Book of Mormon Bibliography
Alphabetical by Author

A defense of the Book of Mormon against the criticism of Dr. Duncan in the Islington Gazette of August 18th. Dr. Duncan, evidently a literary critic, concluded that the Book of Mormon was either a clumsy or barefaced forgery or a pious fraud. The author writes that the Book of Mormon makes clear many doctrines that are dificult to understand in the Bible. Also, the history and gospel taught by the Bible and the Book of Mormon are similar because both were inspired of God. [B. D.]

Tells of the conversion of Sidney Rigdon who read the Book of Mormon and “partly condemned it” but after two days accepted it as truthful. He asked for a sign though he knew it was wrong and saw the devil appearing as an angel of light. The author of this article warns against the Book of Mormon and against the deception of the Mormons.

A complete but not exhaustive concordance, listing words alphabetically. Contains also a historical chronology of the events in the Book of Mormon.

A two-page tract. English title is “What is the Book of Mormon?”

A polemical work against Mormonism. The author enumerates various criticisms of the Book of Mormon related to domesticated animals, the Spaulding theory, contradictions with the Bible, King James English, the Hebrew/Egyptian background, and the testimony of Book of Mormon witness.

Abstract: This informative and very readable volume, targeted to a Latter day Saint audience, serves as an introduction to the Apocrypha and an exploration of Latter-day Saint views of the books. Even those already familiar with the Apocrypha will find this book insightful in the Latter-day Saint approaches it brings to bear. Even so, the book touches too lightly on some issues, including the extent of the Apocrypha, the phenomenon of pseudonymity, and the reasons for the current exclusion of the Apocrypha from the Latter-day Saint canon.
Review of Jared W. Ludlow, Exploring the Apocrypha from a Latter-day Saint Perspective (Springville, Utah: CFI, 2018). 234 pp. $16.99.

During his lifetime, Joseph Smith revealed at least four versions of what I will refer to as the “Genesis account,” which consists of the creation of the world, the experiences of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and the events that befell them and their near posterity following the expulsion from the garden. These four versions each differ in important ways from the biblical text in Genesis, and they also differ one from another. The versions of the Genesis account include the following:

(1) scattered references found in the Book of Mormon;
(2) the biblical account as revised in the Book of Moses;
(3) the account in the Book of Abraham; and
(4) the version presented in the temple endowment.

I will focus on the second of these, the Book of Moses, especially chapters 1-7, which were revealed to Joseph Smith from June to December 1830. Many have already pointed out temple-related themes that abound in these chapters.

I will take these discoveries a step further, arguing that Moses 1-7 is fundamentally a ritual text whose elements are adapted to the physical features of the temple of Solomon. I will then discuss how this reading of the Book of Moses might interact with modern scholarship on the biblical book of Genesis, and finally how this reading of Moses can provide insight into ritual performances both ancient and modern

Abstract: Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8 and Nephi’s related vision in 1 Nephi 11–14 contain many features related to the biblical garden of Eden, including most prominently the tree of life. A close reading of the features of Lehi’s dream in light of the earliest Book of Mormon text shows further similarities to the biblical garden, suggesting that the setting of Lehi’s dream is actually the garden of Eden. But the differences are also informative. These include both substantive features absent from the biblical Eden and differences in the language used to describe the features. Many of the variant features are also found in other ancient creation accounts. In view of these observations, it is likely the Book of Mormon presupposes a variant account of the garden of Eden. This variant account forms the backdrop for Lehi’s dream and for other references to the garden in the Book of Mormon.

Often overlooked in scriptural text, hand and arm gestures are often used to convey meanings that complement the verbal lessons being taught. This article discusses the meaning and significance of four specific gestures referred to in the Book of Mormon: stretching forth one’s hand(s), stretching forth the hand to exert divine power, extending the arm(s) in mercy, and clapping the hands to express joys. Beyond the fascinating meanings of these gestures in the Book of Mormon are the correlations that can be seen in the biblical text and in other Near Eastern cultures. Also insightful, specifically in reference to Moses’s hand movements at the Red Sea, is the way in which the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other extracanonical writings build on each other to give a fuller interpretive picture.

A summary of the contents of the Book of Mormon, with some explanatory notes. The work explains the structure and historical background of the Book of Mormon to the unfamiliar reader.

The author aims to compare and contrast the history of Native Americans from academic history to the history of the Book of Mormon.

Personal testimony of the importance of the Book of Mormon. Includes a 12-stanza poem by Sr. Randall concerning “the precious boon” of the Book of Mormon. Exhorts RLDS people to “repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon”

A polemical work against the Book of Mormon. The author assumes a letter perfect and grammar perfect translation of the Book of Mormon through the Urim and Thummim. He therefore presents over 2000 changes in the text of the Book of Mormon since the 1830 edition and concludes that Joseph Smith was therefore uninspired.

A four-page polemical tract asking questions about the Urim and Thummim, the translation processes, and the changes in the Book of Mormon.

Text of radio address that details the numerous prophecies from the Book of Mormon that have since been fulilled, including Nephi’s prophecies about the Gentiles and the gospel, the existence of latter-day believers who will receive the Holy Ghost and endure martyrdom, and the birth of Jesus Christ. “Conirmed by completion,” these prophecies are evidence of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

On September 21, 1823, an angel of God announced that records of an ancient American people taught by the Savior were to come forth. The inspired records would bring the fulness of the gospel to the house of Israel and to the Gentiles and add a second witness to the Bible.

Includes two addresses about the Book of Mormon: “Book of Mormon Prophecies Fulilled,” pages 102-13, sets forth many prophecies of the Book of Mormon that have been fulilled; and “The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon,” pages 155-70, shows that the Book of Mormon came forth at a time of spiritual unrest and higher criticism of the Bible. Includes a short narrative of the angel Moroni’s visit, the delivering of the gold plates to Joseph Smith, and provides six purposes for which the Book of Mormon was written.

In keeping with the Lord’s promises in the Book of Mormon that the land of America should be free from monarchical forms of government and slavery, the U.S. government has adopted many policies to protect America and fulill the prophecy that it would be a “choice land above all others” (1 Nephi 13:30). Two inspired measures that assist in the preservation of America are the Constitution and the Monroe Doctrine.

In this article, the author presents his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Announces the number of languages into which the Book of Mormon has been translated, summarizes the book’s contents, and discusses its prophecies concerning the United States.

Why is it so important for you individually to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon? Because if you do, it will become your personal iron rod.

Together with the Bible, the Book of Mormon is an indispensable witness of the doctrines of Christ and His divinity.

The Book of Mormon is God’s compelling witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the absolute truth of this Church.

An early attempt to identify speciic problems with the Book of Mormon. Various anachronisms, absurdities and contradictions with the Bible are identiied. The Book of Mormon shows evidence of being a mere product of its environment.

