogical Society of Utah (now known as the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has sought to collect genealogical information about people from every nation. Latter-day Saints see this work as a fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy that the hearts of the children would be turned to their fathers to unify all members of the human family and to prepare the world to meet God. In November 1994, the Church celebrated the Genealogical Society’s centennial. At one level, the Society’s story is the history of an organization. At another level, it is the intersection of numerous individual stories, such as the dedication of Susa Young Gates, the tireless determination of Joseph Fielding Smith, the enthusiasm of Archibald F. Bennett, and the daring of Paul Langheinrich. LDS genealogical research is known all over the world. Parts of its story are familiar to many people, but only a fraction of the whole history is widely known. This book tells that story. It is a history of astounding and sustained efforts that have changed the hearts of millions.
Life in Utah has never been easy. Thin soil and thick politics challenged everyone as Utah grew toward statehood in 1896. Native Americans, Mormon and gentile settlers, federal officials, LDS Church leaders-these Utah men and women all filled crucial roles. This book contains the best articles from BYU Studies on Utah history. Looking back on life in pioneer Utah, this centennial collection includes stories that are deeply rooted in the life of this state.
Joining the Church in 1838 catapulted William Clayton into new activities and associations, took him from England to the United States, and offered him soul-satisfying spiritual experiences. As Joseph Smith’s friend and scribe, Clayton kept extensive journals and was the one who recorded the revelation on plural marriage. He also wrote the first history of the Nauvoo Temple. As a pioneer, Clayton wrote the words to the hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints,” and compiled the Latter-day Saints’ Emigrants’ Guide. He was among Salt Lake City’s original settlers and worked in a variety of religious, economic, and civil activities. Clayton was faithful, but he had his share of human frailties. Even though his wives considered him a good husband—so far as plural marriage allowed—why did some divorce him? William Clayton’s life encompassed nearly all the joys and struggles that could come to a Church member of his day. Yet “no toil nor labor” did he fear. His story, in many respects, echoes the soul-stirring words of his immortal Mormon pioneer anthem.
Authors present (on pages 31-46) an “introductory overview” of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith, and the subsequent translation and publication of the Book of Mormon.
RSC Topics > Q — S > Quorum
This article provides circumstantial evidence that the architectural styles of Ancient America are similar to ancient Babylonian architecture, due to the Jaredites who left Babylonia approximately three hundred years before the time of Abraham.
A dissertation that draws on Spanish historical accounts, archaeological evidence, and the Book of Mormon scriptures. Draws parallels between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus Christ, suggesting that they may have been the same divine individual. Discusses the problems and possibilities of making the comparison.
Describes the languages, history, geography, and culture of some of the peoples described within the Book of Mormon, and presents a number of possible sites where this ancient civilization actually lived. This work is reviewed in P.037 and in P.398.
“We invite you to let the Book of Mormon change your life-- again-- as you read this second edition of Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon. In doing so, you will learn about the numerous new developments and discoveries that have come forth in the last twenty years about Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon, such as : the correlation of Stela 31 at Tikal as it relates to the great, decisive battle at Cumorah; a comparison of the Maya name Mormon with the Nahuatl name Tehuantepec; the discovery of the name of the Jaredite King Kish, including his date and place of birth; a comparison of Mesoamerican written languages and two high civilizations with the languages and civilizations of the Nephites and the Jaredites; detailed and illustrated map studies of Mesoamerican locations with cities and lands outlined in the Book of Mormon; types-and-shadows correlational outcomes such as those found with vultures, weather, wars, geography, and weights and measures; and much, much more.” [Summary from Book]
Old Testament Topics > Teaching the Old Testament
Old Testament Topics > Teaching the Old Testament
All must experience and be found by the power of the truths contained in the Book of Mormon.
We are commanded to care for the Lord’s creations and be wise stewards over them. Because I have benefitted so greatly from the divine Creation, I truly want to be a good steward over it.
Review of “Scripture” (1988), by Norman L. Geisler
How faith gives strength to avoid the natural fight or flight syndrome
The story of Nephi occupies a prominent place in the hearts of the Latter-day Saint people. As a young man, he was singularly affected by his father’s teachings and, despite his relative youth, became the de facto leader of the extended families of Lehi and Ishmael even before his father’s death. Later, as a prophet in his own right, he led a people who called themselves “Nephites” in his honor; and nine centuries after his death, hundreds of thousands of Nephites still honored his name and legacy. He belongs to the ages as the namesake of an ancient nation.
Alma’s distinctive use of the word state in the Book of Mormon is present in his unique concentration of state, his tendency to reword with state, and his treatment of a shared topic involving state.
Old Testament Topics > Covenant [see also Ephraim, Israel, Jews, Joseph]
Old Testament Topics > Moses
Patriarchal blessings are … similar to a road map that indicates the paths that may be traveled and destinations that may be reached if we stay within those paths.
Plead for a desire to be filled with the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ.
When love becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action.
We want you to bless your life and home with the influence and power of Relief Society.
Through our regular monthly visits to our sisters, we can create bonds of love, friendship, and trust.
The temples are sacred, holy places. They are a source of spiritual power and strength. They are a place of revelation.
If we are faithful and endure to the end, we will receive all of Heavenly Father’s blessings, even eternal life and exaltation.
We are dedicated to cultivating the Spirit of the Y by keeping you informed and connected to the good works faculty and alumni are doing in the world and by providing opportunities for you to learn, volunteer, contribute, and serve with the students, programs, and activities of your alma mater—keeping you “Connected for Good.”
I invite you to continue to let the mission of BYU guide you to the high points in your life. Let that mission continue to lift and inspire you.
Provides personal reflections and thoughts after having read the Book of Mormon for the fourth time.
The Savior … gave us a great example about not waiting to administer relief to those who have lost a sense of happiness and joy.
By serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our own challenges.
Typescript copies of two early upstate New York newspapers that provide comments about the Book of Mormon. Includes Obadiah Dogberry’s well-known satire, The Book of Pukei.
As we follow God’s voice and His covenant path, He will strengthen us in our trials.
Review of John Sanders. No Other Name: An Investigation into the Destiny of the Unevangelized. and Review of Gabriel Fackre, Ronald H. Nash, and John Sanders. What about Those Who Have Never Heard? Three Views on the Destiny of the Unevangelized.
The work presents a scriptural anthology of thirty-eight basic gospel subjects. Topic number thirty-eight (pp. 509-35) features a presentation of the Book of Mormon and the manner in which it is a companion with the Bible. Also identifies the individual books of the Book of Mormon, discusses some archaeological information, and comments about the eleven witnesses.
[The Redeemer’s] sacrifice blessed everyone, from Adam, the first, to the last of all human beings.
Those who serve will strive to ennoble, build, and lift their fellowmen.
Conversion is a personal and spiritual process. Every individual must examine these principles for himself.
The American Indians have lost more than buffalo and animals of the forest. Their greatest loss was in their knowledge of the Great Spirit. There is a sacred book of their history that will restore that knowledge—the Book of Mormon.
Review of My First Scripture Stories (1994), by Sherrie Johnson, illustrated by Tyler Lybbert
As the title of this work suggests, it consists of a discussion of the Book of Mormon and the United States Constitution. This involves a mixing of the subjects of religion and politics which to some may seem novel enough to require an explanation. Therefore, we are devoting this preface to a consideration of our reasons for doing so. [From the text]
Nephi and John the Revelator saw “the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil” that is operated by Satan, will eventually control every nation, and will make war on the Lord’s church in the last days. A division will occur between the devil’s church and the Lord’s church that will cuminate in war.
The Book of Mormon foretells the rise of the United States of America and its divinely inspired constitution. In order for Latter-day Saints to exercise their freedom of religion the God-inspired government must be maintained. The Book of Mormon provides the pattern for maintaining the constitution and the freedom of governing oneself.
An illustrated children’s book describing the experiences of the brother of Jared.
Abstract: In this paper, I show that declarations of lineage in patriarchal blessings have, since the earliest days of the Restoration, evolved in terms of frequency of inclusion, which tribal lineages predominate, and understanding of the meaning of the declaration. I argue for a non- literal understanding consistent with scripture and science, but posit that these declarations have deep and important significance in connection with the gathering of Israel.
There is no need to be fearful about the tests of life. As your faith in Jesus Christ is firm, the tests of mortality will shape your eternal destiny.
As we increase our understanding and love for the Savior, His light will illuminate everything around us. We will then see evil for what it is.
I testify of the great blessing of children and of the happiness they will bring us in this life and in the eternities.
RSC Topics > G — K > Hope
RSC Topics > T — Z > Youth
I do know with perfect and certain clarity through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, the Beloved Son of God.
As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling.
Elder Andersen teaches that we can prepare for the Second Coming by making covenants and strengthening our commitment to the Savior. Seeking to know and love the Savior, we separate ourselves from the world through covenants with God, being distinct, uncommon, and special, without isolating ourselves from others who believe differently.
If we pick and choose what we accept in the proclamation, we cloud our eternal view, putting too much importance on our experience here and now.
Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it.
Elder Andersen explains how we can overcome contention with faith in Jesus Christ.
Keep your eyes and your hearts centered on the Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal joy that comes only through Him.
The iron rod is the word of God. The scriptures, the words of the living prophets, and the gift of the Holy Ghost are powerful in their ability to keep us safe. Let us hold fast to the words of the prophets. Let us hold fast to the iron rod.
Caring for others, physically and emotionally, requires an unselfish and sensitive heart. It is an important part of the gospel. This caring is done in and out of the Church by good people, believers and nonbelievers.
Honesty, integrity, and truth are eternal principles that significantly shape our experience in mortality and help determine our eternal destiny. For a disciple of Christ, honesty is at the very heart of spirituality.
We are witnessing the miracles of the Lord as His gospel is spreading across the world.
Our conviction of the Savior and His latter-day work becomes the powerful lens through which we judge all else.
Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to lead the Restoration of the fulness of His gospel. He chose Joseph Smith.
As you continue to attentively catch hold of the thought of Jesus Christ, I promise you not only heavenly guidance but heavenly power.
When we willingly follow the counsel of the Lord as revealed through His living prophet, especially if it runs counter to our initial thinking, requiring humility and sacrifice, the Lord blesses us with additional spiritual power.
As you choose not to be offended or ashamed, you will feel His love and approval. You will know that you are becoming more like Him.
Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity.
Elder Andersen teaches that God’s spirit children come to earth on their own personal journeys and that we should welcome them, safeguard them, and love them.
A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings.
Your spiritual destiny will have obstacles, delays, and equipment malfunctions. There will be mistakes. You may wonder if you are going to make it. Don’t be discouraged! You will also have moments of hope and faith as doors open and obstacles are overcome.
Your mission will be a sacred opportunity to bring others to Christ and help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.
A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior.
