The book of mormon has 180 named characters that are authenic ancient names, many of which were unknown to the western world at the time. This close reading enables the construction of a theology of the book of mormon that explores the major theological emphases that emerge from a narrative analysis of the book. Reynolds the thronetheophany and prophetic commission in 1 nephi. Dec 12, 2017 for the 24 book of mormon authors included in the analysis, see larsen, rencher, and layton, who wrote the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The implications of reading the book of mormon from a literary perspective stokes, adam oliver. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. The book of mormon is a sacred text in the latter day saint movement published by joseph smith. New computer study purports to detect literary influences on. Long and complicated, written in the language of the king james version of the bible, it boggles the minds of many.
Bruce schaalje, stylometric analyses of the book of mormon. Its the calling card for thousands of missionaries, and part of the inspiration for a tony awardwinning broadway musical. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a 19thcentury translation of a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, which was written in a script which the book refers to as reformed egyptian. As john hilton put the matter, if wordprinting is a valid technique, then this analysis suggests that it is statistically indefensible to claim that joseph, oliver, or solomon spaulding wrote the 30,000 words in the book of mormon attributed to nephi and alma. A literary analysis of the book of mormon 1996, by walter krajewski. Chiasmus, a rhetorical device used prevalently in the bible and in other ancient literatures, was relegated to the intellectual subconsciousness of modern western civilization until the midnineteenth century. A literary analysis of the word liahona book of mormon. The 19th century writers included sidney rigdon, solomon spaulding, joseph smith, w. Personification is a type of imagery where objects or abstract things are treated as though they were human. Following these rules, the thesis provides an analysis of specific themes particular to the book of mormon and suggests how. Whenever an ancient document is found which has questionable historical authenticity, there is a standard testing process that is done to determine whether the document is a work of fiction or. The book of mormon comprises fifteen books, all named for their primary narrator or protagonist. The literary power of the book of mormon religious studies center.
A judeomormon analysis illuminates the seeker of truth on a refreshingly new level. For example, unlike the authors of the bible, the prophets, compilers, and abridgers of the book of mormon frequently state explicitly the dates when they. To read the book of mormon as literature is to discover how such literary devices are used to convey the messages of its content. Pros cons the book of mormon has 180 named characters that are authenic ancient names, many of which were unknown to the western world at the time. This claim, as well as all claims to historical authenticity of the book of mormon, are rejected by nonlatter day saint historians and scientists. Statisticians at brigham young university completed a computer analysis of the book of mormon.
This led to new research on the ancient american setting and complex literary structure of the book of mormon. This last landmark work by renowned isaiah scholar and literary analyst avraham gileadi is destined to transform readers understanding of the most timely and empowering truths the scriptures reveal. In understanding the book of mormon, hardy offers the first comprehensive analysis of the works narrative structure in its 180 year history. The term chiasmus is never used, but this book clearly shows that hebrew poetic styles were recognized and studied even before joseph smiths time. In no way does the use of literary criticism suggest that his gospel is only a. Because the power of the holy ghost will unequivocally testify to the historical reality and spiritual message of the book of mormon, it therefore stands as a valid witness of gods influence and interaction with his children. How exactly does one read the book of mormon as literature. The literary book of mormon brigham young university.
Its local color is extremely plausible, describes a state of social organization which agrees exactly with archaeological and documentary evidence, the personal names are satisfactory for that period and region, and finally, there is nothing unreasonable in. We can rest assured there are definitely multiple authors in. Both live on the american continent around 10070 bce as prophets and government leaders. Daniel vogel allows for the possibility that complex chiasms might occasionally appear in the book of mormon, but he argues that the multitude of nearmisses points to what statisticians call the fallacy of the enumeration of favorable circumstances, or emphasizing the successes while disregarding the failures. To the person who knows only chiasmus and no other form of literary. The debate between critics and defenders of the book of mormon continues today. Apr 26, 2020 the book of mormon is rich in imagery. Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon book of.
Book of mormon authorship, in book of mormon authorship revisited. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a. A mormon explanation of the i believe book of mormon. Over time, however, its become clear that the book of mormon is actually a remarkably complex and sophisticated text. 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. This volume features articles that look at literary aspects of the book of mormon, including a lyric reading of nephis psalm, the exodus pattern and moses typology in the book, the literary context that affected its acceptance in england in 1837, a. An analysis of wordprints, in book of mormon authorship. At least three computer analyses have been completed to date in an effort to determine who wrote the book of mormon, and whether it was a single individual or a group. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from. Joseph smith translated this record written on golden plates, and that translation is what we now have as the book of mormon. Conflicting results of computer analyses of the book of mormon. The book of mormon in the english literary context of 1837 gordon k. Apr 03, 2014 then there is the possibility of reading the book of mormon as literature, to enlighten, uplift, and inspire the reader. Since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different.
New computer study purports to detect literary influences. Each book contains between one and thirty chapters, and they are printed in chronological order. Whenever an ancient document is found which has questionable historical authenticity, there is a standard testing process that is done to determine whether the. Literary analysis of the book of mormon is just as legitimate as the kind of historical analysis and comparisons that hugh nibley did for apologetic purposes.
The book of mormon gets the literary treatment religion. Linguistic anachronisms in the book of mormon are words that represent concepts that are not believed to have existed in the americas between 2500 b. By the late 20th century, academic scholarship began to take seriously the literary quality and religious influence of the book of mormon. Some early critics of the book of mormon ridiculed its literary qualities. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Linguistically based assertions are frequently cited and discussed in the context of the subject of. This close reading enables the construction of a theology of the book of mormon that explores the major theological emphases that. Senior missionary explains book of mormon wordprint analysis. Understanding the book of mormon grant hardy oxford. In both fields, writings range from expository texts to doctrinal, historical, geographical, textual, literary, and comparative commentaries. Then there is the possibility of reading the book of mormon as literature, to enlighten, uplift, and inspire the reader.
Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Sondrup the exodus pattern in the book of mormon s. The internets been abuzz with hype this week about a new computer study by duane and chris johnson which purports to identify four literary influences on the book of mormon besides the king james bible gilbert j. With over 140 million copies in print, it is a central text of one of the largest and fastestgrowing faiths in the world. Its another record of gods dealings with his children. Although the book of mormon is composed of such literary elements as stories, poetry, symbolism, letters, archetypes, typology, and allegories, it is not just literature. Kent brown the israelite background of moses typology in the book of mormon noel b. Hunt, the late war, between the united states and great britain, from june 1812, to february 1815 1816 modeste gruau, the first book of napoleon, the tyrant of the earth. His research into literary forms in ancient scriptures led him to the original discovery in 1967 of chiasmus in the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The four texts listed above are the ones that seem to share a statistically significant number of distinctive phrases with the book of mormon. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books.
May 23, 2017 even as eloquent a defender of the book as terryl givensa professor of religion and literature at the university of richmond who has since the 1990s been an emissary of mormon culture and theology to nonmormon intellectualsfelt compelled to admit that searching for literary wonders in the book of mormon is a bit like seeking lyrical. Does chiasmus appear in the book of mormon by chance. Nephi is the predominant writer of personification. Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon, part one. Since the book of mormon contains numerous chiasms, it thus becomes logical to consider the book a product of the ancient world and to judge its literary qualities accordingly. Intriguing literary analysis of the book of mormon later on. Chiastic structures in the book of mormon 1997, by h. Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon book. Alma, a father, and alma the younger, who is his son. Jun, 2011 a mormon explanation of the i believe book of mormon musical number from the tonys. What was mormons purpose in writing the book of mormon. It is the sacred text for the 15 millionstrong church of jesus christ of latterday saints. To appreciate the book of mormon through a literary lens does not require us to. Parallelistic literary devices in the book of mormon include synonymous, antithetical, repetitive numerical, and circular repetitive forms.
The book of mormon is authentic because it fulfills certain conditions lending it credibility as starting off in the near east such as. This may not be an earthshattering observation, but by. Many faithful mormon scholars have rightly surmised that where chiasmus could be found, there just might be other literary discoveries to be made. The interpreter foundation currently hosts digital versions of all six parts of this volume.
Wordprint studies of the book of mormon fairmormon. The typology of the exodus pattern in the book of mormon. The book of mormon as a really interesting, well, piece of. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 163. The book of mormon is, in steinbergs view, a work of fan fiction, a way to imbue a new world with some of the sanctity of the holy land. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity. The book of mormon breaks several rules that are critical to works of fiction.
To view any of the parts, click on one of the links below. A thorough literary analysis of the book of mormon reveals abundant and rich imagery and personification. For the first time, studies of the book of mormons literary qualities were appearing in major journals of american literary studies. Unlike virtually all other recent world scriptures, the book of mormon presents itself as an integrated narrative rather than a series of doctrinal expositions, moral injunctions, or devotional hymns.
Using three advanced statistical techniques manova or multivariate analysis of variants, cluster and discriminant analysis the researchers determined theres no way that book had single authorship. The book of mormon is a religious text which, like the bible, may be subjected to various methods of analysis. Jan 16, 2018 an analysis of wordprints, in book of mormon authorship. Critics of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. An analysis of wordprints, book of mormon authorship, 181. Literary reflections on jacob and his descendants religious. Jan 16, 2018 556 videos play all knowhy videos book of mormon central president nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. This volume features articles that look at literary aspects of the book of mormon, including a lyric reading of nephis psalm, the exodus pattern and moses typology in the book, the literary context that affected its acceptance in england in 1837, a comparison of the book of mormon with the narrative of zosimus, and even an analysis of the book. But even if the book of mormon is not remarkable in its literary qualities as we. A literary analysis of the book of mormon pages 14.
This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. He next presents an extended reading of the narrative contents of the book focusing on its literary and theological dimensions. The book of mormon as a really interesting, well, piece of literature. The literary power of the book of mormon book of mormon central. According to smith, the text was originally written in an unknown language called reformed egyptian. Jacks efforts to plumb the depths of chiasmus during the 1970s also stimulated other types of literary analysis of the book of mormon. Volume 4 of royal skousens book of mormon critical text project contains six parts that detail the textual variants found throughout the text of the book of mormon. Oct 27, 20 the more distinctive ngrams a text shares with the book of mormon, the more literary dependence is indicated. One challenge in performing a linguistic analysis of the book of mormon is that. Yet it is unquestionably one of the most influential books ever written. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds have. Mar 30, 2018 some early critics of the book of mormon ridiculed its literary qualities. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been written in otherwise unknown characters referred to as reformed egyptian engraved on golden plates. The implications of reading the book of mormon from a literary perspective.
Mark twain once derided the book of mormon as chloroform in print. So i watched the tony awards last night, where the book of mormon musical cleaned up. According to the text, the nephites and the lamanites initially spoke hebrew 600 bc and might have spoken a modified semitic language until at least 400 ad, when the book of mormon ends. The literary power of the book of mormon book of mormon. Book of mormon literature the encyclopedia of mormonism. Alter and kermodes the literary guide to the bible 1990 shows how this is done with the.
Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe. This thesis discusses whether literary methods of analysis are applicable to a sacred text, and suggests rules which should govern such a method of analysis. Two others are by the hand of mormon and the book of mormon. For the 24 book of mormon authors included in the analysis, see larsen, rencher, and layton, who wrote the book of mormon. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center.