An early attempt to identify speciic problems with the Book of Mormon. Various anachronisms, absurdities and contradictions with the Bible are identiied. The Book of Mormon shows evidence of being a mere product of its environment.

Associates Joseph Smith with false Jewish messiahs and Christian impostors. Gives an overview of the Book of Mormon, claiming the presence of several anachronisms. Calls the Book of Mormon a “romance” Says the Nephites believed in the doctrines of the Calvinists and Methodists. Makes negative comments about Lehi and Mormon. Argues that if the Bible was of God, the Book of Mormon could not have had the same author. Takes issue with the testimony of the Three Witnesses.

Review of The Lands of Zarahemla (1993), by E. L. Peay.

“This index lists scriptures used in FARMS papers up to early 1987. It is organized according to the subject categories in the FARMS catalog” as follows: (1) The Book of Mormon and the Ancient Near East, (2) The Book of Mormon and Ancient Mesoamerica, (3) The Book of Mormon—commentary, (4) other scriptural studies and materials.

Abstract: In the Book of Mormon, many people received a remarkable spiritual outpouring following a declaration or demonstration of full belief in what they had already received or were about to receive. This paper examines nine examples of this that exhibit strong similarities in both language and substance. These examples demonstrate that the key to receiving a spiritual outpouring is to “believe all the words” of God that one has already received or is about to receive, after which great blessings will follow. However, such full belief must be thoughtful and inspired, not merely credulous. The findings of this paper provide another example of the rich narrative and doctrinal patterns in the Book of Mormon.

The work was created to “induce the young people of Zion to search with greater diligence for the valuable truths contained in the revelation so ancient and modern times” Contains 62 pages of basic questions and answers about the Book of Mormon.

Cannon’s examination of news articles and stories concerning the publication of the Book of Mormon helps provide a greater understanding of its initial reception. Most news coverage first appeared in Palmyra and the surrounding areas, but articles on the Book of Mormon appeared as far west as Missouri and Arkansas and from Maine to Georgia. Even with this seemingly wide range of coverage, the overall quantity of news articles on the topic reveals how few people knew about the book and the early LDS Church as a whole. Although the majority of the news articles concerning the Book of Mormon were negative, some assumed a neutral stance and a relatively small number were positive about the book and its publication.

Mapping Mormonism brings together contributions from sixty experts in the fields of geography, history, Mormon history, and economics to produce the most monumental work of its kind. More than an atlas, this book also includes hundreds of timelines and charts, along with carefully researched descriptions, that track the Mormon movement from its humble beginnings to its worldwide expansion. A work of this magnitude rarely comes along. Mapping Mormonism’s first edition proved to be a landmark reference work in Mormon studies; now it is further improved and updated with the latest information in this second edition. This work covers the early Restoration, the settlement of the West, and the expanding Church, giving particular emphasis to recent developments in the modern Church throughout all regions of the world. Of all the books on Church history, Mapping Mormonism may be the single most effective work to date at giving an expansive vision of the rise of the LDS Church⿿a vision as vibrant as those who have led the way in building Zion. In 2012, Mapping Mormonism won the Mormon History Association Best Book Award and the Cartography and Geographic Information Society Best Atlas Award.

This article tells youth that they can find answers in the scriptures and uses stories and quotes from the Book of Mormon and the Bible to show this.

The end justifies the means, so these stories are designed to increase interest in the Book of Mormon. Hundreds of books have been written founded on the Bible, and there are some wonderfully colorful accounts of the founding of Christianity in Judea, Alexandria, and Rome. It is surprising that more has not been done dealing with the ancient history of the western world. Several of these stories were first published in the Improvement Era, and acknowledgment is made to that magazine for the encouragement it extended to the author, who traveled twice to Mexico and excavated among the ruins there to gain information at first hand. If any boy or girl, after perusing these pages, is inspired to turn direct to the beautiful and simple language of the Book of Mormon itself, the purpose of “The Cities of the Sun” has been accomplished.

This article is a fictional account of the Gadianton robbers based on the story in the Book of Mormon. The author uses actual characters such as CeZoram, Hagoth, and Seantum.

Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, September 18, 1881. Reported By: John Irvine.

Lengthy retelling of the conflict of Amalickiah and Ammoron against Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi.

Lengthy retelling of the conflict of Amalickiah and Ammoron against Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi.

Lengthy retelling of the conflict of Amalickiah and Ammoron against Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi.

Lengthy retelling of the conflict of Amalickiah and Ammoron against Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi.

Lengthy retelling of the conflict of Amalickiah and Ammoron against Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi.

Contention over Book of Mormon geography is detrimental to the cause of truth. The reason for this contention is due to the fact that the Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer meant to teach geographical truths. The drawing of Book of Mormon maps is discouraged.

Voices strong objection to the introduction and circulation of maps that attempt to depict the geography of the Book of Mormon. Cannon raises doubts as to the authenticity of a piece entitled the “Route Traveled by Lehi and His Company” that places the landing site of Lehi’s party in Chili.

“Written for the purpose of presenting the Book of Mormon narrative in language that can be understood by small children” Contains illustrations.

Offers an explanation why eight of the eleven witnesses were members of two families.

Nephi’s Character—He Gives God the Glory—Born at Jerusalem—Probable Time of Birth—His Education—Kings Known to Lehi—Ezekiel and Jeremiah and other Prophets—Familiarity of Nephi with Writings of Prophets

True and False Prophets—Lehi’s Vision—He Warns the People—They Persecute and Try to Kill Him—Commanded in a Dream to Take His Family into the Wilderness—Came to Red Sea—Camped near it—Built an Altar and Made Offering to the Lord—Laman and Lemuel—Their Unbelief—Shaken and Confounded Before their Father

Faith of Nephi and its Effects—Sam’s Belief—Revelation with Promise to Nephi—Land of Promise, Choice Above other Lands—Nephi to be a Ruler and a Teacher to his Brethren—Required to Return to Jerusalem—His Willingness—Lehi Gratified at His Faith—Laban and Brass Plates—Angry and Refused to Give Them to Laman—Threatened His Life—Laman and Lemuel Discouraged—Nephi’s Proposition—His Brothers Agree to it

Lehi’s Riches—Laban Covets Them—Sent his Servants to Kill Laman and his Brothers—They flee for their Lives—Nephi Whipped by Laman and Lemuel—Visited by an Angel—Laman and Lemuel still Murmur—Nephi Leads Them to the City Walls—Laban Lying Drunk—His Sword—Most Famous Weapon in the World—Those who have Seen it—Nephi Constrained to Kill Laban—Personates Him and Obtains Plates—His Brothers Frightened—Laban’s Servant, Zoram—Promises to go With Nephi into the Wilderness

