Why Is The Book Of Mormon So Beautiful?

[consiglieri]

As part of teaching gospel doctrine class, I have been reading (and reading hard) the Book of Mormon from the beginning and up through the end of the Book of Mosiah so far.

This would be well over my twentieth time reading the Book of Mormon.

When I read the Book of Mormon the first time at age 18, I received a strong witness that it is the Word of God. As important as that experience was to me, I was far from an expert on the contents of the book at the end of that first reading.

It was for me a profound and beautiful experience.

The surprising thing to me is that, the more I read the Book of Mormon, and the closer I read the Book of Mormon, the more beautiful it becomes.

The life I have experienced in the 30-years since I was 18 have informed my reading of the Book of Mormon, and I see depths and insights and experiences related in the Book of Mormon that went unappreciated and unrecognized when I was a teenager; or a twenty-something; or a thirty-something.

The thought that occurred to me the other night upon finishing Mosiah is that the Book of Mormon is "beautiful."

I am not sure of a better way to express it; and this is separate and apart from my spiritual witness that it is true.

It is simply a beautiful book.

I feel good when I read it.

It uplifts me.

I am left to wonder how a book alleged by critics to have been produced in upstate New York in the early 19th century could be so beautiful, and could continue to yield new insights and understandings after 20-readings and 30-years.

Any thoughts?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

I feel the same way. Although I haven't been reading the Book of Mormon as long as you have (haha!), I have read it nearly 30 times and every time it strikes me as just wonderfully beautiful.

[Daniel Peterson]

That's my response, too.

[Doctor Steuss]

[...]

The life I have experienced in the 30-years since I was 18 have informed my reading of the Book of Mormon, and I see depths and insights and experiences related in the Book of Mormon that went unappreciated and unrecognized when I was a teenager; or a twenty-something; or a thirty-something.

[...]

Any thoughts?

You're old.

--------

(There are definitely some very beautiful aspects to the bookâ?¦ they tend to sneak up on you Wu-tang tiger-style. Nephi's Psalm is groovy stuff.).

[consiglieri]

You're old.

It's not the years, darlin'. It's the mileage.

In good Wu-tang tiger-style, something that struck me two years ago was that Lehi couldn't see Nephi for Laman and Lemuel.

In other words, Lehi was so caught up in the wayward actions of his two eldest boys that he never really saw the gem he had in his fourth son.

This struck me as simultaneously tragic and true.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[Lamanite]

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I thought of these scriptures as I read your OP. Now, one may intellectualize and dissect your experience(s) in an attempt to discredit, or my use of these scriptures as applicable, but I would be forced to liken them unto Satan when he said "It is written..."

Deu 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Eze 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they [are] a rebellious house.

[Paul Ray]

It is simply a beautiful book.

It is, Michael, er, uh, Consiglieri.

It is.

[Deborah]

I have to agree. I am amazed at the new things I see each time I read it. Some very profound doctrine beautifully described. If Joseph was a hoaxster he was the greatest genius to live.

[consiglieri]

I thought of these scriptures as I read your OP. Now, one may intellectualize and dissect your experience(s) in an attempt to discredit, or my use of these scriptures as applicable, but I would be forced to liken them unto Satan when he said "It is written..."

Thanks for the scriptures, Lamanite.

I confess I am not completely sure as to what you mean, and would not want to be guilty of reading the wrong thing into your post, but I suspect there is an irony involved where you quote so many passages from the Bible where "it is written" and then add that Satan said the same thing.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[consiglieri]

I have to agree. I am amazed at the new things I see each time I read it. Some very profound doctrine beautifully described. If Joseph was a hoaxster he was the greatest genius to live.

Many critics complain that Joseph Smith was just retooling the Bible with the Book of Mormon.

If that is so, I wonder how it is that the Book of Mormon outshines the Bible in every category.

I hope that others will not find this offensive, but in my opinion, the Book of Mormon out-Bibles the Bible.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[lostindc]

Many critics complain that Joseph Smith was just retooling the Bible with the Book of Mormon.

If that is so, I wonder how it is that the Book of Mormon outshines the Bible in every category.

I hope that others will not find this offensive, but in my opinion, the Book of Mormon out-Bibles the Bible.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

The Book of Mormon just resonates better with me, except during my conversion period then it was the Bible for the first week that brought the most peace because I was more comfortable with the Bible and its widespread acceptance.

Anyways, reading the Bible often bores me, whereas the Book of Mormon brings a great deal of sweet emotions.

[Paul Ray]

I hope that others will not find this offensive, but in my opinion, the Book of Mormon out-Bibles the Bible.

Don't worry. No offense taken.

It simply does... on several specific issues.

But, on the other hand...

... the Bible includes a LOT of things we don't have in the Book of Mormon.

... things pertaining to the mortal life of our Lord, for example.

