Book of Mormon Bibliography
Alphabetical by Title

Review of About the Three Nephites (1992), by C. Douglas Beardall and Jewel N. Beardall.

The article relates the story of Cabeza de Vaca, a European who traversed across what is now Texas in the fall of 1537, and mingled among the Indians and found their traditions and beliefs closely related to Christianity.

Shows that the Mexican Calendar Stone gives an account and the exact date of the “great cataclysm,” and that it is the same date and account that is given in the Book of Mormon. The “great cataclysm” is the destruction that happened to the land during and after the crucilixion of Jesus Christ.

As I have been working on the Book of Mormon Critical Text Project, people have occasionally written or talked to me about passages in the Book of Mormon that seem strange or difficult. A good many have made specific suggestions about emendations (or revisions to the text). Surprisingly, a large percentage of these have ended up being correct or have led me to come up with an appropriate emendation.

A play based upon Book of Mormon characters and situations.

America is a choice land and all who possess it must repent and serve God or be swept off.

Hopeful and heartbreaking, sobering and exultant. A Call to Russia captures missionary life as experienced by a mission president, his wife and daughter, and the sisters and elders who served under him. But above all, this book is an invitation to reflect upon our own lives. Some glimpses from President Rogers: “Every morning Merriam still wakes up and asks, ‘Where am I?’ while I shake off the night’s slumber and involuntarily ask, ‘Who am I?’” “Our senior district president recently asked me, ‘What are your greatest impressions since coming here?’ I answered, ‘Faith and love. Love and faith.’ And the way things seem to fall apart on at least a weekly basis before they’re somehow put back together.” “In our quest to see God’s face, what most matters in mortality is how we face one another—with what patience, tenderness, mercy, and good humor.” “Another great blessing—a mission makes us more aware than otherwise of our personal inadequacies.” “A friend wrote me, ‘You’ve certainly changed.’ It’s good others can see how the gospel has indeed changed us—how we have repented. As a great assistant to the president put it, ‘The best missionary is a repenting missionary.’” “We all confront, all the time, a choice between two paths. One is higher, with steeper terrain, where you often strain to catch your breath or to reach a handhold. The other lies well below it and tends if anything toward a gradual and easy descent.”

Karl G. Maeser has rightfully been called the spiritual architect not only of Brigham Young University but also of the Church Educational System. As the first superintendent of Church Schools, he helped found and maintain over fifty academies and schools from Canada to Mexico. He helped develop the public education system in Utah and helped establish the Utah Teachers Association. The students he taught personally included future United States senators and members of the House of Representatives, a United States Supreme Court justice, university presidents, and many General Authorities. He translated twenty-nine hymns and about a third of the Doctrine and Covenants into German and founded Der Stern, the Church’s German magazine (now called the Liahona). Based on extensive research, Called to Teach describes the life of this remarkable man and outlines the impact of his legacy. ISBN 978-0-8425-2742-9

Though her parents are divorcing, author finds peace and calm in reading the Book of Mormon.

Through the employment of biblical scriptures, Taylor answers Rev. Heys’s complaints about “Mormonism” Heys argues against Mormon doctrines: the Book of Mormon does not possess equal authority with the Bible; little children are incapable of sin; all without the law are alive in Christ; immersion is the proper mode of baptism; it is a mockery before God to baptize little children.

Volume 3:517-72 introduces the Book of Mormon as a “curiousity of literature” and a “literature of disguise” that was created by Joseph Smith.

Review of Gavin Menzies. 1421, the Year China Discovered America.

Scriptural passages in the Book of Mormon, Bible, and Doctrine and Covenants suggest that forgiven sins may not always remain so. In order to bring safety to the soul one must forgive others and “endure to the end” (1 Nephi 7:69).

A partial revision of Evidence in Science and Religion

Inasmuch as the 1981 edition of the Book of Mormon changes the phrase “white and delightsome” (2 Nephi 30:6) to read “pure and delightsome” (having reference to the Lamanites), the Book of Mormon is not to be trusted.

This article provides several reasons to believe the testimony of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon.

Some in the Church believe they can’t answer Alma’s question with a resounding yes. They do not “feel so now.”

Abstract: Under the duress of a lengthy war, and prompted by recent Lamanite military successes, as well as incensed at the government’s failure to resupply Helaman’s armies with provisions and to send men to reinforce the city Nephihah, Moroni sent a second scathing letter to the leaders of the Nephite nation in the Nephite capital city Zarahemla. As other scholars have noted, the name Zarahemla likely denotes “seed of compassion” or “seed of sparing.” In this article, I propose that Moroni’s rhetoric in the letter includes an acerbic word-irony involving the meaning of Zarahemla perhaps achieved in terms of the Hebrew verb yaḥmōl (“[he] will spare,” from ḥml, “spare,” “have compassion.” This word-irony points out that although the Lord had spared the people of Zarahemla and the Nephites in the past, the uncompassionate behavior of the nation’s leaders in Zarahemla was creating conditions under which the Lord would not spare the leadership in Zarahemla. Moroni wrote, “Behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword … For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people. Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you…?” (Alma 60:30–32). The covenant background of this threat will also be explored.

