Book review.

Argues against Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, stating that the witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates did not testify that the plates contain truth, just that they saw them.

The Protestant Bible wars were fought between fundamentalists, who initially claimed for the Bible the same "truth" that Enlightenment claimed for science, and liberals, who denied that historical "truth" could be achieved at all. In the present Book of Mormon wars the opposite seems to be true: the liberal camp appears deeply rooted in the Enlightenment paradigm, while the orthodox (but not fundamentalist) position often uses postmodernist arguments, claiming that absolute objectivity is a "noble dream" never achieved nor obtainable in historical studies. The article reviews the present Mormon controversies by comparing them to the discussions on biblical interpretation in the Roman Catholic Church, as summarized in the semiofficial 1993 document "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" by the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

(Battle among Mormons over nature of BofM.)

A testimony of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is not superior or inferior to the Bible—it contains the will of the same God. Many truths lost from the Bible are restored in the Book of Mormon. Through prayer a sincere person can know if it is true.

Draws a parallel between archaeological finds and 3 Nephi. Evidence indicates that the Mayan civilization ourished near the beginning of the Christian era. For instance, Mayan road building rivaled that of Rome in the same period. This period coincides with 3 Nephi 6:8, A. D. 29-30, which describes the advanced state of civilization and large scale road building.

Retells the story of Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates on September 22, 1827.

The story of the translation of the Book of Mormon into Spanish.

A reprint from Scienti c American. It is a description of an old fort found in the Ohio valley that belonged to a highly civilized ancient people.

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

The Book of Mormon chronicles the wars and other relations between the two major nations of Ancient America. This paper identifies certain principles evident in the relations between these nations and compares the principles found in the Book of Mormon with international practice of Ancient Israel in the old world. This paper is not want to be a study of the law of nations of the ancient Near East; rather, our purpose is to identify, if possible, principles of the law of nations in the Book of Mormon. Ccmparisons to the culture of the ancient Near East are not meant to function as proof (or disproof) of the old-world origin of the Book of Mormon culture. They should be taken as interesting illuminations of the principles of international relations which appear in the history of the ancient American nations.

The Aaronic Priesthood was restored May 15, 1829, as a result of the translation of the book of Mormon. Includes testimonies of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.

Includes a reprint of the testimony of the Three Witnesses from the Book of Mormon, a report of Oliver Cowdery’s testimony given at the conference at Council Bluffs, his testimony at the time of his death in David Whitmer’s home, David Whitmer’s rebuttal to John Murphy, William Harrison Homer’s interview with Martin Harris, and Harris’s testimony given in Salt Lake City and in Clarkston, Utah, just prior to his death.

This article makes an argument for Book of Mormon authenticity with the following arguments: The Mayan and Egyptian hieratic alphabets are similar. The Chiapas claim descent from the “Lord of the Hollow Wood” who was at the tower of Babel. Jared was at the tower and crossed the ocean in “hollow wood” that was tight like a dish.

Retells the story of the angel Moroni showing the gold plates to Joseph Smith. The recent discovery of gold plates and steel represent external evidences of the truthfulness of the book.

Church members are exhorted to live righteously and to know doctrine and Church history well enough to defend their faith. Testifies that the Redeemer appeared on this continent. [B.D.][C.C.]

Addresses criticisms of the Book of Mormon, especially by John Fisk, who wrote that the Book of Mormon in “blissful ignorance, introduces oxen and sheep, as well as the knowledge of smelting iron, into pre-Columbian America” Ivins quotes A. Hyatt Verril who found “a steel or hardened iron implement” on the Isthmus of Panama, cites evidence of oxen and horses discovered in the asphalt pits of Los Angeles, and gives evidence of the use of pearls and the use of engraven metal plates not only by ancient Americans but by many peoples throughout the world.

In connection with the 1928 Church acquisition of the Hill Cumorah, Ivins speaks concerning the records that make up the Book of Mormon, including the brass plates, consisting of the Pentateuch, Isaiah, and Jeremiah; the large and small plates of Nephi; and the twenty-four gold plates of the Jaredites.

This article is a report reviewing historical events dealing with the Hill Cumorah. The author recounts the history of the Nephite plates from the time Nephi began inscribing on them to when Ammaron turned them over to Mormon, followed by Moroni’s acquisition of the plates and their placement in Hill Cumorah. Reference is also made to the sealed plates yet to be translated.

Response to criticism that Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon from his own milieu. It is unlikely that Joseph Smith could have realized the following points: the American Indians possess a number of legends that suggest an Israelite origin, including stories regarding the creation of the earth, the temptation of the first man and woman by a serpent, and Cain and Abel. Cement, mentioned in the Book of Mormon (Helaman 3:7, 9), was the primary building material of an ancient community that existed 40 miles north of present day Mexico City.

The LDS church is founded upon the principles of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is not a “Golden Bible” nor does it take the place of the Bible. It is not associated with secret societies, but condemns the same.

The Church has long been interested in the American Indians because they are descendants of Book of Mormon people.

The Book of Mormon devotes a major part of its account to discussing the Lamanite nation. It is a mistaken idea that all the indigenous groups of people who were found in America following the landing of Christopher Columbus were Lamanites. A testimony is not based on the external but internal evidences of the Book of Mormon.

The author relates her philosophical journey from transcendentalism to existentialism to Mormonism and explains how her studies of Emerson and modern poets prepared her for her conversion.