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Midgley, Louis C. "'A Tangled Web' The Walter Martin Miasma." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 20.
Review of Mormonism (1957); The Maze of Mormonism (1962); and The Kingdom of the Cults (1997), by Walter Martin
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Hoskisson, Paul Y. "Aaron's Golden Calf." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 18.
This article provides insights on the story of Aaron and the golden calf in the Bible, explaining why Aaron may have decided to make it and why his punishment for doing so was minor in comparison to other biblical reprimands.
Reed, Michael G. "Abanes's 'Revised' History." The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 8.
Review of Richard Abanes. One Nation under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church.
Jensen, Robin Scott. "Abner Cole and The Reflector: Another Clue to the Timing of the 1830 Book of Mormon Printing." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 24 no. 1 (2015).
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "About the Contributors." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
Gee, John. "Abracadabra, Isaac and Jacob." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 6.
Review of The Use of Egyptian Magical Papyri to Authenticate the Book of Abraham: A Critical Review? (1993), by Edward H. Ashment.
Gee, John. "Abraham and Idrimi." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 22 no. 1 (2013).
Idrimi of Alalakh lived in Syria about a century after Abraham and left an autobiographical inscription that is the only such item uncovered archaeologically from Middle Bronze Age Syro-Palestine. The inscription of Idrimi and the Book of Abraham share a number of parallel features and motifs. Some of the parallels are a result of similar experiences in their lives and some are a result of coming from a similar culture and time.
Ostler, Blake T. "Abraham: An Egyptian Connection." Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1981.
Tvedtnes, John A. "Abrahamic Lore in Support of the Book of Abraham." Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999. Transcript of a lecture presented on 10 March 1999 as part of the FARMS Book of Abraham Lecture Series.
Stories about Abraham circulated in ancient times and were continued into the medieval period. Many of these accounts were then lost and have come to light only recently. John Tvedtnes examines several such stories— ranging from creation accounts to the attempted sacrifice of Abraham— and shows how they support the Book of Abraham.
Murphy, John. "Acquiring and Preserving Written Records: A Sacred Commission." The FARMS Review 19, no. 2 (2007): Article 8.
This article discusses the importance of recording sacred experiences and preserving other written records.
Aston, Warren P. "Across Arabia with Lehi and Sariah: 'Truth Shall Spring out of the Earth'" Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 2 (2006).
Utilizing techniques adapted from literary criticism, this paper investigates the narrative structure of the Book of Mormon, particularly the relationship between Nephi's first-person account and Mormon's third-person abridgment. A comparison of the order and relative prominence of material from 1 Nephi 12 with the content of Mormon's historical record reveals that Mormon may have intentionally patterned the structure of his narrative after Nephi's prophetic vision—a conclusion hinted at by Mormon himself in his editorial comments. With this understanding, readers of the Book of Mormon can see how Mormon's sometimes unusual editorial decisions are actually guided by an overarching desire to show that Nephi's prophecies have been dramatically and literally fulfilled in the history of his people.
Butler, John M. "Addressing Questions Surrounding the Book of Mormon and DNA Research." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 7.
Butler discusses the premises of the DNA argument between supporters and critics of the Book of Mormon.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Afterword." FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 2 (1999): Article 9.
In response to the articles in this issue, Peterson notes that Latter-day Saints do not extend themselves to expose and attack other faiths. He further discusses, among other things, an open canon and continuing revelation, salvation as outlined in the scriptures, the ordinances of the gospel, revelation following the incarnation and resurrection of Christ, the biblical canon, inerrancy, biblical texts, the Book of Abraham, and the nature of God.
Nelson, Fred W. "Alan C. Miner. Step by Step through the Book of Mormon: The Story in Scriptures--A Geographical, Cultural, and Historical System of Understanding and Step by Step through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary, Part 1--Through the Wilderness to the Promised Land." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 1 (1997): Article 7.
Review of Step by Step through the Book of Mormon: The Story in Scriptures? A Geographical, Cultural, and Historical System of Understanding (1996), and Step by Step through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary, Part 1?Through the Wilderness to the Promised Land (1996), by Alan C. Miner
McKinlay, Daniel B. "Alan Goff, 'A Hermeneutic of Sacred Texts: Historicism, Revisionism, Positivism, and the Bible and the Book of Mormon?'" Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 12.
Review of "A Hemeneutic of Sacred Texts: Historicism, Revisionism, Postitiveism, and the Bible and Book of Mormon" (1989), by Alan Goff.
Hedges, Andrew H. "All My Endeavors to Preserve Them: Protecting the Plates in Palmyra, 22 September-December 1827." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 2 (1992).
After Joseph Smith received the gold plates from the angel Moroni, he had to take great measures to protect them from people who wanted to steal them for their monetary value. Although Joseph did not leave much documentation of such experiences, the people who were closely associated with him at the time did. Using what records still exist, Hedges pieces together some of the stories of Joseph's challenges in obtaining and protecting the gold plates.
Ricks, Shirley S. "Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun for Family Night: Book of Mormon Edition." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3 (1991): Article 5.
Review of Fun for Family Night: Book of Mormon Edition (1990), by Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard.
Snow, Edward. "Allan K. Burgess, Living the Book of Mormon: A Guide to Understanding and Applying Its Principles in Today's World." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 41.
Review of Living the Book of Mormon: A Guide to Understanding and Applying Its Principles in Today's World (1991), by Allen K. Burgess.
Livingstone, Amy L. "Allan K. Burgess. Timely Truths from the Book of Mormon." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 1 (1997): Article 4.
Review of Timely Truths from the Book of Mormon (1995), by Allan K. Burgess
Conkling, J. Christopher. "Alma's Enemies: The Case of the Lamanites, Amlicites, and Mysterious Amalekites." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14 no. 1 (2005).
In Alma 21 a new group of troublemakers is introduced—the Amalekites—without explanation or introduction. This article offers arguments that this is the same group called Amlicites elsewhere and that the confusion is caused by Oliver Cowdery's inconsistency in spelling. If this theory is accurate, then Alma structured his narrative record more tightly and carefully than previously realized. The concept also challenges the simplicity of the good Nephite/bad Lamanite rubric so often used to describe the players in the book of Mormon.
Allred, Philip A. "Alma's Use of State in the Book of Mormon: Evidence of Multiple Authorship." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5 no. 1 (1996).
Alma's distinctive use of the word state in the Book of Mormon is present in his unique concentration of state, his tendency to reword with state, and his treatment of a shared topic involving state.
Jackson, Kent P. "Am I a Christian?" FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 10.
Review of "Is Mormonism Christian?" (2002), by Craig L. Blomberg
Yerman, Bruce E. "Ammon and the Mesoamerican Custom of Smiting off Arms." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 1 (1992).
Ammon, a Nephite missionary who chose to serve a Lamanite king as his servant, gained fame by cutting off the arms of the king's enemies. The practice of smiting off arms of enemies as trophies fits a cultural pattern known among the later Aztecs and Maya in pre-Spanish Mesoamerica.
Eliason, Eric A. "'An Awful Tale of Blood' Theocracy, Intervention, and the Forgotten Kingdom." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 10.
Review of Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West, 1875-1896 (1998), by David L. Bigler
Gee, John. "'An Obstacle to Deeper Understanding'" FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 2 (2000): Article 16.
Review of Early Mormonism and the Magic World View (1998), by D. Michael Quinn
Jenkins, Joseph A. "An Analysis from a Teacher's Perspective." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 2 (2001): Article 7.
Review of Charting the Book of Mormon (1999), by John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch
Kerr, Todd R. "Ancient Aspects of Nephite Kingship in the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
Nephite kings were expected to fulfill the same roles that kings played in other ancient civilizations— commander of the military forces, chief judicial official, and leader of the national religion. A king's success depended not only on the extent to which he performed each role, but also on the motives behind his service. Selfless rule by Benjamin-type kings commanded the respect and praise of the people, while King Noah's quest for personal gain roused Old World disdain for the monarch. The Nephite experiment with kingship confirms that between "kings and tyrants there's this difference known; kings seek their subject's good; tyrants their own" (Robert Herrick, 1591–1674).
Rust, Richard Dilworth. "Ancient Literary Forms in the Book of Mormon." FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 6.
Review of Finding Biblical Hebrew and Other Ancient Literary Forms in the Book of Mormon (1999), by Hugh W. Pinnock
Welch, John W. "Ancient Near Eastern Law and the Book of Mormon." Provo, UT: FARMS, 1982. Preliminary Report.
Welch, John W. "Ancient Near Eastern Law and the Book of Mormon." Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1984. Preliminary Report.
Gee, John. "The Ancient Owners of the Joseph Smith Papyri." Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999. Transcript of a lecture presented on 17 March 1999 as part of the FARMS Book of Abraham Lecture Series.
Although much attention has been paid to those who have possessed the Joseph Smith Papyri in modern times, relatively little attention has been paid to the ancient owners of the papyri. This lecture examines the ancient owners, the world in which they lived, and their contact with the Book of Abraham.
Sorenson, John L. "Ancient Voyages Across the Ocean to America: From 'Impossible' to 'Certain'" Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14 no. 1 (2005).
In the past, experts have assumed that primitive sailors would have found it impossible to cross the oceans between the Old World and the New. However, John Sorenson here concludes that the evidence for transoceanic contacts now drowns out the arguments of those who have seen the New World as an isolated island until ad 1492. Sorenson's arguments are based on evidences from Europe, Asia, and Polynesia of the diffusion of New World plants and infectious organisms. His research identifies evidence for transoceanic exchanges of 98 plant species, including tobacco and peanuts. The presence of hookworm in both the Americas and the Old World before Columbus also serves as evidence to establish transoceanic contact.
Belnap, Dan. "'And it came to pass…': The Sociopolitical Events in the Book of Mormon Leading to the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of the Judges." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 23 no. 1 (2014).
Rust, Richard Dilworth. "Annual FARMS Lecture: The Book of mormon, Designed for Our Day." In Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 0.
Rust, in the third annual FARMS Book of Mormon lecture delivered on 27 February 1990, examin3ed literary aspects of the book that develop the primary purposes set out on the title page. He discussed the elements characteristic of an epic that will allow modern-day Lamanites to trust in the Lord's deliverance and detailed literary (especially poetic) presentations of the covenants in the Book of Mormon. Literary elements combine with the influence of the Spirit to testify of the purposes of the Book of Mormon.
Gee, John. "Another Note on the Three Days of Darkness." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 2 (1997).
The fragmentary text on a stele erected at Karnak seems to be connected with the volcanic eruption on Thera. The phraseology in many instances bears uncanny resemblance to the Book of Mormon account of the destruction in the Americas at the time of the crucifixion.
Hardy, Heather. "Another Testament of Jesus Christ: Mormon's Poetics." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 16 no. 2 (2007).
The Book of Mormon is clearly a didactic text, with its narrators using plainness, explicitness, and repetition to keep the message clear and straightforward. However, Hardy offers a more in-depth analysis of the text's rhetorical design that also reveals it as a literary text. The Book of Mormon is both a primer for judgment and a guidebook for sanctification. Parallel narratives are compared through clusters of similar narrative elements or phrasal borrowing between the multiple accounts. In Mosiah, Mormon tells the story of the bondage and delivery of Alma and his people after recounting the story of the bondage of the people of Limhi. Hardy explains that ambiguity, indirection, comparison, and allusions are all used to suggest the larger context of these two narratives. The ability to read the book as a guidebook for sanctification, rather than just as a straightforward didactic primer, will provide insight and guidance in the process of living a faithful life.
Huchel, Frederick M. "Antecedents of the Restoration in the Ancient Temple." The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 5.
Review of Temple Themes in Christian Worship (2008), by Margaret Barker.
Sloan, David E. "The Anthon Transcripts and the Translation of the Book of Mormon: Studying It Out in the Mind of Joseph Smith." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5 no. 2 (1996).
Prophesying of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Nephi foretold that an unlearned man would be asked by God to read the words of a book after a learned man had failed to do so. The unlearned man was initially unwilling, claiming, "I am not learned" (2 Nephi 27:19). One interpretation of Nephi's account is that Joseph Smith could not translate the Book of Mormon before the meeting of Martin Harris and Charles Anthon. Early historical accounts are consistent with this interpretation. However, according to Joseph Smith—History 1:64, Harris did take a translation to Anthon. Although this translation has not been found, evidence exists of similarities between this document and documents produced during the preliminary stages of the translation of the Book of Abraham. These similarities suggest that the document taken to Anthon was a preliminary and unsuccessful attempt to translate the Book of Mormon, during which Joseph Smith studied the translation problem out in his own mind as he qualified himself to receive the revealed translation from God.
Porter, Bruce D. "Anthony E. Larson, parallel Histories: The Nephites and the Americans." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3 (1991): Article 9.