At the time that Captain Cook landed in Hawaii the local people assumed that he was the god Lono. On other occasions and with different characters similar scenes occurred in Mexico and Peru. Such occurrences recall the story that Jesus would someday return to the peoples of the Americas.

A natural tension seems to exist between two important features of the Book of Mormon. On one hand, Mormon includes in his record a version of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave to the Nephites—an address that sets the standard for discipleship and that contains teachings obviously opposed to violence. In it, we hear about not resisting evil, turning the other cheek, going another mile when compelled to go one, loving our enemies—and so forth (3 Ne. 12:39–44). On the other hand, Mormon also presents various Nephite leaders as righteous even though they were immersed in violence. Captain Moroni stands out among these leaders because his wartime activities dominate the last third of the book of Alma: we see him in significant detail. The juxtaposition of these two threads appears contradictory. We see righteous men, including prophetic figures, engaged in the very activities that the text itself seems to prohibit. And this apparent contradiction seems significant even though most of these leaders lived before the Sermon was even given. This is because it is natural to think of the Book of Mormon as a whole—as a collection of significant experiences and teachings that are consistent with one another and that together present a unified, divine message to the world. We thus expect to see the book’s most prominent leaders actually live the standard found in the book’s most prominent teachings— whether they actually possessed the Sermon on the Mount or not. And therein lies the problem. Although these prominent teachings clearly seem to be opposed to violence, we see these prominent leaders very much engaged in violence. It is not necessarily obvious how to resolve this tension. One strategy, of course, would be to ignore the tension and to simply avoid thinking about it. But a sacred text requires more from us than that. So the apparent disparity has to be faced. How is it possible to reconcile Captain Moroni with the Sermon on the Mount?

“Join the ranks and fight alongside Captain Moroni in this in-depth look at the wars, battles, and conflicts in the book of Alma war chapters. In this book, you’ll discover: what made the Nephites successful even when they were outnumbered; how the Nephites’ military strategies provide further proof of the Book of Mormon’s authenticity; why Mormon focused so much attention on the Alma war chapters; how Moroni follows the timeless principles of war; and why these wars transformed both Nephite and Lamanite societies.” [From back of book]

Moroni reports receiving a revelation in which the Lord told him, “If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them” (Alma 60:33). Because Pahoran, the chief governor of the Nephites at the time, turns out to be innocent of the charges contained in Moroni’s revelation, it is easy to think that Moroni’s revelation is mistaken in some way. Textual clues, however, suggest the revelation and its accompanying epistle were directed not only to Pahoran but also to many other generals, who were likely guilty of the sins mentioned by Moroni. Thus, contrary to previous thinking, Moroni’s revelation may have, in fact, been accurate.

A youth oriented challenge to read the Book of Mormon. Youth relate testimonial experiences they had while reading the Book of Mormon.

A youth oriented challenge to read the Book of Mormon. Youth relate testimonial experiences they had while reading the Book of Mormon.

The article discusses research concerning a document known as the “Caractors” and its relationship to the “Book of Mormon” and the gold plates associated with the “Book of Mormon,” and its significance to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). It discusses the testimony of possible gold plates witness David Whitmer, the interpretative research of historian George Q. Cannon, and whether the document was the same as the document taken to scholar Charles Anthon from LDS convert Martin Harris.

This article is a rehearsal of primary events connected with the Book of Mormon, including Joseph Smith’s work with the gold plates, the conversion of several individuals (including Thomas B. Marsh, Willard Richards, Parley P. Pratt, and Sidney Rigdon) through the power of the book, and a discussion of the various translations of the Book of Mormon into foreign languages.

Review of Lofte Payne. Joseph Smith the Make-Believe Martyr: Why the Book of Mormon Is America’s Best Fiction. Victoria, BC, Canada: Trafford Publishing, 2006. xxi + 331 pp., with appendix and index. $23.10 (paperback).
Abstract: The faith of Latter-day Saints is rooted in Joseph Smith’s recovery of the Book of Mormon, which presents itself as an authentic ancient text and divine special revelation. Book-length efforts to explain away these two grounding historical claims began in 1834, and have never ceased. They are often the works of disgruntled former Saints. In 1988 Loftes Tryk self-published an amusing, truly bizarre, seemingly countercult sectarian account of the Book of Mormon. In 2006, now under the name Lofte Payne, he again opined on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He discarded the notion that Joseph Smith was a demon. He now claims that the Book of Mormon was Joseph’s sly, previously entirely unrecognized covert effort to trash all faith in divine things. In this review, Payne’s explanation is compared and contrasted with books by Alan D. Tyree, a former member of the RLDS First Presidency, and Dale E. Luffman, a recent Community of Christ Apostle, as well as that of Robert M. Price, a militant atheist, and Grant Palmer, and also the Podcraft of John Dehlin, all of whom have in similar ways opined that the Book of Mormon is frontier fiction fashioned by Joseph Smith from ideas floating around his immediate environment.

The Bible does not indicate a cessation of revelation, and was not intended to be the last and only rule of faith and practice. Joseph Smith received revelation that the Book of Mormon was a divine document. Hurlbut originated the Spaulding theory. Professor Anthon’s statement is examined. Discusses the witnesses to the Book of Mormon and finds their testimonies valid.

