Lds sunday school 2020, the introductory pages to the book. Doctrinal subjects which have become commonplace conversation among the latterday saints are either absent or nearly absent from the record. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. However, the title page of the first edition of the book of mormon published in 1830 identifies the prophet as the author and proprietor of the. Introduction the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Book of mormon evidence podcast come follow me supplemental study lesson 1. Come follow me dont miss this introductory pages of the book. It is a criticism of churchs nonadherence to book of mormon doctrine as the author interprets it, as well as criticism of doctrine that is not even contained in the book of mormon. The english editions of the book of mormon published today generally result in a book of over 500 pages. Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century. More recently, the church has not taken as strong position on the absolute origin of native american peoples. Intro change in book of mormon spurs discussion deseret news. December 30january 5 another testament of jesus christ title page of the book of mormon. Mormon apostle orson pratt wrote in 1851, the book of mormon claims to be a divinely inspired record. Series authors joseph spencer, terryl givens, and mark wrathall participated in our first authormeetsaudience event in julywatch the rebroadcast here. Bom book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4.
The author of the title page is instructing us to look beyond any faults we might find and focus on the message of the record. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. A biography is very readable and portrays the mormon position well. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1.
Introductory pages of the book of mormon another testament. The book of mormon is a little less than half the size of the old testament and is larger than the new testament. For example, publishing the title page in two paragraphs and adding the word moroni in some editions undoubtedly influenced virtually all early students of the book of mormon to conclude that moroni was the only author of the title page. This model was also implicitly endorsed in the introduction to the book of mormon which, before 2008, stated that lamanites are the principal ancestors of the american indians. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth. Scholars suggest that the title page was written by both mormon and moroni, but analysis provides evidence that moroni was the sole author. In the introduction to the book of mormon the second paragraph reads. Title page of the book of mormon the book of mormon can strengthen my faith in jesus christ. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. This book is a quick and enjoyable read about the book of mormon, how it orginated, how it has been received, and how it has been interpreted and valued throughout the years.
The text featured here begins on the third manuscript page second leaf of what in the published book of mormon was titled the first book of nephi. Why new testament words and phrases are in the book of mormon part 8. Use them individually, in your family study, and in your sunday school classes to dive deeper into the doctrines presented in the book of mormon. Also, all of the study tools and tips we will be using this upcoming year.
Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. Peterson has observed, early critics of the book of mormon quickly encountered a difficult problem to reconcile. The introduction was written and published at the same time additional. A clear understanding of its various parts and how they fit together is essential to understanding the issues pertaining to its historical and religious claims. The title page of the book of mormon, written by its final author, moroni, near 400 a. I soon became convinced that the title page of the book of mormon is one of the least studied and. Many studies have investigated book of mormon authorship because the book presents itself as a composite work of many ancient authors. Introductory pages of the book of mormon latterday. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Bom book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4 nephi mormon ether moroni. Nevertheless, this material is not presented as an apologetic work, neither is. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas. A very short introduction very short introductions. It introduces the book of mormon to the modern reader by providing background information and a description of the book.
Contents of the book of mormon an introduction to the book of. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of mormon says. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon central. The prophet joseph smith said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon illustrations 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4 nephi mormon ether moroni pronunciation guide. Most scholars of the book of mormon believe that js and cowdery translated the portion from mosiah to moroni first, and the portion from the first book of nephi to words of mormon second. This volume provides extensive commentary on the title page of the book of mormon, written by the hand of mormon. Josephs translation of the book of mormons ancient title page, a modern. In october 2014, i decided to start publishing what i learn from studying the book each day, and this blog is the result.
On the translation of the book of mormon, see joseph smith documents dating through june 1831. Latterday saints are accustomed to speaking of joseph smith as the inspired translator of the book of mormon. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims. Were these expressions parts of joseph smiths linguistic toolbox. Just like god spoke to moses and noah in the bible, he also spoke to people in the americas. He said the introduction page in current ldsproduced books was not part of the original text translated by joseph smith jr. A comprehensive commentary of the title page of the book of mormon, by paul nolan hyde this volume provides extensive commentary on the title page of the book of mormon, written by the hand of mormon. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophethistorian named mormon. The church declined comment on who wrote that version of the page.
Instead of being the principal ancestors of american indians, lamanites are nowamong the ancestors of the american indians. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 165,852 views. The change will be included in the next edition of the book of mormon printed by the church. According to this reasoning, one would conclude that the title page must have been written after about a. December 30january 5 introductory pages of the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ 1. The introduction to the book of mormonbook of mormon teacher resource. We hope that these lds sunday school discussion questions over the introduction pages of the book of mormon enrich your come, follow me study and increase your testimony of the savior. Some have suggested that joseph smith admitted that he was the author of the book of mormon because the title page of the first edition lists him as author and proprietor. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830. Mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. 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. A biography, then paul gutjahr is a particularly wellqualified nonmormon writer. I have done some seraching on the internet and the best answer i have found, is church leaders, but i am looking more specifically which church leaders if it was in fact church leaders, which i do tend to believe.