Review of Parallel Histories: The Nephites and the Americans (1989), by Anthony E. Larson.
McGregor, Russell C. "The Anti-Mormon Attackers." FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 17.
Review of The Mormon Defenders: How Latter-day Saint Apologists Misinterpret the Bible (2001), by James Patrick Holding
Midgley, Louis C. "Anti-Mormonism and the Newfangled Countercult Culture." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 1 (1998): Article 9.
Review of The 1996 Directory of Cult Research Organizations: A Worldwide Listing of 752 Agencies and Individuals (1996), by Keith Edward Tolbert and Eric Pement
Peterson, Daniel C. "An Apologetically Important Nonapologetic Book." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 25 no. 1 (2016).
Hamblin, William J. "An Apologist for the Critics: Brent Lee Metcalfe's Assumptions and Methodologies." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 15.
Review of "Apologetic and Critical Assumptions about Book of Mormon Historicity" (1993), by Brent Lee Metcalfe.
Cooper, Glen M. "Appendix, On Aping Aristotle: Modern-day Simplicios." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 3.
Cooper addresses the claim that Thomas Murphy's DNA research is a "Galileo event." He provides information on Galileo's life to show that Galileo was not against religion and that the Catholic Church was not against science. Cooper then parallels that information with the Murphy situation. Like Galileo, Murphy has not taken a stance against religion, only against a particular religious text
Nibley, Hugh W. "Approach to John Gee, Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 2 (2001): Article 9.
Since 1989, the Review of Books on the Book of Mormon has published review essays to help serious readers make informed choices and judgments about books and other publications on topics related to the Latter-day Saint religious tradition. It has also published substantial freestanding essays that made further contributions to the field of Mormon studies. In 1996, the journal changed its name to the FARMS Review with Volume 8, No 1. In 2011, the journal was renamed Mormon Studies Review.
A review of A Guide to the Joseph Smtih Papyri (2000) by John Gee.
Keywords: Book of Abraham;Joseph Smith Papyri;Joseph Smith;Egyptology;Joseph Smith Papyri
Welch, John W. "Approaching New Approaches." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 7.
Review of New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology (1993), edited by Brent Lee Metcalfe.
Muhlestein, Kerry. "Approaching Understandings in the Book of Abraham." The FARMS Review 18, no. 2 (2006): Article 8.
Review of John Gee and Brian M. Hauglid, eds. Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant.
Aston, Warren P. "The Arabian Bountiful Discovered? Evidence for Nephi's Bountiful." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7 no. 1 (1998).
According to the Book of Mormon, a land named "Bountiful" was a fertile site on the Arabian Peninsula with timber, fresh water, and ore where Nephi built a ship to carry Lehi's group to the New World. In the seemingly barren land of the southern Arabian peninsula, a site that appears to correspond to the description in Nephi's record has been identified on the remote southern coast of the country of Oman. Kharfot may not be the exact location of Bountiful, but its discovery does show that a place matching the criteria for Bountiful does exist.
Chadwick, Jeffrey R. "An Archaeologist's View." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 2 (2006).
Royal Skousen's most significant contribution to Book of Mormon scholarship, this paper states, is in openly and systematically detailing the thousands of variants that occur across two manuscripts and twenty editions and showing that these variations do not affect the message or validity of the book as a witness of Jesus Christ. Skousen's work also offers new insights into the process of translating and publishing the Book of Mormon. Though the work of translation appears to have involved a number of different methods, we can nevertheless be sure that the Book of Mormon was translated by the "gift and power of God."
Clark, John E. "Archaeology and Cumorah Questions." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13 no. 1 (2004).
The archaeology of New York—and specifically the Hill Cumorah—is persuasive evidence that Book of Mormon peoples did not live in that region. By implication, the Cumorah of the golden plates is not the Cumorah of the final battles—Mormon's hill and Moroni's hill are not one and the same. These conclusions follow from a few basic points and assumptions that the author explores in this article.
Clark, John E. "Archaeology, Relics, and Book of Mormon Belief." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14 no. 2 (2005).
Archaeology has much to offer as a scientific means of gathering independent evidence of the Book of Mormon's authenticity. But one must look in the right place. A cautionary tale is the failed Cluff expedition of 1900, which, assuming a "hemispheric model" of Book of Mormon geography, traveled from Provo as far as Colombia looking for the city Zarahemla. Yet in 1842 the Times and Seasons (under Joseph Smith's editorship) had printed excerpts from a popular book on Mesoamerican archaeology that demonstrated a surprisingly high level of civilization, implying that Nephite lands did not extend into South America, thus supporting the theory of a "limited" geographic model. Both sides believe that archaeology is on their side. Book of Mormon critics also claim that archaeology is on their side, but decades of archaeological investigation in Mesoamerica and in the Old World has shown a pattern of increasing convergence that favors Book of Mormon authenticity. Evidences discussed include, among others, metal records in stone boxes, ancient writing, warfare, the tree of life and other metaphors, Old and New World geography, and cycles of civilization. In a sidebar article, the findings of an amateur archaeologist challenge a popular assumption that the hill was the scene of the final battles depicted in the Book of Mormon.
Tvedtnes, John A. "Ark of the Covenant . . . Again." The FARMS Review 20, no. 2 (2008): Article 7.
Review of Tudor Parfitt. The Lost Ark of the Covenant: The Remarkable Quest for the Legendary Ark.
Thorne, Sandra A. "The Armor of God: Understanding the Metaphor." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
Review of Kim B. Clark. Armor: Divine Protection in a Darkening World.
Fleugel, James H. "Arthur J. Kocherhans, Lehi's Isle of Promise: A Scriptural Account with Word Definitions and a Commentary." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3 (1991): Article 8.
Review of Lehi's Isle of Promise: A Scriptural Account with Word Definitions and a Commentary.
Tvedtnes, John A. "'As a Garment in a Hot Furnace'" Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 1 (1997).
The idea that King Noah's life was to be valued "as a garment in a hot furnace" is a type of simile curse. He would suffer death by fire, which was a just punishment for the wicked.
Allen, James B. "Asked and Answered: A Response to Grant H. Palmer." The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 14.
Review of Grant H. Palmer. An Insider's View of Mormon Origins.
Smith, Robert F. "Assessing the Broad Impact of Jack Welch's Discovery of Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 16 no. 2 (2007).
The attitude held by certain sectors of the anti-Mormon crowd has changed over the years, even to the point where some no longer deny the literary merit and beauty of the Book of Mormon. Although an assessment of the impact of Jack Welch's work and writing on chiasmus may be premature, it is clear that his work on the subject incited the expansion of other literary analyses of the Book of Mormon and encouraged the publication of their results. Welch's work influenced studies and analyses on chiasmus in Classic Mayan texts, and his publications have contributed much to the discipline of chiastic analyses.
Holzapfel, Richard Neitzel, and David M. Whitchurch. "Assessing the Countercult." The FARMS Review 17, no. 1 (2005): Article 13.
Review of Douglas E. Cowan. Bearing False Witness? An Introduction to the Christian Countercult.
Midgley, Louis C. "Atheists and Cultural Mormons Promote a Naturalistic Humanism." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 17.
Review of Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of Conscience: A Mormon/Humanist Dialogue (1994), edited by George D. Smith.
Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "Attempts to Redefine the Experience of the Eight Witnesses." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14 no. 1 (2005).
Skeptics have misused some historical sources as they attempt to reverse the Eight Witnesses' statements about their physical contact with the Book of Mormon plates. The Eight Witnesses speak of viewing the plates themselves with unobstructed vision. They left 10 specific statements of handling the plates. This article provides an overview of the statements and experiences of the Eight Witnesses and the arguments of their critics, both then and now. Their unequivocal testimonies resist revisionists' attempts to portray their experience as mere illusion or deception.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Authority in the Book of Mosiah." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 10.
This article examines the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon in order to study the doctrine and pres-ence of the priesthood in Book of Mormon times.
Hancock, Ralph C. "The Authority of 'Academic Freedom' On Two Cases of Miseducation at BYU." FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 18.
Review of The Lord's University: Freedom and Authority at BYU (1998), by Bryan Waterman and Brian Kagel
Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. "Authors." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 17 no. 1 (2008).
Michael Austin. "Avi Steinberg, The Lost Book of Mormon: A Journey through the Mythic Lands of Nephi, Zarahemla, and Kansas City, Missouri." Review in Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 24 no. 1 (2015).
Porter, Bruce D. "Avraham Gileadi, The Book of Isaiah: A New Translation with Interpretive Keys from the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 45.
Review of The Book of Isaiah: A New Translation with Interpretive Keys from the Book of Mormon (1998), by Avraham Gileadi
Parry, Donald W. "Avraham Gileadi, The Book of Isaiah: A New Translation with Interpretive Keys from the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 46.
Seely, David R. "Avraham Gileadi, The Literary Message of Isaiah." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 7.
Review of The Literary Message of Isaiah (1994), by Avraham Gileadi.
Bitton, Davis. "B. H. Roberts and Book of Mormon Scholarship." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 2 (1992).
Brigham Henry Roberts, a Book of Mormon scholar in the early twentieth century, was a pioneer in his field. He conducted research regarding the culture and the geography of the Book of Mormon peoples in an attempt to determine the setting of the Book of Mormon. His extensive work in this area has significantly influenced the progress of Book of Mormon research. Roberts also enthusiastically defended the book when others criticized it. He was able to do so effectively because of his study of and familiarity with the Book of Mormon. Roberts did, however, have a few limitations, the most detrimental being his unfounded assumption that "the narrow neck of land" in the Book of Mormon is the Isthmus of Panama. Yet, Roberts's pioneering efforts remain today a crucial catalyst to modern analytical studies of the Book of Mormon.
Paulsen, David L., and Brock M. Mason. "Baptism for the Dead in Early Christianity." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 19 no. 2 (2010).
To help mitigate the soteriological problem of evil, that one having had no chance to hear the gospel would be sent to hell, many early Christians practiced baptism for the dead. The only reference to this in the New Testament comes in 1 Corinthians 15:29, a scripture that some scholars attempt to reinterpret or repunctuate to dismiss baptism for the dead but that most scholars defend as a legitimate reference. Further strengthening the historicity of the practice are references by early writers such as Tertullian and Ambrosiaster. The quest for authenticating the practice of baptism for the dead should rest on these and other historical references, not on retroactively applied standards of orthodoxy.
Hamblin, William J. "Basic Methodological Problems with the Anti-Mormon Approach to the Geography and Archaeology of the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2 no. 1 (1993).
Anti-Mormon criticisms of the Book of Mormon are frequently based on a questionable set of assumptions concerning the nature of historical and archaeological evidence, the role of governing presuppositions, and the nature of historical proof. Using arguments found in a recent anti-Mormon critique by Luke Wilson as a foundation, this article analyzes difficulties of reconstructing ancient geographies, problems with the discontinuity of Mesoamerican toponyms, the historical development of the idea of a limited geography model, and challenges of textual and artifactual interpretation when trying to relate the Book of Mormon to archaeological remains.
Mitton, George L. "Basic New Perspectives on the Sermon on the Mount." The FARMS Review 22, no. 1 (2010): Article 3.
Review of John W. Welch. The Sermon on the Mount in the Light of the Temple.
Asay, Ronald W. "Bassett's Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon." FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 3.
Review of Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon: Insights from Prophets, Church Leaders, and Scholars (1999), by K. Douglas Bassett
Wirth, Diane E. "The Bearded, White God is Everywhere—or Is He?" FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 5.
Review of Fair Gods and Feathered Serpents; A Search for the Early Americas' Bearded White God (1997), by T. J. O'Brien
Hallen, Cynthia L. "Beauty on the Mountains: Inspiration from the Book of Mormon for LDS Writers." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14 no. 1 (2005).
The Book of Mormon provides many good examples to Latter-day Saint writers of how to magnify their work. By following the patterns of the Book of Mormon, writers can understand what to emphasize and how to include the Spirit in their writing.
Bowen, Matthew L. "Becoming Sons and Daughters at God's Right Hand: King Benjamin's Rhetorical Wordplay on His Own Name." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 21 no. 2 (2012).
Royal sonship is a key theme of Mosiah 1–6, including King Benjamin's seminal address at the temple in Zarahemla (Mosiah 2–5) on the occasion of his son Mosiah's enthronement. Benjamin, however, caps this covenant sermon, not with an assertion of his son's royal status and privileges, but with a radical declaration of his people's royal rebirth (or adoption) as " the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters" (Mosiah 5:7) and their potential enthronement at God's " right hand" (5:9). Similar to rhetorical wordplay involving proper names found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other ancient texts, Benjamin's juxtaposition of "sons"/"daughters" and the "right hand" constitutes a deliberate wordplay on his own name, traditionally taken to mean "son of the right hand." The name of Christ, rather than Benjamin's own name, is given to all his people as a new name—a "throne" name. However, he warns them against refusing to take upon them this throne name and thus being found "on the left hand of God" (5:10), a warning that also constitutes an allusion to his name. Benjamin's ultimate hope is for his people's royal, divine sonship/daughterhood to be eternally "sealed."
