Questions tagged [book-of-mormon]

The primary and most well-known work in LDS scripture.

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Foreordination - based on choices in premortal or in mortal life?

I am slightly confused about foreordination. What I thought I had understood was that foreordination is happening in the premortal life retro-causally because of the faith and good choices in this ...
kutschkem's user avatar
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How do non-LDS Christians respond to the stylometry argument for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon?

Multiple sources have put forward this argument. For example, the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies article Stylometric Analyses of the Book of Mormon: A Short History (link) affirms: Abstract The ...
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Between the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which one has a more plausible alternate account of its invention? [closed]

This question is inspired by comments from this post: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/a/92394/35508 In this question, I am referring to the Bible as the 66 books of the Old Testament and New ...
DKing's user avatar
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How do Latter-day Saints respond to the claim that the Book of Mormon is based on "Manuscript Found" by Solomon Spaulding? (aka the Spaulding Theory)

This topic has come up occasionally in other posts, but I found no question on the site asking about this specifically. In 1834, ED Howe published Mormonism Unvailed [sic], claiming based upon the ...
Hold To The Rod's user avatar
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How do Latter-day Saints respond to the claim that Alma 7:10 contradicts Micah 5:2 regarding the place of Jesus' birth?

Regarding Jesus' birth, the Book of Mormon prophet Alma prophesies: And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers (Alma 7:10) Micah 5:2 refers not to ...
Hold To The Rod's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
98 views

Has anyone ever published a list comparing the amount of historically verified events from the Bible vs. the Book of Mormon?

Thus far, answers to this question, indicate that traditional Christian faith would suffer greatly if people, locations, and events recorded in the Bible could not be historically verified while ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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How does LDS theology suffer when Book of Mormon historical claims are unsupported?

This article, entitled The Scientific Search for Nephite Remains, from the Institute for Religious Research contains a large number of quotes from Ray T. Matheny. Matheny earned his BA and Master's ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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How does the LDS church respond to the similarities between the book of Nephi and the book of Napoleon?

Here is an excerpt from the CES letter: The following is a side-by-side comparison of selected phrases the Book of Mormon is known for from the beginning portion of the Book of Mormon with the same ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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Do the Mormons/ Latter Day Saints view of the Trinity and belief in a divine Mother make a practical difference to their ethics & conduct?

I understand that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (popularly known as Mormons) teaches that God the Father has a wife and we thus have a divine Mother as well as Heavenly Father. I ...
Timothy's user avatar
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According to proponents of Sola Scriptura, what are examples of logical contradictions between doctrines from the Bible and LDS sacred books?

For proponents of Sola Scriptura, only the Bible is inspired and authoritative. For Latter-day Saints, three additional books are inspired and authoritative too: the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and ...
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5 votes
2 answers
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How do Latter Day Saints explained the italicized words in the Book of Mormon?

I have recently been reading through the CES letter. My question comes from this excerpt: When King James translators were translating the KJV Bible between 1604 and 1611, they would occasionally put ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest arguments for the credibility of the 3 & 8 witnesses to the golden plates?

I'm specifically talking about: 3 witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. 8 witnesses: Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., Samuel H. Smith, Jacob Whitmer, John Whitmer, Hiram Page, ...
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2 answers
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If Joseph Smith "inaccurately" translated Egyptian hieroglyphs in his Book of Abraham, does this cast doubt on his translation, the Book of Mormon?

In 1842, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) acquired writings in Egyptian hieroglyphics.These writings were genuine hieroglyphs and were the bases for ...
mhidek's user avatar
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How do Mormons defend Reformed Egyptian as a legitimate language?

Reformed Egyptian is the language that Joseph Smith claimed the Golden Plates (or the Book of Mormon) was written in. But this seems to be a problem considering that there are no non-LDS scholars that ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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What does Mormonism have to offer in regards to salvation through Jesus Christ that was not already taught in the New Testament?

The Mormon church claims to be the true church and yet there have been billions of people that have become Christian in the last 2,000 years based on what Jesus Christ did on that cross. The Apostle ...
Mr. Bond's user avatar
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Why do non-LDS Christians accept the testimonies of the apostles but reject the testimonies of the 3 & 8 witnesses to the golden plates?