In modern Israel, serving the Lord means carefully following the Prophets.
The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.
As you can learn to see through the generations—by looking back and by looking forward—you will see more clearly who you are and what you must become. You will better see that your place in this vast, beautiful plan of happiness is no small place. And you will come to love the Savior and depend on Him.
Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When personal difficulties or world conditions beyond our control darken our path, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead.
A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare [your children] for the challenges they will most surely face.
Neil L. Andersen discusses the role Church members have to help build the kingdom of God and prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord.
As you increase your efforts from now through Christmas, the desire to continue these habits beyond Christmas will stay with you, and your progress as one of the Savior’s disciples will grow.
The windows of heaven open in many ways. Trust in the Lord’s timing; the blessings always come.
Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.
I testify that in this conference we have heard the Lord’s voice. The test for each of us is how we respond.
As you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval.
Children today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations. We need to reach out to those who feel alone, left behind, or outside the fence.
I suggest that you stop feeling guilty about any insufficiency you think you have in sharing the gospel. Rather, pray “to stand as [a witness] of God.” This is a much stronger motivation than guilt.
In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior’s healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope.
Review of A Most Convincing Witness: Reasons Why the Book of Mormon Is the True Word of God (1990), by Randall K. Mehew.
The music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. It brings a change of heart.
Recognize that all good things come from God. He is the source of every blessing you receive. Fill your heart with gratitude for His merciful kindness.
I testify that those who keep His commandments will grow in faith and hope. They will be given strength to overcome all of life’s trials.
It takes courage to accept a religion that requires sacrifices of the heart. The nineteenth-century Scandinavian converts are a commendable example of this courage. They gave up worldly goods, standing in the community, and sometimes their lives for their newfound beliefs. As a family history resource, this compilation contains vital information, scrupulously researched, about each of these valiant missionaries. Other features include explanations of surnames in Scandinavian countries, a pronunciation guide, and photos. ISBN 978-0-8425-2668-5
Today I am going to speak about some ways to improve our computer-security behavior, and I am going to offer some spiritual-behavior tips to keep us safe spiritually.
RSC Topics > L — P > Priesthood
Tonga has by far the highest percentage of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world. How did this come to be? At first, missionary work in Tonga appeared to be a failure. Then after the mission was closed for a decade, the Church returned and began harvesting the fruits from the seeds that were planted earlier amid tremendous official opposition. The truths of the gospel resonated with the Tongan people, who exhibited tremendous faith and sacrifice. The Church grew to be a strong influence in the Kingdom of Tonga and with the people of the country. ISBN 978-1-9443-9488-2
Abstract: The usage of the exclamation mark has changed over time but continues to serve as an important textual interpretation aid. Punctuation itself has not been a permanent fixture in English, rather it was slowly introduced to English documents with changing standard usages after the invention of the printing press. Here we highlight the use of the exclamation mark across major editions of the Book of Mormon and document the presence of the exclamation mark in a reference table.
“This paper employs Ricoeur’s Interpretation Theory to analyze the effect the exclamation mark has on the readers’ interpretation of five Book of Mormon editions. Each unique instance of exclamation was obtained with its accompanying verse and these were coded by three coders for the genre they appeared in, the syntactic structures of their utterances, and the rhetorical function of the exclaimed proposition. This made possible a comparison of the exclaimed themes both within and across each genre and across each of the five editions analyzed. While the 1830 edition was found to have many exclamations in the genres of conversation and speech with emphasis on the themes of the love of God, the sacrifice of Christ, and the carnal nature of man, the 1920 edition by contrast saw emphasis mainly in the genres of prayer and aside on the call to repentance, the calamities of hell, and the need to call upon God’s grace to overcome the many sins that will beset the latter generation of readers.” [Author]
Over the last several decades, scholarly discussion on the textual world of the Second Temple has been shifting. Ideas about texts and the development of the biblical canon began to be reshaped by the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which altered previously established ideas about the configuration of a prebiblical canon. Investigation of those and other texts made it apparent that the structure of the biblical canon was still fluid at a much later date than was originally thought. These new scholarly analyses are redefining the timelines and ideas about the early shape of the biblical text and its elasticity. Such developments have been particularly intriguing for Latter-day Saints because they have generated new ways of thinking about the historic limits of text and canon. In her new book, Eva Mroczek takes the discussion a step further and in a direction that will resonate well within the Mormon scholarly community. Her aim is to identify the “literary imagination” of Jewish antiquity or, in other words, the ways in which ancient writers and scribes conceived of their own textual world. Although she is not the first to point out the anachronistic difficulties that can plague modern scholars in their approach to texts from antiquity, she is one of the first to try to re-create a vision of an original literary mindset from the ancient texts themselves. Her study culls texts from antiquity for clues about the ways in which ancient communities thought about literature, text, authorship, and canon.
Personal reminiscences about Sidney B. Sperry.
The greatest concept we can study or teach is the plan of redemption—sometimes called the plan of salvation or the plan of happiness. The doctrines of the plan of redemption have more power to bring men to God than any other truth or concept. Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quickly recognize the following diagram.
RSC Topics > D — F > Death
RSC Topics > D — F > Fall of Adam and Eve
RSC Topics > G — K > Happiness
RSC Topics > G — K > Judgment
RSC Topics > L — P > Plan of Salvation
RSC Topics > D — F > Death
RSC Topics > D — F > Fall of Adam and Eve
RSC Topics > G — K > Happiness
RSC Topics > G — K > Judgment
RSC Topics > L — P > Plan of Salvation
This article announces the completion of George Reynolds’s Book of Mormon concordance and advertises its sale.
This article consists of a compilation of quotes about the Book of Mormon from the Journal of Discourses. All quotes are from former leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This article announces the completion of the Japanese translation of the Book of Mormon and lauds the beautiful work done and the effort spent in the project.
This article recounts the events of the night of September 21, 1823, when the angel Moroni visited with the Prophet Joseph Smith and first revealed the hiding place of the divine records.
In this article, the episode about Hagoth and his sea-venturing ships is quoted from Alma 63 and the theory advanced that the Polynesians descended from Book of Mormon peoples who sailed to Hawaii. It also compares rituals and customs of the ancient Hawaiians with the Israelites.
This article is a challenge to read the Book of Mormon to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the delivery of the plates to Joseph Smith, and a warning against neglecting the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, a spiritual guide, and it confirms the truths in the Bible. Testimonies of Parley P. Pratt and B. H. Roberts are included.
This articles discusses how the Book of Mormon points out that through marriage the Nephites united with the Mulekites who were of Jewish descent. Hence the tribe of Joseph (Nephites) mixed with the tribe of Judah (Mulekites) in a union that is presently found among the American Indians.
This article quotes the Eighth Article of Faith declaring that Latter-day Saints believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be the words of God. Nephi taught that the Hebrew scriptures had “plain and precious parts” removed. For this reason Joseph Smith was called on to revise the Bible and produce an “inspired translation.
This article gives an account about the possibility that David Whitmer or the Whitmer family possessed the original manuscripts of the Book of Mormon.
A review of the new (1905-06) Book of Mormon manual. Expounds on B. H. Roberts’s views of the importance of the Book of Mormon. External and internal evidence supports Book of Mormon’s claim to truth. The manual refutes objections to the Book of Mormon, such as the Spaulding and Rigdon theories.
This series of study guides contains several lessons that address the Book of Mormon and prophecy. It also deals with the Book of Mormon as fulfillment of ancient prophecy, prophecies in the Book of Mormon that have been fulfilled, are now being fulfilled, and others that have not yet been fulfilled. Furthermore, it looks at prophecies dealing with the American Indian, the United States, and the Latter-day Saints. The first part covers “the Book of Mormon as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy,” “of prophecies within itself,” and “of modern prophecy.”
This series of study guides contains several lessons that address the Book of Mormon and prophecy. It also deals with the Book of Mormon as fulfillment of ancient prophecy, prophecies in the Book of Mormon that have been fulfilled, are now being fulfilled, and others that have not yet been fulfilled. Furthermore, it looks at prophecies dealing with the American Indian, the United States, and the Latter-day Saints. The second part covers “some prophecies in the Book of Mormon already fulfilled,” “now being fulfilled,” and “not yet being fulfilled,”
This series of study guides contains several lessons that address the Book of Mormon and prophecy. It also deals with the Book of Mormon as fulfillment of ancient prophecy, prophecies in the Book of Mormon that have been fulfilled, are now being fulfilled, and others that have not yet been fulfilled. Furthermore, it looks at prophecies dealing with the American Indian, the United States, and the Latter-day Saints. The third part covers “prophecies and promises to individuals,” “prophecies with promise to nations and peoples,” and “prophecies in the Book of Mormon not found in any other scripture.”
This series of study guides contains several lessons that address the Book of Mormon and prophecy. It also deals with the Book of Mormon as fulfillment of ancient prophecy, prophecies in the Book of Mormon that have been fulfilled, are now being fulfilled, and others that have not yet been fulfilled. Furthermore, it looks at prophecies dealing with the American Indian, the United States, and the Latter-day Saints. The fourth part covers “prophecies and promises to the American Indian,” “to the United States as a nation,” and “to the Latter-day Saints.”
A short paragraph answering the question: “Into what languages has the Book of Mormon been translated and printed?”
Gives an account of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith’s mission was to translate the Book of Mormon and to re- establish the Lord’s church upon the earth. Moroni’s visits prepared the young prophet and, in time, the work of translation began, culminating in the organization of the Church.
Presents a brief discussion regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon in chapter seven. Although LDS church authorities argue for the correctness of the translation, Anderson points out 25 changes made in the Book of Mormon text since its original publication in 1830.
A polemical book on Mormonism, wherein the author claims that Joseph Smith used the Spaulding manuscript as a primary source for the Book of Mormon.
A Masters of Arts thesis that presents the process of producing the paintings of “Coriantumr resting upon his sword before slaying Shiz” (Ether 15:30), “An angel of the Lord appearing before Laman and Lemuel” (1 Nephi 3:28), “The Vision of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah” (Mosiah 27:11), and “Christ calling Nephi from among the multitude” (3 Nephi 11:18).
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Mosiah
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Alma
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 3 Nephi
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Ether
Book of Moses Topics > Selection of Ancient Sources > Adam and Eve — Secondary Sources
Mormonism and the Temple: Examining an Ancient Religious Tradition contains the proceedings of the Academy for Temple Studies conference held under the same title on the campus of Utah State University on 29 October 2012, and includes the following presentations: • Restoring Solomon’s Temple by Margaret Barker • Chapel, Church, Temple, Cathedral: Lost Parallels in Mormon and Catholic Worship by Laurence Paul Hemming • Questions and Answers with Margaret Barker and Laurence Hemming • The Temple, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Gospel of Matthew by John W. Welch • A Divine Mother in the Book of Mormon? by Daniel C. Peterson • Temples—Bridges of Eternity by LeGrande Davies • The Temple, the Book of Revelation, and Joseph Smith by John L. Fowles
While examining the legends concerning the wandering Jew, the author considers tales surrounding the Three Nephites. He provides a brief history of the Book of Mormon and then explains some of the general characteristics of the reported sightings of the Three Nephites.