[Garden Girl]

I'm in the process of re-reading the Book of Mormon right now, as part of a challenge from the bishop to read it cover to cover, in addition to studying various scriptures for Gospel Doc class...

Consig, I too had a strong witness of the BoM when I first read it through at age 17 and prayed to know the truth of it... I received a really strong witness that has stayed with me through my life, particularly during all of my inactive years. I could never forget that witness, nor of the Church in general, nor did I really try to...

As I read now, I recognize the beauty of which you speak...

Garden Girl

[cinepro]

While I actually agree that the Book of Mormon is beautiful and uplifting, it makes me wonder if it would be less true if it weren't?

What if there had been a loose translation process, and the grammar and words in the Book had been limited to what Joseph was familiar with. No poetry. No chiasmus. Just Joseph doing his best to explain the stories and doctrine as it was reveled to him.

For example, here is how 1 Nephi 1:1 might read with a loose translation by an uneducated farm boy:

I'm Nephi, and I hav good parents. They taught me things about God and God was good to me so I am writng this story for al ofyou.

It's less beautiful, but just as true.

Would our reaction be different to it, and would people get a different feeling when they prayed about it?

[Paul Ray]

While I actually agree that the Book of Mormon is beautiful and uplifting, it makes me wonder if it would be less true if it weren't?

Hmm. That would depend, I think, on what you consider to be beautiful and uplifting.

I think the more truth within something the more beautiful and uplifting it is.

Compare this:

I'm Nephi, and I hav good parents. They taught me things about God and God was good to me so I am writng this story for al ofyou

... to this:

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. - 1 Nephi 1:1

Do you not see more truth in the latter version, and more beauty as well?

Personally, I am more uplifted by the latter rendering than the first.

[Billy]

Many critics complain that Joseph Smith was just retooling the Bible with the Book of Mormon.

If that is so, I wonder how it is that the Book of Mormon outshines the Bible in every category.

I hope that others will not find this offensive, but in my opinion, the Book of Mormon out-Bibles the Bible.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I am glad that the Book of Mormon uplifts and inspires you. The Bible does the same for me.

I do have one question about your quote, "the Book of Mormon outshines the Bible in EVERY category."

How about prophecy, do you think that the Book of Mormon outshines the Bible in this category as well?

How about documented history, which one outshines in this category?

[cinepro]

Hmm. That would depend, I think, on what you consider to be beautiful and uplifting.

I think the more truth within something the more beautiful and uplifting it is.

Compare this:

I'm Nephi, and I hav good parents. They taught me things about God and God was good to me so I am writng this story for al ofyou

... to this:

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. - 1 Nephi 1:1

Do you not see more truth in the latter version, and more beauty as well?

Personally, I am more uplifted by the latter rendering than the first.

I agree. I was just interested in the idea that the beauty of a language can lead us to have certain feelings towards its "truthfulness" independent of its content. There have been several imitation and additive Book of Mormons; I wonder how many would have found greater acceptance had they been more beautiful.

And while I don't expect the "sealed portion" of the Book of Mormon to ever hit the shelves at Deseret Book, I can only wonder what kind of burden would be placed on the shoulders of Pres. Monson (or successor) should he ever decide to take stone in hat and give it a shot.

[Luigi]

I am left to wonder how a book alleged by critics to have been produced in upstate New York in the early 19th century could be so beautiful, and could continue to yield new insights and understandings after 20-readings and 30-years.

Any thoughts?

While I do think the BoM has some beautiful passages I think that scriptures tend to have a whole culture wrapped around them that makes them seem much more profound and meaningful to insiders. I'm sure that a Muslim with the constant reinforcement of being told that to be a good Muslim he should read the Koran and constantly being told that the Koran contains the word of God makes reading the Koran a much more inspiring experience for him than I could ever have from reading it. The same would apply to any book or story that a culture considers holy or important.

Though certainly I think that the BoM is quite an accomplishment for what was, in my opinion, the production of a 19th century author with relatively limited means and education, I don't know if I could say it has been the most moving or profound thing I've read. For example I was deeply moved by "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom much more than the BoM. I also think the Bible has a lot of passages that are much more profound and deal with much deeper philosophical and cultural issues than the BoM and I think the Bible came ultimately from men in times with much less available education.

[Paul Ray]

... I can only wonder what kind of burden would be placed on the shoulders of Pres. Monson (or successor) should he ever decide to take stone in hat and give it a shot.

I think President Monson would do, and is doing, very well.

He seems to enjoy using the English language just as much as I think Joseph did.

