Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Mormon contains an account of Jesus Christ in the Americas and has been published in dozens of languages. The record viewed as holy scripture by Latter-day Saints has increasingly become a focal point of scholars. This cornerstone article compiles select findings from some of today’s most fascinating Book of Mormon research.
The Book of Mormon is a foundational text for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The earliest related research produced reference works, and there have been decades of investigation into its historicity, leading to today’s “golden age” of scholarship. In this interview, Joe Spencer and Nick Frederick discuss the future of Book of Mormon studies, such as emerging emphases on reception history and theology.
Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the “gift and power of God.” However, it’s unclear precisely what that means. In this interview, Michael Hubbard MacKay breaks down what we know from the historical record, including Joseph’s work with seer stones, his insistence on using the term translation, and the peculiar purposes of the gold plates during the translation process.
Brandon Sanderson is one of today’s most popular fiction writers. Books like Mistborn and Way of Kings have captured the hearts of millions—and some of Sanderson’s fans have asked if his Latter-day Saint faith influences their favorite storylines. In this interview, BYU’s Nick Frederick ponders a fun hypothetical: What if Nephites from the Book of Mormon had found an inspiring record like The Way of Kings?
The prophet Brigham Young spent two years studying the Book of Mormon before he accepted it as the word of God. He said that he “wished time sufficient to prove all things for myself.” Today, scholars seek historical confirmation of the scripture’s origins to complement their own divine witnesses. In this interview, Stephen D. Ricks discusses evidence that names in the Book of Mormon have ancient origins.
Sharon J. Harris is an assistant professor of English at Brigham Young University. She is also the author of a volume in the Maxwell Institute’s Brief Theological Introductions series about Enos, Jarom, and Omni.
Jesus Christ’s visit to the Americas is one the Book of Mormon‘s crowning event. The account that begins in 3rd Nephi includes fascinating details about the Savior’s post-resurrection life, including a follow-up discourse to the Sermon on the Mount. Daniel Becerra shares insights from his new book, 3rd, 4th Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction.
Scholar Terryl Givens is the author of 2nd Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction. He has also published a landmark biography of Eugene England and written about the theology of grace and works.
Spencer Fluhman and Philip Barlow are co-editors of the groundbreaking Maxwell Institute series, Brief Theological Introductions to the Book of Mormon.
Max Perry Mueller discusses the role of race in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Book of Mormon. He shares stories about prominent pioneer saints like Hyrum Smith and Joseph F. Smith. Mueller also discusses Jane Manning James and her unique statement, “I am white except for the color of my skin.”