RSC Topics > L — P > Plan of Salvation
A cartoon-style story of the Book of Mormon for children.
This article presents archaeological evidence of the Book of Mormon. It introduces the similarities between the religion of the Incas and Christianity, and a possible connection between the ancient Sumerians and the inhabitants of Ancient America.
This article states that the teachings in the New Testament Gospels and 3 Nephi are harmonious, and events recorded in the New Testament have found some historical parallels with events listed in the Book of Mormon. Further, the great earthquakes and other upheavals of recent decades are comparable to the three days of darkness in America during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Discusses highlights in 3 Nephi regarding the birth of Jesus and his appearance to the Nephites. Shows historical instances outside of 3 Nephi that deal with thick darkness.
In this 10-page typescript treatise, Anderson argues that the sticks of Judah and Ephraim mentioned in Ezekiel 37:16-17 do not refer to the uniting of the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
The use of the term “stick” in Ezekiel 37 does not refer to books as some have suggested, but it has reference to nations, i.e., the stick of Judah is the Jewish nation and the stick of Ephraim is the Ephraimite nation.
The Book of Mormon accepts the Bible to be a true record. Christ’s teachings are similar in both because he visited America. Among the future events named in the Book of Mormon are the gathering of Israel, the awakening of Mexican Indians, and the removal of the “scales of Darkness” from the eyes of the Indians.
Old Testament Topics > Covenant [see also Ephraim, Israel, Jews, Joseph]
Old Testament Topics > Adam and Eve [see also Fall]
Old Testament Topics > Women in the Old Testament
Old Testament Scriptures > Genesis
Old Testament Topics > Elijah
Old Testament Topics > Joseph and Asenath
Old Testament Scriptures > Leviticus
Old Testament Scriptures > Numbers
Old Testament Scriptures > Deuteronomy
Old Testament Topics > Moses
Includes Eve, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Asenath, and Jezebel
Joseph Anderson - The thing that is needed more than anything else today is a return to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the gospel plan that he gave.
RSC Topics > D — F > Faith
RSC Topics > G — K > Holy Ghost
RSC Topics > T — Z > Unity
RSC Topics > T — Z > Teaching the Gospel
RSC Topics > T — Z > Testimony
Review of The Book of Mormon: The Keystone Scripture (1988), edited by Paul R. Cheesman and assisted by S. Kent Brown and Charles D. Tate Jr.
Book review.
Joseph Smith had a deep interest in archaeological discoveries and antiquities of ancient America as can be seen from his writings, sermons, and personal conversations. He seemed to show particular interest in the discoveries in Central America as proof of Nephite and Lamanite existence. The ruined city of Quirigua he believed was the same as the city of Zarahemla.
Discussion by the author of his motives and methods in preparing an “Easy to Read” version of the Book of Mormon. Includes examples of verses paraphrased in simple, modern English “meant to bridge the gap between children’s materials and the authorized version” for functionally illiterate adults and children.
As we desire to respond to the Savior’s invitation to come, we will have to leave behind our weaknesses and our sins.
Hopefully, while listening in lectures, attending presentations, researching, writing, and creating, we have come away with a method of learning that is portable and personal. Hopefully we will take with us the ability to continue to learn, even when the scaffolding that held us up here has fallen away.
The Lord desires your success. He desires your success in all aspects of your life—in your profession, in your education, in your family, in your relationships. The Lord desires your success.
An evangelical pamphlet opposing Mormon beliefs in respect to the Bible. The Bible is changeless, inerrant, and sufficient. God would not allow it to be corrupted as Mormons believe. Ezekiel 37:15-20 refers to the gathering of Israel, not the Book of Mormon. The Three Witnesses denied their testimonies and cannot be trusted.
RSC Topics > L — P > New Testament
RSC Topics > Q — S > Revelation
Skeptics have misused some historical sources as they attempt to reverse the Eight Witnesses’ statements about their physical contact with the Book of Mormon plates. The Eight Witnesses speak of viewing the plates themselves with unobstructed vision. They left 10 specific statements of handling the plates. This article provides an overview of the statements and experiences of the Eight Witnesses and the arguments of their critics, both then and now. Their unequivocal testimonies resist revisionists’ attempts to portray their experience as mere illusion or deception.
Richard Anderson gives an overview of the secular and divine functions of witnesses and refers to the anticipation surrounding the revelatory calling of witnesses to view the plates. He describes the circumstances of their calling, details aspects of their lives, comments on their character traits, and answers several typical questions of skeptics. Anderson emphasizes that these witnesses were true to their testimonies.
This article discusses Martin Harris, a witness of the validity of the existence of the gold plates, stood firm in his testimony of the Book of Mormon and gave his report to all who would listen.
Martin Harris, a witness of the validity of the existence of the gold plates, stood firm in his testimony of the Book of Mormon and gave his report to all who would listen.
This article presents an analysis of the five published accounts of Moroni’s visits with Joseph Smith on the night of September 21-22, 1823. These accounts were dictated to secretaries with known record-keeping skills. The article carefully examines eight elements of the vision to create a composite description.
RSC Topics > L — P > Prayer
RSC Topics > T — Z > Testimony
Fifty years of the non-Mormon life of David Whitmer, one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, is discussed and his character explored.
A review of five of the Eight Witnesses who handled the golden plates—the four Whitmer brothers and Hiram Page. The testimony of the five witnesses never failed. “In fellowship or alienation, youth or age, persecution, poverty or affluence, four Whitmer brothers and Hiram Page never altered their plain testimony that they handled the original metal record of the Book of Mormon.”
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon > The Eight Witnesses
A hundred years ago, the Book of Mormon was regarded by the scholarly world as an odd text that simply did not fit their understanding of the ancient world. Since that time, however, numerous ancient records have come to light, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts. These discoveries have forced scholars to change their views of history, and they place the Book of Mormon in a new light as well. That is why respected Latter-day Saint scholar Hugh Nibley wrote Since Cumorah, a brilliant literary, theological, and historical evaluation of the Book of Mormon as an ancient book.
Specific plans to preach the restored gospel in the west matured during the second conference after Church organization, held late September, 1830. The missionary theme was prominent during the three-day duration of this conference. The official minutes summarize what was probably the first missionary farewell in LDS history: “Singing and prayer in behalf of Brother Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr., who were previously appointed to go to the Lamanites.” The Ohio labors of Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and their companions doubled the membership of the Church and created a solid nucleus for rapid growth and a secure, if temporary, gathering location. One must assess the impact of these four men in four weeks with a certain awe.
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon > The Eight Witnesses
An investigative historical summary of each of the Three Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and the Eight Witnesses. Provides a rebuttal to various arguments against the personal character of the witnesses. This work is reviewed in L.131, R.496, and in S.142.
RSC Topics > G — K > Joseph Smith
RSC Topics > T — Z > Youth
The biographer of Joseph Smith’s early life will know his subject when he relies on sources that know their subject. This truism is more obvious in statement than application, for non-Mormon biography has not faced the severe limitations of the uniformly hostile affidavits taken by a sworn enemy of the Mormon Prophet. The image thus obtained is sharply discordant from the Joseph Smith documented in the 1830’s: a leader of physical prowess and vigorous manhood, a profound idealist with spontaneous humor and warmth, who displayed personal courage under tremendous odds. A similar youth in the 1820’s is discovered, not by editing out non-Mormon sources, but finding those non-Mormon sources that reflect definite contact with Joseph Smith. Such a study shows that collecting informed statements about the Prophet will produce a substantial favorable judgment. Although initial collection of statements against Joseph Smith is an oft-told story, its outline is a necessary background for the affidavits to be analyzed. D. P. Hurlbut, excommunicated twice by LDS tribunals for immorality; became so personally vindictive that he was put under a court order restraining him from doing harm to the person or property of Joseph Smith. He was next “employed” by an anti-Mormon public committee to gather evidence to “completely divest Joseph Smith of all claims to the character of an honest man. . . .” To achieve this goal he traveled to New York and procured statements at Palmyra Village, the largest business center adjacent to the Smith farm and also at Manchester, the rural district that included “Stafford Street.” Cornelius Stafford, then twenty, later remembered that Hurlbut arrived at “our school house and took statements about the bad character of the Mormon Smith family, and saw them swear to them.” The Painesville, Ohio, editor, E. D. Howe, replaced Hurlbut as a respectable author, and published the affidavits in Mormonism Unvailed (1834), laying the cornerstone of anti-Mormon historiography. Howe lived to see the solidity of the edifice, observing forty-four years afterward in his memoirs that the book “has been the basis of all the histories which have appeared from time to time since that period touching that people.” More accurately, Howe’s writing was insignificant, but the Palmyra-Manchester affidavits published by him have introduced Joseph Smith in every major non-Mormon study from 1834 to the present. Yet even supposedly definitive studies display no investigation of the individuals behind the Hurlbut statements, nor much insight into their community.
Review of “A Rhetorical Approach to the Book of Mormon: Rediscovering Nephite Sacramental Language” (1993), by Mark D. Thomas.
The character of Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, is examined. The author examines accounts of the associates of Martin Harris in the three decades he lived in Palmyra, New York.
The past year intensified the study of the Prophet’s early life because of the release of two “treasure letters” seeming to illuminate the pre-Book of Mormon period. The questionable letter of Joseph Smith to Josiah Stowell in 1825 has a “clever spirit” guarding a treasure hoard. The questionable 1830 letter from Martin Harris to William W. Phelps claims that Joseph spoke of a salamander and “old spirit” at the hill in 1827, though Joseph’s real experience could be obscured by such a singular secondhand report. Publicity on these documents has stimulated research and reevaluation, some of it asserting a lifelong interest of the Prophet in paranormal discovery of riches. This paper examines the basis of such claims after 1827 and finds them wanting. Editor’s Note: The online version of this article was revised after it became public knowledge that the 1830 Martin Harris letter referred to in the article was a Mark Hofmann forgery.
David Whitmer represents “the last surviving witness” of the Book of Mormon plates. This article presents a number of interviews with Whitmer by various figures who interrogated him at times throughout his life.
Review of Oliver Cowdery’s life and accomplishments in the years following his excommunication until his death. Deals specifically with his reputation among associates.
Oliver Cowdery’s records border on scripture. His supplementary testimonies are of the same eyewitness quality as the Joseph Smith references that have entered the standard works. Much of Cowdery’s thinking and writing was modified and polished to a scriptural level by Joseph Smith.