Popular at Jerusalem to Reject Prophets—Laman and Lemuel did not Believe Predictions Concerning that City—Confidence of Jews in Jerusalem—Glory of the City—The Magnificent Temple—Capture of the City—The Conspirators Chastened—Lehi and Nephi saved

The Status of Zoram—Law of Moses Respecting Bondmen—Character of Laban—Advantages of Taking Zoram into the Wilderness

Return into Wilderness—Joy of Lehi and Sariah—Lehi a Visionary Man—Sariah’s Grief and Murmuring—Her Subsequent Testimony—Sacrifice and Burnt Offerings—The Brass Plates—Their Contents—Lehi a Descendant of Joseph—Value of These Records to his Descendants—Another Colony of Jews—Lost Knowledge of Hebrew Language and of God—Nephi a Great Benefactor—He and Brothers Again Required to Visit Jerusalem—Ishmael and Family—Laman and Lemuel Stir up Mutiny—Want to Return to Jerusalem—Bind Nephi—Intend to Leave him to Perish—Nephi’s Prayer—His Bands Burst—The Others Plead for him—Revulsion of Feeling on Part of his Brothers—Beg his Forgiveness—Rejoin Lehi and Sariah—Thanksgiving and Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings

Lehi’s Dream, or Vision—Rejoices Because of Nephi and Sam—Fears Concerning Laman and Lemuel—His Entreaties to Them—Gathered Seeds and Grain—Five Marriages—Lehi had Faithfully kept Commandments of the Lord—Nephi’s Development—Experience in Wilderness Necessary to Prepare Colony for the Future—Lehi Commanded to Travel—Miraculous Brass Ball, called Liahona—How it Operated—Travel in S. S. E. Direction—Hunt for Game—Led Through most Fertile parts of the Desert

Travel in Desert—Kill Game by the Way—Uncooked Meat their Food—Nephi Breaks his Bow—Fails to Obtain Food—Laman and Others Complain Bitterly—Lehi, also, Murmurs—Nephi Keeps his Patience and Courage—Remonstrates with his Brothers—Makes a Wooden Bow—Lehi very Sorrowful—Sees Writing on the Brass Ball—Nephi Goes for Game in Direction Indicated—Company Filled with Joy through his Obtaining Food—Resume Travel—Ishmael’s Death—His Character—Outbreak and Rebellion of Part of his Children against Lehi and Nephi—Laman proposes to Kill the Two Latter—Attachment to Birthplace

Travel in Easterly Direction—Land Bountiful—“Irreantum,” or Many Waters—Eight Years in Wilderness—Children Born—Diet of Raw Meat—Women Healthy and Strong as Men—Learn to Bear Journeyings Without Murmuring—“Araby the Blest”—Travelers’ description of Land—Company Rest for Many Days

How Did They Travel?—Had They Vehicles?—Children of Israel used Covered Wagons—Did Lehi and Company use Camels?—Experience of Battalion in California—Custom in Abyssinia—Laman and Companions Never Forget Habits Acquired in the Desert—Transmitted Them to Posterity in Their New Home—Nephi Cherished True Knowledge of Civilization—Contrast Between the Two Brothers—Each Left his Impress upon his Nation

Nephi Practically the Leader—Commanded to Build a Ship—Directed to the Ore out of Which to make Tools—Makes a Bellows—Obtains Fire—Fault-finding and Ridicule of his Brethren—His Sadness and their Elation—They Grumble at and Reproach their Father and Him—He Reasons with Them—Enraged, They Attempt to Throw Him in the Sea—Nephi full of Power of God—They dare not Touch Him—They are Shaken Before Him—Fall down to Worship Him—Told by Nephi to Worship God—Nephi Shown by the Lord how he should work Timbers, etc.—Not Worked after the Manner taught by Men—Helped by his Brothers—Ship Finished—Laman and Others Acknowledge Nephi’s Ability to Build a Ship—Mountains as Places of Worship

Lehi Commanded to Embark upon the Ship—Food Prepared for the Voyage—Jacob and Joseph—Did the Ship have Sails?—Voyages and Ships of Egyptians—Dancing and Rudeness of Laman and Others at Sea—Nephi Remonstrates—Is Treated Harshly and Bound Hand and Foot by his Brothers—Lehi and Sariah very Sick—Four Days of Terrible Tempest—Compass Would not Work—Driven Back Before the Wind—Terror of Laman and Lemuel—Nephi’s Patience and Self-Control—The Lord Shows Forth His Power—Nephi Released—The Ship Steered in Right Course—His Prayer Answered and Tempest Quelled—Reach the Promised Land

Land and Pitch their Tents—Place of Landing—Cultivate the Ground—Good Crops—Find Animals of Every Kind—Also Ores—Raise Large Flocks and Herds—“Carneros de la Tierra”—Find the Horse—Was the Horse Extinct When the Whites Discovered America?—Reasons for Thinking it was not—Wild Horses Seen by Sir Francis Drake in 1579—Opinion of Professor Marsh—Horses Seen by Drake, not Spanish

Two Distinct Nations—Intermingled—Mixed Blood in Lamanites—Nephi and Company Settled in an Earthly Paradise—Greatly Prospered—Law of Moses Observed—A Live Religion—Nephi Conversed with the Spirit of the Lord—Heard Voices of the Father and the Son—Understood the Gospel of Jesus—Simplicity and Plainness of His Teachings, Prophecies and Revelations Wonderful Extent and Variety of His Knowledge—Writes of the Days of the Savior as a Contemporary Might—Exactness of the Description of the Great and Abominable Church—Also the Events which Should Take Place in Connection with Zion—Only Two Churches—The Whore of all the Earth should Gather Multitudes among all the Nations of Gentiles to Fight Against the Church of the Lamb—Power of God Poured Out Upon the Latter, His Wrath Upon the Former—They who Fight Against the House of Israel shall War among Themselves and Fall into the Pit they shall Dig to Ensnare the People of the Lord—The Righteous Should Not Perish—Great Value of These Promises to the Latter-day Saints—Secret Combinations—Many Churches to be Built Up—Their Character—The Book of Mormon, How it should be Received—Churches Put Down the Power and Miracles of God—Preach up their own Wisdom and Learning—Contend One with Another—Grind the Poor—Literal Fulfillment as Latter-day Saints can Testify

Animals and Vegetables Valuable to Lehi and Company—The Potato—Abundance of Fruits—Jerusalem Destroyed—Lehi’s Thankfulness for this Choice Land—A Land of Liberty to all who Should be Brought Here if they Would Serve God—Land to be Kept from Knowledge of Other Nations—Remarkably Fulfilled—Promises of the Lord to Lehi Concerning his Descendants and the Land—Present Condition of his Seed Predicted—Prophecies Concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith—Lehi a Great Prophet—Restrains his Children While Living—Rancorous Hatred After his Death Against Nephi—Enraged by his Admonitions—Propose to Kill Him

