Approximately million copies of the book of mormon have been printed since 1830. As we know, the fulness of the gospel is contained in the book of mormon, thus the book of mormon is a part of that ensign that has been raised to the nations see 2 nephi 29. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. The book of mormon has been translated from english into over 105 languages. It professes to be a religious and secular history of hebrews who fled jerusalem and certain persecution in 600 b. Reason for the references to christ hundreds of years before first. References to animals, plants, metals and technologies in the book of. It was not intended to be a translation of the book of mormon into modern english, and it would fit that role poorly. The book of mormon has been organized into 6,607 verses, of which 3,925 refer to jesus christ, employing more than 100 titles. Upon first glance, the book of mormon appears rather unthreatening. Major book of mormon authors used sixtyseven different names to refer to jesus christ. Citations on the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. The sources behind the book of mormon are remarkably complex, and sometimes hard to.
Clark mixed nine first vision story elements together with the story of the coming forth of the book of mormon and said that he learned them all in the fall of 1827 from martin harris john a. Jesus christ in the scriptures the encyclopedia of mormonism. Ten amazing references to christ in the book of mormon. I dont think the answer is written down anywhere, but i recall hearing that there are over 100. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. In the category of serious, the book of mormon contains modalistic language that militates against the biblical doctrine of the trinity ether 3. Book of mormon written in modernday english grace for grace. A biblical scholar looks at the book of mormon mormons in. Appearance and ministry to the inhabitants of the americas.
The smithsonian institution has issued an official statement that the book of mormon contradicts scientific analysis of the precolumbian western hemisphere. At first glance the book of mormon appears to be biblical in heft and style. In its more than 6,000 verses, the book of mormon refers to jesus christ almost 4,000 times and by 100 different names. The modernday people of this promised land must remember that, if they. The introduction tells you that the book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. How many references in the book of mormon refer to the name of jesus besides the great i am. This paper is based on a talk and powerpoint presentation given to the book of mormon lands conference, 20 october 2007. The pivotal event of the book is an appearance of jesus christ in the. Biblical scholars investigate such questions as the manuscript history. Soon after the book of mormon was published in 1830, the prophet and his followers organized the church of christ, an ecclesiastical institution that. It may surprise you to learn that the book of mormon is actually a book about jesus christ, the same jesus found in the bible. According to lds infographic, there are 3,925 references to christ in the volume.
Talmage depicts the life from beginning to end of the savior and he does an amazing job. But joseph smith, prophet, seer, and revelator of the lord in this modern and last. The book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ and confirms the truths found in the holy bible. How many times is jesus mentioned in the book of mormon, using. Oct 25, 2016 according to hugh nibley, the father of contemporary mormon scriptural and theological scholarship, the book of mormon can and should be tested. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1991, 187210. But i appreciate having it as a reference in my study of nonchristian religions. The book of mormon is extremely important to contemporary latterday saints, who consider it the most perfect book on earth. Reference guide to the book of mormon church of jesus christ. Mormonism was organized as a religion after joseph smith, the movements founder, published the book of mormon in upstate new york in 1830. As i have explained in earlier essays,2 the book of mormon writers consistently include water baptism as one element of what they call the gospel or doctrine of christ, the way whereby men can be saved in the kingdom of god 2 ne.
According to latter day saint theology, seer stones were believed to have been used by joseph smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from god. First, its doctrine often agrees with traditional christian beliefs in sometimes surprising ways and at other times undermines the bible and traditional christianity. Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. Understanding christian baptism through the book of mormon. Joseph smiths first visionpublished references fairmormon. Citing the book of mormon and other common religious sources mla the book of mormon. The book of mormon reference companion deseret book. 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. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and contains, as does the bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s.
The sources behind the book of mormon are remarkably complex, and sometimes hard to keep straight. Mormon prophets have taught that jesus was conceived by sexual intercourse physical union between god the father and mary. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. In 1982, the phrase another testament of jesus christ was added as a subtitle to the book of mormon. Peterson, priesthood in mosiah in the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 2004, pp 2346. When it comes to testifying of jesus as messiah, the book of mormon is.
This book is one written in the temple and included in the missionary library. The book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the beginnings of some native indian tribes.
