arise from the dust
Posted in Ancient Near East Bible Book of Mormon covenants dust Evidence Jesus Christ Origins Scholarship Videos Witnesses

A Tough Question: What’s the Single Most Impressive Evidence for the Book of Mormon?

A critic recently asked me a tough question: what’s the single most impressive piece of evidence for the Book of Mormon? I think he wasn’t looking for evidence that might change open his mind, but perhaps was looking to simplify his goal of attacking the Book of Mormon. But for those who really want to understand more, what evidence is most important and impressive? Here I offer a few thoughts and several possibilities for the “one best” issue to consider.

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Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples
Posted in Ancient Near East Bible Book of Mormon covenants dust Evidence Gospel of Jesus Christ Resurrection Scholarship Scripture

The “Arise from the Dust” Theme and the Unity of Isaiah

In my exploration of the “arise from the dust” theme in the Book of Mormon, published in several articles for Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day saint Faith and Scholarship (see “Arise from the Dust,” Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and “Strong Like Unto Moses”) and the topic of my 2018 presentation at the FAIR Latter-day Saints Conference, I noted that passages from Isaiah 49 and Isaiah 52 play an important role in the Book of Mormon. Both involve the theme of dust….

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Posted in Bible Book of Mormon Restoration Resurrection Scholarship

The Book of Mormon’s Interesting Uses of Isaiah 25:8, “Death Swallowed Up”

There’s no question that the Book of Mormon has great intertextuality with the Bible, frequently drawing upon its language to convey its stories and concepts in familiar sacred language. The…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Translation

Aural and Oral: The Raw Book of Mormon as Dictated By Joseph Smith

When I first examined the published text from the Original Manuscript of the Book of Mormon, I was embarrassed at all the non-standard grammar. But now I find it to…

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Book of Mormon cover
Posted in Book of Mormon chiasmus dust Evidence language poetry

Dusting Off a Famous Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon, Alma 36

Executive Summary In exploring Noel Reynolds’ hypothesis that some material in the Book of Moses may have been present on the brass plates that Nephi used, I wondered if Nephi…

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tangential note on the name “Utah”

Updated Nov. 19, 2012 with background information about Isaiah 2: Background In Isaiah 2, there is a prophecy about the last days that speaks of a temple being built in…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Evidence language literature poetry Scholarship wordplays

Textual Criticism and the Book of Mormon (Emphasis on 2 Nephi 26-27)

Robert F. Smith’s chapter, “Textual Criticism of the Book of Mormon” is one of many interesting sections in the book Reexploring the Book of Mormon by John W. Welch. Detailed…

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