As you read Joseph Smith’s teachings and Paul’s letters note the total commitment of each. Both were men consumed with a mission, which continues the question of what is really important in your world and your life.
This Annual Neal A. Maxwell Lecture was given at Brigham Young University on 20 March 2009. Anderson respects both the Savior, Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith, seer and revelator. He lays a foundation for the four Gospels and their historical authenticity. He notes the abundance of materials available about Joseph Smith and details his First Vision, the accounts of the Book of Mormon witnesses, sacred influences in Joseph’s life, and the significance of the events at Carthage.
Review of In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith (1997), by Todd M. Compton
This second of two volumes of essays honoring Hugh Nibley includes scholarly papers based on what the authors have learned from Nibley. Nearly every major subject that Dr. Nibley has encompassed in his vast learning and scholarly production is represented here by at least one article. Topics include the sacrament covenant in Third Nephi, the Lamanite view of Book of Mormon history, external evidences of the Book of Mormon, proper names in the Book of Mormon, the brass plates version of Genesis, the composition of Lehi’s family, ancient burials of metal documents in stone boxes, repentance as rethinking, Mormon history’s encounter with secular modernity, and Judaism in the 20th century.
A study of how history is typically written and the similarities with how the Book of Mormon is written.
One of the spectacular events of Latter-day Saint history unfolded as Oliver Cowdery walked into a conference session in progress at Council Bluffs in 1848 and was personally escorted to the stand by his friend Orson Hyde. No one in the group seems to have been more impressed than Reuben Miller, who at the same meeting had made his own public reconciliation with the Church. While Cowdery’s return itself is abundantly attested, no historical source but the Miller account adequately reveals Oliver Cowdery’s public testimony upon his return to the Church.
RSC Topics > T — Z > War
Review of Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Reexamined (1990), by Rodger I. Anderson.
This article gives an in-depth review of sources regarding Oliver Cowdery’s testimony of the Book of Mormon. Gives details of the translation of the Book of Mormon and the disaffection and rebaptism of Cowdery.
This article says that in addition to Oliver Cowdery’s testimony of the Book of Mormon, his testimony of the restoration of the two priesthoods is of great value. As newly-appointed editor of the Church newspaper he wrote an account in installments of the translation of the Book of Mormon. As a part of this series he told of John the Baptist’s visit to restore the Aaronic priesthood.
Personal reminiscences about Sidney B. Sperry.
This article presents many of the Smiths that were witnesses of the gold plates, including Emma Smith, Lucy Mack Smith, William Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel Harrison Smith.
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon > The Eight Witnesses
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon > The Other Witnesses
RSC Topics > Q — S > Revelation
Jesus showed impressive ability both to use the Old Testament and to depart from it, as he did in the Sermon on the Mount. Even speaking “as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:29), he insisted that he had not come “to destroy the law, or the prophets” (Matt. 5:17).
Old Testament Scriptures > Exodus
Old Testament Scriptures > Leviticus
Old Testament Scriptures > Numbers
Old Testament Scriptures > Deuteronomy
Old Testament Topics > New Testament and the Old Testament
Review of A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine & Church History, ed. Laura Harris Hales. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book; Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 2016. 264 pp. $24.99.
Abstract: This collection of essays conveniently assembles faithful and rigorous treatments of difficult questions related to LDS history and doctrine. While two or three of the essays are sufficiently flawed to give cause for concern and while some of its arguments have been expressed differently in earlier publications, overall this book can be confidently recommended to interested and doctrinally mature Latter-day Saints.
Abstract: To many outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and to some of its members), the Church’s teachings and practices appear not only socially and experientially constraining, but intellectually restrictive as well, given its centralized system of doctrinal boundary maintenance and its history of sometimes sanctioning members who publicly dissent from its teachings. Do these practices amount to a constraint of intellectual freedom? This essay argues that they do not, and offers several possible explanations for the commonly-asserted position that they do.
Abstract: We are called as Latter-day Saints to be a force for good in the world in every way possible, which necessarily includes active and positive engagement with political and social issues. At the same time, it is essential to our spiritual survival that we never allow ourselves to forget the radical difference between the philosophies of men — no matter how superficially harmonious some of these may seem with particular principles of the gospel or with some aspects of traditional Mormon culture — and the teachings of the prophets. In a world that constantly entices us with messages designed to lure us away from the eternal truths of the restored gospel and into the embrace of philosophies that are partially and contingently true at best and actively destructive at worst, we must exercise constant vigilance. This essay suggests and discusses six propositions that, if understood and embraced, should help us maintain that vigilance.
The article outlines how and why the origins of the Book of Mormon once lay within the cerebral neocortex of its author, Joseph Smith, Jr., as it relates to the people and events that were a part of his life. It is said that psychobiography started with Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud’s attempt to analyze Italian scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci in 1910. The explanation for complex behaviors in the history of Smith is that they were the result of supernatural commandments to him. It is noted that Smith claimed to supernaturally translate ancient Egyptian.
Author argues that Joseph Smith, knowingly and unknowingly, injected his own personality, conflicts and solutions into the Book of Mormon.
Robert D. Anderson reviews events concerning Solomon Spaulding and his manuscript writings, which some have claimed is the basis for the Book of Mormon. He discusses the writings of William Whitsitt, who thought Sydney Rigdon was the real author of the Book of Mormon. Anderson spotlights similarities between the Book of Ether and the Book of Mormon. Anderson lists reasons for and against supporting the Spaulding theory of Book of Mormon authorship. The final sections of this article concern Joseph Smith’s psychological state relative to Book of Mormon authorship. Anderson concludes that “to believe that one is “special” in receiving knowledge that trumps historical documentation or scientific discoveries requires more than a slight elevation of self-importance and self-deception, and throughout past and present history has created mischief beyond comprehension.”
In an effort to discount the Book of Mormon, Philastus Hurlbut collected over eighty signatures of those who knew the bad character of Joseph Smith and his family (affidavits contained in the appendix). Author examines Hugh Nibley’s Myth Makers and finds misrepresentations and failure to consider vital sources. Considers Richard L. Anderson’s “Joseph Smith’s New York Reputation Reappraised,” finding it also to fall short. This author finds that the allegations against Joseph Smith are true since the testimonies of many New York citizens have not been discredited.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 3 Nephi
A polemical tract on Mormonism, written by a former Mormon who claims that the Book of Mormon is full of mistakes and modernisms, and that it plagiarizes the Bible.
Old Testament Topics > Temple and Tabernacle
Old Testament Topics > Baptism
I have pondered the analogous circumstances in which many of the recorded prophets found themselves faced with commands from God that were, if anything, counterintuitive. How and why did they respond?
A tract providing an overview of the contents of the Book of Mormon. Discusses biblical verses that make reference to the Book of Mormon.
A seaman creates a model of a Jaredite barge and explains its different parts.
Old Testament Topics > Prophets and Prophecy
A tract that compares a dream experienced by Joseph Smith, Sr., with Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.
Chapters two through four relate the history of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Contains excerpts from Joseph Smith’s History of the Church, History of Wayne County, Lucy Mack Smith and various other historical sources.
A collection of remarks given at Hugh Nibley’s funeral.
Hugh W. Nibley Topics > Hugh Nibley
An overview of Hugh Nibley’s life as a tribute after his death.
This is in a campus newspaper.
Personal reminiscences about Sidney B. Sperry.
Presents a brief history of Mormonism. Accepts the Spaulding theory for the origin of the Book of Mormon.
Explains why the Book of Mormon is necessary in the latter days and gives biblical evidence of its divinity. Discusses the return of the Jews to Israel and specifically refutes the Spaulding theory, saying that “if [Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon] were thieves, I claim God was in the conspiracy”
A Book of Mormon study guide consisting of thirty-four lessons. Also includes author’s interpretations of the Book of Mormon.
A Book of Mormon study guide consisting of thirty-four lessons. Also includes author’s interpretations of the Book of Mormon.
May we follow the counsel and example of the prophet and each day seek out those in need.
A polemical tract dealing with the doctrines of Mormonism. Claims that the Book of Mormon borrows much of its material from the Bible, lists anachronistic parallels between New Testament and Book of Mormon, claims the Book of Mormon incorrectly uses Isaiah quotes from the King James version of the Bible. Argues that Mormon scriptures and teachings frequently contradict each other.
The author encourages people to accept the Book of Mormon yet reject the LDS church because the devil has used the uninspired Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants to dilute the message of the Book of Mormon.
A tract claiming that the edition changes of the Book of Mormon have not damaged its message. Similarly, the biblical text experienced a number of changes.
A 31-page doctrinal tract arguing that Satan fell from heaven and that Satan “hates the Book of Mormon” Author claims that Joseph Smith was a false prophet and that the LDS church is false.
A 27-page tract arguing for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon but against the Mormon church, polygamy, and baptism for the dead. Claims Satan inspired the term “Mormon church” to link the LDS church with the Book of Mormon.
A pamphlet outlining positive aspects of the Book of Mormon, directed to individuals who do not believe its teachings.
An 8-page tract that claims that the Mormon Church is false because it does not follow the teachings of the Book of Mormon. Encourages readers to pray and find out the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for themselves.
Over the last twenty years, various objective author-attribution techniques have been applied to the English Book of Mormon in order to shed light on the question of multiple authorship of Book of Mormon texts. Two methods, one based on rates of use of noncontextual words and one based on word-pattern ratios, measure patterns consistent with multiple authorship in the Book of Mormon. Another method, based on vocabulary-richness measures, suggests that only one author is involved. These apparently contradictory results are reconciled by showing that for texts of known authorship, the method based on vocabulary-richness measures is not as powerful in discerning differences among authors as are the other methods, especially for works translated into English by a single translator.
A symposium titled “The Gospel: The Foundation for a Professional Career Symposium” was held on Brigham Young University campus in March 2007. It was cosponsored by Religious Education and the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology. The purpose of the symposium was to emphasize how important it is for graduates of BYU to live the highest standards of morality and integrity as they leave campus and assume residency and employment in the world community. It was an opportunity to make principles taught by the Latter-day Saint faith find practical application in the lives of graduates. This volume contains the presentations from this symposium. “We live in most interesting times. Scandals in society and infamous episodes in the lives of respected leaders force us to ask hard questions about what matters in people’s lives. We must explore the difficult issue of whether leaders’ private morality is in any way related to their capacity to make responsible and moral judgments in our behalf.”—Robert L. Millet “Both by doctrine and by covenant, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are compelled to be men and women of character, honesty, and integrity in their personal and professional lives. As students attend Brigham Young University, graduate, and move out into the community and various chosen careers, they have an obligation to maintain the highest standards of integrity. In the workplace, whether they are employees or employers, they must be immune to improper incentives, social and corporate pressures, and shortcuts designed to enhance balance sheets at the expense of integrity and sound, acceptable business practices. “Integrity is a matter of behavior, sound thinking, and an attitude that honesty is essential to good business and engineering practices. Adherence to a code of professional integrity has its foundations in the doctrines of the Restoration, particularly the knowledge that we are all sons and daughters of God and face eventual accountability for our words, works, and thoughts (see Alma 12:14). Church membership compels Latter-day Saints to be trustworthy and immune from political, financial, or personal corruption in a world where such traits are fast losing ground to economic expediency and personal greed.”—The Editors ISBN 978-0-8425-2686-9
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Ether
Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries.