A response to criticisms raised by various critics of Mormonism, written by a non-Mormon under the pseudonym of Robert C. Webb. Provides a discussion of prominent criticisms of the Book of Mormon including the Anthon denials, reformed Egyptian, Solomon Spaulding, Shakespeare, and modern phrases.

These volumes repeat much of the material found in the Tanners’ Mormonism: Shadow or Reality. Volume 2 deals entirely with the Book of Mormon. Over 400 parallels between verses in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon are given. Contains a discussion of theories regarding the Hebrew origin of the American Indians that were common in the days of Joseph Smith. The authors believe that the Book of Mormon is a product of Joseph Smith’s environment.

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

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.

Outlines the different groups who came to America as described in the Book of Mormon and shows how the Book of Mormon story agrees consistently with the Bible in history and doctrine.

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.

The discovery of mummies in Kentucky recalls the Hebrew practice of embalming. Author suggests that this practice was brought to ancient America by the Hebrews because, according to the Book of Mormon, the native Americans are descendants of Hebrews.

Catalan, a Spanish dialect of Northeastern Spain, is the thirty-second complete translation of the Book of Mormon.

The theses and dissertations are listed according to authors and titles. Subjects such as “Lamanites and Polynesians,” “Book of Mormon History,” and “Book of Mormon” can be found in the subject index.

Suggests that some of the legends of the Popol Vuh have affinities with the book of Ether. Notes the meaning of “Shiblon” (lion cub) and a possible connection with Ixbalan (little jaguar).

A cave found in Israel contains ancient inscriptions in Old Hebrew and drawings of human figures and sailing vessels. It contains the name Lei that is an equivalent of Lehi.

Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Meetinghouse in Nephi City, Juab County, Saturday Morning, April 18, 1874. Reported By: David W. Evans.

Abstract: Scriptural accounts of celestial beings visiting the earth are abundant in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Whether a descending deity or angelic beings from celestial realms, they were often accompanied by clouds. In this paper a short analysis of the various types of clouds, including imitation clouds (incense), will be discussed. The relation between the phenomenon of supernatural beings, sometimes in clouds, may have had a great influence on descendants of Book of Mormon cultures. For these people, stories that were told from one generation to the next would have been considered ancient mythological lore. It may be plausible that future generations attempted to duplicate the same type scenario of celestial beings speaking and visiting their people. These events were sometimes recorded in stone.

The cement found in the more advanced Mesoamerican civilizations of ancient America is “approximately equivalent to modern lime cements” It appears that cement was the principal building material of the era.

Review of A Reader's Book of Mormon Digest: Condensed from the Book of Mormon: A New Witness for Christ. A Monthly Reading Program and Study Guide of the Doctrines of the Book of Mormon (1997), by Robert H. Moss

Reprinted in Tinkling Cymbals and Sounding Brass: The Art of Telling Tales about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley vol. 11.
Explains how Joseph Smith’s critics in the 1840s and Fawn Brodie rewrote Joseph’s story to suit their perceptions of the Book of Mormon and the First Vision.

Originally a four-part series in the Improvement Era, running from July to November 1961.
Explains how Joseph Smith’s critics in the 1840s and Fawn Brodie rewrote Joseph’s story to suit their perceptions of the Book of Mormon and the First Vision.

It has been 100 years since George Reynolds published his massive work, A Complete Concordance of the Book of Mormon. Reynolds worked on this project, begun while serving a prison sentence for polygamy, over 21 years of his life. He tabulated virtually every word used in the Book of Mormon except a few of the most common words, and gave a portion of the sentence in which each cited word appeared. He himself paid all the printing costs.

Ten theology lessons designed to give evidences of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. Bible passages foretold the Book of Mormon. Tells about the translation and publication of the manuscript, provides the testimonies of the witnesses, explains the objections to the Book of Mormon, Indian traditions, and similarities between the Biblical and Book of Mormon passages.

Accompanied by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Cecil O. Samuelson recently announced the formation of the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies, a research center that promises to bring national and international distinction to the study of the Book of Mormon. President Samuelson made the announcement at a luncheon attended by Mark and Laura Willes and their family.

Abstract: The book of Enos is considered to be a short, one-chapter treatise on prayer, yet it is more. Close examination of its text reveals it to be a text structurally centered on Christ and the divine covenant. Enos seeks and obtains from Him a covenant to preserve the records of the Nephites for the salvation of the Lamanites. Enos prays not only for his own remission of sins but also for the salvation both of his own people, the Nephites, and also of the Lamanites. He yearns in faith that the Lord will preserve the records of his people for the benefit of the Lamanites. This article outlines a possible overall chiastic structure of vv. 3–27 as well as a centrally situated smaller chiasm of vv. 15–16a, which focus on Christ and His covenant with Enos. The voice of the Lord speaks to the mind of Enos seven times, and the proposed chiastic structure of the text is meaningfully related to those seven divine communications. We have the Book of Mormon in our day because of the faithful prayers and faithful labors of prophets like Enos and because of the promises they received from Christ, whose covenant to preserve the records is made the focal point at the center of the Enos text.

Central American architecture is similar to ancient Near Eastern architecture as found in Babylon and Egypt. The ruins in Central America fit criteria of architecture of the Book of Mormon.