Sorenson, John L., and Matthew Roper. "Before DNA." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12 no. 1 (2003).
Critics of the Book of Mormon often cite genetic evidence in their attacks on the historicity of the text, saying that the lack of any Near Eastern–American Indian DNA links conclusively proves that no emigration ever occurred from the Near East to the Americas. Their simplistic approach—that the Book of Mormon purports to be a history of the entire American Indian race—is not supported by archaeological or Book of Mormon evidence. The authors pose and respond to questions about the geographical scene, the spread of Book of Mormon peoples, Latter-day Saint traditions about the scenes and peoples of the Book of Mormon, the terms Nephites and Lamanites, the possible presence of others in the land, ocean travel, Mesoamerican native traditions, languages of the Western Hemisphere, Old World peoples coming to the Americas, archaeological evidence, and ethnically distinct populations in ancient American art. These questions set out the social, cultural, and geographical contexts that are necessary for geneticists to understand before reaching major conclusions.
Gardner, Brant A. "Behind the Mask, Behind the Curtain: Uncovering the Illusion." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 6.
Review of Joel P. Kramer and Scott R. Johnson. The Bible vs. the Book of Mormon.
Boyce, Duane. "A Betrayal of Trust." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 2 (1997): Article 17.
Review of The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power (1997), by D. Michael Quinn.
Nibley, Hugh W. "Beyond Politics." Mormon Studies Review 23, no. 1 (2011): Article 12.
This talk was given on 26 October 1973 to the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society in the Political Science Department at Brigham Young University. It first appeared in BYU Studies 15/1 (1974) and was reprinted in Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless (Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1978) and in the second edition of that volume in 2004. It is reprinted here with minor technical editing.
In most languages, the Church is designated as that of the last days, so this speech—which is only a pastiche of quotations from its founders—is unblushingly apocalyptic. Did our grandparents overreact to signs of the times? For many years, a stock cartoon in sophisticated magazines has poked fun at the barefoot, bearded character in the long nightshirt carrying a placard calling all to "Repent, for the End is at Hand." But where is the joke? Ask the smart people who thought up the funny pictures and captions: Where are they now?
"Beyond Politics" (1974)
Keywords: Babylon;Greeks;Last Days;Plan of Salvation;politics;politics and the Gospel;politics and war;politics and work;repentance;restoration of all things;Satan;Zion;Brigham Young;Brigham Young
Easton-Flake, Amy. "Beyond Understanding: Narrative Theory as Expansion in Book of Mormon Exegesis." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 25 no. 1 (2016).
Tvedtnes, John A. "The Bible Code." FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 19.
Review of The Bible Code (1997), by Michael Drosnin
Skousen, Royal. "Bible II." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): Article 3.
This book is in actuality the Book of Mormon with some differences.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Bibliography of the Writings of Sidney B. Sperry." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
Bibliography of Sidney B. Sperry's writings.
Johnson, Hollis R. "The Big Bang: What Does It Mean for Us?" The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 14.
Review of Paul Copan and William Lane Craig. "Craftsman or Creator? An Examination of the Mormon Doctrine of Creation and a Defense of Creatio ex nihilo." In The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement
Pyle, D. Charles. "Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, Questions to Ask Your Mormon Friend: Challenging the Claims of Latter-day Saints in a Constructive Manner." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 2 (1996): Article 12.
Review of Questions to Ask Your Mormon Friend: Challenging the Claims of Latter-day Saints in a Constructive Manner (1994), by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson
Jacobson, LeIsle. "Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, Questions to Ask Your Moromon Friend: Effective Ways to Challenge a Mormon's Arguments without Being Offensive." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 13.
Review of Questions to Ask Your Mormon Friend: Effective Ways to Challenge a Mormon's Arguments without Being Offensive (1994), by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson.
Gee, John. "'Bird Island' Revisited, or the Book of Mormon through Pyramidal Kabbalistic Glasses." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 16.
Review of Written by the Finger of God: A Testimony of Joseph Smith's Translations (1993), by Joe Sampson.
Carr, Stephen L. "Birds Along Lehi's Trail." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 2 (2006).
Royal Skousen's work on his Book of Mormon critical text project demonstrates that he is an able textual critic who employs sound judgment and proven methods to uncover the original text of the Book of Mormon. In many cases, these decisions seem counterintuitive to untrained readers, but Skousen correctly applies the principle that a more awkward reading is most likely original. He also shows his ability to make conjectural emendations for which no direct textual evidence is available. In every case, Skousen clearly lays out his reasoning so that readers who disagree with his inferences can examine the evidence for themselves to reach their own conclusions. This paper goes on to speculate that Skousen's work may in time bring the LDS and RLDS editions of the Book of Mormon closer together textually. In the end, the critical text project is a superb work of scholarship on par with the standard works of biblical textual criticism.
Shipps, Jan. "A Bird's-Eye View of the Mormon Prophet." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 20.
Review of Robert V. Remini. Joseph Smith.
Roper, Matthew. "A Black Hole That's Not So Black." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): Article 14.
Review of Answering Mormon Scholars: A Response to Criticism of the Book "Coving Up the Black Hole in the Book of Mormon" (1994), by Jerald and Sandra Tanner.
Johnson, Lynn Nations. "Blaine Yorgason and Brenton Yorgason, To Mothers & Fathers from the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 67.
Review of To Mothers & Fathers from the Book of Mormon (1991), by Blaine Yorgason and Brenton Yorgason.
Sherlock, Richard. "Blake Ostler's Mormon Theology." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 14.
Review of Blake T. Ostler. Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes of God. and Blake T. Ostler. Exploring Mormon Thought: The Problems of Theism and the Love of God.
Goff, Alan. "Boats, Beginnings, and Repetitions." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
Ancient texts are too often approached using modern assumptions. Among those assumptions obstructing an understanding of ancient texts is the modern emphasis on originality and on writing as intellectual property. Ancient writers relished repetition—stories that were repeated in succeeding generations—over originality. The Bible is full of repeated or allusive stories, and the Book of Mormon often reinscribes this biblical emphasis on repetition. One such biblical reverberation in the Book of Mormon is Nephi's ocean voyage, which evokes biblical stories of origination: creation, deluge, and exodus. These three stories of beginnings are carefully alluded to in Nephi's own foundational story, exactly as we would expect to find in an ancient Hebraic text.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Book Notes." The FARMS Review 15, no. 1 (2003): Article 22.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Book Notes." The FARMS Review 18, no. 2 (2006): Article 9.
Review, Mormon Studies. "Book Notes." Mormon Studies Review 23, no. 1 (2011): Article 15.
Morris, Larry E. "The Book of Abraham: Ask the Right Questions and Keep On Looking." The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 19.
Review of Robert K. Ritner. "The 'Breathing Permit of Hôr' Thirtyfour Years Later." Dialogue 33/4 (2000): 97–119. Review of Robert K. Ritner. " 'The Breathing Permit of Hôr' among the Joseph Smith Papyri." Journal of Near Eastern Studies 62/3 (2003): 161–77.
Rhodes, Michael D. "The Book of Abraham: Divinely Inspired Scripture." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 52.
Review of . . . By His Own Hand upon Papyrus: A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyri (1992), by Charles M. Larson.
Muhlestein, Kerry. "The Book of Breathings in Its Place." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 14.
Review of Michael D. Rhodes. The Hor Book of Breathings: A Translation and Commentary.
Sloan, David E. "The Book of Lehi and the Plates of Lehi." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 2 (1997).
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon consistently use such phrases as "Book of Lehi," "plates of Lehi," and "account of Nephi" in distinct ways.
Ricks, Shirley S. "The Book of Mormon Abridged Anew." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 5.
Review of Jana Riess, annotator. The Book of Mormon: Selections Annotated and Explained.
Rees, Robert A. "The Book of Mormon and Automatic Writing." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 1 (2006).
Some critics of the Book of Mormon have suggested that Joseph Smith produced the book through a process known as "automatic writing," a rapid flow of language claimed to be generated through paranormal means such as trance-like states or claimed communications with spirits. This paper presents an overview of some prominent claims of automatic writing and examines the historical and scientific evidence for the authenticity of at least some of these cases. After discussing the similarities between these works and the Book of Mormon, the paper outlines a number of features in the Book of Mormon that clearly differentiate it from any known case of automatic writing, features such as the presence of Near Eastern and Mesoamerican geographic, cultural, and linguistic details that were unknowable to anyone in 1830. Based on this and other evidence, the Book of Mormon does not fit the profile of automatic writing but is best explained by Joseph's own account of its ancient and divine origins.
Givens, Terryl L. "The Book of Mormon and Dialogic Revelation." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 2 (2001).
This article has been adapted from the author's book By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture That Launched a New World Religion. The author discusses three common understandings of the term revelation: (1) revelation as doctrine, (2) revelation as history, and (3) revelation as inner experience. He suggests that the Book of Mormon introduces a fourth type: revelation as dialogue. This form of revelation allows individuals to have direct contact with God, rather than only through the scriptures, and can be applied to our lives just as it was to the lives of those living in Book of Mormon times.
Park, Benjamin E. "The Book of Mormon and Early America's Political and Intellectual Tradition." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 23 no. 1 (2014).
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon and Textual Criticism." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
The text of the Book of Mormon contributes to the understanding of the Pentateuch and to a confirmation that Moses was indeed its author. The Book of Mormon also helps confirm that Isaiah was the author of the book of Isaiah. The Isaiah chapters quoted in the Book of Mormon are a better translation than the King James Version, as they are undoubtedly from an older version. The Book of Mormon quotes Micah and Malachi with clarification and augments selected New Testament scriptures.
Perego, Ugo. A. "The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint." The FARMS Review 22, no. 1 (2010): Article 9.
The church advocates no official position on the origins of Amerindian populations. Critics and sup-porters of the Book of Mormon both attempt to bolster their own arguments with DNA evidence. This study reviews the properties of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), particularly pertaining to the origins of Native American populations. DNA studies are subject to numerous limitations.
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon and the Problem of the Pentateuch." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
Many critics deny that the first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses and consider them to be childish myths. However, when Nephi and Lehi examined the brass plates, they found them to contain "the five books of Moses." And in the Book of Mormon, the Savior himself confirms their authorship. The book of Ether also offers confirmation of the Tower of Babel story.
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon and the Problem of the Sermon on the Mount." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
The Sermon on the Mount in 3 Nephi parallels the accounts in Matthew and Luke, although it is closer to Matthew. The sermon was addressed partly to a general audience and partly to the twelve disciples exclusively, although the crowd heard it. In many cases the account in 3 Nephi clarifies the New Testament accounts; in particular, the Joseph Smith Translation and Book of Mormon explain the Lord's Prayer.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Book of Mormon Answers." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 1 (1992).
Responses to the following questions appear here: "Did the Nephites have authority to sacrifice?" and "Did the Nephites sacrifice first-born animals contrary to the law of Moses?"
Tvedtnes, John A. "Book of Mormon Answers 'Fulness of the gospel' and 'familiar spirit'" Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7 no. 1 (1998).
Responses to the following questions appear here: "Is the 'fulness of the gospel' in the Book of Mormon?" and "What is the meaning of 'familiar spirit' in Isaiah 29?"
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Book of Mormon Archaeology,: A Rich Source for LDS Folklore." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 1 (1992).
Excerpts from a letter written in 1962 reveal how Jakeman's interpretation of Stela 5 quickly stimulated a body of folklore among some Latter-day Saints.
Swanson, Vern. "The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg: Painter of Scripture." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 1 (2001).
Arnold Friberg is arguably the most influential artist on Latter-day Saint scriptural art. His depictions of the people and the landscape of the Book of Mormon are well known to Latter-day Saints. This article explains the genesis and completion of Friberg's series of twelve Book of Mormon paintings and gives the author's own observations on each painting.
Sorenson, John L. "The Book of Mormon as a Collectible." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 1 (2001).
This article discusses the evolution of book collecting, particularly by Latter-day Saints. Although the circle of book collectors used to be small, it has since expanded, probably because of the spread of the Internet. Latter-day Saints throughout the world are now able to locate and purchase old and rare books within minutes. While this innovation can be productive and beneficial, the easy access can be risky. Because people are so anxious to buy these types of books, they have the potential to be deceived by those who create fraudulent products, and unlike the older, more experienced buyers, newcomers often do not inspect books closely for authenticity and condition before purchasing them. Because of these potential mistakes, it is essential that book collectors be more aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to avoid them.
