The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is an account of God’s interactions with ancient American society, teaching their gospel and witnessing of Jesus Christ.
Nephites and Lamanites lived on America for thousands of years in ancient America, before engaging in a devastating battle which saw Moroni, Nephi’s son Moroni bury plates which documented their history before coming back out as an immortal to deliver them to Joseph Smith for safekeeping.
Book of Mormon Characters
The Book of Mormon features numerous prophets and missionaries who are well-known throughout Church scripture. However, other characters may have more modern origins.
Parker, Stone and Lopez originally imagined The Book of Mormon as a film about Joseph Smith; however, once they saw how audiences responded at its initial developmental reading they decided instead to make it a musical.
Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad had left big shoes to fill when they both left The Book of Mormon after its run on Broadway, but newcomers Rouleau and Pitch Perfect’s Ben Platt have filled them effortlessly. Platt, best known for his Tony-nominated performance as Cunningham in The Book of Mormon on Broadway as well as Dear Evan Hansen, The Politician, both Pitch Perfect films as well as several television appearances such as Girls and Black Monday have taken over with ease.
Book of Mormon Stories
Many Book of Mormon stories demonstrate the significance of following God and adhering to His commandments, especially avoiding what He forbids from us doing. Furthermore, these accounts remind us that He is compassionate and will offer support and assistance for those who seek Him out and repent in faith.
One major challenge to the historicity of the Book of Mormon lies in its depiction of vast civilizations across the land, in contrast with historical human populations that were concentrated into specific geographic areas and often plagued with disease, starvation and early deaths.
Furthermore, the Book of Mormon contains numerous nonchronological insertions such as Mormon’s abridgment of Ether’s ancient record that can cause readers to jump back and forth through time, leading to confusion for some readers. Likewise with Nephite civilization’s collapse caused by their former righteous leaders turning wicked.
Book of Mormon Teachings
Latter-day Saint beliefs center around the teachings of the Book of Mormon. This text emphasizes Jesus Christ and suggests that in order to gain eternal life it is only through knowing him and becoming like him. Furthermore, God loves all people equally and wants each person to succeed in life.
This book contains various theological and religious teachings, some of which contradict traditional Christian beliefs while at other times agreeing with them in surprising ways. Of note are teachings such as God visiting his people to reveal Jesus Christ’s gospel of suffering, death and resurrection – fundamental teachings which make up its core message.
The Book of Mormon also teaches that people can experience peace, an adequate supply of food and spiritual contentment through obeying its gospel message. Unfortunately, however, war, famine, poverty and unrest will persist until more people recognize and follow it – research has discovered Hebrew poetic forms, rhetorical patterns and idioms in it as well as Mesoamerican symbols, traditions and artifacts in it that speak directly to this belief system.
Book of Mormon Origins
Many non-Mormons assume that the Book of Mormon was invented by Joseph Smith; however, Mormon scholars have attempted to move away from polemics and toward an appreciation for its narrative complexity. According to one version of its narrative arc, Lehi, a prophet in Jerusalem who obeyed God by taking his family across to America on a boat journey led by Nephites and Lamanites from both branches, struggled for centuries until Christ finally appeared as their redeemer.
Some observers have noted how similar the Book of Mormon reads to 19th-century American vernacular, with critics noting its frequent usage of “it came to pass”, and Joseph Smith’s speaking and writing style throughout its pages. These critics argue that word-for-word translation from ancient Native American/Hebrew American would not have produced verses with such numerous 19th century expressions; furthermore, such translation could never produce passages with similar folksy, childlike expression as seen in its pages.