A series of brief comments in which the author presents archaeological findings, architectural notes, and myths and legends that deal indirectly with the Book of Mormon. Dibble discusses the wheel, ancient irrigation methods, metals, Mexican and Mayan codices, Quetzalcoatl, ancient buildings, and numerous other related items. The twenty-third part covers the “Central American migration legend.”

Independence, MO: Herald House, 1950

Beginning with 100 b.c., Book of Mormon history is compared with concurrent world history.

Presents an epic poem based upon the Book of Mormon story. The preface points out that America would not be what it is without the Book of Mormon nor could Mormonism be what it is without America.

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.

Members of a local congregation accept their leader’s challenge to read the Book of Mormon.

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 showing that the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s prophecies are being discussed in an arena in which there is a struggle for control of the past of the Latter-day Saints.

The Book of Mormon is given to test the faith of mankind. It is a companion to the Bible and answers vital questions more now than when it was first published. The writings of ancient American prophets are found in the book and many of their prophecies pertain to this time when they are just now being fulfilled. The land of America is a land of importance to God and man. Those who are righteous will be blessed. A warning against pride and secret societies permeates the book. The most significant part of the book is Christ’s visit, organizing his church and establishing his ordinances.

Giving a history of the Gates Collection of Mayan literature located at Brigham Young University, this author hopes that the origin of the Mayan culture may be found through study and a greater understanding.

The issues tying the United States and the Middle East together are not simple. From oil, to terrorism, to Isis, Vali Nasr explains why maintaining interactions with the Middle East is crucial at this time.

A missionary tract that challenges non- believers to duplicate the text of the Book of Mormon. There are 30 speciic challenges: one challenge reads, for instance, “over 80,000 competent salesmen must be so sold on your book that they gladly give up two or more years of their lives to take it to all parts of the world”

Responds to anti-Mormon comments regarding the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and sets forth evidence to support Latter-day Saint claims. Addresses the Smithsonian statement, metal plates, stone boxes, wordprints, chiasmus, Hebraisms, reformed Egyptian, Nephite monetary system, the wheel, the tree of life theme on Stela 5 at Izapa, and Christ in America.

Challenging others to duplicate the Book of Mormon, the author has published this list of conditions under which the book was translated.

A tract defending Mormonism and the Book of Mormon. Refers to archaeological evidence.

An attempt to prove the Book of Mormon through external evidence led to a study of the book that opened the author’s mind to concepts that had previously been blind spots: the peace of God, prayer, and man’s relationship with God.

A 14-year-old Cambodian boy struggled to read the Book of Mormon to strengthen his testimony and to learn English.

A 14-year-old Cambodian boy struggled to read the Book of Mormon to strengthen his testimony and to learn English.

A story for children telling of the conversion of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah (Mosiah 27, 29 and Alma 2-8) and relating the ministry of Alma the Younger in Ammonihah (Alma 13-15).

Author’s preface: I originally gave this presentation in August 2002 at the LDS FAIR conference held in Orem, Utah. A transcript of this paper, based on the 2002 version, appears online at www.fairmormon.org. Since then I have published updated versions of the first half of that original presentation. The most recent history of the Book of Mormon critical text project can be found in my article “The Original Text of the Book of Mormon and its Publication by Yale University Press”, published in 2013 in Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, volume 7, pages 57-96. Until now, I have not published a printed version of the second half of my original presentation, “Changes in the Book of Mormon”.
Abstract: In that part of the original article (here presented with some minor editing), I first describe the different kinds of changes that have occurred in the Book of Mormon text over the years and provide a fairly accurate number for how many places the text shows textual variation. Then I turn to five changes in the text (“the five chestnuts”) that critics of the Book of Mormon continually refer to. At the conclusion of the original article, I provide some specific numbers for the different types of changes in the history of the Book of Mormon text, including the number of changes introduced in The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text, the definitive scholarly edition of the Book of Mormon, published in 2009 by Yale University Press.

Abstract: In early 1830 Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon, a 269,938-word volume that discusses religious themes intermingled with a history of ancient American peoples.
Claiming it was scripture like the Bible,
in 1841 he declared it to be “the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion.”
Yet, many changes in the text of the Book of Mormon can be detected when comparing the original manuscript to the version available today. These changes have served as a lightning rod for some critics who imply that a divinely inspired book should not require any alterations. This article examines the types of changes that have occurred while trying to assign levels of significance and identify Joseph’s motives in making those alterations in the 1837 and 1840 reprintings of the book.

The Book of Mormon shows that God spoke to the Jews in the Old Testament, the Christians in the New Testament, and the inhabitants of the American continents. A New Jerusalem or Zion is to be built up in the last days. The Book of Mormon declares the divinity of Christ and 3 Nephi is the fifth Gospel that declares that Christ appeared to the people of the New World after his resurrection.

Abstract: Partaking of bread and water each Sunday is a fundamental part of the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — a solemn moment in which the mortal Savior’s mission and ministry are remembered and pondered by those who partake individually and as a congregation. This paper explores instructions provided by the Savior himself as found in the Mormon canon of scriptures, together with a review of how this practice has changed over time as part of the LDS Church liturgy. Moreover, the meaning associated with this sacred ordinance is analyzed by way of the Savior’s teachings in ancient scripture through Mormon prophets in modern times, particularly in light of a more recent emphasis shared by the LDS Church leadership.