Your study of the book of mormon can be enriched if you start by reading the pages that precede 1 nephi. And as joseph smith is a very ignorant man and is called the author on the title page, i cannot doubt for a single moment that he is the sole author and proprietor of it. New introductions, chapter summaries, and footnotes. With the exception of a couple of minor quibbles, it was a very readable, balanced, wellwritten introduction to the book of mormon from a pretty neutral perspective. While i dont believe the author was as critical with the information as i, a christian apologist, would have liked, i think that the book of mormon.
We who created and who maintain this onomasticon work under the belief that the book of mormon is an ancient document whose cultural roots, except for the jaredite cultural legacy, reach back to 7th century bc judah. Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. Topics of discussion and book of mormon insights youll learn about in this lesson. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all hebrew writing in general. Brief theological introductions series seeks christ in scripture by combining intellectual rigor and the disciples yearning for holiness. The book of mormon text, which runs to about 269,000 words 531 pages, is divided into fifteen books, which are further subdivided into chapters 239 and verses 6,607. December 30january 5 introductory pages of the book of. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. The term, fulness of the everlasting gospel, deserves some explanation. Clue game give them the clues on the sheet below to see if they can guess what the clues are describing. The book of mormon describes moroni, the son of mormon, as the last prophet to write in the book of mormon and the person who eventually hid up the plates. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of mormon. Dec 23, 2019 you know the title page and the second title page in the first page only has the title introduction the testimony of the three witnesses the aid witnesses the the testimony of joseph smith in the coming fourth of the book of mormon and all those pages that are like really helpful at the beginning of the book to jump in. Most people dont read the introduction to a book, but it is in the introduction we learn about the reason for the existence of the book.
David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon. The bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation duration. The front matter of contemporary editions of the book of mormon include the following elements. Grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. And if an lds scholar could not have written the book of mormon. Why is the book of mormon named after mormon, who is he. Today we may draw nearer to christthe author and the finisher of our faith moroni 6. The original phrase and the changes are noted in red and bold for emphasisin the introduction to the book of mormon the second paragraph reads.
This belongs on the controversies regarding the church of jesus christ of latterday saints page, if anywhere. Mormons believe the following about the book of mormon. Title page of book of mormon, circa early june 1829, page 1. Contents of the book of mormon an introduction to the book. However, the title page of the first edition of the book of mormon published in 1830 identifies the prophet as the author and proprietor of the book, not the translator. He said the introduction page in current ldsproduced books was not. In this manner, the author and the finisher of the book of mormon have more in common than just the book which they helped bring forth. Though latterday saints have long known that the book of mormon is an important religious text, it is encouraging to see it considered as such by a prestigious american university.
At the same time, for the reader who wants a more indepth study of the book of mormon, especially its origins, there are. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. Book of mormon evidence podcast come follow me supplementary study. Of the fifteen books, all but two form a more or less continuous narrative that begins about 600 bc and ends in ad 421 these dates. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. He also wrote the words of mormon, and his son, moroni, later copied two of his epistles into the final pages of the book of mormon. A very short introduction very short introductions kindle edition by givens, terryl l download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. Also, joseph smith claimed that god is the author xx of the book of mormon. I am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. This language, however, comes from the federal statutes and legal forms in use in 1829 1 stat.
As always, inspired direction came from the scriptures publication committee of the quorum of the twelve. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. According to the narrative in the book of mormon, the prophet mormon abridged the large plates, including the book of lehi the translation of which martin harris lost in july 1828 and the books of mosiah, alma, helaman, nephi the third and fourth books under the name of nephi, and mormon. The book of mormon likewise shatters familiar religious paradigms and reconfigures them with a totality that is resistant to compromise. Introduction to the book of mormon another testament. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Mar 21, 2012 this book is a quick and enjoyable read about the book of mormon, how it orginated, how it has been received, and how it has been interpreted and valued throughout the years. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Oct 20, 2016 mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a lengthy and somewhat complex book. Nov 09, 2007 the change will be included in the next edition of the book of mormon printed by the church. The current introduction page in the book of mormon was not part of the original text translated by joseph smith jr. As early as 1831, eber howe, in his antimormon book mormonism.
Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1 nephi 2. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. The book of mormon, an account, written by the hand of mormon upon. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism, rich kelsey. A literary and theological introduction thomas, john christopher on.
What do you expect to learn about the book of mormon this year. December 23, 2019 dont miss this newsletters are being delivered today. The book of mormon has been translated from english into over 105 languages. The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. My name is paul anderson, and i love studying the book of mormon. Who wrote the 1981 introduction to the book of mormon. See, for example, welch, opening the heavens, 100101, 115117. This title page serves as an introduction and preface to all that the reader encounters in the book of mormon, and reflects mormons own feelings about the work and the gospel of jesus christ.
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