The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Set to the primary song, this video is a tool to help children and adults learn more about the in the book of mormon. The only compact introduction to one of the most influential religious texts in the western world, written by a leading authority on mormonism with over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. Jul 16, 20 heres the book of mormon chapters categorized by length. A book about the influence of the book of mormon on american religious thought and culture is an appropriate followup volume, and gutjahr does an admirable job of presenting information that objectively informs nonlds readers about the book that gave the church of jesus christ of latterday saints its popular name and in a way that is. Ranges from the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to the contentious issues of contemporary mormonism. A very short introduction explains who mormons are. The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. A study of the similarities between spauldings manuscript story and the book of mormon would not be complete without comparing the style of writing in the two works.
Provided to youtube by cdbaby books in the book of mormon cara marie harris true focus. This is the third book i have read this week which discuss the doctrines of the church, each in an entirely different way. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Lds scholars often point out that smith had received a rudimentary education at best, and did not have access to. The only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work, which is too often overshadowed by the controversies that surround it. The other nine books are attributed to two authors. For all who need to have an accurate account of what mormons believeand they are a faith community that now spans the globefamiliarity with the. More information about this seller contact this seller 24. A concise, authoritative account of the mormon religion. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. David bokovoys work and grant hardys understanding the book of mormon have already been mentioned and both would qualify as efforts that bracket issues of truthfulness to evaluate the literary value. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. The book also examines polygamy, the various mormon scriptures, and the renegade fundamentalists who tarnish the lds image when in fact. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the fourthlargest.
An approach to the book of mormon geography a land choice above all other lands lynn and david rosenvall, march 2009. I needed to know the chapter size so i could plan reading sections for a bookofmormonreadathon. The book of mormon comprises fifteen books, each named after its principal writer. Our approach to book of mormon geography we know the book of mormon to be a true and correct account of the nephite and.
Nibleys commentary on the book of mormon is based on transcriptions from classes taught by hugh nibley, and is published. Mormon writer helen hinckley jones, commenting on the authorship of the book of mormon, said. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds. The publication history of the book of mormon bruce satterfield department of religious education, brigham young university idaho this article appeared in the church news, jan. Richard bushmans book, mormonism, a very short introduction is almost written from a nonmember perspective. Smith received these golden plates from mormons son moroni who was dead but considered glorified and resurrected on september 21, 1823. The words of mormon were written by mormon in around a. Every writer has a style of writing just as he has his own fingerprints improvement era, nov. The problem is with the facts that dont match up as presented in the book. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. Most books on the book of mormon focus primarily on the former while largely neglecting the latter mission of the book. Very good with lightly rubbed and bumped edges, a few abrasions to edges of rear cover and former owners name on front free endsheet. The book of mormon testifies of christ, but it also warns against the enemies of christ. Editions of the scriptures can also be purchased in one large book with the bible both old and new testaments included.
Kirkhams focus was limited primarily to issues relating to the origin of the book of mormon and the theories of critics who attempted to prove it manmade. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is. The words of mormon is a short book by mormon that was written to connect the narrative of the small plates, which end with the book of omni, to the rest of the book, beginning with mosiah. Another testament of jesus christ, which is an english translation from the golden plates that was first published in 1830. That has caused them to make some revisions over time. Mormon books mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Mormon words of mormon through book of mormon 7 and his son moroni book of mormon 89, ether, and moroni. Blue shortest purple average about 27 verses red longest jacob chapter 5 is definitely the longest. Terryl givens, a highly regarded english professor at the university of richmond and one of the finest book of mormon scholars, has written this brief introduction to the book of mormon for the oxford university press very short introduction series. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon.
One of the best books on the book of mormon itself, and a great introduction to the complexity within the text. Conspicuously absent from the list are the alltime most important and influential worksthe lds standard works. Mcconkie and millets four volume doctrinal commentary on the book of mormon is good, although it is as conservative a series as you might guess a work by a man sporting the names of both joseph fielding smith and bruce r. A very short introduction richard lyman bushman very short introductions. Mormon included in his compilation the first six books as they were written. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of. A very short introduction very short introductions kindle. Book of mormon, first edition abebooks shop for books. A very short introduction very short introductions 1 by. His research did not focus on other factors, such as how latterday saints understood and related to the book of mormon. Joseph smith reported that on the evening of september 21, 1823, while he prayed in the upper room of his parents small log home in palmyra, new york, an angel who called himself moroni appeared and told joseph that god had a work for you to d.
I have two more yet to read, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the subject. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. Written by terryl givens, a leading authority on mormonism, this compact volume offers the only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Taking the book of mormon on its own terms, terryl givens offers a complex, reverent analysis of a powerful epic history. Book of mormon by joseph smith, first edition abebooks. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named moroni, who identified himself to smith as a native. Two others are by the hand of mormon and the book of mormon. What are some great commentary books on the book of mormon. Traces five governing themes in particular revelation, christ, zion, scripture, and covenant and analyzes the. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in this life and eternal redemption in the life to come.
The book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price are shorter books than the bible, so they are often combined and bound together in one book, which members of the church call the triple combination. A very short introduction includes only the preface andor introduction. Most recently, they have made changes to the introduction page. Mormons read the christian bible king james translation or kjv and the book of mormon. Some of his books include viper on the hearth, mormons, myths, and the. Mcconkiea controversial book because of the unpopular personal opinions included, it belongs right up near. Heres the book of mormon chapters categorized by length. Daniel walker howe, pulitzerprize winning author of what hath god wrought. Mormon describes himself as a pure descendant of lehi 3 ne. Written by richard lyman bushman, an eminent historian and practicing mormon, this compact, informative volume ranges from the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to the contentious issues of contemporary mormonism. Help us introduce it to others by writing a better introduction for it.
A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. This is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a. All the books are listed in order and each book is highlighted when it is said. The lds church recognizes four main texts as divinely inspired and authoritative scripture. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Lecture 1 introduction the book of mormonlike nothing else greatest miracle is the sudden appearance of the. Very short introductions vsi is a book series published by the oxford university press oup. One argument that mormon apologists frequently employ is the claim that joseph smith was intellectually unequipped to write the book of mormon. For all who need to have an accurate account of what mormons believeand they are a faith community that now spans the. The bible, the book of mormon, the doctnne and covenants, and the pearl of great price, including the book of commandments and the joseph smith translation of the bible. I enjoyed reading short introduction books because i like having overviews of. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421.