This article is a published summary of Merrill’s thesis, written in 1940, wherein the author examined publications dealing with the Book of Mormon and noted the themes emphasized during the periods 1830-1855 and 1915-1940.

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.

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.

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.
Dr. Nibley stresses that our knowledge of the ancient world will remain forever tentative.

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

Ancient Jerusalem—Lehi—His Vision—His Call to Preach to the Jews—They Persecute Him—He is Commanded of God to take his Family into the Wilderness—Their Departure—The Return of his Sons to Jerusalem to obtain the Records. They are ill-treated by Laban—His Death—Zoram Accompanies the Brothers into the Wilderness

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

The Rejoicing Over the Records—Nephi and his Brothers again Return to Jerusalem—They Conduct Ishmael and his Family into the Wilderness—Lehi’s Dream— The Tree of Life—The Rod of Iron—The Boturini Manuscript—Nephi’s Vision

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

Marriages in the Company—The Liahona—The Journey Continued—Nephi Breaks his Bow—Death of Ishmael—They Reach the Ocean—Nephi Builds a Ship—They Cross the Great Waters and Reach the Promised Land

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

The Promised Land—Chili—Its Natural Productions—The Death of Lehi—His Blessing on his posterity—Prophecies of his Ancestor Joseph

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

Causes that Led to the Migration from the Land of Nephi—The People of Zarahemla—Mulek and his Colony—The Fusion of the Two Nations—Mosiah made King— His Happy Reign

Jesus Returns and Renews His Teachings—He Administers the Sacrament—He Explains the Teachings of the Prophets—The Words of Malachi

The Savior Continues His Ministrations—He Raises a Man from the Dead—The Labors of the Twelve—The Name of the Church—The Three who should Remain

The Long Continued Era of Peace and Righteousness—Death of Nephi—His Son Amos—Amos the Second

The Commencement of the Apostasy—It Grows in Intensity—The Persecution of the Disciples—Lamanites Again—Re-appearance of the Gadianton Bands—War— Ammaron Hides the Records

The Last Long Series of Wars—Mormon—The Final Conflict at Cumorah—The Last of the Nephites

Science and Literature Among the Nephites—Their Astronomy and Geography —The Learning of Egypt

The Historians of the Nephites—The Plates of Nephi—List of their Custodians— Their Lengthened Years

The Women of the Book of Mormon—Their Condition and Position—Abish— Isabel—Marriage—Amulek—Moroni’s Title of Liberty—The Mothers of the Ammonites— Two Extremes

Domestic Life Among the Nephites—Household Duties—Dress—Ornaments— Homes—Food—Manufactures—Transportation

Agriculture Among the Nephites—Grains—Stock Raising—Irrigation

The Art of War Among the Nephites—Their Weapons, Armor and Fortifications —Moroni’s Line of Defense

The Laws of the Nephites—The Roman and Nephite Civilizations—The Laws under the Kings—Position of the Priesthood—Slavery—Criminal Offenses

The Laws under the Judges—The Voice of the People—Elections—Rights of the People—Church and State—The Criminal Procedure

Laws of the Nephites, Continued—The Division into Tribes—The Messianic Dispensation—The Final Convulsion

The Money of the Nephites—Their Coins—Barley the Standard of Value

Nephi in the Hands of the Lamanites—The Lands of Shemlon, Shilom, Helam, Amulon, Ishmael, Middoni, Jerusalem, etc.

Personal Appearance of the Nephites—Their Beauty—Testimony of Remains Found—The Dark-Skinned Lamanites

Language of the Nephites—The Influence of the Egyptians—Nephite Words— Rameumptom—Liahona—Rabbanah—The Lamanite Tongue—Word Building

Nephite Proper Names—Bible Names—Sariah—Nephi—Sam—Melek—Jershon —Isabel—Aha, etc.—Prefixes and Suffixes

The Lands of the Nephites—Mulek and Lehi—Zarahemla and Nephi—The Wilderness—The Land of First Inheritance—The Journeys Northward—The Waters of Mormon—Lehi—Nephi

The Lands of the Nephites, Continued—Zarahemla—Jershon—Antionum— Manti—Gideon

Lands of the Nephites, Continued—Minon—Melek—Ammonihah—Noah— Sidom—Aaron—Lehi—Mulek—Bountiful—The South-west Border

The Lands of Antum, Teancum, Joshua, David, etc.—Cumorah—The Hills of the Nephites—The River Sidon

Religion of the Nephites—It is Stated by Nephi—The Priesthood and Ordinances Thereof—Baptism—Confirmation—Ordination—The Sacrament—Spiritual Gifts

Miracles Among the Nephites—The Miracles of Christ—John and the Three Nephites—Translations

Moriancumer—Building the Barges—The Finger of the Lord—The Appearing of the Savior—The Voyage

The Prophecies Regarding the Savior—Their Completeness and Detail—Names and Titles Given to Christ

Nephite Apostates—The Order of Nehor—Amalekites—Amalickiahites— Amulonites—Abinadi’s Prophecy—The Gadiantons

Church Discipline Among the Nephites—Treatment of the Unrepentant—The Word of the Lord Regarding Transgressors—The Testimony of Moroni

The Discovery of the Jaredite Records—Coriantumr—Ether—The Dispersion at Babel—The Journey of the Jaredites—Atlantis