Simple question: non-LDS Christians believe the testimonies of the apostles, yet they reject the testimonies of the 3 & 8 witnesses to the golden plates. Why? In the mouth of two or three ...
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6 votes
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459 views

Does any of the LDS extra-biblical holy books ever clearly contradict the Bible? [closed]

I ask as I am only familiar with the Bible. I am asking those familiar with both the Bible and the LDS extra-biblical holy books, i.e. the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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Has any Latter-day Saint published a very detailed description of how the Holy Spirit confirmed to them the truth of the BofM, as per Moroni 10:3-7?

Moroni 10:3-7: 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the ...
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According to Latter-day Saints, are all Christians who are full of the Holy Spirit unequivocally led by the Spirit to accept the truth of Mormonism?

Many passages in the Bible suggest the crucial importance of being filled with/full of the Holy Spirit and being led by the Spirit for an optimal Christian walk. Below a few examples: And Jesus, full ...
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17 votes
3 answers
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What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon? [closed]

What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon? Answers backed up with sources will be appreciated. Note: this question is asked in good faith, with the intention of ...
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13 votes
7 answers
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest apologetic arguments for the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon?

Inspired by my previous question on the divine inspiration of the Bible, I would like to ask a similar question on the Book of Mormon: According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest apologetic ...
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-1 votes
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350 views

Is the Book of Mormon in English as authentic as in the original, or is Joseph Smith's translation imperfect? [closed]

It is commonly held in religion that the authenticity and authority of Scripture is highest in its original text, since human translators can introduce errors and misunderstandings not present ...
curiouslds's user avatar
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180 views

Is there a registry of Book of Mormon Geography Theories?

Years ago I attended a presentation at an LDS chapel by a man who had recently retired from his position as the head of the geography department at the University of Calgary - Dr. Lynn Rosenvall. Dr ...
Alamb's user avatar
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How does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reconcile 3 Nephi 15:23 with Jesus visiting Joseph Smith?

In 3 Nephi 15:23, Jesus says to the Book of Mormon peoples: ...and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice-that I should not manifest myself unto them save it ...
Alamb's user avatar
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Who Wrote the 1981 Introduction to The Book of Mormon?

I know that the general answer to this question can be found easily. It was added to the Book in 1981, which is when Spencer W Kimball was the president of the Church. So it could probably be said ...
Alamb's user avatar
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In the Lord's Vineyard what does the grafting teach (Jacob 5)?

Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon is a beautiful parable of Jesus Christ working in his Vineyard to save the children of God. It is prophetic in teaching how he works. Here are some symbols involved: ...
Hans Vonn's user avatar
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What do LDS believe regarding the necessity of suffering?

I apologize for the length of this question, but it requires establishing some premises that refute the most common response, being that the purpose of suffering is for us to learn and grow, and be ...
Freedom_Ben's user avatar
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759 views

Why were the golden plates necessary if Joseph Smith received his translation of the Book of Mormon by viewing a stone in his hat?

Firsthand accounts say that Joseph Smith used a seer stone to receive the translation for the Book of Mormon (emphasis mine): Joseph Smith put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
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Latter Day Saints, Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden

It was pointed out in this answer and this answer that in the book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:22-23 it states And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have ...
Chris Rogers's user avatar
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3 answers
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According to LDS teaching could Adam and Eve have children before the fall?

2 Nephi 2:23 states And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. ...
PyRulez's user avatar
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How was the translation of the Book of Mormon shown through Joseph Smith's seer stones and hat?

The Wikipedia article on the golden plates says that Joseph Smith translated the golden plates into the Book of Mormon with the help of "seer stones". Initially, he is said to have used two stones set ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
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1 vote
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How are King Zedekiah (Old Testament) and Laban (Book of Mormon) related? [duplicate]

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi and his brothers go to the "house of Laban" to retrieve the plates of brass (see 1 Nephi 3). In 1 Nephi 3:31, Laman and Lemuel object to Nephi stating that they should try ...
Ben Holland's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
941 views

Assuming the Book of Mormon is historically accurate, does this necessarily imply the Great Apostasy?

Note I am asking this question as someone who has not actually read the Book of Mormon. I guess my real question is, could I affirm the historical accuracy of the Book of Mormon as a Catholic? But to ...
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5 votes
2 answers
221 views

What did Jesus actually get up to in America (according to Mormons)?

