By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World ReligionWith over 100 million copies in print, the Book of Mormon has spawned a vast religious movement, but it remains little discussed outside Mormon circles. Now Terry L. Givens offers a full-length treatment of this influential work, illuminating the varied meanings and tempestuous impact of this uniquely American scripture. Givens examines the text's role as a divine testament of the Last Days and as a sacred sign of Joseph Smith's status as a modern-day prophet. He assesses its claim to be a history of the pre-Columbian peopling of the Western Hemisphere, and later explores how the Book has been defined as a cultural product--the imaginative ravings of a rustic religion-maker. Givens further investigates its status as a new American Bible or Fifth Gospel, one that displaces, supports, or, in some views, perverts the canonical Word of God. Finally, Givens highlights the Book's role as the engine behind what may become the next world religion. The most wide-ranging study on the subject outside Mormon presses, By the Hand of Mormon will fascinate anyone curious about a religious people who, despite their numbers, remain strangers in our midst. |
Contents
3 | |
8 | |
Out of the Dust The Book of Mormon Comes Forth | 43 |
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder The Book of Mormon as Sacred Sign | 62 |
I Nephi Wrote This Record The Book of Mormon as Ancient History Part 1The Search for a Mesoamerican Troy | 89 |
I Nephi Wrote This Record The Book of Mormon as Ancient History Part 2The Search for a Rational Belief | 117 |
Devices of the Devil The Book of Mormon as Cultural Product or Sacred Fiction | 155 |
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Alma ancient American angel appear archaeology B. H. Roberts behold believed Bible biblical Book of Mor Book of Mormon book’s Brigham Young University Brodie Bushman BYU Studies canon Christ of Latter-day Christian Church of Jesus cited claims Covenants critics cultural Cumorah David Whitmer Deseret Book divine doctrine Early Mormon Documents Egyptian evidence faith FARMS Father Ferguson God’s gold plates gospel heaven Hebrew Holy Hugh Nibley Image Not Available Indians Isaiah Israel James Jesus Christ Joseph Smith Journal Lamanites land language later Latter-day Saints Lehi Lord manuscript Martin Harris Mormon apologetics Mormon History Mormon Salt Lake Mormon Studies Moroni Nauvoo Nephi nineteenth-century Oliver Cowdery origin Palmyra Press prophet Provo record refer religion religious revelation role sacred Salt Lake City scripture seer stone Signature Books Spirit Testament theological things tion translation truth Tvedtnes unto Urim and Thummim Utah vision Vogel Welch William words World writes wrote York