The Land of Promise—A Monarchy Established—The Kings of the Jaredites from Orihah to Omer—Akish—The Daughter of Jared

The Kings of the Jaredites from Omer to Coriantumr—The Material Prosperity of this Race

The Judgments of God on the Jaredites—The Extinction of the Race—The Hill Ramah—Shiz and Coriantumr—Ether

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

The Nephites and Lamanites Separate—The Nephites seek a New Home— Nephi Chosen King—He Builds a Temple—Instructs his People in the Arts of Peace—War with the Lamanites—The Sword of Laban—Nephi’s Death—Jacob, his Brother, Becomes the Chief Priest—Jacob’s Teachings on Marriage

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

The Condition of the Lamanites—Sherem, the First Anti-Christ—His Recantation and Dreadful End

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

Enos, the Son of Jacob—The Nephites and Lamanites of his Day—His Testimony and Prophecies

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

Jarom—Omni—Amaron—Chemish—Abinadom—Amaleki—Mosiah—Review of Nephite History for Four Hundred Years

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

The Reign of King Benjamin—The Progress of his People—His Last Great Speech—He Establishes the Church of Christ—All the People Covenant with God—Mosiah II. Anointed King

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

Zeniff Returns to the Land of Nephi—His Treaty with the Lamanites—The Prosperity of the People of Zeniff—The Treaty Broken—War—Peace and Wars Again— The Death of Zeniff—Noah’s Wicked Reign—His Wars with the Lamanites—The Prophet Abinadi—His Terrible Message of God’s Wrath—He is Martyred—Alma—He Pleads for Abinadi—Is Cast Out—Flees to the Place of Mormon

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

The Waters of Mormon—Alma, Helam and Others Baptised Therein—The Church Organized—The King Warned—He Sends Troops—Alma and his People Flee to the Land of Helam—They Build a City

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

King Noah’s Subjects Rebel—Gideon—The Lamanites Invade Lehi-Nephi—The Nephites Retreat—A Part Surrender—The New Terms of Peace—Noah is Burned to Death —Limhi made King—Noah’s Priests Escape—They seize some Lamanite Maidens— Another War—The Nephites Victorious—The King of the Lamanites wounded—Mutual Explanations

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

The Bondage of the People of Limhi—An Expedition North—Finding of the Jaredite Records—The Arrival of Ammon—The People of Limhi Escape—The Pursuit— The Amulonites—The People of Alma—They are Brought into Bondage—Their Deliverance

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

The Mission of the Sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites—Their Journey in the Wilderness—Ammon Brought before King Lamoni—The Conflict at the Waters of Sebus— The Miraculous Conversion of Lamoni and his Family—Abish the Waiting Woman

Nephi Translated—His Son Nephi—Time of the Savior’s Coming—The Conspiracy to Slay the Believers—The Revelation to Nephi—The Promised Signs Appear— Increase of the Gadianton Robbers—War—Lachoneus Gathers all the People to One Land —The End of the Struggle

The Last Chief Judge Murdered and the Republic Overthrown—The Signs of the Savior’s Death Appear—A Terrible Storm—The Universal Darkness—The Unparalleled Destruction—The Terror of those Hours

The Voice from Heaven—The Savior Testifies of Himself—Silence Throughout the Land—How oft would Christ have Gathered His People—The Darkness Departs

Christ Appears in the Land Bountiful—The Testimony of the Father—Jesus Calls Twelve Disciples—His Teachings to Them and to the Multitude

The Beatitudes - Divers Instructions and Cautions-On Forgiveness, Chastity, Charity, Etc.

The Sacrament Administered—The Savior’s Teachings Regarding it—He Confers on His Disciples the Power to Give the Holy Ghost—He Ascends into Heaven

On Alms-Giving—“After This Manner Pray Ye”—On Fasting, Integrity, Trust in God, Etc.

Judge Not—The Beam and the Mote—“Beware of False Prophets”—Good and Evil Fruit—The House Built on the Rock

The Fulfillment of the Mosaic Law—“Other Sheep Have I”—The Ten Tribes— The Events of the Latter Days

The Savior Heals the Sick—He Blesses the Children of the Nephites—Angels Minister unto them

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

Mosiah’s Good Reign—The Circumstances of his Advent—He Assembles the People—The Baptism of Limhi—Churches Organized Throughout the Land

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

The Unbelief of the Youth of Zarahemla—The Younger Alma and the Sons of Mosiah—They Encourage the Persecutions Against the Church—They are Met by an Angel —His Message—Alma’s Awful Condition—His Vision and Testimony—The Changed Life of the Young Men

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

The Growth of the People in Zarahemla—They Build Many Cities—Mosiah’s Sons Desire to Take a Mission to the Lamanites—Mosiah Inquires of the Lord—The Divine Answer

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

Mosiah’s Sons Refuse the Kingdom—He Grants the People a Constitution—The People to Elect their Rulers—Alma, the Younger, First Chief Judge

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

Ammon and Lamoni Start for the Land of Middoni—They Meet the Old King— His Rage at Seeing Ammon—He Endeavors to Kill his Son—Aaron and his Brethren Liberated—A Sketch of their Labors and Sufferings—The Conversion of Lamoni’s Father and his Household

