Tag: Book of Mormon evidence
The Town of Palmyra vs. the City of Helam: A Subtle but Meaningful Contrast in Communities and Culture
A couple days before Christmas when it was Joseph Smith’s birthday, I reflected briefly upon his life in rather small towns in New York and elsewhere prior to publication of…
It Depends on What the Meaning of “It” Is: Reconsidering the “Burning in the Bosom” and “Studying It Out” in Doctrine & Covenants 9
For years many of us have read about the “burning in the bosom” in Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9 and interpreted it to mean that Oliver Cowdery, in a failed attempt…
Elijah in the Book of Mormon
Giuseppe Angeli, Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire, c. 1740/1755. From the National Gallery of Art. I am increasingly touched by the way in which subtle elements from…
The Surprisingly Modern Book of Mormon: The Perspective of an Archivist
One of the most astounding aspects of the Book of Mormon is the intricate detail it provides regarding its sources. As largely compiled by the military leader and master historian,…
Matthew Bowen’s New Name as Key-Word Offers a Stunning Surge in Book of Mormon Word Plays Related to Names
While attending the 2018 FairMormon Conference in Provo this summer, I was fortunate to be able to get a copy of a popular new book that sold out on its…
Mary at the Tomb: How We Can Easily Misjudge Evidence of a Miracle
Last month I had the pleasure of speaking at the FAIRMormon Conference in Provo, where I spoke about the ancient biblical theme of “dust” that is so artfully woven into…
When Lehi Left Jerusalem: 605 B.C.? A Plausible Hypothesis from Jeff Chadwick
A frequent question and criticism of the Book of Mormon involves Nephi’s statement at the beginning that Lehi had a vision in the first year of the reign of King…
“Artifact or Artifice?” Orson Scott Card’s Brilliant 1993 Essay Still Rings True
Twenty-five years ago a famous name among fiction writers, Orson Scott Card, gave a speech at BYU that provided a novel way of evaluating Book of Mormon claims. The speech…
The Oldest Hebrew Inscription and the Psalms in the Book of Mormon
Tiny silver amulets engraved with Hebrew from the era of King Josiah, found at Ketef Hinnon, Israel. From the Biblical Archaeology Society. My recent publication on David and the Psalms…
Democracy in the Ancient Americas? Maybe Not So Ridiculous After All
The Book of Mormon has often been criticized for its introduction of a form of democracy during the rule of judges era starting around 90 BC. Instead of a potentially…