Susan e black jesus christ in the book of mormon seagull book. Rather, joseph smith apparently reworked information which he had assimilated and then presented it as a translation from the golden plates. The article jesus christ in the book of mormon treats the pivotal. Jehovah, immanuel, holy messiah, lamb of god, redeemer of israel, and so on. 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, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 7 vols. Never before has a reference work of this scope been. Top ten books the lds mormon church doesnt want you to. According to hugh nibley, the father of contemporary mormon scriptural and theological scholarship, the book of mormon can and should be tested. In this chapter, i desire to discuss some of the fundamental things that the book of mormon relates about jesus christ. Christ in the book of mormon book of mormon evidence. Critics cite numerous problems with the text that indicate it is of more modern. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. But the book of mormon account does not contain these references, probably because the american audience would not have understood them. Did the community of christ denounce the book of mormon.
I am a bible fan, and so i am quite familiar with the principles taught by jesus christ. The book of mormon is the base from which millions have begun a personal journey of spiritual growth and of service to others. The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. Why doesnt the book of mormon include other teachings found in church today, such as temple marriage, degrees of glory, etc according to the book of mormon, the doctrine of christ are the foundational principles of the gospel of salvation, not meant to be confused with the higher. The following topics and references provide insight into the peoples, places, doctrines, and events of the book of mormon. Thus, some form of christs name is used on an average of one reference for every 1. The theological and religious teachings of the book of mormon are important in three respects. Church removes racial references in book of mormon headings. Explore around to see how the book of mormon can bless your life. From a geographical standpoint, some lds scholars believe mesoamerica to be the setting of the book of mormon. The book of mormon reference companion kindle edition by. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Here are the 10 of the most common passages i cite regularly. Typically bound in a blue leather cover with the name inscribed in gold it resembles many bibles. The book of mormon clarifies the covenant nature of baptism. Lehi, an alleged prophet and contemporary of jeremiah, led his wife, children, and their spouses through the arabian wilderness to the shores of the large waters. In jesus christ in the book of mormon, these plain and precious truths of the gospel are celebrated by renowned gospel scholar dr. Outside of lds church, no relevant scholar accepts the book of mormon as anything beyond fiction.
How many references in the book of mormon refer to the. It is the word of god and, like the bible, gives us guidance and inspiration in our daily lives. Top ten books the lds mormon church doesnt want you to read the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, or the mormon church as it is more commonly known, definitely has a checkered past when it comes to its dogma and leaders. The first three prophets in the book of mormon, lehi, nephi, and jacob, were jews that. Horses are mentioned in eight different book of mormon episodes that involve an ancient new world setting. The details such as our modern use of temples differ, but the saving. I took my time rereadinglistening to this standard work of the latterday saints lds faith. What the book of mormon tells us about jesus christ.
Why doesnt the book of mormon include other teachings found in church today, such as temple marriage, degrees of glory, etc according to the book of mormon, the doctrine of christ are the foundational principles of the gospel of salvation, not meant to be confused with the higher ordinances of the temple, etc. In the 1980s, lds prophet and president ezra taft benson initiated a sort of renaissance by encouraging church members to read the book of mormon daily. The book of mormon bom is an abbreviated account of the inhabitants of the ancient americas from 2200 bc to 421 ad. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south park. The plain english reference to the book of mormon is an interesting project, but it includes a lot of interpolations and interpretations. Its not a search that one can simply do by checking a search engine.
Christ as depicted in the new testament and the book of mormon. The book of mormon attests that before the coming of christ the nephites practiced the mosaic law 2 nephi 5. Miller author matthew roper when the book of mormon first appeared, skeptics said that references to horses, asses, elephants, and other animals such as swine and cows were out of place. Church removes racial references in book of mormon. For information on sources of mormon quotations, see the section titled mormon documents. Over the next few months, ill be adding articles here that introduce you to what the book of mormon really says about jesus. Mar 07, 2011 book of mormon written in modernday english march 7, 2011 in book of mormon i was reading some of the book of mormon as well as the bible to my boss on a recent business trip as i prepared to teach my sunday school class this week. Moroni, the last of the nephite prophethistorians, sealed up the abridged records of. Can christ truly be found in each and every chapter of the book of mormon.
Its couched in king james english, and it features color renderings of mormon scenes made to look like bible illustrations. When god gave moses the ten commandments, one of his commandments was to remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy exodus 20. The english editions of the book of mormon published today generally result in a book of over 500 pages. Nevertheless, for the jewish audience, christ was able to include many references to and examples about scribes, pharisees, and contemporary priests and levites. Another testament of jesus christ are two volumes of scripture that testify of the divinity and earthly ministry of the savior, jesus christ. A twohundredyear era of peace followed that visit of christ.
Why is the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. Do modern members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints think. From the roles and names of christ to his physical attributes and demeanor and his. What does it mean to say the bom has the fulness of the gospel. Verses are cited in the order they are listed in the book of mormon. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. The strength of this argument rests in the fact that neither the name christ nor the word church appears in any modern translation of the old testament, whereas the contemporary portion of the book of mormon contains over two hundred references to the savior by the name christ and almost as many references to his church.