Williams, Richard N. "The Book of Mormon as Automatic Writing: Beware the Virtus Dormitiva." The FARMS Review 19, no. 1 (2007): Article 6.
Review of Scott C. Dunn. "Automaticity and the Dictation of the Book of Mormon." In American Apocrypha: Essays on the Book of Mormon.
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon as Literature." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
What constitutes great literature? What is it about the literature of the Book of Mormon that has such a profound effect upon its readers? Although perhaps not beautifully written, the Book of Mormon's message or theme justifies its classification as great literature and accounts for its profound effect on the lives of millions.
Rust, Richard Dilworth. "The Book of Mormon as Literature." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 5.
Review of James T. Duke. The Literary Masterpiece Called the Book of Mormon.
Midgley, Louis C. "The Book of Mormon as Record." The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 7.
This article discusses the meaning of the term recordand explains how it applies to the Book of Mormon.
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon as Translation English." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
The Book of Mormon is a translation, containing details of the original language in which it is written. Very few of the writers would have had a working knowledge of Egyptian; the writing would more likely be a Hebraized Egyptian. The Book of Mormon contains many passages from Isaiah, more correctly translated than in the King James Version. Various examples of the Hebrew construct state are evident in Joseph Smith's translation, together with direct translations of Hebrew idioms.
Brown, S. Kent. "The Book of Mormon at the Bar of DNA Evidence." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12 no. 1 (2003).
Editor's introduction to a four-part series on the relationship of DNA studies to Book of Mormon origins.
Lamoreax, Adam. "Book of Mormon Bibliography." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2, no. 1 (1990): Article 31.
Bibliography of publications on the Book of Mormon in 1989.
Cooper, Glen M. "Book of Mormon Bibliography (1988)." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1, no. 1 (1989): Article 19.
Hardy, Grant R. "The Book of Mormon Book Club." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 25 no. 1 (2016).
Barney, Kevin L. "A Book of Mormon Casebook." The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 8.
Review of John W. Welch. The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon.
Gee, John. "A Book of Mormon Christology at Last." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 2 (1998): Article 4.
Review of Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon (1997), by Jeffrey R. Holland
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "The Book of Mormon Critical Text Project." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7 no. 1 (1998).
Givens, Terryl L. "The Book of Mormon Critical Text Project." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 1 (2006).
Royal Skousen's endeavor to recover the original text of the Book of Mormon is more complicated than it seems because it involves more than simply reproducing the original manuscript. Rather, what Skousen means by "original text" is the very language that appeared on the Urim and Thummim. Every subsequent step, such as Joseph's reading, his scribes' understanding and transcribing of that utterance, and Oliver Cowdery's copying of the manuscript for the printer, exposed the text to the possibility of human subjectivity and error. This paper explains the nature and scope of Skousen's monumental undertaking and presents some of the methods and reasoning he employs to resolve disputed textual variants in search the Book of Mormon's original text.
Draper, Larry W. "Book of Mormon Editions." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 11 no. 2 (2002).
Larry Draper describes his role in providing Royal Skousen with copies of various early editions of the Book of Mormon for use in the critical text project. Draper also describes the printing process of the Book of Mormon, which process was made clearer because of Skousen's project. Draper explains the stereotyping method of printing that was used for the 1840 Cincinnati/Nauvoo edition and the 1852 Liverpool edition of the Book of Mormon.
Smith, Robert F. "Book of Mormon Event Structure: The Ancient Near East." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5 no. 2 (1996).
The Book of Mormon annals open in an ancient Near Eastern context. The archaeological-historical context is carefully outlined here within a systematic chronology that is tied to fixed, absolute dates of recorded astronomical events—particularly those from cuneiform eponym calendars. The resultant matrix allows those early Book of Mormon events to be understood in a rational, familiar, and meaningful way—that is, in a biblical context. In addition, an excursus is devoted to understanding the Arabia of the Book of Mormon as the Lehite exiles must have known it. Throughout it is clear that the world depicted by the Book of Mormon dovetails remarkably well with what we know of the ancient Near East.
Davidson, Karen Lynn. "The Book of Mormon in Latter-day Saint Hymnody." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 1 (2000).
A church member who has loved the Book of Mormon since childhood and who takes it for granted that the Book of Mormon is central to LDS class instruction, general conference addresses, and missionary discussions is likely to be surprised that we have only six Book of Mormon hymns in our 1985 hymnbook. Early hymn writers turned to the Book of Mormon itself for their texts. Twelve Book of Mormon hymns were introduced into Mormon hymnody by Emma Smith's first hymnal, but the Book of Mormon as a theme almost disappeared from later hymnals. Only one hymn relating to the Book of Mormon was among the forty-nine new hymns added to the 1985 hymnal. In this article, Book of Mormon hymns are listed, discussed, and categorized. Most of the Book of Mormon hymns that have been written are narrative, rather than devotional. Each new hymnbook must meet the needs of its age. Devotional hymns are likely to be more forthcoming as literary appreciation of the Book of Mormon continues to grow.
Tvedtnes, John A., John Gee et al. "Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 1 (2000).
In recent years, a large number of ancient writings have been found in and around Israel. While many of these include names found in the Bible and other ancient texts, others were previously unattested in written sources. Some of these previously unattested names, though unknown in the Bible, are found in the Book of Mormon. The discovery of these Hebrew names in ancient inscriptions provides remarkable evidence for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and provides clear refutation of those critics who would place its origin in nineteenth-century America. This article explores several Book of Mormon proper names that are attested from Hebrew inscriptions. Names included are Sariah, Alma, Abish, Aha, Ammonihah, Chemish, Hagoth, Himni, Isabel, Jarom, Josh, Luram, Mathoni, Mathonihah, Muloki, and Sam—none of which appear in English Bibles.
Draper, Thomas W., and Lindsey Kenny. "Book of Mormon Parenting." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 3.
Review of Geri Brinley. The Book of Mormon: A Pattern for Parenting.
Sjodahl, Janne M. "The Book of Mormon Plates." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 1 (2001).
Janne Sjodahl discusses how the Book of Mormon would have taken up less space on the plates than in its current translated and printed form. Because the plates were written in a language comparable to Hebrew, Sjodahl had fourteen pages of the English Book of Mormon translated into Hebrew and writ-ten out. This Hebrew text covered only one page. According to this finding, the Book of Mormon could be written using as few as twenty-one plates (or even forty-eight if written in larger characters). Sjodahl presents estimates of the size and weight of the plates.
Thomas, John Christopher. "Book of Mormon Pneumatology." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 24 no. 1 (2015).
Szink, Terry. "Book of Mormon Scholar\'s Digest." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 2 (2000): Article 7.
Review of Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins (1997), edited by Noel B. Reynolds
Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. "Book of Mormon Students Meet: Interesting Convention Held in Provo Saturday and Sunday." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 22 no. 2 (2013).
Excerpts from the Deseret Evening News of 25 May 1903 report on a convention at which Book of Mormon geography was discussed.
Reynolds, Noel B. "The Book of Mormon Today." The FARMS Review 15, no. 1 (2003): Article 4.
Review of Terryl L Given. By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture That Launched a New World Religion.
Terry, Roger. "The Book of Mormon Translation Puzzle." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 23 no. 1 (2014).
Introvigne, Massimo. "The Book of Mormon Wars: A Non-Mormon Perspective." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5 no. 2 (1996).
The Protestant Bible wars were fought between fundamentalists, who initially claimed for the Bible the same "truth" that Enlightenment claimed for science, and liberals, who denied that historical "truth" could be achieved at all. In the present Book of Mormon wars the opposite seems to be true: the liberal camp appears deeply rooted in the Enlightenment paradigm, while the orthodox (but not fundamentalist) position often uses postmodernist arguments, claiming that absolute objectivity is a "noble dream" never achieved nor obtainable in historical studies. The article reviews the present Mormon controversies by comparing them to the discussions on biblical interpretation in the Roman Catholic Church, as summarized in the semiofficial 1993 document "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" by the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
Millet, Robert L. "The Book of Mormon, Historicity, and Faith." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2 no. 2 (1993).
The historicity of the Book of Mormon record is crucial. We cannot exercise faith in that which is untrue, nor can "doctrinal fiction" have normative value in our lives. Too often the undergirding assumption of those who cast doubt on the historicity of the Book of Mormon, in whole or in part, is a denial of the supernatural and a refusal to admit of revelation and predictive prophecy. Great literature, even religious literature, cannot engage the human soul and transform the human personality like scripture. Only scripture—writings and events and descriptions from real people at a real point in time, people who were moved upon and directed by divine powers—can serve as a revelatory channel, enabling us to hear and feel the word of God.
Faulring, Scott H. "The Book of Mormon: A Blueprint for Organizing the Church." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7 no. 1 (1998).
Concepts from the Book of Mormon contributed to how the church was built up and conducted. Oliver Cowdery was instructed to draw upon the Book of Mormon in formulating his vision of how the restored church should be organized and regulated. His 1829 Articles of the Church of Christ were a precursor to Joseph Smith's 1830 Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ (now known as Doctrine and Covenants 20). Three key aspects of church organization that originated in the Book of Mormon include baptism and priesthood authority, the ordination of priests and teachers, and the administration of the Lord's supper.
Arnold, Marilyn. "The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship." In Mormon Studies Review 23, no. 1 (2011): Article 0.
Arnold gives personal reflections on the compatibility of scholarship and discipleship, the latter deepened by earnest study of the Book of Mormon. Neal A. Maxwell's gift for words is illustrated. As an inex-haustible source of insight and delight, the Book of Mormon rewards close reading, as is apparent by a look at even the minor characters in the narrative. This Annual Neal A. Maxwell Institute Lecture was originally given on 10 March 2011 at Brigham Young University.
Sperry, Sidney B. "The Book of Mormon's Message on Brotherhood." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
The Book of Mormon exhibits the intimate relationship between God and his people. The brother of Jared's experience is a fine example. The driving force of the prophets was moral and religious, rather than economic and political. Social injustice was condemned by Nephi, Jacob, Alma, and Captain Moroni. Although little is said about the status of the family, respect for women and family affection are standard. Workers were well treated and friendship was promoted between Nephites and Lamanites. The Book of Mormon displays a high caliber of personal religion and brotherhood.
Sturgess, Gary L. "The Book of Mosiah: Thoughts about Its Structure, Purposes, Themes, and Authorship." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 2 (1995).
The book of Mosiah is a cultic history of the reign of Mosiah2, structured around three royal ceremonies in 124, 121, and 92–91 BC. On each of these occasions, newly discovered scriptures were read to the people, stressing the dangers of monarchical government and celebrating the deliverance of the people and the revelation of Jesus Christ. This book existed independently hundreds of years before Mormon engraved it onto the gold plates. The most likely occasion for the writing of such a book was in the aftermath of Mosiah's death when Alma the Younger needed to undermine the Amlicite bid to reestablish the monarchy.
Norwood, L. Ara. "Bountiful Found." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 7.
Review of In the Footsteps of Lehi: New Evidence for Lehi\'s Journey across Arabia to Bountiful (1994), by Warren P. Aston and Michaela Knoth Aston.
Goff, Alan. "Brent Lee Metcalf, 'Apologetic and Critical Assumptions about Book of Mormon Historicity'" Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 14.
Review of ?Apologetic and Critical Assumptions about Book of Mormon Historicity? (1993), by Brent Lee Metcalfe.
Bitton, Davis. "Brent Lee Metcalfe, ed., New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 3.
Tvedtness, John A. "Brent Lee Metcalfe, ed., New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 4.
Hoskisson, Paul Y. "Brenton G. Yorgason, Little Known Evidences of the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 29.
Review of Little Known Evidences of the Book of Mormon (1989), by Brenton G. Yorgason.
Tvedtnes, John A. "Brenton G. Yorgason, Little Known Evidences of the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 30.
Ostler, Blake T. "Bridging the Gulf." FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 2 (1999): Article 4.
Review of How Wide the Divide: A mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation (1997), by Craig L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson
Head, Ronan James. "A Brief Survey of Ancient Near Eastern Beekeeping." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
The Book of Mormon includes a narration of the Jaredites and records that this people brought honey-bees with them from the Old World to the New World. A study of the history of beekeeping in the ancient Near East supports the plausibility of the Jaredites' story.
Marsh, W. Jeffrey. "Brigham Young and the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 2 (2001).