I'm wondering where I should flick to in my LDS quad in order to learn about what Jesus supposedly got up to when he visited America. Could someone provide an outline of his interactions on the ...
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2 votes
3 answers
724 views

1852 Das Buch Mormon text

I found an audio version of Das Buch Mormon online here: http://batesbunch.com/dbm/. I was hoping to read along with it for German study, but I found that the currently published Das Buch Mormon (2003)...
Nate Glenn's user avatar
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3 answers
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What planet do Mormons think God the Father was born on?

In 2001, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith decided that Mormon baptisms are not valid as far as Catholicism is concerned, because of certain doctrines of Mormonism that are problematic from a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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3 answers
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Is the English translation of "Book of Mormon" ever revised or updated, and if so, on what basis given that the golden plates have disappeared?

The English used in the initial translation of the book of Mormon is KJV-esque English. I'm wondering if there have ever been new English translations as time goes by, and as the English language has ...
TheIronKnuckle's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
198 views

Absent the original golden plates, which translation of the Book of Mormon is considered to be the "official" version?

I'm curious what version of the book of Mormon is considered the official version? For example, when translating the book of Mormon into other languages, what is used as the "base text"? Presumably if ...
TheIronKnuckle's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another Gospel? (LDS perspective)

Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another Gospel? Paul tells us not to accept any other gospels apart from the one he has preached. Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another gospel? If so, ...
Oliver K's user avatar
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Did Joseph Smith “translate the Book of Mormon”?

In a related thread, the original inquirer asked, Why did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon into Jacobean English, not in use in 1830? When I see the word “translate,” it means to me that ...
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13 votes
5 answers
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Why did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon into Jacobean English, not in use in 1830?

Victorian era (1830-1900) 1830 was the beginning of the Victorian era. This literary period was short and volatile, in terms of thought and style; daring use of words and letters, pressing the bounds ...
Abstraction is everything.'s user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
281 views

According to the Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of great price and/or prophets, what prohibits lust?

What does the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, or prophets say about the prohibition of lust as a sin?
James Shewey's user avatar
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How many modern day pages were lost by Martin Harris?

The "lost 116 pages" were the original manuscript pages Joseph Smith translated. These pages were lost by Joseph Smith's scribe Martin Harris during the summer of 1828 and are presumed to have been ...
Nathan's user avatar
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1 answer
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Any research done on the Narrative of Zosimus & Lehi's "Tree of Life" Dream in 1 Nephi (LDS scripture)? Similarities? More info on N. of Zosimus?

The other day I overheard a professor briefly mention an ancient Hebraic document known as the "Narrative of Zosimus" that wasn't known to Western scholars until the late 1870's. As his reference ...
Butterfly and Bones's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
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Is there an Arabic translation of the Book of Mormon?

I know that the Book of Mormon is not officially printed in Hebrew, but is it officially printed in Arabic? I know that the LDS church does not proselyte in any shape or form in the Middle East (...
Butterfly and Bones's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
213 views

Tree of Life in the Book of Mormon a common Near Eastern motif?

In 1 Nephi 8, in the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi has a dream/vision in which he sees a Tree of Life. This dream is retold to his family. His son, Nephi, was particularly interested and desired to ...
Pills N Pillows's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
311 views

Book of Mormon writers by verse

According to the Book of Mormon itself, it was written by many ancient prophets. The authors of this study made the assumption that the writers of each verse, or partial verse, could be identified ...
Calvin's user avatar
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1 answer
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Alexander Helios disappearance-Scriptural Nephites?

According to Wikipedia, Alexander Helios is the son of Cleopatra VII. He disappeared fleeing Egypt with his people (roughly 50,000) after being defeated by Octavian in 31 BC. His parents committed ...
anonymous's user avatar
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5 answers
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What is LDS teaching about how Bible verses came to be in the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon contains many verses from the Bible, either repeated in whole or in part. For a believing Latter-day Saint, this could be the result of at least two separate processes: (1) these ...
lish's user avatar
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Which has greater authority to Mormons: Book of Mormon or the Bible? [duplicate]

The question says it all: Which book has more authority to Mormons - the book of Mormon or the Bible?
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