As we study from the best books, we protect ourselves against the menacing jaws of those that seek to gnaw at our spiritual roots.
We must devote our time to the things that matter most.
Almost every summer since 1935, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has staged a pageant at the Hill Cumorah. This article starts with the history of the pageant from its beginnings in the 1920s as a Cumorah Conference of the Eastern States Mission convened by mission president B. H. Roberts and held at the Smith Family Farm. Details about the pageant’s move to the Hill Cumorah as well as scripts, directors, music, costumes, props, set design, lighting, and choreography are included. The author concludes with the details of retiring the original script after 50 years of use and of the challenges of producing and revitalizing the new pageant while maintaining its purpose as a missionary tool.
A verse- by-verse doctrinal commentary on the Book of Mormon. The commentator’s sources include histories, archaeological findings, personal religious beliefs, and other sources.
Enos, the son of Jacob, grandson of Lehi, recorded his own touching testimony and the promises that the Lord made to him concerning the Nephite records and his Nephite and Lamanite brothers. His mighty efforts to pray brought him a remission of his own sins.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Enos
The Book of Jarom was written by Jarom, son of Enos, who excuses his brevity by calling attention to limited space and lack of new doctrine.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Jarom
Additional Authors: Paul R. Cheesman, Charles Randall Paul, Rex C. Reeve, Morgan W. Tanner, and S. Michael Wilcox.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 2 Nephi
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Jacob
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Enos
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Jarom
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Omni
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Words of Mormon
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Mosiah
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Alma
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Helaman
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 3 Nephi
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 4 Nephi
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Ether
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Moroni
The fifth annual Neal A. Maxwell lecture was presented by Marilyn Arnold on March 10, 2011, at Brigham Young University. Arnold (PhD, University of Wisconsin--Madison) is emeritus professor of English at Brigham Young University. She describes how her love of literary scholarship meshed with her developing views of Christian discipleship as she discovered literary richness in the Book of Mormon. The lecture was sponsored by the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship.
The Book of Omni records the brief writings of several authors, Omni, Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom, and Amaleki, who were not spiritual leaders, but were descendants of Jacob.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Omni
Review of The Book of Mormon and Other Hidden Books: “Out of the Darkness unto Light” (2000), by John A. Tvedtnes
Literary analysis provides useful tools in the study of sacred texts, including the Book of Mormon. For the author, three transforming events that enhanced her study of the Book of Mormon included reading the book in earnest as a complex and masterful literary text, the entrance of the Spirit into her study of the book, and a prayerful desire to experience the great change of heart described by King Benjamin and Alma. Nephi begins his record with sincerity and honesty and serves notice that he intends to prepare a true record. The opposition between Nephi and his brothers Laman and Lemuel illustrates well Lehi’s teachings on the necessity of opposition in all things. More subtly, the reader notes a contrast between the characters and personalities of Nephi and Jacob. Jacob is portrayed as an empathetic and compassionate person who was tutored by exile and isolation.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Alma
On 25 March 2010, in the Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium, Brigham Young University, Marilyn Arnold presented this lecture as part of a series honoring Hugh W. Nibley on the 100th anniversary of his birth (27 March 2010).
In this lecture commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of Hugh Nibley’s birth, Arnold paints a picture of him by discussing not only his scholarship but also his very unique, and often humorous, writing and speaking styles and his consistent jabs at academia. According to Arnold, who read everything Nibley had written on the Book of Mormon, Nibley was never more eloquent or serious than when he defended that book. Often, Arnold notes, his defenses and other writings are illuminated by literary devices, including the use of parable, epistle, and Platonic dialogue.
On 25 March 2010, in the Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium, Brigham Young University, Marilyn Arnold presented this lecture as part of a series honoring Hugh W. Nibley on the 100th anniversary of his birth (27 March 2010).
In this lecture commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of Hugh Nibley’s birth, Arnold paints a picture of him by discussing not only his scholarship but also his very unique, and often humorous, writing and speaking styles and his consistent jabs at academia. According to Arnold, who read everything Nibley had written on the Book of Mormon, Nibley was never more eloquent or serious than when he defended that book. Often, Arnold notes, his defenses and other writings are illuminated by literary devices, including the use of parable, epistle, and Platonic dialogue.
May each quorum and each one of us individually … follow the example of our Lord and Savior to “take … him that is weak, … that he may become strong also.”
The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and nonmember friends.
Someday each one of us will have to account to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for what we have done with His name.
Presents an anthology of scriptural references from the Book of Mormon that pertain to the various doctrines, including the plan of redemption, baptism, law of Moses, and the coming of Christ.
Consists of 42 poems concerning latter-day events that are prophesied of in the Book of Mormon. Subjects of the poetry include: opposition in all things, the Church is organized, and the Lamanites are to be a blessed people.
Just like the candy M&M’s come in so many colors but all taste the same, missionary work looks different for every person but all leads to the same thing—bringing souls unto Christ.
Abstract: The prophet Mormon’s editorial skill brings the narrative of the Zeniffites alive with a complex tumble of viewpoints, commentary, and timelines. Mormon seems to apply similar narrative strategies as those used in the Bible in his approach to abridging the history of his people. A comparative reading of the various accounts in the Zeniffite story provides the close reader with a deep picture of Limhi, the tragic grandson of the founding king, Zeniff, and the son of the iniquitous King Noah. Noah’s wicked rule brought his people into bondage. His conflicted son Limhi’s efforts to free the people, although well meaning, often imperiled his people. Fortunately, Limhi’s proclivity for making poor judgments did not extend to his acceptance of the gospel. In fact, coexistent with the repeated errors Limhi makes in the narrative lies one of his greatest strengths, his willingness to accept correction. This is a vital characteristic necessary for the repentance required by the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what redeemed Limhi from his comedy of errors. It is this quality that can also redeem us all. Limhi’s love for his father, in the end, did not doom him to make the same mistakes Noah did. When the messengers from God came, Limhi listened and accepted their message. Mormon’s characterization strategies described here are a credit to his art and support the hypothesis that he is an inheritor of the poetics of biblical narrative. His narrative strategies not only characterize the cast in his narrative, but also characterize him. The care Mormon took in crafting his abridgment reveal his observational prowess. He saw God’s hand in his people’s history, and he went to great lengths to teach his readers how to see it too. His characterization of Limhi is a personal message about how wickedness and tyranny affect individuals.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Alma
Abstract: The present work analyzes the narrative art Mormon employs, specifically Mormon’s unique strategies for personalized and personal messaging, which can be seen in how Mormon connects the narration of the baptism at the waters of Mormon in Mosiah chapter 18 with his self- introductory material in 3 Nephi chapter 5. In these narratives, Mormon seems to simultaneously present an overt personalized message about Christ and a covert personal connection to Alma1 through the almost excessive repetition of his own name. Mormon discreetly plants evidence to suggest his intention for the careful re-reader to discover that Mormon was a 12th generation descendant of the first Alma. Mormon’s use of personalizing and personal messages lends emotive power to his narratives and shines a light on Mormon’s love for Christ’s church.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Alma
Book of Mormon Scriptures > 3 Nephi
Book of Mormon Topics > Persons and Peoples > Mormon
Book of Mormon Topics > Places > Americas > Book of Mormon Geography > Waters of Mormon
Abstract: After about 1500 years of slumber, ancient Egyptian was brought back to life in the early 19th century, when scholars deciphered hieroglyphs. This revolutionary success opened the door to a reevaluation of history from the viewpoint of ancient Egypt. In the wake of this new knowledge, the first scholar posited the idea in 1849 that the name of Moses stemmed from the Egyptian word for child. Subsequently, this idea was refined, and currently the majority of scholars believe Moses’s name comes from the Egyptian verb “to beget,” which is also the root for the Egyptian word for child, or in the case of a male child, a “son.” Before this discovery and certainly before a scholarly consensus formed on the Egyptian etymology of the name of Moses, Joseph Smith restored a prophecy from the patriarch Joseph that played upon the name of Moses and its yet to be discovered Egyptian meaning of “son.” This article explores the implications of this overt Egyptian pun and its role as a key thematic element in the restored narratives in the Book of Moses.
Old Testament Scriptures > Exodus
Abstract: Although unable to write more than a hundredth part of his people’s history, Mormon seemingly found the time and plate-space to deliver literary justice on behalf of Gideon, who suffered a martyr’s death at the hand of the wicked Nehor. This article applies a literary approach buttressed by evidence from the Book of Mormon to suggest that Mormon intentionally supplied tightly-controlled repetitive elements, like the repetition of names, to point the reader to discover multiple literary sub-narratives connected by a carefully crafted network of themes running under the main narratives of the scriptures. The theories espoused in this work may have begun with the recognition of the reader-arresting repetition of Gideon’s name in Alma 6:7-8, but driven by scriptural data points soon connected Gideon with Abinadi, the Ammonites, and others. The repetitive and referential use of the moniker Nehor, Gideon’s murderer, on various peoples by Mormon seemed to connect thematically and organically to a justice prophesied by Abinadi. In parallel with the theme of justice laid upon the Nehor-populations, evidence is marshaled to also suggest that Mormon referenced the place-name of Gideon to intentionally hearken back to the man Gideon. Following the role of Gideon, as a place, we propose Mormon constructed a path for the martyr Gideon via proxy to meet the resurrected Lord in Bountiful. Mormon’s concern for the individual and his technique for rewriting Gideon’s story through proxy ultimately symbolizes the role Christ’s atoning power can take in each of our lives to save us.
RSC Topics > T — Z > Zion
Additional Authors: Ronald W. Walker, James B. Allen, and Richard O. Cowan
Joseph’s well-adjusted nature was infectious. Those brought up in the strict, long-faced, pious tradition soon found themselves liberated so they could fulfill their foreordained roles of being leaders of the Saints.