Brigham Young studied the text of the Book of Mormon for approximately two years before he decided to be baptized. This article discusses how his family life prepared him to receive the teachings of the Book of Mormon and the influence his testimony had on him throughout his life, as second president of the church, and as the first governor of the state of Utah. Despite his conversion to the Book of Mormon, Brigham did not often refer to its teachings in his sermons. This seemingly strange practice was likely a result of the cultural dependence on the Bible at that time and of Brigham's careful attention to the prophet Joseph Smith Jr.'s teaching style, which did not include a large number of Book of Mormon references. Even though Brigham did not incorporate direct references in his teachings, he was greatly influenced by the principles taught in the Book of Mormon.
McKinlay, Daniel B. "The Brightening Light on the Journey of Lehi and Sariah." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15 no. 2 (2006).
Until now, nearly all commentaries on the Book of Mormon have focused mainly on issues of doctrine rather than beginning with the text itself. Royal Skousen's critical text project does the opposite by treating the text itself on the word and phrase level. Skousen weighs nearly all possible evidence to deduce the events that may have led to the variations seen in the texts and to draw conclusions about which readings are most likely original. Some conclusions may surprise readers, but Skousen is more interested in candidly documenting what the texts reveal than in interpreting all the implications. Several lengthy excerpts from Skousen's work show the scholarly depth and rigor of his analysis. In the end, Skousen may have produced the seminal work of Book of Mormon textual criticism that scholars and students will still be using hundreds of years from now.
Stirling, Mack C. "Bruce A. Van Orden and Brent L. Top, eds., Doctrines of the Book of Mormon: The 1991 Sperry Symposium." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 43.
Review of Doctrines of the Book of Mormon: The 1991 Sperry Symposium (1992), edited by Bruce A. Van Orden and Brent L. Top
Szink, Terrence L. "Bruce W. Warren and Thomas Stuart Ferguson, The Messiah in Ancient America." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1 (1989): Article 18.
Review of The Messiah in Ancient America (1987), by Bruce W. Warren and Thomas Stuart Ferguson.
Livingstone, Kevin. "Burden of Proof: A Review of Fingerprints of God, by Arvin S. Gibson." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 1 (2001): Article 6.
Review of Fingerprints of God: Evidences from Near-Death Studies, Scientific Research on Creation, and Mormon Theology (1999), by Arvin S. Gibson
Millet, Robert L. "By What (Whose) Standards Shall We Judge the Text? A Closer Look at Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 8.
Review of "Book of Mormon Chrstology" (1993), by Melodie Moench Charles
Hill, Richard L. "C. Douglas Beardall and Jewel N. Beardall, About the Three Nephites." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 28.
Review of About the Three Nephites (1992), by C. Douglas Beardall and Jewel N. Beardall.
Tvedtnes, John A. "Can Early Chinese Maritime Expeditions Shed Light on Lehi's Voyage to the New World?" The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 21.
Review of Gavin Menzies. 1421, the Year China Discovered America.
Brown, S. Kent. "A Case for Lehi's Bondage in Arabia." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 2 (1997).
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.
Novak, Gary F. "Censoring the Book of Mormon?" FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 1 (1999): Article 4.
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
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Centenary of a Giant." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 2 (2000).
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.
Bitton, Davis. "The Charge of a Man with a Broken Lance (But Look What He Doesn't Tell Us)." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 14.
Tvedtnes, John A. "The Charge of 'Racism' in the Book of Mormon." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 11.
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
Jacobson, LeIsle. "Charles and Steven Crane, Ashamed of Joseph: Mormon Foundations Crumble." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 8.
Review of Ashamed of Joseph: Mormon Foundations Crumble (1993), by Charles Crane and Steven Crane.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Chattanooga Cheapshot, or the Gall of Bitterness." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 27.
Review of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Book of Mormon (1992), by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.
Welch, John W. "Chiasmus in Alma 36." Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1989. Preliminary Report.
Welch, John W. "Chiasmus in Alma 36." Provo, UT: FARMS, 1989. Preliminary Report.
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.
Bell, Elouise. "Chris Heimerdinger, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites: A Novel." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 13.
Review of Tennis Shoes among the Nephites: A Novel (1989), by Chris Heimerdinger.
Crowe, Chris. "Chris Heimerdinger, Tennis Shoes and the Feathered Serpent." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 17.
Review of Tennis Shoes and the Feathered Serpent (1995), by Chris Heimerdinger
Hall, Brent. "Chris Meimerdinger, Gadiantons and the Silver Sword: A Novel." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 49.
Review of Gadiantons and the Silver Sword: A Novel (1991), by Chris Heimerdinger.
Spencer, Joseph M. "Christ and Krishna: The Visions of Arjuna and the Brother of Jared." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 23 no. 1 (2014).
Peterson, Daniel C. "Christ-Bearer." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 11.
Review of Christopher Columbus: A Latter-day Saint Perspective (1992), by Arnold K. Garr.
Welch, John W. "Christmas Stories." The FARMS Review 21, no. 2 (2009): Article 4.
Review of Margaret Barker. Christmas: The Original Story.
Strathearn, Gaye, and Jacob Moody. "Christ's Interpretation of Isaiah 52's 'My Servant' in 3 Nephi." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 18 no. 1 (2009).
Many interpretations exist about who the "suffering servant" in many of Isaiah's writings might be. Interpretations for this figure include Isaiah himself, the people of Israel, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ. Without arguing against these understandings of the servant, this paper claims that Christ, in 3 Nephi 20–23, personifies the servant as the Book of Mormon. Both the servant and the Book of Mormon are portrayed as filling the same "great and marvelous" works in the gathering of Israel, reminding the Jews of their covenants with God, and bringing the Gentiles to Christ.
Miner, Alan C. "A Chronological Setting for the Epistles of Mormon to Moroni." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3 no. 2 (1994).
Although chapters 8 and 9 of the book of Moroni (Mormon's epistles to Moroni) were placed with Mormon and Moroni's abridgment by Moroni sometime between the years ad 401 and 421, these chapters were not written at that time. The insertion into the text of these epistles was done for doctrinal reasons; however, mixed in with the doctrinal message are certain facts and phrases that deal with their historical-chronological setting. By analyzing the specific chronological clues contained within Mormon's epistles and comparing them with his abridged record of the final years of the Nephite nation, we can create a set of chronological time frames which then can be compared to construct a reasonable historical setting of ad 375 to 376.
Salisbury, Frank B. "The Church and Evolution: A Brief History of Official Statements." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 15.
Review of William E. Evenson and Duane E. Jeffery. Mormonism and Evolution: The Authoritative LDS Statements.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Citation Index to the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 1992-96." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 1 (1997).
Five-year citation index.
Tvedtnes, John A. "Cities and Lands in the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 2 (1995).
The practice of naming lands by a chief city of the land correlates well with authentic Old World practices.
Farmer, Deborah. "Clair Poulson, Samuel, Moroni's Young Warrior (tapes) and Samuel, Gadianton's Foe (tapes)." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 18.
Samuel, Moroni's Young Warrier (1993), by Clair Poulson.
Nibley, Hugh W. "Classics from the Past: Literary Style Used in Book of Mormon Insured Accurate Translation." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 20 no. 1 (2011).
Responding to an inquiry from a member of a different faith about why the Book of Mormon was translated into the English of the King James Version of the Bible, Nibley discusses the use of biblical language in contemporary society, citing in particular the language of prayer and the use of King James English in the translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This article also serves as a platform for Nibley to discuss other issues raised about the Book of Mormon, especially in reference to the King James version of the Bible.
Nibley, Hugh W. "Classics from the Past: Literary Style Used in Book of Mormon Insured Accurate Translation." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20, no. 1 , (2011): 69–72.
Nibley's response to a query was printed in the Church News section of the Deseret News, 29 July 1961, 10, 15. It was reprinted in Saints' Herald 108 (9 October 1961): 968–69, 975.
Keywords: Dead Sea Scrolls;King James Version;Literary;Literature;Translation
Bickmore, Barry R. "Clearing up Misconceptions." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 2 (2001): Article 16.
Review of Pope Fictions: Answers to 30 Myths and Misconceptions about the Papacy (1999), by Patrick Madrid
Farmer, James L. "The Clockmaker Returns." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
Review of Frank B. Salisbury. The Case for Divine Design: Cells, Complexity, and Creation.
Allred, Alma. "Coin of the Realm: Beware of Specious Specie." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 12.
Review of "Scripture" (1988), by Norman L. Geisler
Hettinger, Glen J. "Comments on Critical Exchanges." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 1 (2001): Article 8.
Review of "A Hard Day for Professor Midgley: An Essay for Fawn McKay Brodie" (1999), by Glen J. Hettinger
Sorenson, John L. "Comments on Nephite Chronology." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2 no. 2 (1993).
Revisions of Nephite chronology in the Book of Mormon occur as scholarship on various issues improves.
Roper, Matthew. "Comments on the Book of Mormon Witnesses: A Response to Jerald and Sandra Tanner." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2 no. 2 (1993).
Critics of the Book of Mormon frequently claim that some of the Book of Mormon witnesses later doubted or denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon. They also claim that the activities of the Three Witnesses while out of the church cast doubt upon the reliability of their earlier written testimony. I review evidence for these claims and also discuss the issue of what may constitute a witness of the Book of Mormon and whether the witnesses ever doubted or denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon. Evidence for later disbelief in the Book of Mormon by the witnesses is unpersuasive. I detail several miscellaneous issues relating to Jerald and Sandra Tanner's criticisms of the Book of Mormon.
Givens, Terryl L. "'Common-Sense' Meets the Book of Mormon: Source, Substance, and Prophetic Disruption." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
This essay challenges criticism of the alleged origins of the Book of Mormon and argues a common-sense approach to support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.
van Beek, Walter E. A. "A Comparative Exercise in Mormon Theology." The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 16.
Review of Douglas J. Davies. An Introduction to Mormonism.
Archer, John B., John L. Hilton et al. "Comparative Power of Three Author-Attribution Techniques for Differentiating Authors." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 1 (1997).
Over the last twenty years, various objective author-attribution techniques have been applied to the English Book of Mormon in order to shed light on the question of multiple authorship of Book of Mormon texts. Two methods, one based on rates of use of noncontextual words and one based on word-pattern ratios, measure patterns consistent with multiple authorship in the Book of Mormon. Another method, based on vocabulary-richness measures, suggests that only one author is involved. These apparently contradictory results are reconciled by showing that for texts of known authorship, the method based on vocabulary-richness measures is not as powerful in discerning differences among authors as are the other methods, especially for works translated into English by a single translator.
Riess, Jana. "Comprehending the Book of Mormon through Its Editors." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 25 no. 1 (2016).
Gardner, Brant A. "Confusion of Tongues and a Map." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 5.
Review of Robert A. Pate. Mapping the Book of Mormon: A Comprehensive Geography of Nephite America.
Skousen, Royal. "Conjectural Emendation in the Book of Mormon." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 11.
Royal Skousen explains what a critical text is and discusses his own critical text of the Book of Mormon.
Silver, Cherry B. "Connecting the Nephite Story to Mesoamerican Research." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 6.
Review of Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life (1998), by John L. Sorenson
Peterson, Daniel C. "Constancy amid Change." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 2 (1996): Article 9.
Review of Behind the Mask of Mormonism (1992), by John Ankerberg and John Weldon
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Contributors." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 1 (1992).
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Contributors." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10 no. 1 (2001).
"Contributors." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 11 no. 2 (2002).
Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. "Contributors." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 18 no. 2 (2009).
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "A Conversation with Robert J. Matthews." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12 no. 2 (2003).
Robert J. Matthews was influenced by the Book of Mormon to pursue his studies of the Joseph Smith Translation. He was intrigued by what the Book of Mormon said about the Bible. To further one's understanding of the Book of Mormon, Matthews recommends further study on the Near East and an analysis of the internal structure of the book. Royal Skousen's work on the comparative text, Hugh Nibley's Book of Mormon writings, and articles in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism on the Book of Mormon are sources for increasing one's knowledge of that book.
Morris, Larry E. "The Conversion of Oliver Cowdery." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 16 no. 1 (2007).
Shortly after arriving in New York and beginning employment as a schoolteacher in 1828, Oliver Cowdery first learned about Joseph Smith and the gold plates through rumors and gossip. Through the sincere investigations of Oliver and his newfound friend, David Whitmer, and his time as a boarder with the Joseph Smith family in Palmyra, Oliver continued to learn about Joseph and the plates. He received a personal witness and traveled with Samuel Smith to visit Joseph in Harmony. Several events involving Martin Harris, David Whitmer, Joseph Knight Sr., and the Smith family all played a role in Oliver's conversion, and on April 7, Joseph and Oliver began the translation of the Book of Mormon.
Phillips, W. Revell. "Copper, Bronze, and Brass." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 2 (2000).
Although Nephi's tools were most likely made of iron or steel, bronze remains a possibility. The making of brass or bronze requires the creation of a copper alloy, and examples of such alloys are found in both the Old World and the New World. The nature of the alloys differed depending on the minerals available.
