Articles

"Parellelism, Merismus, and Difrasismo,"(link is external) by Allen J. Christensen, John L. Sorenson, and Angela M. Crowell, from Reexploring the Book of Mormon(link is external)

Nephi teaches that the Lord speaks to men "according to their language." We find that the Lord uses literary devices and techniques that are familiar to people so that they can better communicate the message of the Lord. For example, the Book of Mormon utilizes both Hebrew and Mesoamerican literary devices to communicate more effectively and artfully the message of the Lord.

2 Nephi 32

"The Divine Council in the Hebrew Bible and the Book fo Mormon,"(link is external) by Stephen O. Smoot, from Studia Antiqua(link is external)

When Nephi declares that he speaks with the tongue of angels, it is thought that Nephi is alluding to admittance into the divine council, or admittance into the heavenly court of God. Stephen Smoot explores the concept of the divine council in the Hebrew Bible and Book of Mormon in order to provide greater context for theophanic experiences.

"Deification: The Content of Athanasian Soteriology,"(link is external) by Keith E. Norman, from Occasional Papers(link is external)

In a sense, the idea of deification has for centuries been somewhat of a “lost doctrine” outside of Greek Orthodox circles. But in the past few decades there has been resurgence of interest in the idea in the broader Christian and scholarly communities. Norman examines the significance of the idea of deification in early Christianity, focusing on Athanasius’s interpretation of that ancient Christian doctrine and the important role it played in the Christological controversies of the early fourth century.

"The Sôd of YHWH and the Endowment(link is external)," by William J. Hamblin, from Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture(link is external)

In the Hebrew Bible, the Sôd of God was a council of celestial beings who consulted with God, learned His sôd/secret plan, and then fulfilled that plan. This paper argues that the LDS endowment is, in part, a ritual reenactment of the sôd, where the participants observe the sôd/council of God, learn the sôd/secret plan of God, and covenant to fulfill that plan.

2 Nephi 33

"How Did Nephi Read Isaiah as a Witness of Christ's Coming?"(link is external) from Book of Mormon Central(link is external)

As Nephi concludes his record, he powerfully testifies of Christ using Isaiah as inspiration. This KnoWhy discusses how Nephi used Isaiah to help him testify of Christ.

"Nephi's Farewell,"(link is external) from H. Dean Garrett, from Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure(link is external)

After a lifetime of service, Nephi, one of God's great prophets, bade farewell to his people and to all those who would read his writings. From his farewell statement we gain insights into his love and willingness to sacrifice for his people and into his personal relationship with the Lord. We learn why he kept records, how he felt about his writings, and what effect he thought they would have on those who would read them. 

"The Book of Mormon, Designed for Our Day: Annual FARMS Lecture,"(link is external) by Richard Dilworth Rust

Rust, in the third annual FARMS Book of Mormon lecture delivered on 27 February 1990, examined literary aspects of the book that develop the primary purposes set out on the title page. He discussed the elements characteristic of an epic that will allow modern-day Lamanites to trust in the Lord’s deliverance and detailed literary (especially poetic) presentations of covenants in the Book of Mormon. Literary elements combine with the influence of the Spirit to testify of the purposes of the Book of Mormon.