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

The King Issues a Proclamation—The Results of the Labors of the Sons of Mosiah—The People of Anti-Nephi-Lehi—They Bury their Weapons of War—Are Massacred by the Thousand—They Remove to the Territory of the Nephites, who give them the Land of Jershon

Review of the Mission of the Sons of Mosiah—Its Importance and Great Length —Its Results to Both Races—The Dates of its Leading Occurrences

The Days of the Judges—Their Names and Reigns—The Heresy of Nehor—He Slays Gideon and is Executed—Amlici’s Rebellion—The Battle of Amnihu—The Conflict at the Crossing of the Sidon—A Third Battle

Alma Resigns the Chief Judgeship—Nephihah Chosen—Alma Ministers in Zarahemla, Gideon, Melek and Ammonihah—Condition of the Last Named City—It Rejects the Message Alma Bears—An Angel Meets Him—Amulek—The Lawyer Zeezrom—The Great Controversy—Zeezrom Converted and Cast Out—The Martyrdom of the Believers— Alma and Amulek in Prison—Their Deliverance

Alma’s Charge to His Sons—He Transfers the Records to Helaman—He Leaves This World—Zeezrom’s Latter Days—Helaman’s Ministrations

Zeezrom Sick with Fever—His Miraculous Recovery—The Destruction of Ammonihah—The Invasion of the Land of Noah—Zoram, the Nephite Commander, Seeks the Mind of the Lord—It is Given—Its Results—The War Ended—Alma’s Ministrations

Korihor, the Anti-Christ—His False Teachings and Blasphemy—He is Taken before Alma—Is Struck Dumb—His Miserable End—The Heresy Rooted Out

Zoram and the Zoramites—Their Peculiar Heresy—The Land of Antionum— The Rameumptom—Alma’s Mission to these People—Those Who Receive His Teachings Persecuted—They Flee to Jershon

Another War—Moroni the Leader of the Nephites—The Tactics of the Lamanites—Zerahemnah—The Battle at Riplah—Defeat of the Lamanites

Amalickiah—His Apostasy and Treason—Moroni’s Title of Liberty—The Nephites Respond to His Call—Lehonti—He is Poisoned by Amalickiah—The King of the Lamanites Treacherously Slain—Amalickiah Marries the Queen and is Proclaimed King—A Disastrous Lamanite Raid

A Few Years of Peace—Teancum—The Contention Between Lehi and Morianton—Amalickiah’s Terrible Invasion—His Success—He is Stopped at Bountiful by Teancum—Teancum Slays Amalickiah—Ammoron Made King of the Lamanites

Jacob the Zoramite—His Characteristics—The Strategy by Which Mulek Was Taken—The Fierce Battle between Jacob and the Nephite Forces—Jacob’s Death

The War in the South-west—Antipus—Helaman and His Two Thousand Sons— Their Valor and Faith—The Repulse of the Lamanites

The Relief of Manti—The Overthrow of the Kingmen—Pachus Slain—The Struggle at Moroni—Teancum Slays Ammoron, but at the Cost of His Own Life— Teancum’s Noble Character

Samuel, the Lamanite—His Mission and Prophecies—The Vain Attempt to Destroy Him—He Returns to His Own Country

Peace Once More—The Results of the War—The Labors of Helaman—Shiblon Receives the Records—Hagoth, the Ship-builder—Another War—Moronihah—Pahoran’s Death—Contention Regarding the Chief Judgeship—Paanchi’s Rebellion—The Gadianton Bands—Assassination of Pahoran II.—Another Lamanite Invasion

Pacumeni Slain—Helaman Chosen Chief Judge—The Conspiracy to Slay Him— Kishkumen Killed—The Prosperity of the Nephites under Helaman

The Sons of Helaman—Nephi’s Righteous Rule—The Lamanites Again Invade Zarahemla—They Drive the Nephites into the Northern Continent—The Ministrations of Nephi and Lehi—The Manifestations of God’s Power in the City of Nephi—Aminadab—The Conversion of the Lamanites—Universal Peace

Growth of Evil amongst the Nephites—The Increase of the Gadianton Robbers —Nephi’s Announcement of the Murder of the Chief Judge—The Discovery—Nephi Arrested—He is Proven Innocent—God’s Covenant with Him—Increase of Iniquity—A Terrible Famine—The Welcome Rain—The Trend to Death

I hope in our time together this morning we can think carefully and seriously about what we really are and, more important, what we desire and need to become. I am satisfied that this aim of a BYU education—to build character—cannot be neglected or diminished because all of the aims and the mission of this great university are so intimately related to one another.

A six-year series of theology lessons that follow a chronological order of the Book of Mormon. Lessons analyze the structure and purposes of the book, the witnesses, its divine origin, the Jaredite nation, Lehi’s exodus, and prophecies concerning the Jews, Gentiles and Lamanites. “The Book of Mormon is ‘A New Witness for Christ’”

Some critics of the Book of Mormon reject the ancient text on account of its supposedly racist commentary. In response to these critics, this article incorporates biblical examples and traditions to show how certain words and phrases that could be seen as racist were used to illustrate a larger message

Determined to read the Book of Mormon in purely naturalistic nineteenth century terms, rather than as an ancient text, recent criticisms of that volume of scripture are offended by some descriptions of Lamanites in the text. This is particularly true when the Nephites describe the Lamanites in pejorative terms, such as blood-thirsty, idolatrous, ferocious, idle, lazy, and filthy. The question is whether these terms can be considered “racist,” and whether supposed “racist” attitudes of the Nephites are evidence against the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

This article states that knowledge concerning the Egyptian language was underdeveloped in the 1820s when Martin Harris presented the Book of Mormon characters and translation to Dr. Charles Anthon. While Anthon was a known Egyptian scholar of the period, he nonetheless lacked sufficient knowledge to vouch for the accurate translation of the characters.