First, while smith referred to the book of mormon as the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion, its flaws run the gamut from the serious to the silly. In a day when many claim that the mormon church is a cult and certainly not a christian church, it is interesting to note that the book of mormon has 476 references to the lord jesus christ by name. God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day, he rested. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up.
There are many book of mormon passages i like to use when i am witnessing to mormons. Isaiah certainly from the brass plates influenced book of mormon religious thought and practice. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released this week the most. The account, known as the book of mormon, first published in 1830. The book of mormon is a pillar of revealed truth supporting and upholding the chief cornerstone, who is jesus christ.
May 12, 2015 how many references in the book of mormon refer to the name of jesus besides the great i am. The theology of the book of mormon an introduction to the. This may be because the lord was to them, as he is to each of us, both the same and different. As noted by elder mcconkie above, the ensign refers to the holy gospel. Book of mormon peoples, guided by the brass plates and revelation which their religious leaders earnestly sought, did likewise. Members of the utahbased church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe founder joseph smith unearthed a set of gold plates from a hill in upstate new york in 1827 and translated the ancient text into english. But what are the things the devil does not want anyone to know about the book of mormon, the keystone of our religion. With the faith now of one of the fastestgrowing religions in the country, doubleday is proud to publish this first official.
The following summaries provide several different ways to understand the meaning and purpose of this added subtitle. I am convinced that the book of mormon not only testifies of jesus christ but also. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 1981, 2nd nephi 32. A testimony of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. Joseph smith declared the book of mormon to be the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.
The mormons a nickname for members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints added a subheading to the book to explain that it is a second witness of the lord. There are all sorts lists of things that critics of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints seem to think its members ought to know. The book of mormon is the most important religious text to be revealed from god to man since the writings of the new testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago. The book of mormon, above all else, bears witness to the divinity of jesus christ and contains the doctrines of the gospel of jesus christ. A biblical scholar looks at the book of mormon mormons.
The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Mar 21, 2016 what does it mean to say the bom has the fulness of the gospel. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Book of mormonthe book of mormon is a foundational sacred text for the church of jesus christ of latterday saints whose members are commonly called mormons, after the book itself. Dec 20, 2010 the account, known as the book of mormon, first published in 1830, primarily tells the story of gods dealings with two israelite civilizations living in the new world. I have found that the savior is referred to by one hundred different names. Mcconkie once described it as a book that would shake the earth. One passage says that the book of mormon shall establish the truth of the bible and shall make known to all kindreds. Therefore, from the perspective of a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, while it is true that the community of christ has not rejected the book of mormon wholesale, the community of christ has rejected the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Top 40 inspirational book of mormon scriptures the lifey app. The score for book of mormon seems to filled with musical references to other shows. In my work as an editor, i often need to consult a bible.
Bible quotations are from the new american standard version. The prophet joseph smith called the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion and said that a person would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book tpjs, p. This book is a similar book, but it was written by prophets in the. Book of mormon thus becomes an added condition for salvation besides faith in jesus christ. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon religious. Jesus the christ is most beneficial book a person could ever read next to the scriptures. Apr 01, 20 the book of mormon contains more references to the savior than even the bible and it is difficult to find even one page that does not refer to him or to some aspect of his gospel. One derived from a single family who fled jerusalem in 600 b. Bible ties to the book of mormon bible reference for lds.
The essenes, as the dead sea scrolls revealed, practiced baptism by immersion before christ. There are several significant references to the first vision in published documents from the 1830s 1827. Far from undermining the bible, the book of mormon supports its testimony of jesus christ. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe the holy bible and the book of mormon. In fact, the writing inside shares many principles of biblical doctrine. Some are obvious, like hasa diga eebowai being a reference to hakuna matata. After referencing the verses, i will, in about 100 words, explain how each can be used. For the twelve million members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints worldwide six million in the united states, the book of mormon is literally the word of god, a companion volume to the bible that contains the everlasting gospel. The book of mormon comprises 15 books, each allegedly written by an ancient american prophet. Specifically, the book of mormon was prepared for our day so that we would learn and grow by readings the words of ancient prophets in the americas. However, it is this very likeness that should raise suspicion. Soon after the book of mormon was published in 1830, the prophet and his followers organized the church of christ, an ecclesiastical institution that differed from all other christian churches at. Many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that joseph smith used this seer stone in the book of mormon translation effort. In reality, the book of mormon contains very little original information.
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