The Book of Mormon (literature): Difference between revisions
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There are several views as to its origins. According to the LDS viewpoint, the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets much like the Bible, although somewhere in the Americas. These prophetic records were collected and edited by the eponymous Mormon, with some additions by his son Moroni, who engraved them on metal plates and buried them in the ground. Centuries later, Moroni, as an angel, appeared to Joseph Smith, who Latter Day Saints believe translated the book by divine means, and that this forms evidence for the authenticity of the LDS message. Detractors reject this account, seeing it
The original records are not available, the earliest complete version of the text being the English [https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/printers-manuscript-of-the-book-of-mormon-circa-august-1829-circa-january-1830/1 manuscript] prepared for the printer of the first edition. Since 1870, most editions have had the text divided into verses.
Debate on this issue can swiftly become a [[Flame War]], often in the broader context of LDS religious claims, with most debate focused upon theology or external evidences. There is also [http://www.nauvoo.com/library/card-bookofmormon.html a very interesting analysis] by [[Orson Scott Card]], who, as a writer, focuses on the story itself and not on external evidences, and comes to the conclusion that it was not written by Joseph Smith or any other 19th century American author, due to the conspicuous absence of 19th century American literary tropes in the text. <ref>Among others, he specifically discusses [[Call a Rabbit a Smeerp]], [[Info Dump]], and [[Author Appeal]].</ref> However, many LDS would point to a personal spiritual experience as their grounds for believing in the book.▼
▲Debate on
With this background, the contents of the book itself tend to be less discussed.
In structure, the Book of Mormon resembles the 'historical books' of [[The Bible]], being divided into a number of books which largely form a narrative, which is punctuated by accounts of sermons and [[Author Filibuster|editorial commentary]]. It begins with a few families in Jerusalem, follows their journey to a new "promised land", and then tells the history of the nations founded by their descendents, with emphasis on the preaching of the prophets, the spiritual condition of the cultures, and various events like several major wars. Also included is the visit of [[
There are several dominant and recurring themes in the book. Some are theological, like the divinity of Christ, or that those blessed by God can sin and lose those blessings, while those who sin can repent and be blessed. Other themes involve the idea of liberty and choice, secret societies, and perhaps most prominently individual and national pride, which leads to the destruction of multiple nations.
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