Nephi’s Efforts to Save His Brethren—Nephi, Commanded of the Lord, Flees into the Wilderness—His Company—His Sisters—Carries Plates of Brass and other Records—The Liahona and Sword of Laban with Him—Nephi called a Liar and a Robber—Searches the Scriptures—Two Sets of Plates—Character of Records on Each—Plates made for a Special Purpose—Found by Mormon—Wisdom of God Greater than Cunning of Devil—The Prophet Joseph Delivered from a Snare

Travel Many Days in the Wilderness—Call the Land Nephi—Did They Journey Northward?—Location of Land Nephi—River Sidon and Magdalena—Land of Zarahemla—Twenty-two Days’ Travel from Nephi—Did not Land of Nephi Extend Considerably South?—Zeniff’s Return to the Land of Nephi—Was that the Land Settled by Nephi, the First?—Mosiah, King of Zarahemla—Reasons for Thinking Nephi to be Distinguishing Name of an Extensive Region—Nephites Would Spread Over the Country in Four Hundred Years—Did Nephi and Company Travel as far North as Ecuador?—Followed by Lamanites—Jacob and Enos Respecting Lamanites—Nephi’s Description of the Land—Bolivia and Peru—Cities and Settlements Called After Founders—Additional Reasons for Thinking Nephi and Company did not Settle so far North—Boundaries of Lands Occupied by Nephites and Lamanites—South America Called Lehi, North America Called Mulek

Travelers’ Descriptions of Land Once Occupied by Nephites—Cradle of an Imperial Race—The Productions of the Land in Modern Times Agree with Description of Same in Book of Mormon—Rapid Recovery from Effects of Disastrous Commotions and Wars Accounted for—Healthy Climate—Remarkable Longevity—Jacob, Enos, Jarom and Omni—Longevity of Indians in Ecuador and Peru

Nephi’s Commandment to Jacob Concerning Small Plates—Nephi Anoints a Man to be King—His Successors in Kingly Dignity Called by his Name—Patriarchal Government—Jacob Presided Over the Church—King Mosiah’s Mode of Life—Seers as Well as Kings—Was There a Change of Dynasty?—Kingly and Priestly Authority United in Mosiah

Nephi Died—Example of his Life—Internal Evidence of Divinity of his Writings in the Spirit of God which Accompanies Them—An Eventful Career—Admirable in Every Relation—A Born Leader, Successful as a Mechanic, Miner, Seaman, Chemist, Metallurgist, Stockraiser, Agriculturist, Manufacturer and Statesman—Expanded Views of the Rights and Equality of Man—Religious Liberty—The End

Praises Christopher Columbus and shows how he potentially fulfilled a prophecy by Nephi.

A didactic editorial lauding Nephi’s obedience and recommending imitation by the youth of the Church.

A didactic editorial lauding Nephi’s obedience and recommending imitation by the youth of the Church.

A didactic editorial lauding Nephi’s obedience and recommending imitation by the youth of the Church.

Asserts that the inhabitants discovered by the Europeans in America are descendants of Laman and Lemuel. The Book of Mormon peoples lived principally in Central and South America. LDS church members should recognize the important role of the Indians among the Gentiles.

Asserts that the inhabitants discovered by the Europeans in America are descendants of Laman and Lemuel. The Book of Mormon peoples lived principally in Central and South America. LDS church members should recognize the important role of the Indians among the Gentiles.

Asserts that the inhabitants discovered by the Europeans in America are descendants of Laman and Lemuel. The Book of Mormon peoples lived principally in Central and South America. LDS church members should recognize the important role of the Indians among the Gentiles.

Describes a disease called epizootic, which killed many horses in the Eastern states. The Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 21:14) “foretells a time when, if the people would not repent, the Lord would destroy their horses.” Author the asks “who can say that the epizootic has no connection with that threat of divine displeasure?”

Describes a disease called epizootic, which killed many horses in the Eastern states. The Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 21:14) “foretells a time when, if the people would not repent, the Lord would destroy their horses.” Author the asks “who can say that the epizootic has no connection with that threat of divine displeasure?”

Describes a disease called epizootic, which killed many horses in the Eastern states. The Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 21:14) “foretells a time when, if the people would not repent, the Lord would destroy their horses” Author the asks “who can say that the epizootic has no connection with that threat of divine displeasure?”

Discusses Korihor and refutes his anti-Christ methods and doctrines. Relates and compares anti-Christ teachings to American popular opinion, concluding that Satan has not changed his tactics through the centuries.

Discusses Korihor and refutes his anti-Christ methods and doctrines. Relates and compares anti-Christ teachings to American popular opinion, concluding that Satan has not changed his tactics through the centuries.

Discusses Korihor and refutes his anti-Christ methods and doctrines. Relates and compares anti-Christ teachings to American popular opinion, concluding that Satan has not changed his tactics through the centuries.

Didactic essay, showing how the Ammonite striplings or sons of Helaman are examples of childhood training that might well be exemplified in LDS homes.

Didactic essay, showing how the Ammonite striplings or sons of Helaman are examples of childhood training that might well be exemplified in LDS homes.

Didactic essay, showing how the Ammonite striplings or sons of Helaman are examples of childhood training that might well be exempliied in LDS homes.

Editorial reflections on the Book of Mormon concepts of America as the choicest of lands and the necessity for righteousness for its inhabitants. Discusses secret combinations.

Editorial reflections on the Book of Mormon concepts of America as the choicest of lands and the necessity for righteousness for its inhabitants. Discusses secret combinations.

Editorial reflections on the Book of Mormon concepts of America as the choicest of lands and the necessity for righteousness for its inhabitants. Discusses secret combinations.

The hostile attitude of the Americans towards the Indians is a remarkable fulillment of Book of Mormon prophecy. LDS chruch members should consider the glorious future of the Lamanites.

Refers to the dangerous and unstable secret societies that are located throughout Europe and America and relates them to the secret combinations spoken of by Moroni.

Refers to the dangerous and unstable secret societies that are located throughout Europe and America and relates them to the secret combinations spoken of by Moroni.

Refers to the dangerous and unstable secret societies that are located throughout Europe and America and relates them to the secret combinations spoken of by Moroni.

Cannon reports that a German scholar, Professor Rudolph, noted striking resemblances between the leading Semitic languages (Arabic and Hebrew) and the Aymara language, belonging to the Incas in Peru. Cannon suggests that a reading of the Book of Mormon would enlighten the professor.

Cannon reports that a German scholar, Professor Rudolph, noted striking resemblances between the leading Semitic languages (Arabic and Hebrew) and the Aymara language, belonging to the Incas in Peru. Cannon suggests that a reading of the Book of Mormon would enlighten the professor.