As a witness of significant events in the rise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oliver Cowdery’s importance is superseded only by that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. With the exception of Joseph’s First Vision and the appearances of Moroni, Cowdery participated with the Prophet in the key events of the Restoration. The scope of his experiences include the translation of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Priesthood, the organization of the Church, the first extensive missionary work of the Church, and divine manifestations in the Kirtland Temple. The youngest of eight children, Oliver Cowdery was born 3 October 1806 in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont. In 1825 he moved to New York, where he worked successively as a clerk in a general store, as a blacksmith, and as a farmer. In 1828 he entered the teaching profession in Manchester, New York, where he first became acquainted with the religious claims of Joseph Smith. His entry into the mainstream of Mormon history occurred in April 1829 when he traveled to Harmony, Pennsylvania, to meet Joseph Smith, who was engaged in the translation of the Book of Mormon. Cowdery assisted Joseph as a scribe during the translation of the major part of that work, and his name appears in the Book of Mormon as one of the witnesses to the reliability of the claims of Joseph Smith regarding its origin and method of translation.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Moroni
Book review.
In the Book of Mormon, two records (a large engraved stone and twenty-four gold plates) contain the story of an ancient civilization known as the Jaredites. There appears to be evidence of an unpublished third record that provides more information on this people and on the history of the world. When the brother of Jared received a vision of Jesus Christ, he was taught many things but was instructed not to share them with the world until the time of his death. The author proposes that the brother of Jared did, in fact, write those things down shortly before his death and then buried them, along with the interpreting stones, to be revealed to the world according to the timing of the Lord.
The chain held by Satan is referred to in the scriptures as “the chains of hell” (Alma 12:11) … They start as flaxen threads and encumber a person habit by habit, sin by sin, and strand by strand.
RSC Topics > L — P > Love
RSC Topics > T — Z > World Religions
RSC Topics > T — Z > Worship
“Act the role of the Latter-day Saint, be that noble bearer of the priesthood, and do all that’s necessary in order to measure up to your Father in heaven’s expectations.”
Speaks out on the relationships between “memory and mood, memory and testimony, memory and models, memory and thoughts, and memory and you.” Asay quotes many scriptures from the Book of Mormon to support his ideas, including Alma 36, Moroni 10, Alma 18, and Helaman 5.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Helaman
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Moroni
Speaks out on the relationships between “memory and mood, memory and testimony, memory and models, memory and thoughts, and memory and you” Asay quotes many scriptures from the Book of Mormon to support his ideas, including Alma 36, Moroni 10, Alma 18, and Helaman 5.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Helaman
Strengthening testimonies of Christ by using Old Testament passages
“A knowledge of who we are, a self-image that is ennobling, a strict sense of moral responsibility, a disciplined spirit, and a keen sense of duty to God—these are the keys to spiritual power.”
Review of Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon: Insights from Prophets, Church Leaders, and Scholars (1999), by K. Douglas Bassett
In April 2013 Jeremy T. Runnells published a PDF booklet entitled, “Letter to a CES Director.” This booklet, which is now typically referred to as the “CES Letter,” catalogs Runnells’ concerns and reason why he left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Runnells has worked hard to make his booklet available to people everywhere (and in several languages) and has, unfortunately, been the agent for leading at least a few other believers out of Mormonism. Sadly, most of those who have been bamboozled by the “CES Letter” are Latter-day Saints who were blind-sided by scholarly-sounding interpretations of challenging data. In my opinion, however, the “CES Letter” creates a caricature of Mormonism. The arguments are fundamentally flawed and do not accurately represent either Mormonism or the only logical interpretations of the data. Unfortunately, the reason the “CES Letter” has enjoyed any success is that most Latter-day Saints have never been exposed to some of the more complex matters in early Mormon history. On average, the typical Latter-day Saint has never needed to think outside of the box on Mormon-related philosophical, historical, or scholarly issues. “Bamboozled by the ‘CES Letter’” explains why these controversial issues need not kill a testimony. Interpretation matters. Many lay members, as well as educated Mormon scholars, are fully aware of every topic discussed in the “CES Letter” but continue strong in their faith because they recognize that there are logical interpretations which can be integrated with their belief in Mormonism. There are answers to the concerns raised by the “CES Letter,” and those answers can be supported by current scholarship as well as harmonized with the acceptance of Mormon truth claims.
Review of Manifestations Mysteries Revealed: An Account of Bible Truth and the Book of Mormon Prophecies (2000), by Embaya Melekin
Joseph Smith is one of the false prophets referred to in Matthew 24:4, 5, 11. He pretended to have visions of angels that brought gold plates. An affidavit prepared by Peter Ingersol states that Joseph Smith confided his evil plan to him. The Book of Mormon weaves the Spaulding manuscript with biblical scriptures.
Points out that the reformed Egyptian language in which the Book of Mormon was written was not new but was following a tradition. The Egyptian language of the brass plates was changed according to the manner of speech prevalent in the days of Nephi. Contains a comparison between the Anthon transcript and Micmac Indian script.
Examines the method of the translation of the Book of Mormon and provides second-hand statements made after the book’s publication describing the method by which Joseph Smith accomplished the translation. Concludes that the translation was conceptual, not literal word for word.
“Given its unique claims, the following become relevant questions for investigation: Is the Book of Mormon a translation of ancient records written in Egyptian and “reformed” Egyptian language or characters? Are there “wordprints” of the various orators and authors which the book introduces? Can traces of the original language(s) be found in the “literal” English translation: “Hebraisms” and “Egyptianisms”? Answers to such questions are crucial in the face of increasingly numerous [p.331] apologetic claims about how the Book of Mormon was produced and the historicity of its contents. This essay examines evidence of ancient Egyptian or Hebrew in the Book of Mormon, discussing first the claims made in the book itself, then those made by Joseph Smith and his associates, and finally those made by modern apologists.” [ From Auhtor]
Review of Book of Mormon Reference Library (1995), by Deseret Book; Book of Mormon Studybase (1995), by Bookcraft; and LDS Collectors Library 1995 Edition (1995), by Infobases
Abstract: Easters come year after year, reminding us of new life brought to the children of men by the eternal atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He grants us peace, forgiveness, grace, mercy, contentment, and joy in our hearts, and thus we gratefully testify of our everlasting redeeming Savior. All things bear witness of Jesus Christ. The Lord spoke thus face-to-face with Moses upon a high mountain: “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.”
The intent of this article is to discuss scriptures that bear testimony of the reality of the Lord’s infinite atonement, to express deep gratitude for our Savior, and to praise Him for His grace, mercy, wisdom, power, and holiness.
The doctrine of Christ allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected.
Each of us has the potential to become like the Father. To do so, we must worship the Father in the name of the Son.
I promise that if you will feast upon the scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon, you will invite the Spirit into your life and you will naturally pray daily, repent more often, and find it easier to attend church and partake of the sacrament weekly.
Truly, if we love God, we will serve him now, and give thanks now.
“The ultimate in maturity is being able to feel and express appreciation, being fully aware of value and importance, and showing gratitude for it.”
There is an aid, there is a strength, there is a power when we count our blessings as we labor under crosses that sometimes seem unreasonable and unfair but that can be for our good and for our strength. Carry your crosses with strength, with purpose, and while you do, count the blessings of God’s strength.
I am impressed with Hyrum’s life, his attitude, and the love that the Lord has for him. The Lord will always have a special love for those who embrace the right. May God help us to realize that in Hyrum Smith we have a man who is a worthy example.
I have total confidence and faith in the wisdom and omniscience of a loving, merciful Heavenly Father—to be dependent upon him and yet to communicate with him, I must make faithful personal effort on a never-ending basis.
Not all of us may be called to positions of heavy and mighty responsibility. But it gives satisfaction to me—and I hope to you, too—to know that the final test is “are you continuing and will you continue?”
Marvin J. Ashton - It is imperative that there be love, understanding, and acceptance in the home so our youth can learn that only steadfast pursuit of God’s ways will bring a rich, happy life.
“I pray God to help us remember true leaders always lead with mild voices, love, and persuasion.”
We need scholars, teachers, and administrators who are balanced. We need intellectuals who are intelligent. We need probers who aggressively pursue the truth. We need researchers who are willing to pray. We need teachers who teach with Christlike parables.
“Look to tomorrow with happy expectancy, realizing that with God’s help you can do all things.”
Marvin J. Ashton - The field is white, ready for harvest. The lost want to know how to get back. They want to be shown they can get there from where they are. Let us not give up. Let us not tire. Let us not weary.
“The Lord scattered Israel among all the nations of the earth and commissioned the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to gather Israel by bringing its remnants to a knowledge of the covenants God made with Abraham and teaching them about Jesus Christ. The Lord created the Book of Mormon to accomplish this gathering and stated that ’every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue’ (D&C 90:11). Therefore, the Lord has given the Church a divine mandate to translate the Book of Mormon into the languages of the world. Apostles and mission presidents supervised the missionaries who produced the early translations of the Book of Mormon (those produced from 1851 to 1867), and the Church exercised very little control over these translations. In 1965 the Church organized the Translation Department and began to centralize Church translation and bring a unity to the translation process. From that time forward, this department supervised all Book of Mormon translations and imposed upon the translation process a strict procedure of reviews and approvals.” [From author’s introduction]
Ambrose R. Winch, through reading and manually copying a borrowed copy of the Book of Mormon, was converted to the Church.
Wendell J. Ashton - You will know wisdom when you fully realize that the lasting lessons in leadership do not change. They are eternal. They helped make Noah and Abraham and Moses giants in the land, giants in character, in leadership, in bringing men and women closer to God.
One of the strangest and most extensive archaeological hoaxes in American history was perpetrated around the turn of the twentieth century in Michigan. Hundreds of objects known as the Michigan Relics were made to appear as the remains of a lost civilization. The artifacts were produced, buried, “discovered,” and marketed by James O. Scotford and Daniel E. Soper. For three decades these artifacts were secretly planted in earthen mounds, publicly removed, and lauded as wonderful discoveries. Because the Michigan Relics allegedly evidence a Near Eastern presence in ancient America, they have drawn interest from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This article traces the intriguing history of this elaborate affair and Mormonism’s encounter with it. At the center of this history lies the investigation of the artifacts by Latter-day Saint intellectual and scientist James E. Talmage.
This article addresses the origins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and discusses whether the Saints believed Moroni to be an angel or merely a treasure guardian.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Moroni
Review of Grant H. Palmer. An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins.
A summary of the scriptural and historical evidences concerning the Arabian Bountiful, with an evaluation of all possible coastal locations on the Arabian peninsula based upon exploratory fieldwork by the authors in the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen from 1984 to 1990. The study concludes that an objective and precise identification of Bountiful with a present-day location is now feasible and introduces data on physical traces revealing very early human involvement at the site.
An early version of this paper was presented October 17, 1986, at the 35th Annual Symposium on the Archaeology of the Scriptures, sponsored by the Society of Early Historic Archaeology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Based upon field research by the authors in the Republic of Yemen 1984 - 1990, it was revised January 1991.
