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Q&A with editors of Producing Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects in the Development of Mormon Christianity

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Available from the FairMormon Bookstore

This book includes a mixture of scholarship about all of Joseph Smith’s translation projects, including the highly anticipated paper by Thomas A. Wayment and Haley Wilson-Lemmon on the use of the Clarke Commentary in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. We had the opportunity to discuss the book with Michael Hubbard MacKay and Mark Ashurst-McGee. A review of the book will be forthcoming.

Q1: What is the purpose of the book?

Mike and Mark: The book was conceived as an attempt to cover all of the various Joseph Smith translation projects—not only the Book of Mormon and the “New Translation” of the Bible and the Book of Abraham but also the excerpt from the new account of John (D&C 7), the excerpt from the “record of John” (in D&C 93), the Kinderhook plates, and anything else. This had actually never been done before—at least not at this depth. [Read more…] about Q&A with editors of Producing Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects in the Development of Mormon Christianity

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 10

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Part 10: 3 Nephi 1 – 3 Nephi 18

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part includes examples of internal consistency from the first half of 3 Nephi which haven’t already been covered in previous parts of this series due to their relation to earlier chapters in the dictation.

77. 3 Nephi 1:1 and Mosiah 29:46 — More on the tight control of the timeline.

In 3 Nephi 1:1, we get details about two systems of time reckoning [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 10

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 9

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Part 9: Helaman 8 – Helaman 16

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the rest of the Book of Helaman. With respect to internal consistency, the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite are particularly impressive. The fulfillment of several of his prophecies are recorded in great detail later, just as they were foretold.

69. Helaman 8:22 and 1 Nephi 1:19-20, 2 Nephi 25:12 — “they have testified of the coming of Christ”

In Helaman 8, Nephi gives a bold speech about how prophets down through the ages have “spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah.” In the process, he says: [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 9

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 8

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Part 8: Alma 61 – Helaman 6

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the end of Alma and the first part of Helaman.

60. Alma 61:3-4,8 and Alma 51:2-5 — Internally consistent politics

In Alma 61, Pahoran (the chief judge) responds to Moroni’s chastisement and threats with a remarkably calm request for help. He explains the problem: [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 8

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 7

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Part 7: Alma 43 – Alma 56

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the “war chapters” in Alma. They go into a lot of detail, especially concerning the geography. The examples shown in this part don’t do justice to the complexity of the Book of Mormon geography since there is more here than we can cover.

49. Alma 43:5 and Alma 31:3 — “the land of the Zoramites”

In Alma 43:5, Mormon informs us that an army of Lamanites arrived at…

…the land of Antionum, which is the land of the Zoramites

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 7

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 6

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Part 6: Alma 26-Alma 38

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the Zoramite mission and Alma’s words to his sons.

39. Alma 26:27 and Alma 17:10-11 — “the Lord comforted us”

Ammon reflects on the early phase of their mission, saying

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. (Alma 26:27)

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 6

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 5

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Part 5: Alma 9 – Alma 25

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah and a flashback to the mission of the sons of Mosiah. As usual there are many examples within these chapters of subtle details that are referenced elsewhere and therefore demonstrate the careful detail that went into producing the text.

29. Alma 9:18, 10:22-23 and Alma 16:2-3 — the destruction of Ammonihah

Alma prophecies of the destruction of Ammonihah while preaching there, first in Alma 9:18

But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord.

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 5

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 4

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Part 4: Mosiah 25-Alma 8

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

In this part, we will be covering the rest of Mosiah and the first part of Alma and the beginning of the reign of the judges. As usual, there are multiple internal references that display the complexity of the Book of Mormon. Eleven examples will be discussed.

18. Mosiah 25:2 and Helaman 6:10 — “Mulek”

In Mosiah 25:2, we read

Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who came with him into the wilderness.

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 4

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 3

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Part Three: Mosiah 11-24

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

In this part, we continue with examples from the Book of Mosiah.

11. Mosiah 11:12 and Mosiah 19:5-6 — a “tower” overlooking “the land of Shemlon”

We learn from Mosiah 11:12

And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of Shemlon

This tower is not mentioned again until Mosiah 19:5-6 [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 3

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 2

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Part Two: Mosiah 7-10

If you have not read Part 1 yet, find it here.

In Part 2, we will continue with the Book of Mosiah, which is arguably the most complex book in the entire Book of Mormon in terms of internal consistency.

We find various groups of people interacting in various ways over several generations, as well as several sudden shifts in perspective and even jumps in time between chapters. Many of these events are also referenced later in other books of the Book of Mormon.

We start out with several examples in Mosiah 7. This is an interesting chapter because it describes several details of a story that is later repeated. The second telling gives additional background and context.

5.     Mosiah 7:10 and Mosiah 21:19 — Detail about guards

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 2