Cannon reports that a German scholar, Professor Rudolph, noted striking resemblances between the leading Semitic languages (Arabic and Hebrew) and the Aymara language, belonging to the Incas in Peru. Cannon suggests that a reading of the Book of Mormon would enlighten the professor.

Civilized manners were not taught to the Lamanites by Laman and Lemuel, and the Lamanites existed in a degenerate condition. On the other hand, due to the instructions of Nephi, the Nephites existed in a more civilized condition.

Civilized manners were not taught to the Lamanites by Laman and Lemuel, and the Lamanites existed in a degenerate condition. On the other hand, due to the instructions of Nephi, the Nephites existed in a more civilized condition.

Civilized manners were not taught to the Lamanaites by Laman and Lemuel, and the Lamanites existed in a degenerate condition. On the other hand, due to the instructions of Nephi, the Nephites existed in a more civilized condition.

All churches except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are part of the great and abominable church that was prophesied by Nephi. They will fight against the true church and will fall into the pit that they prepared for the people of the Lord.

All churches except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are part of the great and abominable church that was prophesied by Nephi. They will fight against the true church and will fall into the pit that they prepared for the people of the Lord.

All churches except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are part of the great and abominable church that was prophesied by Nephi. They will ight against the true church and will fall into the pit that they prepared for the people of the Lord.

When the Book of Mormon was published it was assumed that the American Indians were headed for extinction, but the Book of Mormon predicted that they would become a mighty people. This prophecy will yet be fulfilled.

When the Book of Mormon was published it was assumed that the American Indians were headed for extinction, but the Book of Mormon predicted that they would become a mighty people. This prophecy will yet be fulfilled.

When the Book of Mormon was published it was assumed that the American Indians were headed for extinction, but the Book of Mormon predicted that they would become a mighty people. This prophecy will yet be fulilled.

The hostile attitude of the Americans towards the Indians is a remarkable fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy. LDS church members should consider the glorious future of the Lamanites.

Contention over Book of Mormon geography is detrimental to the cause of truth. The reason for this contention is due to the fact that the Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer meant to teach geographical truths. The drawing of Book of Mormon maps is discouraged.

Offers an explanation why eight of the eleven witnesses were members of two families.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Recounts sundry aspects of the Book of Mormon, including an evaluation of the disposition of the Lamanites as opposed to the Nephites.

A book written for youth that presents faith promoting historical events. Gives the events that led from Moroni’s irst visit to the publication of the Book of Mormon.

A biography of Nephi, in which the author narrates Nephi’s story by adding personal insights and scholarly insights.

This book, written by Mormon apostle George Q. Cannon, covers the life of one of the larger figures within Mormon scripture, the prophet Nephi. Utilizing both the Book of Mormon and sources contemporary to his time, Elder Cannon presents a picture of Nephi and what his life, surroundings, and circumstances could have been.

The character of Nephi is exemplified by his many accomplishments, skills, and relationships. He was a leader, son, and brother who possessed great love and inspired others. He was a craftsman and hunter who showed ingenuity, industry, and good sense.

The character of Nephi is exempliied by his many accomplishments, skills, and relationships. He was a leader, son, and brother who possessed great love and inspired others. He was a craftsman and hunter who showed ingenuity, industry, and good sense.

Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City (to the General Conference assembly), Sunday Morning, April 6, 1884. Reported By: John Irvine.

Points out that plain and precious truths lost from the Bible are included in the Book of Mormon, specifically truths concerning the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ. Quotes the teachings of Nephi and King Benjamin regarding the Messiah’s earthly advent.

Points out that plain and precious truths lost from the Bible are included in the Book of Mormon, speciically truths concerning the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ. Quotes the teachings of Nephi and King Benjamin regarding the Messiah’s earthly advent.

Lehi, in his inal farewell to his family, stated that he “must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return” (2 Nephi 1:14). Inasmuch as similar words appear in the writings of William Shakespeare, Church critics believe that Joseph Smith borrowed the Book of Mormon statement from Shakespeare. However, in the ruins of Mexico similar words have been found to have been used in an ancient funeral speech.

Speaks concerning Martin Harris’s visit with Professor Anthon and David Whitmer as one of the witnesses of the gold plates.

After making a visit to the Hill Cumorah, located near Palmyra, the author presents a description of the hill, and considers the destruction of two Book of Mormon peoples at the site.

Cannon believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Paciic Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

Cannon believes that “all the Indians in North and South America, and the inhabitants of some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, are descendants of [the Lehite] family, who came away from Jerusalem about 2,400 years” ago.

This testimony affirms that Moroni visited Joseph Smith in his room on September 21, 1823, and, among other things, showed Joseph where the plates were hidden. After four years, Joseph received the plates and translated them.

An account of Clyde B. Crandall and his reasons for trying to read the Book of Mormon in one day: to understand the story in sequence, to prove that reading the Book of Mormon is not a tedious task, and to meet the challenge and accomplish it.

Discusses a number of early views of the Mormon religion. E. D. Howe’s Mormonism Unveiled (1834) was not the irst piece of literary criticism against the Mormons as generally assumed. Editor Obadiah Dogberry, of the freethinking newspaper the Reflector, wrote on the Mormons before and after the oficial establishment of the Church (April 6, 1830) and the publication of the Book of Mormon (March, 1830).

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.

Points out that there were major contacts between the American continent and Asia, European, and Mediterranean peoples before Columbus.

Takes Book of Mormon prophecies and weaves a science iction story of their fulillment.

A science iction story that tells of the rise of a prophet with all the characteristics of Joseph Smith.

Shows how Book of Mormon prophecies concerning the Lamanites are beginning to be fulilled.

Contains testimonies of leaders of the LDS church concerning the Book of Mormon as well as other topics. Included are Joseph Smith and his family members and close associates, the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and those involved in the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon.

Argues that archaeological evidences that predate Columbus indicate that two distinct races once inhabited the Americas. This and other indings corroborate the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Author believes that it is as foolish to try to disprove the Book of Mormon as it is the Bible, for both works are built upon revelation. There are, however, many who refuse to accept the teachings of both scriptures.

The Bible and its followers do not provide adequate proof that God exists or that Christ is his Son. The Book of Mormon does provides that proof and testiies of the divinity of Christ. The author presents 52 evidences that support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, including the use of chiasmus, engraved metal plates, cultural similarities between the ancient Near East and ancient Mesoamerican culture, and word-print analyses. This work is reviewed in H.352.

No abstract available.

Chronicles the experiences of the Book of Mormon witnesses and reviews their tenacious testimonies.

Church members are unified in Christ through love and testimony. This dispensation’s pathway to our Savior is through Joseph and the Book of Mormon.