[Lightbearer]

I first started reading the Book of Mormon at age 12... though I was 18 before I was able to read it through to the end. (Got stuck in the Isaiah chapters) But I being close to the same age as consiglieri I am 48! However I do love the Book of Mormon and I think "beautiful" is an apt description. I was struck (at age 12) with the story of Nephi and his brothers and the dream of Lehi is perhaps some of the most beautiful imagery in all of scripture. The angel's explanation to Nephi is perhaps the greatest prophecies of all time:

(1 Nephi 11:2-36) "And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou? And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw. And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken? And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father. And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired. And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God. And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow. And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all. And he said unto me: What desirest thou? And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereofâ??for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another. And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him. And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God. And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God! And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove. And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them. And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them. And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world. And after he was slain I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord. And the multitude of the earth was gathered together; and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Behold the world and the wisdom thereof; yea, behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

This is a beautiful prophecy of the coming of the Son of God 600 years prior to him coming in the flesh. There are many such quotes, all are beautiful and they "taste" good. Those who are inspired of the Lord will be pleased with these words, those who are of the devil will have another reaction. Oh and by the way Billy, the Book of Mormon is not a competitor with the Bible, it in fact testifies of the Bible:

(1 Nephi 13:40-41) "And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, (the Book of Mormon) which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, (the Bible) which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved. And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth."

It's purpose is to lay down contention and to establish true doctrine not to supplant the Bible!

[cinepro]

I think President Monson would do, and is doing, very well.

He seems to enjoy using the English language just as much as I think Joseph did.

It would be really interesting if different Prophets were tasked with producing revelations and translating ancient scripture. It would be great to be able to compare a few "Thus saith the Lord" sections of D&C produced by Lorenzo Snow with some that were produced by George Smith.

And if President Monson could produce a couple hundred pages of anything close to the Book of Mormon, I admit here (and in writing) that I would be absolutely stunned, and I was totally wrong about numerous and sundry criticisms towards the Church. And I would seriously reevaluate my opinion on whether or not Joseph's ability to dictate scriptures and revelation originated with him, or a more supernatural source.

This is me holding my breath:

[Lightbearer]

It would be really interesting if different Prophets were tasked with producing revelations and translating ancient scripture. It would be great to be able to compare a few "Thus saith the Lord" sections of D&C produced by Lorenzo Snow with some that were produced by George Smith.

And if President Monson could produce a couple hundred pages of anything close to the Book of Mormon, I admit here (and in writing) that I would be absolutely stunned, and I was totally wrong about numerous and sundry criticisms towards the Church. And I would seriously reevaluate my opinion on whether or not Joseph's ability to dictate scriptures and revelation originated with him, or a more supernatural source.

This is me holding my breath:

Why on earth should God want to reveal more to this faithless generation? What have they done with what He has already revealed? Mocked it, made silly "rock in a hat" jokes and treated that which is sacred with disrespect! Yes I would not hold my breath either...I would beware:

(D&C 63:7-10) "And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation. Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning; But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God."

[Paul Ray]

It would be really interesting if different Prophets were tasked with producing revelations and translating ancient scripture.

They are, and do.

... it's just that your ideas for translating ancient scripture and producing revelations don't totally line up with how true prophets of God do it.

It would be great to be able to compare a few "Thus saith the Lord" sections of D&C produced by Lorenzo Snow with some that were produced by George Smith.

Try reading the Journals of Discourse.

... which are just as good as any scriptures we have, even though they're not in our canon.

And if President Monson could produce a couple hundred pages of anything close to the Book of Mormon, I admit here (and in writing) that I would be absolutely stunned, and I was totally wrong about numerous and sundry criticisms towards the Church. And I would seriously reevaluate my opinion on whether or not Joseph's ability to dictate scriptures and revelation originated with him, or a more supernatural source.

Try reading everything he has written and is now writing.

... without expecting him to stick to only what Nephi/ Jacob/ Alma/ Mosiah/ Mormon/ Moroni/etc talked about during their own lifetimes... except when they are talking about exactly the same things, but by using his own manner of using his language.

This is me holding my breath:

Eyes wide open. That's good. Now just give us your complete attention.

[AddamS]

Why Is The Book Of Mormon So Beautiful?

Cool leather binding?

[consiglieri]

I agree. I was just interested in the idea that the beauty of a language can lead us to have certain feelings towards its "truthfulness" independent of its content. There have been several imitation and additive Book of Mormons; I wonder how many would have found greater acceptance had they been more beautiful.

You raise some interesting questions, as always, Cinepro.

I think the beauty of the language is part of it, but I think that for any literature to be truly beautiful (by which I mean also inspiring and profound), it has to have a message that resonates with the heart of the reader.

Shakespeare's stuff is pretty much all good, as far as the language goes, but it is those parts that contain profound ideas about the human condition that impress me as being truly "beautiful."

On the other hand, those same thoughts expressed in other ways might not seem so beautiful.

But I am also aware of thoughts expressed less than poetically that still have impressed me, such as the Forest Gump line, "Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri