Biblical Scholarship and the Book of Mormon
In this section we want to provide an in-depth look at what biblical scholarship can tell us about the Book of Mormon's claims as an ancient, authentic text preserved through the power of God.
The Book of Mormon and Adam and Eve Historicity - We look at the historicity of Adam and Eve and how that impacts the Book of Mormon, Abraham, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the temple ceremony. In addition, we look at how Joseph Smith called Adam the "Ancient of Days" and where that idea originated.
The Book of Mormon and the Global Flood - A look at the historicity of a global flood and how that impacts not only the Book of Mormon, but the Book of Abraham, and Moses as well. We also review the apologetic argument that belief in a literal flood is not necessary to be a believing member, and how that stacks up against the church's scriptures regarding a flood.
The Book of Mormon and the Tower of Babel) - A look at the historicity of the Tower of Babel, and what the implications are for the Book of Mormon as the Jaredites left to the Americas right after the confounding of languages was to have taken place.
The Book of Mormon and the King James Bible - A look at the Book of Mormon's reliance on the King James Bible, and what that tells us about the Book of Mormon's authenticity and claims of ancient history. We look at the mistranslations, late additions, and use of Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount' to see if their integration into the Book of Mormon would be possible historically, and what they tell us about Joseph Smith's translation abilities.
The Sermon on the Mount and the Book of Mormon - A look at the Book of Mormon's use of the King James Version of the Sermon on the Mount in 3 Nephi as the Sermon at the Temple. We look at the historicity of the Sermon on the Mount and what that tells us about its inclusion in the Book of Mormon, as well as a look at the Synoptic Gospels along with the belief of a Q source for Matthew and Luke.
The Long Ending of Mark and the Book of Mormon - We review the scholarship behind the "Long Ending of Mark" that was not in the original Gospel manuscripts, and then examine how material from that late addition to the Gospel could end up in the Book of Mormon (Mormon 9:24) in a word-for-word copy from the King James Bible.
Deutero-Isaiah and the Book of Mormon - An overview of the problem that "Deutero-Isaiah" presents for the Book of Mormon, as scholars can now date Isaiah chapters 40-55 to after 586 BCE, but the brass plates were taken from Laban years earlier in 600 BCE. We look at how extensively this material is used in the Book of Mormon, and why that presents challenges to its claim as an ancient, historical record.