Abstract: This study describes ten types of grammatical usage found in early modern Bibles with correlates in the original text of the Book of Mormon. In some cases Joseph Smith’s own language could have produced the matching grammar, but in other cases his own linguistic preferences were unlikely to have produced the patterns or usage found in the original text. Comparative linguistic research indicates that this grammatical correspondence shouldn’t be a surprise, since plenty of Book of Mormon syntax matches structures and patterns found in Early Modern English.

Abstract: Comments made by Philip Barlow on Book of Mormon language for an Oxford-published book are examined. Inaccuracies are pointed out, and some examples are given that show matching with 1611 King James usage as well as with other earlier usage. One important conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that those who wish to critique the English language of the Book of Mormon need to take the subject more seriously and approach it with genuine scholarship, instead of repeating earlier errors. This has a direct bearing on forming accurate views of Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon translation.
There are some errors which is easilier persuaded unto than to some truths.
Henry, Earl of Monmouth (translator)
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Abstract: This paper describes and compares the Book of Mormon’s 12 instances of complex finite cause syntax, the structure exemplified by the language of Ether 9:33: “the Lord did cause the serpents that they should pursue them no more.” This is not King James language or currently known to be pseudo-archaic language (language used by modern authors seeking to imitate biblical or related archaic language), but it does occur in earlier English, almost entirely before the year 1700. In the Book of Mormon, the syntax is always expressed with the modal auxiliary verbs should and shall. Twenty-five original examples of this specific usage have been identified so far outside of the Book of Mormon (not counting two cases of creative biblical editing — see the appendix). The text’s larger pattern of clausal verb complementation after the verb cause, 58 percent finite in 236 instances, is utterly different from what we encounter in the King James Bible and pseudo-archaic texts, which are 99 to 100 percent infinitival in their clausal complementation. The totality of the evidence indicates that Joseph Smith would not have produced this causative syntax of the Book of Mormon in a pseudo-archaic effort. Therefore, this dataset provides additional strong evidence for a revealed-words view of the 1829 dictation.

Abstract: Because it is primarily an Early Modern English text (in terms of its English language), the earliest text of the Book of Mormon understandably employs plural was — for example, “the words which was delivered” (Alma 5:11). It does so in a way that is substantially similar to what is found in many writings of the Early Modern period ­— that is, it manifests the syntactic usage, variation, and differential rates typical of that era.
Editor’s note: Because of the complex typesetting of this article, the rest of it has not been reproduced on this webpage. The reader is referred to the PDF version to view the entire article.

Abstract: The earliest text of the Book of Mormon employs the {-th} plural — for example, “Nephi’s brethren rebelleth” — in a way that is substantially similar to what is found in many writings of the Early Modern period. The earliest text neither underuses nor overuses the construction, and it manifests inflectional variation and differential usage rates typical of Early Modern English. The totality of the evidence tells us that the Book of Mormon is most reasonably classified as a 16th- or 17th-century text, not as a 19th-century text full of biblical hypercorrections.
Editor’s note: Because of the complex typesetting of this article, the rest of it has not been reproduced on this webpage. The reader is referred to the PDF version to view the entire article.

Abstract: This paper compares the Book of Mormon’s subordinate that usage with what is found in the King James Bible, pseudo-archaic writings, and the greater textual record. In this linguistic domain, the Book of Mormon manifests as thoroughly archaic, and it surpasses all known pseudo-archaic writings in breadth and depth of archaism. The implications of this set of linguistic data indicate that the translation as originally dictated by Joseph Smith cannot plausibly be explained as the result of Joseph’s own word choices, but it is consistent with the hypothesis that the wording was somehow provided to him.
Book of Mormon excerpt with an archaic subordinate that:“after that they had hid themselves, I Nephi crept into the city”
(1 Nephi 4:5)1

Abstract: Some of the grammar of Joseph Smith’s 1832 History is examined. Three archaic, extra-biblical features that occur quite frequently in the Book of Mormon are not present in the history, even though there was ample opportunity for use. Relevant usage in the 1832 History is typical of modern English, in line with independent linguistic studies. This leads to the conclusion that Joseph’s grammar was not archaizing in these three types of morphosyntax which are prominent in the earliest text of the Book of Mormon. This corroborating evidence also indicates that English words were transmitted to Joseph throughout the dictation of the Book of Mormon.

Abstract: In the middle of the 16th century there was a short-lived surge in the use of the auxiliary did to express the affirmative past tense in English, as in Moroni «did arrive» with his army to the land of Bountiful (Alma 52:18). The 1829 Book of Mormon contains nearly 2,000 instances of this particular syntax, using it 27% of the time in past-tense contexts. The 1611 King James Bible — which borrowed heavily from Tyndale’s biblical translations of the 1520s and ’30s — employs this syntax less than 2% of the time. While the Book of Mormon’s rate is significantly higher than the Bible’s, it is close to what is found in other English-language texts written mainly in the mid- to late 1500s. And the usage died out in the 1700s. So the Book of Mormon is unique for its time — this is especially apparent when features of adjacency, inversion, and intervening adverbial use are considered. Textual evidence and syntactic analysis argue strongly against both 19th-century composition and an imitative effort based on King James English. Book of Mormon past-tense syntax could have been achieved only by following the use of largely inaccessible 16th-century writings. But mimicry of lost syntax is difficult if not impossible, and so later writers who consciously sought to imitate biblical style failed to match its did-usage at a deep, systematic level. This includes Ethan Smith who in 1823 wrote View of the Hebrews, a text very different from both the Bible and the Book of Mormon in this respect. The same may be said about Hunt’s The Late War and Snowden’s The American Revolution.
Editor’s note: Because of the complex typesetting of this article, it has not been reproduced on this webpage. The reader is referred to the PDF version to view the article.

Abstract: In recent years the Book of Mormon has been compared to pseudo-biblical texts like Gilbert J. Hunt’s The Late War (1816). Some have found strong linguistic correspondence and declared that there is an authorial relationship. However, comparative linguistic studies performed to date have focused on data with low probative value vis-à-vis the question of authorship. What has been lacking is non-trivial descriptive linguistic analysis that focuses on less contextual and more complex types of data, such as syntax and morphosyntax (grammatical features such as verb agreement and inflection), as well as data less obviously biblical and/or less susceptible to conscious manipulation. Those are the kinds of linguistic studies that have greater probative value in relation to authorship, and that can determine whether Joseph Smith might have been able to produce Book of Mormon grammar. In order to determine whether it is a good match with the form and structure of pseudo-biblical writings, I investigate nearly 10 kinds of syntax and morphosyntax that occur in the Book of Mormon and the King James Bible, comparing their usage with each other and with that of four pseudo-biblical texts. Findings are summarized toward the end of the article, along with some observations on biblical hypercorrection and alternative LDS views on Book of Mormon language.

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2 Nephi 27:20, 22, 24
wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee. . .Wherefore when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee . . .the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him.