This book is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the Book of Mormon. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching.
Arranged in 15 sections, these charts consist of tables, diagrams, chronologies, flowcharts, bar graphs, pie charts, maps, and other effective schematics that represent Book of Mormon data in new and thought-provoking ways. General topics range from the history, doctrine, structure, and chronology of the Book of Mormon to its literary, cultural, and geographical features. Many charts highlight evidences for the authenticity of the record. Each chart is explained in a manner that will facilitate personal study and guide a teacher in what might be said when displaying the chart for group instruction or discussion.

This article argues that the Mexican people are a chosen race of people. According to Isaiah 29:4 they have been brought down in the dust. However, they are descendants of Joseph, through Lehi (1 Nephi 5:14) and they will be redeemed (2 Nephi 30:5-6).

Accompanying this issue of Insights is volume 17 (combining numbers one and two) of the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies; however, readers will note that the Journal now carries a new name, the Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture. In connection with this change, the Institute asked Andrew H. Hedges, an associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, to become the new editor, replacing Professor S. Kent Brown, who served as editor and associate editor for many years, and who recently retired from the university. The new associate editors are Grant Hardy, professor of history, University of North Carolina at Asheville; Steven C. Harper, assistant professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU; Jennifer Lane, assistant professor of religion, BYU–Hawaii; and Kerry Muhlestein, assistant professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU.

Review of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Book of Mormon (1992), by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.

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.

Tells of a chest that belonged to Frederick Kesler in which was his prize possession—one page of the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon. It has been donated to the LDS church.

A series of brief comments in which the author presents archaeological findings, architectural notes, and myths and legends that deal indirectly with the Book of Mormon. Dibble discusses the wheel, ancient irrigation methods, metals, Mexican and Mayan codices, Quetzalcoatl, ancient buildings, and numerous other related items. The seventh part covers ruins in Chiapas.

Chiasmus is a Hebrew literary style that renders words, phrases, or ideas in an intentional order then immediately repeats them. It is prevalent in the Book of Mormon. Includes examples.

This compilation of groundbreaking Book of Mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of LDS scholarship published by BYU Studies. This volume features articles on Hebraisms and chiasmus in the Book of Mormon, as well as articles discussing emendation of the text, naturalistic assumptions, wordprint analyses, variations between copies of the first edition, and more. Contents “Hebraisms in the Book of Mormon: A Preliminary Survey” John A. Tvedtnes “Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon” John W. Welch “Does Chiasmus Appear in the Book of Mormon by Chance?” Boyd F. Edwards and W. Farrell Edwards “When Are Chiasms Admissible as Evidence?” Boyd F. Edwards and W. Farrell Edwards “Conjectural Emendation and the Text of the Book of Mormon” Stan Larson “Naturalistic Assumptions and the Book of Mormon” Gary F. Novak “View of the Hebrews: Substitute for Inspiration?” Spencer J. Palmer and William L. Knecht “Who Wrote the Book of Mormon? An Analysis of Wordprints” Wayne A. Larsen, Alvin C. Rencher, and Tim Layton “On Verifying Wordprint Studies: Book of Mormon Authorship” John L. Hilton “Variations between Copies of the First Edition of the Book of Mormon” Janet Jenson “Towards a Critical Edition of the Book of Mormon” Royal Skousen

Examines the chiastic structure of Alma 13:68-14:1 (RLDS versification) to better understand the geographical information contained in the passage.

A letter to the editor points out that chiasmus was indeed known by English and German scholars before Joseph Smith’s time, but it is probable that Joseph Smith did not know of the form during his day.

John Welch displays the overall chiastic structure of Alma 36, suggests a detailed analysis of the text, traces the strands of repetition that weave paired sections tightly together, assesses the chapter’s degree of chiasticity, and compares the words and phrases of Alma 36 with the two other firsthand Book of Mormon accounts of Alma’s conversion. He suggests that there are many spiritual and intellectual implications to this study.

A team of scholars analyze chiasmus in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and the Book of Mormon. Includes extensive bibliography and register of chiastic passages in many literatures.

A study of texts from biblical, classical, and other literatures

The study of ancient literature has been enriched in the second half of the 20th century by the growing awareness and understanding of chiasmus in ancient literature. This form of inverted parallelism has been found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and in many other ancient writings. The essays in Chiasmus in Antiquity, first published in Germany in 1981, examine the use and effect of chiasmus in the Old and New Testaments and the Book of Mormon, as well as in Sumero-Akkadian, Ugaritic, Talmudic, Greek, and Latin literatures. These essays have been reprinted in this first American edition because of their lasting value for the study of this intriguing literary form.