Hilton, Janet F., and John L. Hilton. "A Correlation of the Sidon River and the Lands of Manti and Zarahemla with the Southern End of the Rio Grijalva (San Miguel)." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
We construct a detailed geographical model of the Nephite homeland areas of Manti, Zarahemla, and the river Sidon using the Book of Mormon text of around 80 BC. This model assumes that these areas are located in Mesoamerica, that the names of their surrounding seas do not necessarily correspond to local compass directions, and that the directions stated in the text are to be understood in the nontechnical normal English sense. We then describe the southern end of the Grijalva river basin, located across the southern part of the Mexico–Guatemala border. We nominate this area as a possible candidate for the ancient Nephite homeland because it corresponds to the text's topography from the most general to the most detailed parts of the description. Furthermore, significant geographical and climatic changes in this area over the last 2,000 years are unlikely. The number and detail of the topological matches encourage further careful study.
Smoot, Stephen O. "Council, Chaos, and Creation in the Book of Abraham." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 22 no. 2 (2013).
The Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price depicts the creation, including the motifs of the divine council, primeval chaos, and creation from preexisting matter. This depiction fits nicely in an ancient Near Eastern cultural background and has strong affinities with the depiction of the cosmos found in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient Near Eastern texts (especially Egyptian and Mesopotamian).
Hopkins, Richard R. "Counterfeiting the Mormon Concept of God." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 14.
Review of "God" (1998), by Francis J. Beckwith
Welch, John W. "Counting to Ten." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12 no. 2 (2003).
The regular occurrence of things occurring ten times in the scriptures tends to relate to perfection, especially divine completion. Welch approaches this phenomenon through ten topics: perfection, worthiness, consecration, testing, justice, reverence, penitence, atonement, supplication, and ascension into the holy of holies or highest degree of heaven. The significance of the number ten in the ancient world relates to the tenfold occurrences in the Book of Mormon.
Olsen, Steven L. "The Covenant of the Chosen People: The Spiritual Foundations of Ethnic Identity in the Book of Mormon." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 21 no. 2 (2012).
The literary sophistication of the Book of Mormon is manifest at all levels of the text: vocabulary, rhetoric, narrative, and structure. A prime example of this craftsmanship is the concept of ethnicity, that is, how different social groups are defined and distinguished in the record. Nephi defines ethnicity by four complementary concepts: nation (traditional homeland), kindred (descent group), tongue (language group), and people (covenant community). While all four concepts are relevant to the Nephite record, people predominates. The term people is by far the most frequently used noun in the Book of Mormon and is the basis of a distinctive covenant identity given by God to Nephi. Following God's law was the essential condition of this covenant and the basis of most of the sermons, exhortations, commentary, and other spiritual pleas of this sacred record. The covenant of the chosen people accounts for much of what befalls the Nephites and Lamanites, positive and negative, in this history. Mormon and Moroni follow Nephi's covenant-based definition of ethnicity in their respective abridgments of the large plates of Nephi and the plates of Ether.
Olsen, Steven L. "The Covenant of the Promised Land: Territorial Symbolism in the Book of Mormon." The FARMS Review 22, no. 2 (2010): Article 7.
The symbolism of land and its covenantal associations are viewed as guiding structural elements in the Book of Mormon narrative. Involving "existential space" more than "geometric space," the concept of land is central to an understanding of the book as a sacred, covenant-based record.
Midgley, Louis C. "Cowan on the Countercult." The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 21.
Owen, Paul L., and Carl A. Mosser. "Craig L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson, How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation." FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 2 (1999): Article 3.
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. "Craig L. Foster. A Different God? Mitt Romney, the Religious Right, and the Mormon Question." The FARMS Review 20, no. 2 (2008): Article 15.
Salisbury, Frank B. "Creation by Evolution?" The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 16.
Review of Trent D. Stephens, D. Jeffrey Meldrum, with Forrest B. Peterson. Evolution and Mormonism: A Quest for Understanding.
Welch, John W. "Criteria for Identifying and Evaluating the Presence of Chiasmus." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 2 (1995).
This article defines fifteen criteria one can use to measure the strength or weakness of a proposed chiastic pattern in a given text. The need for rigor in such studies depends primarily on how the results of the proposed structural analyses will be used. Ultimately, analysts may not know with certainty whether an author created inverted parallel structures intentionally or not; but by examining a text from various angles, one may assess the likelihood that an author consciously employed chiasmus to achieve specific literary purposes.
Welch, John W. "Criteria for Identifying the Presence of Chiasmus." Provo, UT: FARMS, 1989. Preliminary Report.
John Welch argues that all possible chiasms are not equal. It is necessary for commentators on the Bible and other texts to recognize that degrees of chiasticity exist from one text to the next. To further that end, Welch proposes fifteen criteria for appraising examples of chiasmus in literature.
Skousen, Royal. "Critical Methodology and the Text of the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 6.
Volluz, Corbin T. "Cry Redemption: The Plan of Redemption as Taught in the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3 no. 1 (1994).
According to the Book of Mormon, men must obey the commandments of God in order to gain eternal life. And yet men are incapable of yielding full obedience to God because of the carnal nature they inherit from the fallen Adam and Eve. To overcome this carnal nature, God has provided a way, through the atonement of his Son, whereby men may be redeemed from the carnal state to a spiritual state. If men are to be redeemed, they must call upon the Lord in the spirit of true humility, faith, and repentance. If they do so, God will redeem them by the power of the Holy Ghost. A covenant of obedience is frequently associated with the redemption process.
Wright, Mark Alan. "The Cultural Tapestry of Mesoamerica." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 22 no. 2 (2013).
Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was populated by scores of distinctive cultural groups. Such groups are identified archaeologically by their stylistically unique material cultures, from small, portable ceramic objects to large-scale monumental architecture, as well as through distinctive artistic, religious, and linguistic evidence. Significant interaction took place between these distinctive peoples and cultures, and some major metropolitan areas were home to different ethnic groups. This paper offers a brief glimpse at some of the cultures that inhabited the major geographical regions of Mesoamerica throughout its threethousand-year history and explores the cultural diversity that existed within and between regions.
Watson, Elden J. "Cultured Conflicts: History Served on the Half Shell." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 19.
Review of Cultures in Conflict: A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois (1995), edited by John E. Hallwas and Roger D. Launuis
Packer, Cameron J. "Cumorah's Cave." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13 no. 1 (2004).
The significance of the Hill Cumorah in the restoration of the gospel goes beyond its identification as the ancient repository of the metal plates known as the Book of Mormon. In the second half of the 19th century, a teaching about a cave in the hill began surfacing in the writings of several leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In their view, the hill was not only the place where Joseph Smith received the plates but also their final repository, along with other sacred treasures, after the translation was finished. This article cites ten different accounts, all secondhand, that refer to this cave and what was found there. The author includes a comparison of the accounts that discusses additional records in the cave, God's dominion over Earth's treasure, miraculous dealings of God, and the significance of the presence of the sword of Laban.
Midgley, Louis C. "The Current Battle over the Book of Mormon: 'Is Modernity Itself Somehow Canonical?'" Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 9.
Review of "The Word of God Is Enough: The Book of Mormon as Nineteenth-Century Scripture" (1993), by Anthony A. Hutchison.
Blythe, Christopher J. "Dale E. Luffman, The Book of Mormon's Witness to Its First Readers." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 24 no. 1 (2015).
Goff, Alan. "Dan Vogel's Family Romance and the Book of Mormon as Smith Family Allegory." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 10.
Review of Dan Vogel. Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet.
Christensen, Kevin. "Dan Vogel, Origins and the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 28.
Review of Origins and the Book of Mormon (1986), by Dan Vogel.
Robinson, Stephen E. "Dan Vogel, ed., The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3 (1991): Article 22.
Review of The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture (1990), edited by Dan Vogel.
Porter, Rockwell D. "A Dancer/Journalist's Anti-Mormon Diatribe." The FARMS Review 15, no. 1 (2003): Article 15.
Edwards, Kay P. "Daniel H. Ludlow, How to Get the Most from the Book of Mormon (tapes)." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 15.
Review of How to Get the Most from the Book of Mormon (audio cassettes, 1987), by Daniel H. Ludlow.
Gee, John. "Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., The Encyclopedia of Mormonism." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 33.
Review of The Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992), edited by Daniel H. Ludlow
Scharffs, Gilbert W. "Das Buch Mormon: The German Translation of the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 11 no. 1 (2002).
While on assignment from the LDS prophet Joseph Smith to visit Jerusalem in 1840, Elder Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggested opening a mission in Germany and translating the Book of Mormon into German. By April 1852, the new prophet, Brigham Young, had sent Daniel Carn to Germany to be the mission president and to help with the translation, and by May of the same year, Das Buch Mormon had been published. However, when East Germany was created and placed behind the "Iron Curtain," matters grew worse for the Latter-day Saints. Because they were unable to print anything themselves, they relied on missionaries and members of the church in West Germany to smuggle copies of Das Buch Mormon into East Germany so they could have the scripture that was so central to their beliefs. Members still had to burn all manuals and church material that had been published after 1920 to avoid arrest, but since Das Buch Mormon had been published in 1852, the Saints were able to keep their copies of that scripture.
Wilson, Keith J. "David A. Reed and John R. Farkas, Mormons Answered Verse by Verse." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 9.
Review of Mormons Answered Verse by Verse (1992), by David A. Reed and John R. Farkas.
Graham, Daniel W. "David H. Mulholland, A Reading Guide to the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 17.
Review of A Reading Guide to the Book of Mormon (1989), by David H. Mulholland.
Szink, Terrence L. "David J. Ridges, Isaiah Made Easier." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 59.
Review of Isaiah Made Easier (1991), by David J. Ridges.
Norwood, L. Ara. "David Persuitte, Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 24.
Review of Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon (1985), by David Persuitte.
Tvedtnes, John A. "David T. Harris. Truths from the Earth vol. 2: The Story of the Creations to the Floods." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 2 (1997): Article 12.
Review of Truths from the Earth, vol. 2: The Story of the Creations to the Floods (1996), by David T. Harris.
Allen, James B. "Davis Bitton: His Scholarship and Faith." The FARMS Review 19, no. 1 (2007): Article 3.
Assistant Church Historian James B. Allen shares his remarks that he made at Davis Bitton's funeral on Bitton's scholarly work.
Smith, Gregory L. "'Days of Miracle and Wonder' The Faith of Sam Harris and the End of Religion." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
Review of Sam Harris. The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason.
Ricks, Stephen D. "Death Knell or Tinkling Cymbals?" Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 64.
Review of The Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Mormon (1990), by Wesley P. Walters.
Olsen, Steven L. "The Death of Laban: A Literary Interpretation." The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 14.
This article approaches the narrative of Laban's death using literary criticism and studies how Nephi's use of specific words and phrases offers additional insight to this story.
Webb, Jenny. "Death, Time, and Redemption: Structural Possibilities and Thematic Potential in Jacob 7:26." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 24 no. 1 (2015).
Smith, Andrew C. "Deflected Agreement in the Book of Mormon." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 21 no. 2 (2012).
Deflected agreement is a grammatical phenomenon found in Semitic languages—it is ubiquitous in Arabic and found occasionally in Classical Hebrew. Deflected agreement is a plausible explanation for certain grammatical incongruities present, in translation, within the original and printer's manuscripts and printed editions in the Book of Mormon in the grammatical areas of verbal, pronominal, and demonstrative agreement. This finding gives greater credence to the plausibility of the authenticity and historicity of the Book of Mormon. Additionally, the implications of this finding on Book of Mormon scholarship are discussed.
Rosson, Tom. "Deification: Fulness and Remnant." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
Review of Deification and Grace. (2007), by Daniel A. Keating.
Palmer, David A. "Delbert W. Curtis, The Land of the Nephites." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 9.
Review of The Land of the Nephites (1988), by Delbert W. Curtis.
Cranney, Carl J. "The Deliberate Use of Hebrew Parallelisms in the Book of Mormon." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 23 no. 1 (2014).
Gates, Crawford. "The Delights of Making Cumorah's Music." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13 no. 1 (2004).
As a missionary in the Eastern States Mission, Crawford Gates participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in 1941. Although he loved the music and considered it appropriate to the Book of Mormon scenes of the pageant, he thought then that the pageant needed its own tailor-made musical score. Twelve years later he was given the opportunity to create that score. Gates details the challenge of creating a 72-minute musical score for a full symphony orchestra and chorus while working full time as a BYU music faculty member and juggling church and family responsibilities. When that score was retired 31 years later, Gates was again appointed to create a score for the new pageant. He relates further experiences arising from that assignment.
