Reading Scripture Central’s KnoWhy #480 this week, I was infuriated to see some scholars suggest that Latter-day Saints could accept the Book of Mormon as mere ‘inspired fiction.’ This notion that the book is nothing more than a product of Joseph Smith’s imagination is a direct assault on the very core of our faith.
These ivory tower theologians, with their condescending pronouncements, seek to undermine the very foundation of our belief by dismissing the Book of Mormon’s historical authenticity. They claim it’s not a literal record of ancient prophets but a clever literary fabrication, a figment of Smith’s mind. They call it “inspired fiction,” as if divine inspiration can be separated from historical truth. This is an insult to our faith and the prophets who bore witness to the truth.
Joseph Smith’s Claims About the Book’s Origins
Joseph Smith, the translator of the Book of Mormon, described experiencing a series of extraordinary events. He claimed to have been visited by an angel named Moroni in 1823. Moroni told him about ancient golden plates containing the history of a lost civilization in the Americas. Four years later, he received the plates from Moroni. Using unique stones, he translated the record by divine power.
His account of these events is crucial to his credibility as a prophet. His claims about the angel, the plates, and the translation process are central to the legitimacy of the Church. If these claims are invalid, they undermine the foundation of his prophetic mission and the Church itself.
The Inspired Fiction and Other Origin Theories
Some scholars suggest that members can believe in the Book of Mormon as the word of God while acknowledging it may not be a literal historical account in the same way we understand traditional history. They propose that it’s a divinely inspired text, much like the Bible, but with Joseph Smith as its human author.
Other scholars suggest that Joseph Smith may have used and reinterpreted biblical material, such as the Book of Isaiah and other Biblical texts, to create a new form of sacred text. This perspective acknowledges that ancient biblical authors also employed creative and literary techniques in their writings.
The “automatic writing” theory suggests that the text may have flowed through Joseph Smith without conscious effort, perhaps through divine inspiration or subconscious processes. This perspective attempts to reconcile the book’s spiritual power with potential questions about its historical accuracy.
But let me tell you, this is an insult to our faith, a betrayal of both ancient and living prophets who poured their souls into these sacred pages!
The Book of Mormon is not some fairy tale. It’s a testament! A testament to the life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Another Testament of Jesus Christ
For members of the Church, The Book of Mormon’s power rests on its presentation as a second witness of Jesus Christ. It recounts the lives of ancient prophets, their interactions with God, and culminating in the appearance of the resurrected Christ to the Nephites. The book’s core message loses its foundational strength if these events are fictional.
Early in the Book of Mormon, for example, Bruce Van Orden explained that in 2 Nephi 11, Nephi explicitly applied the law of witnesses when he wrote: “I will include the words of Isaiah in my book because ‘[Isaiah] verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him’” (v. 2).2 Nephi 11:2
This establishes two witnesses: Isaiah and himself. Nephi then added a third, stating: Nephi believed this fulfilled the divine law of witnesses, emphasizing that God provides multiple witnesses to confirm His truth.
“And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their [Isaiah’s and Jacob’s] words forth unto my children… to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three God hath said, I will establish my word.”
2 Nephi 11:3
Throughout the remainder of chapter 11, Nephi applied this principle to demonstrate to his people, likely referring to future generations, the certainty of Christ’s coming and the eternal consequences of rejecting Him (v. 6). His primary objective was to prove “unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (v. 4).
The qualifications of these witnesses – Isaiah, Jacob, and Nephi – are significant. Each had personally beheld the Redeemer, received divine revelations concerning His ministry, and recorded or would record these insights for future generations (see 1 Nephi 2:16; 12:6; Isaiah 6:1; and 2 Nephi 2:3–4). Nephi, Jacob, King Benjamin, Abinadi, Alma, Amulek, and Mosiah are not mere literary devices; they are prophets, men of God who witnessed the divine and bore witness to the world. Their testimonies, experiences, and unwavering faith are the pillars upon which our faith rests.
And what of the resurrected Christ appearing to the Nephites? Is that also a figment of imagination? Are we to believe that the Savior, who conquered death, did not also visit His chosen people in the Americas?
The Book of Mormon is not just a collection of stories; it’s a record of divine intervention, a testament to the enduring power of the gospel. To dismiss its historical claims is to deny the very essence of our faith.
The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the Book of Mormon’s appearance demand a personal decision on whether Joseph Smith’s account and the book’s claims are valid or not.
Historicity of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon presents itself as an ancient record of prophets and civilizations in the Americas, a claim that has sparked intense debate during the last 200 years since it was published. But its significance for members of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints hinges on its historical veracity.
The Book of Mormon explicitly outlines its ancient origins. It names its purported authors, editors, and the sources used to compile its records. For example, it claims to be an abridgment of the writings of Nephi and other prophets who lived in ancient America. The book also details its historical setting, including dates, locations, and events. One notable example is the account of King Benjamin’s address to his people in the land of Zarahemla around 124 B.C., as recorded by scribes who disseminated his words (Mosiah 2:8).
The Book of Mormon Underpins the Restoration of the Gospel
Furthermore, the Book of Mormon underpins the Restoration of the Gospel as understood by Latter-day Saints. It provides a second witness to the Bible, confirming the divinity of Jesus Christ and the prophetic claims of Joseph Smith.
The book itself emphasizes accountability. Prophets like Nephi and Moroni warn readers that they will be held accountable for responding to the book’s message. These warnings lose their weight if the prophets are mere figments of imagination.
The “inspired fiction” theory, while well-intentioned, presents significant challenges. It undermines the role of divine revelation and raises questions about the veracity of the book’s prophetic voices.
These “scholars,” with their theories of “inspired fiction” and “automatic writing,” seek to undermine the very foundation of our belief. They would have us believe that the prophets of old were mere storytellers, that their testimonies are nothing more than literary creations.
But we know better. We know that the Book of Mormon is true. We know that these prophets spoke the truth. We know that the Savior visited this continent.
Let us not be swayed by the specious arguments of those who seek to undermine our faith. Let us stand firm in our belief in the Book of Mormon, an actual and sacred record of God’s dealings with His children.
For Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon’s historical authenticity is not merely an academic debate. It impacts their understanding of the Restoration, their testimonies, and their ability to share the gospel.
Hey dude, this is right on as far as I am concerned!