Utilizing techniques adapted from literary criticism, this paper investigates the narrative structure of the Book of Mormon, particularly the relationship between Nephi’s first-person account and Mormon’s third-person abridgment. A comparison of the order and relative prominence of material from 1 Nephi 12 with the content of Mormon’s historical record reveals that Mormon may have intentionally patterned the structure of his narrative after Nephi’s prophetic vision—a conclusion hinted at by Mormon himself in his editorial comments. With this understanding, readers of the Book of Mormon can see how Mormon’s sometimes unusual editorial decisions are actually guided by an overarching desire to show that Nephi’s prophecies have been dramatically and literally fulfilled in the history of his people.
A summary of the scriptural and historical evidences concerning the Arabian Bountiful, with an evaluation of all possible coastal locations on the Arabian peninsula based upon exploratory fieldwork by the authors in the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen from 1984 to 1990. The study concludes that an objective and precise identification of Bountiful with a present-day location is now feasible and introduces data on physical traces revealing very early human involvement at the site.
According to the Book of Mormon, a land named “Bountiful” was a fertile site on the Arabian Peninsula with timber, fresh water, and ore where Nephi built a ship to carry Lehi’s group to the New World. In the seemingly barren land of the southern Arabian peninsula, a site that appears to correspond to the description in Nephi’s record has been identified on the remote southern coast of the country of Oman. Kharfot may not be the exact location of Bountiful, but its discovery does show that a place matching the criteria for Bountiful does exist.
A brief introduction to the most fertile coastal location in Arabia, Khor Kharfot, highlighting its unusual flora and fauna and the reasons it remains little known even now. In English and Arabic
Illustrated article recounting the contributions of the late Ross Geddes to the Book of Mormon “Critical Text” project at BYU.
Illustrated 17p. report of the ancient stone tower standing beside a wadi on the al Hauta coast and the collapsed tower at Khor Kharfot, both claimed to be the lower end of a pulley system from the overlooking mountains and both attributed to the Minjui people (ca. AD 1000).
Abstract: The story of Joseph Smith retrieving gold plates from a stone box on a hillside in upstate New York and translating them into the foundational text of the Restoration is well known among Latter-day Saints. While countless retellings have examined these events in considerable detail, very few have explored the geological aspects involved in this story. In particular, none have discussed in detail the geological materials that would have been required by the Nephite prophet Moroni ca. ad 421 to construct a sealed container able to protect the gold plates from the elements and from premature discovery for some fourteen centuries. This paper reports the outcomes from a field investigation into what resources would have been available to Moroni in the Palmyra area. It was conducted by the authors in New York state in October 2017.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Moroni
Scholars have presented and defended different viewpoints concerning the Lehite journey and the location of Nephi’s Bountiful. Aston explains that some of these arguments contain factual errors, such as claims regarding fertility and timber for Nephi’s ship and a lack of accounting for all possibilities. Discrepancies in theories and differences in opinion do not lessen the worth of all that has been found in Arabia and the supported theories, but acknowledging the sometimes contrary data will aid the search for the best candidate for Nephi’s Bountiful.
LDS explorer and researcher, Warren Aston, details some of his expeditions into Central America.
LDS explorer and researcher, Warren Aston, details some of his expeditions into Central America.
Paper reported initial findings of the first season of archaeological survey at Khor Kharfot, sponsored by the Khor Kharfot Foundation in April and May, 2014.
A survey of the extensive human traces at the site was completed in 2014 by the Texas-based Khor Kharfot Foundation (www.khor-kharfot-foundation.com), which has had collaboration with Sultan Oaboos University (SOU) and assistance from Dhofar University. Fieldwork will commence in 2016 in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Culture, as Warren Aston reports.
A 21st Century re-examination of the most-read book to emerge from the Western Hemisphere, the Book of Mormon. As Mormonism grows into a world faith, the veracity of its founding scripture has never been more important. The three decades of Arabian exploration reported in Lehi and Sariah in Arabia identifies specific locations for the 8 year journey described in the text, allowing Nephi’s account to emerge with new clarity and enhanced plausibility.
A 21st Century re-examination of the most-read book to emerge from the Western Hemisphere, the Book of Mormon. As Mormonism grows into a world faith, the veracity of its founding scripture has never been more important. The three decades of Arabian exploration reported in Lehi and Sariah in Arabia identifies specific locations for the 8 year journey described in the text, allowing Nephi’s account to emerge with new clarity and enhanced plausibility.
LDS explorer and researcher, Warren Aston, shares some details about discovering one of the mostly like candidates for the Book of Mormon location Bountiful. He also explains some ruins found at this location.
LDS explorer and researcher, Warren Aston, shares some details about discovering one of the mostly like candidates for the Book of Mormon location Bountiful. He also explains some ruins found at this location.
Illustrated discussion about what is certain and what remains unknown in regard to the Lehite voyage. Promoted as material extracted from the newly released Lehi and Sariah in Arabia.
Review of Discovering Lehi: New Evidence of Lehi and Nephi in Arabia (1996), by Lynn M. and Hope A. Hilton
Readers should be aware that both Khor Kharfot and Wadi Sayq are now protected sites under Omani law. Neither area can be visited without a permit issued by the government of Oman. They are not accessible by road at any point. Please contact the author if further clarification is needed. Abstract: In May 2022, George Potter published an article that makes the most comprehensive case to date that Khor Rori in southern Oman is the most likely location for the place “Bountiful” described by Nephi. However, despite its many positives, there are a number of reasons to question the suitability of Khor Rori and to favor the other major candidate for Bountiful, Khor Kharfot. I propose that a careful reading of Nephi’s account coupled with recent discoveries based on field work show Khor Kharfot to be a superior candidate meeting all criteria we can extract from the text. To support a thorough comparison, aspects of both candidates are weighed, including pictorial comparisons of key features. I am in full agreement with Potter that with the entire eastern coast of Arabia now explored, only two candidates for Bountiful remain in contention — Khor Rori and Khor Kharfot. No other location still merits serious consideration.
Abstract: Many Book of Mormon students are aware that several locations along Lehi’s Trail through the Arabian Peninsula now have surprising and impressive evidence of plausibility, including the River Laman, Valley of Lemuel, Nahom, and Bountiful. One specific named location that has received much less attention is Shazer, a brief hunting stop mentioned in only two verses. After reviewing the potential etymology of the name, Warren Aston provides new information from discoveries made during field work in late 2019 at the prime candidate for the Valley of Lemuel, discoveries that lead to new understanding about the path to Shazer. Contrary to previous assumptions about Lehi’s journey, Aston shows there was no need to backtrack through the Valley of Lemuel to begin the “south-southeast” journey toward Shazer. It appears that Nephi’s description of crossing the river from the family’s campsite and then going south-southeast toward Shazer is exactly what can be done from the most likely candidate for a campsite in the most likely candidate for the Valley of Lemuel. In light of fieldwork and further information, Aston also reviews the merits of several locations that have been proposed for Shazer and points to a fully plausible, even probable, location for Shazer. The account of Shazer, like Nahom, the River of Laman/Valley of Lemuel, and Bountiful, may now be a fourth Arabian pillar anchoring and supporting the credibility of the Book of Mormon’s Old World account.
And it came to pass that we did take our tents
and depart into the wilderness, across the river Laman.
And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days,
nearly a south-southeast direction,
and we did pitch our tents again;
and we did call the name of the place Shazer.
And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows,
and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families;
and after we had slain food for our families
we did return again to our families in the wilderness,
to the place of Shazer.
—1 Nephi 16:12-14.
Book of Mormon Topics > Places > Ancient Near East > Arabia > Shazer
Ancient altars in Yemen bear the inscription Nihm, a variant of the word Nahom. According to the Book of Mormon, one of the travelers in Lehi’s group, Ishmael, was buried at a place called Nahom. Because the altar has been dated to about the sixth or seventh century BC (the time of Lehi’s journey), it is plausible that the Nihm referred to on the altar could be the same place written about in the Book of Mormon. This article discusses the discovery site, the appearance of the altars, and the process of dating the altars, as well as the place-name Nahom in its Book of Mormon setting.
Abstract: The 1999 excavation of the Barʾan complex at Maʾrib in Yemen yielded identical Sabaean inscriptions on three votive altars. These dedication texts list the donor’s grandfather as a member of the Nihm tribe, definitively establishing the presence of the tribal name to c.2,800 years ago. The name, rare in southern Arabia, can then be traced through a variety of other inscriptional, topographical and historical sources down to the present-day tribe and its lands. While the consonants NHM refer to ‘dressing stone by chipping’, and may appear in a variety of contexts, an etymological examination of its Semitic roots yields interesting pointers to the possible origins of the name. Multiple links in these roots to terminology such as ‘consoling’, ‘comforting’ and ‘complaining’ have led to the name being long associated with death and the processes of mourning. This paper, therefore, suggests the possibility of the name being specifically associated with a place of burial, perhaps a connection in the distant past to the extensive, still poorly understood, desert necropolis at the ʿAlam, Ruwayk and Jidran complex north of Maʾrib. Being able to firmly document, a specific tribal and topographical name for almost three millennia is significant. Such continuity of a tribal name, perhaps unique in Arabia, would have implications for our understanding of the processes of tribal naming, structure, and movements in pre-Islamic southern Arabia generally.
An early version of this paper was presented October 17, 1986, at the 35th Annual Symposium on the Archaeology of the Scriptures, sponsored by the Society of Early Historic Archaeology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Based upon field research by the authors in the Republic of Yemen 1984 - 1990, it was revised January 1991.
Short illustrated update on the author’s Minjui project in Dhofar, presenting the multiple commonalities between the squared towers at al Hauta (standing) and at Khor Kharfot (collapsed) that make a link plausible.
Abstract: The significance of the ongoing studies into the potential location of the Old World “Bountiful,” which Nephi reminds us was “prepared of the Lord” (1 Nephi 17:5), and is documented in great detail by him, can hardly be overstated. Bountiful’s resources had to be truly substantial and unique to enable the Lehites to recover from years of land travel from Jerusalem and to build a ship capable of reaching the New World. Exploration and scientific studies of the Dhofar region of southern Oman, the only section of the Arabian coast containing the feature Nephi describes, continue to the present. Here I briefly discuss, chronologically, recent developments of special significance to Book of Mormon studies.
Eyewitnesses to the Book of Mormon plates described in consistent terms the rings that bound the gold plates into a single volume. The rings were three in number and apparently made of the same material as the plates themselves. While our attention naturally focuses on the plates and the translation of the text engraved upon them, the rings may offer another subtle but telling confirmation of the record’s ancient origin.
In recent years several scholars have drawn the attention of Latter-day Saints to the phenomenon popularly known as “El Niño.”1 In 1990 David L. Clark highlighted the fact that a mechanism was now known to science that would permit, periodically, easterly sea travel across the Pacific, the direction Lehi’s party is understood to have traveled.2 ENSO, the more formal acronym for this phenomenon, comes from El Niño (the Christ child) and Southern Oscillation, referring to the fact that the changes commence in the southern Pacific Ocean. The intermittent ENSO effect creates an easterly equatorial current running counter to the prevailing westerly direction of Pacific currents and winds. The winds can even blow in reverse, thus not only allowing but encouraging sea travel to the western coast of the Americas.
“Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” So lamented Moses in utter humility after seeing in vision the complexities of the planet Earth and her countless inhabitants. Shortly thereafter Moses was to see once again the earth and her. Imagine, however, his profound astonishment when, in answer to his plea for an explanation, the Lord revealed himself to Moses and told him of even more wondrous creations. “And worlds without number have I created. . . . For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power.” Other heavens and earths had already expired. New heavens, star systems with inhabitable planets, would be born in the distant future. Moses would surely have felt even more insignificant had not the Lord reassured him with his presence and the counsel that “all things are numbered unto me.”
Old Testament Topics > Abraham and Sarah [see also Covenant]
Old Testament Topics > Astronomy
This first of two volumes of essays honoring Hugh Nibley includes scholarly papers based on what the contributors have learned from Dr. Nibley. Nearly every major subject that he has encompassed in his vast learning and scholarly production is represented here by at least one article. Topics include the influence of Nibley, Copts and the Bible, the Seventy in scripture, the great apostasy, the book of Daniel in early Mormon thought, an early Christian initiation ritual, John’s Apocalypse, ancient Jewish seafaring, Native American rites of passage, Sinai as sanctuary and mountain of God, the Qurʾan and creation ex nihilo, and the sacred handclasp and embrace.
A look at the historical significances of the Copts (an ancient Egyptian/Sudanese ethnic group) in regards to the Bible.
Hugh W. Nibley Topics > Hugh Nibley > Scholarship, Footnotes, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, CWHN, Editing > Egyptian Studies
RSC Topics > T — Z > Worship
A fictional narrative based upon the Book of Mormon. The author uses the events and names as recorded in the Bible and the Book of Mormon as she puts the narrative in story form quoting extensively from the actual text as the characters speak.
Abstract: Lehi’s dream symbolically teaches us about many aspects of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. The central message of Lehi’s dream is that all must come unto Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Each of us has the choice to pursue the path that leads to eternal joy and salvation or to choose a different way and experience undesirable outcomes. In this paper, elements of Lehi’s dream and supporting scriptures are analyzed to see how they relate to key aspects of the plan of salvation and our journey through life.
Book of Mormon Topics > Doctrines and Teachings > Plan of Salvation
I believe that if we will approach all our meetings with a desire to become one with the Holy Spirit, our feelings of the Spirit will dictate our actions, and without prior thought or instruction we will act and speak accordingly.
“The forty-four short essays in this volume were all published on the By Common Consent blog between January and December of 2016. They are a record of my year-long engagement with the text of the Book of Mormon. I have made very few changes in the essays beyond some light copy editing and removing a handful of very dated references to political and cultural events of that year. These are not scholarly articles, or even well-thought-out personal essays; rather, they are a record of a deeply personal experiment upon the word…they show…that the Book of Mormon is a profound and complex text full of sophisticated narrative devices, recurring themes and patterns, and big ideas that can sustain a high level of critical analysis.” [Author]
Typology is one of those words whose meaning shifts dramatically with the position of its user. For religious believers studying the scriptures, typology is a mode of history-the belief that certain events and people should be understood as both fully historical and fully allegorical at the same time. To the unbeliever (or the believer in different things), typology is a mode of rhetoric-a connecting strategy that writers use to create retroactive links between otherwise unrelated stories or that readers use to infer connections between otherwise unconnected things. Those in the first group see the repetition of key narrative elements from the Old Testament to the New Testament-say, birth narratives in which both Moses and Jesus escape from an infanticidal massacre ordered by a despot-as a fundamental part of how sacred history works ( see Exodus 1:22 and Matthew 2:16-18).
Relates Ammon’s fourteen years of unselfish missionary service.
Alma and Amulek share common experiences before and during their missionary experiences.
Lists nine ways to guard against the influences of anti-Christs in modern days.
The apostate Amalekites and Amulonties influenced the Lamanites to practice wickedness.
To bring individuals into unity with God through baptism was the message of the Savior to the Nephites at the time of his visit.
After a wife hides her husband’s novels and mysteries, he has no alternative but to read the Book of Mormon, which leads to conversion.
Quotes and paraphrases President Benson’s talk from the priesthood session of October 1985 that Book of Mormon fathers are perfect examples for fathers of this era to teach their children.
The complexity of the Book of Mormon makes it more than a geographical or historical sketch of an ancient American civilization. Its doctrine is its most important contribution.
The book of Mosiah covers a vast amount of history and is carefully structured to give an interpretive and analytical perspective.
The stated mission of the Book of Mormon is to convince both Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ.
Beginning with 100 b.c., Book of Mormon history is compared with concurrent world history.
A first edition of the Book of Mormon that contains Joseph Smith’s signature as well as an original statement in the prophet’s handwriting have been acquired by Brent Ashworth. (Editor’s note: the signature and statement have been proven to be forgeries.)
Helaman 2 identifies Pahoran as a righteous man who sat upon the judgment seat and had to deal with great contention both within and without the government.
The doctrines of the Book of Mormon are more plain and systematic than those of the Bible. Nephi’s account of Christ’s baptism, for example, is set forth with plainness.
Enos presents a positive model of how prayer is to be conducted.
Describes the historical setting of the Nephites and Lamanites during the time of Enos, provides a brief summary of the book of Enos, and then focuses upon Enos, a man of great faith.
The outstanding spiritual qualities of Nephi are noted, including his resolve to keep the commandments, and his great faith in the Lord. Nephi was a leader, statesman, and teacher.
Youth form a daily habit of Book of Mormon scripture study.
Missionary work in Iceland and Icelandic members are described, mentioning that they are anxious to receive the Icelandic translation of the Book of Mormon.
Jacob had great faith, saw a vision of the Messiah, presented powerful exhortations, and succeeded Nephi as leader of his people.
King Mosiah, son of Benjamin, began his reign during a period of peace, reigning over a people who were righteous.
The life story of Han In Sang who translated the Book of Mormon into Korean.
Before his conversion Lamoni was a severe, harsh ruler, but after his conversion he was a peaceful, wise ruler and counselor.
Relates Moroni’s teaching that the promised land is for the righteous, and that the wicked would be swept off the same land.
A brief note describing the lives and contributions of the final three Nephite kings, Mosiah, Benjamin and Mosiah II.
Nephites follow common cultural trend in naming their sons after noble ancestors or leaders.
Inhabitants of the world need to listen to the Lord’s counsel or be doomed to follow the mistakes of past peoples and nations.
Upon the request of the brother of Jared, the Lord did not confound the Jaredite language and he directed them in their journey to a new land.
The Lord has always used two or three witnesses to establish his word, including when he chose the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.
Due to the preaching of the sons of Mosiah, many Lamanites converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and became righteous.
Moroni preserves a sermon from his father Mormon (Moroni 7), who counsels readers to “enter the rest of the Lord”
King Mosiah and his people migrated and eventually united with the people of Zarahemla. King Mosiah became the ruler of both peoples.
Mentions the usage of the writings of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon and explains why Latter-day Saints should study Isaiah.
Nephi was raised in Jerusalem and the temple of Solomon would have had a great deal of religious significance is his life.
From the time of Lehi’s departure from Jerusalem until their demise, the Nephites were continually migrating, perhaps traveling thousands of miles. Perhaps they considered themselves strangers in a land far from their original home.
Five hundred copies of the Book of Mormon in fifteen languages were distributed from the LDS church’s booth at the 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions.
President Benson speaks to a large group of Puerto Ricans, counseling them to use the Book of Mormon as the basis for their teaching and missionary work.
The conversion of Alma, which came due to the preaching of Abinadi, led to great spiritual ramifications that lasted for hundreds of years among the Nephites.
President Benson visits key Church history sites that are connected to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and bears testimony of its truthfulness.
President Benson visits historic Church sites in Kirtland, Ohio, and reminds the Latter-day Saints to use the Book of Mormon in family and home life because it was written for the people of this present era.
President Benson uses the Book of Mormon to warn people that the plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality, and that pride is the universal sin. Both sins, however, can be combated.
In the New World, definite signs were given of Christ’s birth and death.
Three of the Savior’s Nephite disciples remain on the earth until his second coming. The Prophet Joseph Smith testiied of their terrestrial state and that their translated bodies were designed for important future missions. Jesus gave them a promise of a still greater change to occur when he comes in his glory.
The lives and conversion of Alma the Elder and Alma the Younger are recounted. Both were powerful men that turned to righteousness from wickedness and never regressed.
The Book of Mormon was written by 11 engravers, nine of whom worked on the small plates of Nephi, and the other two worked with Mormon’s plates.
The Book of Mormon supports New Testament teachings about Christ and the resurrection. [K. M.]
Retells the story of the 2,000 stripling warriors. The Lord helped with military strategy. Helaman was a leader during times of war and peace. President Benson counsels the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood to liken themselves spiritually to the Sons of Helaman.
For a period of time the Lamanites were more righteous than the Nephites, and the wicked Nephites rejected the Lamanite message of righteousness.
Contrary to popular belief, when you are being wicked and having fun you are not creating happiness.
Alma the Younger, onetime foe to the Church, was converted to the Gospel and became a leader and faithful member of the same Church.
A letter by a non- member of the Church who was impressed by the Book of Mormon and after reading it understood more fully what Mormons believe.
A common method to scripture study among Latter-day Saints is to search a broad range of verses by topic. While certainly useful, such a fragmented approach does not illuminate thematic elements and patterns that emerge only when surveying entire sections of scripture. To illustrate, the author of this article analyzes the first two books in the Book of Mormon, 1 and 2 Nephi. He suggests that Nephi was following an outline, and he identifies two dominant themes: Nephi’s emphasis on record keeping and his constant association between events of his own time and events recorded in ancient scriptures. The author concludes that a more holistic approach to scripture study presents challenges to the reader but has great merit.
This paper looks closely and critically at how the Nephite prophets dealt with the records of the Jaredites as the text of the Book of Mormon itself presents these dealings. 1 It questions unspoken assumptions that often pervade discussions of these records and of how record keepers from King Mosiah2 to Moroni managed them. It asks, for example, whether Mormon could realistically have taken on the task of preparing the abridgment of Jaredite history found in the book of Ether. It also challenges the idea that Moroni wrote the book of Ether only because Mormon did not have time to do so, suggesting instead that Moroni’s role in preserving the Jaredite legacy was his own unique commission from the Lord. These questions are part of my appeal for a fundamental reconsideration of the roles played by the key actors who handled the Jaredite records.
Book of Mormon Scriptures > Ether
RSC Topics > A — C > Conversion
RSC Topics > Q — S > Service