Abstract: Much of the earliest Book of Mormon language which has been regarded as nonstandard through the years is not. Furthermore, when 150 years’ worth of emendations are stripped away,
the grammar presents extensive evidence of its Early Modern English character, independent in many cases from the King James Bible. This paper argues that this character stems from its divine translation.

Royal Skousen has done an excellent job of summarizing the use of the construction “the more part of + ‹ NOUN PHRASE ›” (and close variants) in the Book of Mormon at Helaman 6:21 in his Analysis of Textual Variants. In this phrase, the adjective more conveys an obsolete meaning of ‘greater’. My concern here is to compare Book of Mormon usage to that of the King James Bible and the textual record and to place it in its proper time.
Editor’s note: Because of the complex typesetting of this article, the rest of it has not been reproduced on this webpage. The reader is referred to the PDF version to view the entire article.

Abstract: Contrary to the generally accepted view, it seems likely that much of the wording of the Doctrine and Covenants was transmitted to Joseph Smith as part of the revelatory process. Apparent bad grammar and a limited reading of “after the manner of their language” (D&C 1:24) have led to the received view that “the language of the revelations was Joseph Smith’s.”
This judgment, however, is probably inaccurate. Abundant cases of archaic forms and structures, sometimes overlapping with Book of Mormon usage, argue for a different interpretation of “after the manner of their language.” Scholars have chosen, for the most part, to disregard the implications of a large amount of complex, archaic, well-formed language found in both scriptural texts. As for the 1833 Plot of Zion, transmitted words in Doctrine and Covenants revelations, a key statement by Frederick G. Williams, and a small but significant amount of internal archaic usage mean that the layout, dimensions, and even some language of the city plat were specifically revealed as well.

Abstract: This study compares personal relative pronoun usage in the earliest text of the Book of Mormon with 11 specimens of Joseph Smith’s early writings, 25 pseudo-archaic texts, the King James Bible, and more than 200,000 early modern (1473–1700) and late modern (1701–1800+) texts. The linguistic pattern of the Book of Mormon in this domain — a pattern difficult to consciously manipulate in a sustained manner — uniquely points to a less-common early modern pattern. Because there is no matching of the Book of Mormon’s pattern except with a small percentage of early modern texts, the indications are that Joseph Smith was neither the author nor the English-language translator of this pervasive element of the dictation language of the Book of Mormon. Cross-verification by means of large database comparisons and matching with one of the finest pseudo-archaic texts confirm these findings.

Abstract: Google’s Ngram Viewer often gives a distorted view of the popularity of cultural/religious phrases during the early 19th century and before. Other larger textual sources can provide a truer picture of relevant usage patterns of various content-rich phrases that occur in the Book of Mormon. Such an approach suggests that almost all of its phraseology fits comfortably within its syntactic framework, which is mostly early modern in character.

Abstract: The variety of command syntax found in the Book of Mormon is very different from what is seen in the King James Bible. Yet it is sophisticated and principled, evincing Early Modern English linguistic competence. Interestingly, the syntactic match between the 1829 text and a prominent text from the late 15th century is surprisingly good. All the evidence indicates that Joseph Smith would not have produced the structures found in the text using the King James Bible as a model, nor from his own language. The overall usage profile of command syntax seen in the Book of Mormon strongly supports the view that the Lord revealed specific words to Joseph Smith, not simply ideas.

In order to properly consider possible meaning in the Book of Mormon (BofM), we must use the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Royal Skousen opened the door to this approach, but unfortunately many have resisted accepting it as valid or have not understood the advantages inherent in it. The usual method of consulting Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language has serious drawbacks. First, that approach is based on the incorrect assumption that the English language of the text is Joseph Smith’s own language or what he knew from reading the King James Bible (kjb). That incorrect assumption leads us to wrongly believe that nonbiblical lexical meaning in the BofM is to be sought in 1820s American English, or even perhaps from Smith making mistakes in his attempt to imitate biblical language (which is a canard). Second, by using Webster’s 1828 dictionary we can easily be led astray and form inaccurate judgments about old usage and we can miss possible meaning in the text.

Chapters 1-7 of this work deal with the Book of Mormon. Discusses the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and points out the secretive nature under which the book came forth. Believes that Joseph Smith was ill-prepared for such a work and was given to grandiose imaginations. This work is reviewed in A.161.

Criticisms against the Book of Mormon’s style and lack of unity does not mean that the book does not contain spiritual material. Its plainness and doctrinal content excels the Bible and should have an equal place with the Bible on the pulpit. Its most important purpose is to be a missionary tool.

In outline form, this work discusses a number of aspects dealing with the Book of Mormon, including its purpose, coming forth, publication, story, characters, and message. Includes corresponding references to the Book of Mormon and Church history.

One evidence that people today speak in tongues is the translation of the Book of Mormon into the many languages of the world. Also presents other evidences.

One evidence that people today speak in tongues is the translation of the Book of Mormon into the many languages of the world. Also presents other evidences.

Chapter eight details the history of the translation of the Book of Mormon into various languages. Translation languages of the Book of Mormon include Afrikaans, Vietnamese, Braille, and dozens of others.

When Carr traveled to the Middle East, he observed the local birds. In this article, he suggests the possibility that the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi and his family relied on birds for food and for locating water. Carr discusses the various birds that Lehi’s family may have seen on their journey and the Mosaic law pertaining to those birds.

Contains the tandem views of a non-vitriolic non-Mormon and a fundamentalist Mormon. Discusses the Three Witnesses, the process of translation, and the feasibility of the Egyptian language for the Book of Mormon.

A brief review of William Linn’s work, The Story of the Mormons and Riley’s, The Founder of Mormonism. Carruth favors Riley’s psychological thesis over the Spaulding theory for the origin of the Book of Mormon. [M.R.

Chapters 2 through 7 pertain to the Book of Mormon. Sets forth the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, including angel Moroni’s visit, its translation and publication. Contains a description of the gold plates and testimonies of Church leaders. Rejects the Spaulding story. Writes concerning the room inside of the Hill Cumorah that was illed with plates and writings.

Review of Refuting the Critics: Evidences of the Book of Mormon's Authenticity (1993), by Michael T. Griffiths

The Book of Mormon was introduced to Louisa Barnes Pratt and her husband by Louisa’s sister. Both were eventually converted, and Louisa became the irst woman missionary in the Church.

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

Desires to reveal the fraudulent nature of the Mormon religion. Chapter 2 discusses Solomon Spaulding and the Spaulding Manuscript. Chapter 3 is an account of the publication of the Book of Mormon. The appendix features a summary of the contents of the Book of Mormon with interjections by the author.

“Although Mormons currently understand spiritual gifts to be inseparably connected with the gift of the Holy Ghost that is not how Joseph Smith apparently understood them before his baptism. … This essay focuses on the earliest ideas of concept of spiritual gifts as contained in the earliest revelations and translations of Joseph Smith from July 1828 through May 1829.”

The central message of the Book of Mormon is to restore the true knowledge of the essential role of Jesus Christ in the salvation and exaltation of mankind.

Caywood, a Baptist minister, was offered a Book of Mormon to read while visiting the home of his brother. Doubt was replaced with intense interest and conversion came through reading the book.

Analyzes the Book of Mormon governmental institutions. Considers: “1. The governmental structure under which [the Nephite, Lamanite, and Jaredite] nations lived at different times in their history and the theoretical powers and duties of their oficers. 2. The laws that were enacted and domestic policies which were pursued. 3. The rights enjoyed by the citizens. 4. The ‘foreign policy’ of these nations, where applicable, including military policy. 5. The teachings of Book of Mormon prophets and secular leaders of the various types of government . . . and the lessons which can be drawn from the political experiences of the Book of Mormon peoples”

Explains (pp. 204-5) that the Book of Mormon does not consider the ancient inhabitants of America to be from the lost ten tribes, but rather from the period of the Tower of Babel, and Israelites from 600 B.C.

Looks at Book of Mormon anti-Christs within a model set up by Joseph Campbell showing some degree of reversal of the mythic hero type. They are depicted as counterfeits, and experience a tragic “ironic twist of the sacriicial archetype epitomized by Christ”

Seasoned archaeologist Jeffrey R. Chadwick responds to studies done by Warren Aston (see page 8), Richard Wellington and George Potter (see page 26), and Kent Brown (see page 44) pertaining to the trail that the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi took after fleeing Jerusalem. Chadwick uses his archaeological, historical, and scriptural knowledge to comment on the claims made by the other scholars. He specifically analyzes Lehi’s life in Jerusalem, the route Lehi took from Jerusalem to the Red Sea, the Valley of Lemuel, the route from Shazer to Nahom, the route from Nahom to Bountiful, and the building of the ship at Bountiful.

The 42nd Annual Brigham Young University Sidney B. Sperry Symposium The Psalmist asks, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” This year’s Sperry Symposium discusses ascending into the Lord’s mountain within the context of theophany, ancient temple worship, sacred space, sacrifice, offerings, and hymns and songs in the text of the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. The scriptures contain a rich treasury of information of how ancient Israelites and the people in the Book of Mormon worshipped God and expressed themselves through ritual and devotions as found in the Psalms. These explorations of ancient temple worship help us to better understand and appreciate latter-day temple and worship traditions. ISBN 978-1-60907-581-1

Jeffrey R. Chadwick, in three landmark articles published in BYU Studies Quarterly, discusses accurately dating key scriptural events. The first article (2010) presents evidence from historical and scriptural sources suggesting that Jesus Christ was born in December of the year 5 BC, rather than in April of 1 BC as commonly claimed in traditional Latter-day Saint sources. The second article (2015) is a follow-up to the first and lays out a more complex collection of evidence pointing to the day and date of Jesus’s crucifixion and death as a Thursday early in April of AD 30, thirty-three years and three months after his birth. The third article (2018) assembles a vast array of historical and archaeological data suggesting that the date of Lehi’s departure from Jerusalem must have been late in the year 605 BC, some six hundred years prior to Jesus’s birth in December of 5 BC.

Dating the departure of Lehi from Jerusalem is problematic and has resulted in various proposed dates, most falling between 597 and 587 BC, which do not allow for 600 years to elapse between the departure and the birth of Christ in late 5 BC or early 4 BC. In this article, the author introduces a variety of evidence to show that Lehi’s departure can be dated to sometime in late 605 BC. Much of this evidence results from an understanding of the state of affairs in ancient Judah during the reigns of Judean kings Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. The author introduces supporting evidence from the Book of Mormon account and also shows why other dating models reach untenable conclusions.

A small stamp seal bearing the inscription belonging to Malkiyahu, son of the king, arguably belonged to Mulek, son of Zedekiah, who accompanied one of the Israelite groups that settled in the New World. Jeremiah 38:6 mentions Malchiah the son of Hammelech, which could also be a reference to this same Mulek. Discussion centers on similar seals, the meaning of Ben Hamelek, the possible age of Malkiyahu, and Book of Mormon claims about Mulek. This seal could conceivably have been left behind in Jerusalem and found centuries later, thus representing an archaeological artifact of a Book of Mormon personality.

Until the discovery of Ostracon 2071, dating from the fifth century BC, in the 1930s on the shores of the Red Sea, the name Lehi (l?y in the discovered text) had been unattested in any extant document outside of the Book of Mormon. However, Nelson Gluek, along with many other scholars, including Hugh Nibley, vocalized l?y as “La?ai,” which pronunciation would have south Semitic roots. Chadwick argues, instead, that a Hebrew context for the ostracon would be more plausible and that therefore the more likely pronunciation would be “l??y.” He also argues for a Hebrew origin of the compound name ?bl?y, found in the fourth-century BC Samaria Papyri. Both of these names, given their strong Hebrew context, seem to confirm that Lehi was a name in use in ancient Israel and its surrounding areas.

Unlike the Old and New Testaments, where a variety of Hebrew and Greek texts exist to aid us, for the Book of Mormon we have only the King James English translation produced by Joseph Smith. The languages of the Book of Mormon were hardly the same throughout the original composition. Chadwick continues the onomastic discussion of the names Lehi and Sariah by suggesting that the Book of Mormon name Lehi matches the spelling in the King James Bible in the place-name Ramath-lehi; therefore the two must necessarily represent the same Hebrew term. He agrees with one of Hoskisson’s meanings for Lehi’s name— “jaw”— and indicates this may be a nickname rather than a proper name. Sariah is attested as a female name in a Near Eastern document. Although not found as a female name in the Bible, it is well documented as a male name in ancient Israel. In this light, the name means “Jehovah is Prince,” meaning Jehovah is the son of a king.

A previous report characterized a metal blade discovered at the site of biblical Ekron in Israel as a steel short sword dating from the late seventh century BC, shortly before Lehi left Jerusalem, thus corroborating the much-criticized account of Laban’s steel sword in the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, these assertions are incorrect. Jeffrey R. Chadwick, who is personally acquainted with the excavators who unearthed the blade, explains here that the blade is not a short sword but probably a ceremonial knife. Additionally, the knife is likely from the eleventh century BC and cannot properly be described as steel. Though this artifact does not support the Book of Mormon account of seventh-century steel swords, much better archaeological parallels do exist. Chadwick mentions a meter-long steel sword discovered in Jericho that dates to around 600 BC. This genuinely steel sword from the proper time period makes Nephi’s description of Laban’s sword entirely plausible.