Schaalje, G. Bruce. "Denote or Prove?" FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 1 (2001): Article 7.
Crockett, Robert D. "The Denton Debacle." The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 10.
Review of Sally Denton. American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857.
Huchel, Frederick M. "The Deseret Alphabet as an Aid in Pronouncing Book of Mormon Names." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 1 (2000).
One approach to reconstructing the Prophet Joseph Smith's pronunciation of the proper names in the Book of Mormon is to determine how his close associates in the early days of the church later pronounced the names. In the Deseret Alphabet we have a record of the pronunciation in vogue in 1869. It is plausible that pronunciation of the names did not change much between 1830, when the scripture first appeared in English, and the publication of the Deseret Alphabet Book of Mormon in 1869. This article includes a table of pronunciation of eighteen names from the Book of Mormon according to the phonetic Deseret Alphabet characters compared with the sounds recommended in the "Pronouncing Guide," which appears in all English-language editions today.
Fronk, Camille. "Desert Epiphany: Sariah and the Women in 1 Nephi." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 no. 2 (2000).
Insights can be gained by considering the eight-year wilderness sojourn of Lehi's company through the eyes of the women who were there. Leaving the comforts of civilization for the difficulties of the desert would have been very challenging. While the record in 1 Nephi mentions nine women, Sariah was the only one identified by name. Nephi records Sariah's struggles as well as her testimony. The record of the women in 1 Nephi communicates much about the need to seek and receive one's own witness of truth.
Bunker, Robert L. "The Design of the Liahona and the Purpose of the Second Spindle." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3 no. 2 (1994).
The Liahona was given by the Lord as a communicationsdevice for Lehi to determine the appropriate direction of travel. This device contained two pointers, only one of which was necessary to provide directional information. But the Liahona was more than just a simple compass in function, for it additionally required faith for correct operation. Since a single pointer always "points" in some direction, the additional pointer was necessary to indicate whether or not the first pointer could be relied upon. This proposed purpose for the second pointer conforms to a well-established engineering principle used in modern fault-tolerant computer systems called "voting," in which two identical process states are compared and declared correct if they are the same, and incorrect if they are different. Hence the second pointer, when coincident with the first, would indicate proper operation, and when orthogonal, would indicate nonoperation.
Scanlon, Rory R. "Designing Costumes for the Hill Cumorah Pageant." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13 no. 1 (2004).
The costume design for the Hill Cumorah Pageant reflects a strong understanding of the physical and artistic needs of the production as well as a good grasp of the historical setting of the Book of Mormon. Through a rich blending of theatrical techniques, the pageant dramatically re-creates scriptural episodes to underscore the wisdom of human agency based on moral choice—a message made poignantly relevant by the historical realism conveyed in large part by authentic costuming. This article explores the physical challenges of creating costumes for an outdoor drama and the historical research that influences the costume construction while staying true to the message of the script.
McClellan, David A. "Detecting Lehi's Genetic Signature: Possible, Probable, or Not?" The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 7.
David A. McClellan provides a basic understanding of some biological principles that would be helpful to one studying the question of DNA evidence of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. After a discussion of these fundamental principles, McClellan concludes that DNA tests can neither prove nor disprove the existence of ancient Israelites in the New World
Christensen, Kevin. "The Deuteronomist De-Christianizing of the Old Testament." The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 5.
Review of Melodie Moench Charles. "The Mormon Christianizing of the Old Testament." In The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture
Bruening, Ari D., and David L. Paulsen. "The Development of the Mormon Understanding of God: Early Mormon Modalism and Other Myths." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 2 (2001): Article 13.
Review of Mormonism and the Nature of God: A Theological Revolution, 1830-1915 (2000), by Kurt Widmer
Sperry, Sidney B. "Did Father Lehi Have Daughters Who Married the Sons of Ishmael?" Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4 no. 1 (1995).
Although the beginning of Nephi's record only mentions sons, Joseph Smith says the record of Lehi in the 116 missing manuscript pages refers to at least two of Ishmael's sons marrying Lehi's daughters. Nephi himself mentions his sisters at the end of his record. As no mention is made of further births to Lehi and Sariah after Jacob and Joseph, the assumption can be made that these sisters are the daughters who married Ishmael's sons.
Strathearn, Gaye. "Did the Early Christian Church Seek Salvation for the Dead?" The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 20.
Review of Jeffrey A. Trumbower. Rescue for the Dead: The Posthumous Salvation of Non-Christians in Early Christianity.
Coutts, Alison V. P. "Disarray Revisited." The FARMS Review 19, no. 1 (2007): Article 18.
Review of Noel B. Reynolds, ed. Early Christians in Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy. and Review of Scott R. Petersen. Where Have All the Prophets Gone?
Elliott, T. Lynn. "Discovering Mormon and Moroni." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 2 (2000): Article 3.
Review of The Lives and Travels of Mormon and Moroni (2000), by Jerry L. Ainsworth
Welch, John W. "The Discovery of Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon: Forty Years Later." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 16 no. 2 (2007).
On August 16, 1967, Welch discovered the presence of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. Serving in the LDS South German mission at the time, in the city of Regensburg, Welch attended a lecture on the New Testament. He there learned of chiasmus and how it provides evidence of Hebraic origins. After reviewing a book dealing with literary art in the Gospel of Matthew, he began his analysis of the Book of Mormon for evidence of chiasmus. His first identification of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon was in Mosiah 5, but examples of chiastic style have since been found throughout the book. Welch wrote his master's thesis on chiasmus and continued study on the subject. Though rational arguments cannot generate a testimony of the truthfulness of the book, the presence of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon gives credence to its origins.
Wardle, Lynn D. "Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3 no. 1 (1994).
Most scriptural references to dissent are in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon teaches that dissension is a cause of evil, suffering, and destruction; some dissenters undergo a hardening, while others may be reclaimed; preaching the gospel is the best way to reclaim dissenters; after patient endurance, compulsion may be necessary to stop dissenters from causing severe harm to the innocent, but compulsion should be avoided when possible; both spiritual and civic responses may be used to quell dissent; responding to dissent is not the task of leaders only; dissent is inevitable in our society and the church; and the Lord blesses the faithful who endure the trials and temptations of dissent.
Barney, Kevin L. "Divine Discourse Directed at a Prophet's Posterity in the Plural: Further Light on Enallage." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 2 (1997).
A follow-up on a previous article on enallage provides further strength for a pattern of a speech to a prophet in which later verses seem to be addressed to both the prophet and his posterity by use of the plural ye.
Stewart, David G., Jr. "DNA and the Book of Mormon." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 8.
Stewart examines the DNA research applicable to Native Americans and how it relates to Book of Mormon peoples.
Whiting, Michael F. "DNA and the Book of Mormon: A Phylogenetic Perspective." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12 no. 1 (2003).
This paper debunks the myth that the Book of Mormon has been proved false by modern DNA evidence. Critics have tried to apply American Indian DNA-based research to the Book of Mormon without designing a study specifically for that purpose. It is extraordinarily difficult to use DNA sequence information to track the lineage of any group with such a complex lineage history as the Nephites and Lamanites. Possible hypotheses about the populations from the Book of Mormon include the global colonization hypothesis (in which the three colonizing groups came to a land void of humans) and the local colonization hypothesis (in which the land was already occupied in whole or in part by people of an unknown genetic heritage). The latter hypothesis, generally viewed by Book of Mormon scholars as a more accurate interpretation, is much more difficult to investigate by way of DNA evidence. Issues such as genetic introgression, genetic drift, and the founder effect would seriously hamper any attempt to produce a funded, peer-reviewed study of Book of Mormon genetics.
Boyce, Duane. "Do Liberal Economic Policies Approximate the Law of Consecration?" The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 15.
Also available for free at BYU ScholarsArchive.
A review of Approaching Zion, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, vol. 9.
Keywords: Law of Consecration;review
Von Feldt, Alyson Skabelund. "Does God Have a Wife?" The FARMS Review 19, no. 1 (2007): Article 10.
Review of William G. Deve. Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel.
Foster, Craig L. "Doing Violence to Journalistic Integrity." The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 11.
Review of Jon Krakauer. Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of a Violent Faith.
Warren, Bruce W. "Donald W. Hemingway, Christianity in America before Columbus?." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 14.
Review of Christianity in America before Columbus? (1988), by Donald W. Hemingway.
Brown, S. Kent. "Donald W. Parry and Dana M. Pike, eds., LDS Perspectives on the dead Sea Scrolls." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 2 (1998): Article 10.
Review of LDS Perspectives on the Dead Sea Scrolls (1997), edited by Donald W. Parry and Dana M. Pike
Seely, Jo Ann H. "Donald W. Parry, The Book of Mormon Text Reformatted according to Parallelistic Patterns." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 37.
Review of The Book of Mormon Text Reformatted according to Parallelistic Patterns (1992), by Donald W. Parry
Tvedtnes, John A. "Drought and Serpents." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6 no. 1 (1997).
The story of the Jaredites being plagued by "poisonous serpents" at a time of "great dearth" makes sense when one realizes that drought causes rodents and then serpents to migrate.
McKinlay, Daniel B. "E. Douglas Clark and Robert S. Clark, Fathers and Sons in the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 43.
Review of Fathers and Sons in the Book of Mormon (1991), by E. Douglas Clark and Robert S. Clark.
Johnson, Clark V. "E. Douglas Clark and Robert S. Clark, Fathers and Sons in the Book of Mormon." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 44.
Beck, John M. "E. Douglas Clark, The Grand Design: America from Columbus to Zion." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 30.
Review of The Grand Design: America from Columbus to Zion (1992), by E. Douglas Clark.
Campbell, Les. "E. L. Peay, The Lands of Zarahemla." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): Article 11.
Review of The Lands of Zarahemla (1993), by E. L. Peay.
Hoskisson, Paul Y. "Earl W. Carlsen, Christ's Answer to the Atheist, to the Jew: Who Wrote It?." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 7.
Review of Christ's Answer to the Atheist, to the Jew: Who Wrote It? (1987), by Earl W. Carlsen.
Skousen, Royal. "The Earliest Textual Sources for Joseph Smith's 'New Translation' of the King James Bible." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 13.
Review of Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts.
Nibley, Hugh W. "The Early Christian Prayer Circle." In Mormonism and Early Christianity, The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley 4, edited by Todd M. Compton and Stephen D. Ricks. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1987.
Originally published as an article in BYU Studies in 1978.
Draws upon a host of sources and shows certain parallels between an early Christian form of prayer and that of the Latter-day Saint prayer circle.
"The Early Christian Prayer Circle" (1978)
Nibley, Hugh W. "The Early Christian Prayer Circle." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19, no. 2, (2010): 64-95.
A practice that was eventually condemned by the church because of its Jewish affinities—being found, for example, in the Testaments of Abraham and Job and in the writings of Philo—the prayer circle has a long and complex history in Christian practice. This practice was considered one of the " mysteries" and therefore was protected from all who weren't initiated. For the initiated participants, this was a very sacred practice, which demanded unity between all those involved. The prayer circle, generally referred to as a " dance," often included hymns, prayers for the living and the dead, and gestures that would prepare the participants for heavenly visitations.
"The Early Christian Prayer Circle: Sidebar, Coptic Liturgical Text" (2010)
"The Early Christian Prayer Circle: Sidebar, Minutes of the Second Council of Nicaea in ad 787" (2010)
Nibley, Hugh W. "The Early Christian Prayer Circle: Sidebar, Coptic Liturgical Text." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19, no. 2, (2010): 89–94.
This text, from a Christian "Book of Breathings," highlights the importance of the prayer circle in early Christian worship.
Keywords: Ancient Near East; Egypt; Nag Hammadi; early Christianity; prayer circles;temples;Prayer;Prayer Circle;Worship
Nibley, Hugh W. "The Early Christian Prayer Circle: Sidebar, Minutes of the Second Council of Nicaea in ad 787." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19, no. 2, (2010): 65.
Patriarch Tarasius and various bishops and monks condemn the Acts of John, in which an account of the early Christian prayer circle is recorded.
Keywords: Ancient Near East; Egypt; Nag Hammadi; early Christianity; prayer circles;temples;Early Christianity
Roper, Matthew. "Early Publications on the Book of Mormon." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 18 no. 2 (2009).
Articles from early newspapers and other publications give rare insights into the way in which the original audience of the Book of Mormon, both believers and critics, viewed the document. A large-scale collection of these documents was not initiated until the 1930s by Francis Kirkham, with encouragement from President George Albert Smith. Kirkham later published his collection in two volumes. His work, while extensive, was not exhaustive. The 19th-Century Publications about the Book of Mormon (1829–1844), a project partnered by the Maxwell Institute and the Harold B. Lee Library, builds off of Kirkham's original research and seeks to preserve every extant published text discussing the Book of Mormon. The collection includes more than six hundred publications related to the Book of Mormon—almost one million words of text.
Coutts, Alison V. P. "Earnestly Seeking." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 2 (1995): Article 11.
Review of Recent Book of Mormon Developments: Articles from the Zarahemla Record, vol. 2 (1992), edited by Raymond C. Treat.
Honey, David B. "Ecological Nomadism versus Epic Heroism in Ether: Nibley's Works on the Jaredites." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 20.
A review of Lehi in the Desert, The World of the Jaredites, There Were Jaredites, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley vol. 5.
Keywords: review;Ecology;Ether;Heroism;Jaredite;Literary;Literature;Nomadism;Scholarship;Ether;review;Ecology;Ether;Heroism;Jaredite;Literary;Literature;Nomadism;Scholarship
Robison, Lindon J. "Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
Economic systems are distinguished by their emphasis on equity and efficiency. Market controls are justified because of the need for equity. Free markets are justified because of the need for private incentives and efficiency. Most countries of the world today have adopted a combination of controls and free-market incentives. The Book of Mormon teaches that only through caring can equity and efficiency be simultaneously achieved.
Mangum, Garth L. "The Economics of the Book of Mormon: Joseph Smith as Translator or Commentator." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2 no. 2 (1993).
From 1830 to the present those who find it difficult to accept "angelic visitations in the age of railroads" have searched Joseph Smith's nineteenth-century environment for sources of the subject matter of the Book of Mormon. For example, in 1990 Susan Curtis explains the economic subthemes of the book as Joseph Smith's commentary on "market capitalism." But the economic conditions of Joseph Smith's time and place are not reflected in the Book of Mormon. Its economic descriptions are consistent with our vast knowledge of the economic conditions of the ancient Middle East and not inconsistent with the little known of the economics of Mesoamerica of the relevant time period. Those more comfortable with Joseph Smith as universal commentator on the issues of his day would be well advised to ignore economics or limit that topic to the Doctrine and Covenants. Those who accept him as translator of ancient scriptural documents can gain additional reassurance from the economics of the Book of Mormon.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introducation: Fictionary." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 2 (1998): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson examines "terminological trickiness" and lexical games, particularly as A. A. Howsepian employs them in a recent article in the distinguished journal Religious Studies.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3 (1991): Article 1.
Introduction to the current issue.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 1 (1994): Article 2.
Introduction to the items reviewed and main issues discussed in this issue.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction, A Tiny Garden." The FARMS Review 22, no. 1 (2010): Article 2.
Building on the metaphor of a garden, Midgley introduces the reviews and articles of this issue; he deals specifically with geographical issues, in particular the Heartland model.
Mitton, George L. "Editor's Introduction, Concern for the Things of Eternity." The FARMS Review 20, no. 1 (2008): Article 1.
Mitton highlights a few seventeenth-century prophecies concerning the last days and uses that background infor-mation to explain the outlook that many people today have on modern revelation.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction, Debating Evangelicals." The FARMS Review 20, no. 2 (2008): Article 2.
Midgley shares a missionary experience in New Zealand in which he was confronted about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then discusses the evolution of the evangelical movement and the problematic nature of engaging in heated debates about religion. While he encourages Latter-day Saints to defend their faith, he insists that they can do so with civility toward and respect for other beliefs.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, God and Mr. Hitchens." The FARMS Review 19, no. 2 (2007): Article 2.
Peterson refutes the views of atheist Christopher Hitchens, who takes a stance against religion and various well-known religious icons.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction, Knowing Brother Joseph Again." The FARMS Review 18, no. 1 (2006): Article 2.
Midgley explains the need for people to learn about and come to know Joseph Smith as the man who restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, Not So Easily Dismissed: Some Facts for Which Counterexplanations of the Book of Mormon Will Need to Account." The FARMS Review 17, no. 2 (2005): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Recent research supporting the authenticity of the Book of Mormon includes evidence that the book was, as witnesses claimed, orally dictated; that its opening chapters accurately depict the ancient Near East in details unknown in Joseph Smith's day; and that many of its expressions and word meanings had disappeared from English before 1700. Such evi-dence argues against claims that the Book of Mormon was memorized or otherwise cribbed from another document.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction, On Caliban Mischief." The FARMS Review 15, no. 1 (2003): Article 2.
Editor's Introduction, On Caliban Mischief
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, Reflections on the Reactions to Rough Stone Rolling and Related Matters." The FARMS Review 19, no. 1 (2007): Article 2.
Peterson mourns the death of his friend and colleague R. Davis Bitton. Peterson then uses Richard Bushman's Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling to examine the validity of Joseph Smith's claim to be a prophet.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction, The Wedding of Athens and Jerusalem: An Evangelical Perplexity and a Latter-day Saint Answer." The FARMS Review 21, no. 2 (2009): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Midgley explores such topics as Tertullian's dis-tinction between human wisdom and the "wisdom of God"; Augustinian traditions; evangelical and Roman Catholic views of God; Calvinism; freedom; and Book of Mormon teachings on redemption.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, The Witchcraft Paradigm: On Claims to 'Second Sight' by People Who Say It Doesn't Exist." The FARMS Review 18, no. 2 (2006): Article 1.
Peterson argues that despite what some critics claim, the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) is not confined to publishing only apologetic texts and is able to claim academic legiti-macy for itself.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, Where Ideas Won't Face Serious Challenge." The FARMS Review 21, no. 1 (2009): Article 2.
Peterson explains that disbelief in the religious does not leave a person who believes in nothing; it leaves a person who is willing to believe in anything except God. Peterson also mentions that from an academic standpoint he cannot explain the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in any way other than that which is presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction, 'To Cheer, to Raise, to Guide' 22 Years of the FARMS Review." Mormon Studies Review 23, no. 1 (2011): Article 2.
A history of the Review, including editorial philosophy, range of content, title changes, important contributions, and commitment to vigorous and learned discourse on aspects of Latter-day Saint thought and practice.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: American Apocrypha?" FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 1 (2001): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson surmises what the assumptions of the forthcoming book American Apocrypha will be. The statements of the Book of Mormon witnesses must be taken seriously, and the work of Royal Skousen reveals a stunningly consistent, systematic, and complex book. Keith Norman's dissertation on deification and Jordan Vajda's master's thesis on divinization note parallels with early doctrines of theosis. Joseph Smith's mission consisted of making clear that which was formerly hidden.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: An Unapologetic Apology for Apologetics." The FARMS Review 22, no. 2 (2010): Article 2.
This essay expands upon remarks first delivered in the closing session of the twelfth annual conference of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), which was held 5–6 August 2010, in Sandy, Utah. That accounts for the hortatory tone of the last portion of the essay, which is atypical of the FARMS Review. In this expanded form, it responds to some of the comments, mostly online, that followed my August presentation.
Mitton, George L. "Editor's Introduction: Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins." The FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Mitton explains the need to address anti-Mormon texts and their authors, beginning in the early days of the church. It is important to give attention to Joseph's own explanation and that of his close associates.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: By What Measure Shall We Mete?" Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2 (1990): Article 1.
Peterson discusses the growth of the Mormon religion and scholarly indifference toward that growth. He discusses the power of presuppositions and the variance of opinions, using the Qur'an as a case study. The orignality, literary merit, and intrinsic merit of the Book of Mormon increase our appreciation for that book.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Doubting the Doubters." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 2 (1996): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, as well as editor's picks. Peterson discusses the theory of evolution, the historicity of Christ's resurrection, and the techniques used by Jerald and Sandra Tanner in their research.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Historical Concreteness, or Speculative Abstraction?" FARMS Review of Books 14, no. 1 (2002): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson publishes his remarks given at a debate organized under the auspices of the Society of Evangelical Philosophers. Basically, he believes that the very choice of "theology" as a focus of the debate grants an importance to that particular area of intellectual activity that Latter-day Saints and early Christians do not share with more sophisticated critics. Organizations attempting a "ministry of reconciliation" instead appear to attack.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: In the Land of the Lotus-Eaters." FARMS Review of Books 10, no. 1 (1998): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's pick. Peterson explores the world of anit-Mormon writing and fiction.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Of Implications." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7, no. 1 (1995): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson discusses brief items having to do with the appearance of the phrase and it came to pass in books of scripture and with the ?newspaper? handed out at the dedication of the Bountiful Temple that discusses doctrines Mormons must believe if they are to be deemed Christian.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Of Polemics." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 6, no. 2 (1994): Article 2.
Peterson and others defend the Church and the Book of Mormon against criticas although they would prefer to write affirmatively about "The endlessly fascinating, rich, profound, and glorious" gospel.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Of 'Galileo Events,' Hype, and Suppression: Or, Abusing Science and Its History." The FARMS Review 15, no. 2 (2003): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson discusses the so-called Galileo event that some Book of Mormon critics believe will soon occur, thus expanding the separation between reli-gion and science until religion subsides to science. He also addresses the lack of Near Eastern culture among Native Americans, a common argument against the authenticity of the Book of Mormon
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Perceptions and Expectations." FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 1 (1999): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Our expectations and presuppositions lead us to see what we want to see.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Q&A." FARMS Review of Books 13, no. 2 (2001): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson poses and answers fourteen "questions not asked" for readers of the FARMS Review of Books. Louis Midgley and George L. Mitton have been appointed as associate editors for the FARMS Review.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Questions to Legal Answers." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 4 (1992): Article 37.
Peterson relates his understanding of a dispute between FARMS and Signature Books about matters of free inquiry and intellectual (dis)honesty.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: The Review Crosses a Divide of Its Own." FARMS Review of Books 11, no. 2 (1999): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue. For the first time, the Review features an article critical of the truth-claims of the restored gospel and of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Midgley, Louis C. "Editor's Introduction: The First Steps." The FARMS Review 17, no. 1 (2005): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. A Protestant historian's ideas about the durabil-ity of Mormonism—if it can survive the critical scru-tiny of its foundational events—invite discussion of how secularism, cultural Mormonism, atheism, sci-entism, countercult anti-Mormonism, and other forms of intellectualism seek to disparage the faith of Latter-day Saints.
Peterson, Daniel C., and John Gee. "Editor's Introduction: Through a Glass, Darkly." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 2 (1997): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor?s picks. So-called biblical scholarship is supposed to be able to differentiate between authors of various texts. A test devised by students for their professor showed some of the flaws of those methods. Though critics complain about the lack of archaeological evidence supporting the Book of Mormon, even the Bible has few archaeological supports.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Traditions of the Fathers." FARMS Review of Books 9, no. 1 (1997): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, as well as editor's picks. Peterson discusses two incorrect ?traditions of men??that Latter-day Saints believer the atonement of Jesus Christ covers only the transgression of Adam but not our sins and that Latter-day Saints are forbidden to think for themselves. Early statements from eyewitnesses confirm the Book of Mormon.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: Triptych (Inspired by Heironymus Bosch)." FARMS Review of Books 8, no. 1 (1996): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson discusses the status of Christian churches in 1820, an offer to debate Ed Decker, the quest for the historical Jesus through the Jesus Seminar and the implications of that type of scholarship on Mormonism: ?Agnostic or radically revisionist critics of the restored Gospel, and fundamentalist Protestant anti-Mormons, tend to converge, united despite their other differences by their disbelief in the founding narratives and sacred scriptures of the Restoration.?
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: 'In the Hope That Something Will Stick' Changing Explanations for the Book of Mormon." The FARMS Review 16, no. 2 (2004): Article 2.
A slightly different version of this essay was first presented at the 2002 conference of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR; see www.fair-lds.org), in Provo, Utah. It represents a sketch for what I hope will eventually become a more detailed study of the varying counterexplanations that have been offered for the Book of Mormon.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: 'The Worst Herricy Man Can Preach'" FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 1 (2000): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, including editor's picks. Peterson discusses Peter Elias, Amasa Lyman, and the techniques of contemporary anti-Mormonism.
Peterson, Daniel C. "Editor's Introduction: 'What Has Athens to Do with Jerusalem?' Apostasy and Restoration in the Big Picture." FARMS Review of Books 12, no. 2 (2000): Article 2.
Introduction to the current issue, include editor's picks. Latter-day Saints appear to approach theology and history in ways that fit remarkably well into the Hebrew thought-world from which Christianity emerged rather than from the Hellenization that eventually emerged.
Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. "Editors." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 17 no. 1 (2008).
Hamblin, William J., and Daniel C. Peterson. "Editors' Introduction." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5 (1993): Article 26.
Introduction to the current volume.
Sorenson, John L. "The Editors' Notebook." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8 no. 1 (1992).
Ricks, Stephen D. "Editor's Introduction." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1 no. 1 (1992).
Introduction to the first issue of the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies.
Summary of current issue.