I wanted to write a little on the Book of Mormon. As I sit to write, I have that distinct feeling, perhaps unwarranted, that this is one of the times that I will write something that no one will ever read, truly a missive to the abyss.
If it can be said that a book is both underappreciated and overpraised, I think the Book of Mormon is. For many it is just dismissed out of hand as a forgery and a fraud, a deceit upon the world. As an example, Mark Twain famously wrote the following about the Book of Mormon.
“All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the “elect” have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so “slow,” so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle — keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate.”
But hundreds of thousands read and take inspiration from the Book of Mormon today, while the so-called father of American literature is mostly read as a school assignment, if at all.
If the Book of Mormon is underappreciated by Mr. Twain et al, it is overpraised by others. For these the Book of Mormon has almost a magical power, in that just passively reading and memorizing verses, and proclaiming the book’s truthfulness and historical accuracy, without more, brings blessings and pleases Our Heavenly Father. For some in practice, if not in stated belief, reading the Book of Mormon to the exclusion of reading almost anything else, including the Old and New Testaments, is a virtue.
In my thoughts, the Book of Mormon does not stand alone as a citadel, but stands with other inspired works, and the book’s efficacy and value is in relation to these other works. The Book of Mormon has its faults, just as all other works of we mortals, even inspired works. What I value from the Book of Mormon is the very simple lessons it teaches me that I can apply to my life, perhaps without me even realizing it at times. In this way the Book of Mormon is inspired, and inspiring. To illustrate this idea, I wanted to deconstruct without context the very first paragraph of the very first chapter of the very first book of the Book of Mormon, and nothing more, which reads:
“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.” I Nephi 1:1.
If I am told, or I assume, that the Book of Mormon is inspired, what can I say that Our Heavenly Father is trying to teach me, to inspire in me in this opening paragraph? Is he just setting up the rest of the narrative? Is he trying to plead for my acceptance of the historical accuracy of this work? I see a few simple teachings that have profound implications if internalized.
What are goodly parents? Are goodly parents those parents that provide their children with all the material comforts of this world? Are goodly parents those parents who either are overly doting, or overly demanding? No. A goodly parent is one who teaches their child somewhat of what they know. A goodly parent does not just leave the education of their children to others or to chance but takes an active role in educating their children. Simply, goodly parents try to teach their children.
Next, what does the verse teach us about the afflictions and struggles each of us must inevitably face in this life? Is an individual that has many afflictions in this life cursed by Our Heavenly Father? Is such an individual to be ostracized and pitied? Should we attribute afflictions in this life to not being as valiant in the pre-existence? Not according to this opening paragraph. Despite his many afflictions in the course of all his days, Nephi nonetheless sees himself as “been highly favored of the Lord in all my days.” Doesn’t that sound a little counter intuitive, and even at odds with the attitude of many at times, even seemingly religious people, who see struggles and afflictions as a curse, or the absence of Our Heavenly Father’s favor? How often do we look upon the struggles and afflictions of others not with the attitude of “there but by the grace of God go I,” but with pride that we have avoided the same?
And why does Nephi see himself as so blessed? Why does he see himself as so favored of the Lord? Does he say he is blessed because he knew of a certainty of the dogmas and doctrines of a Supreme Being? Or because he followed unerringly those same dogmas and doctrines all throughout his life? Or because he was so valiant in the pre-existence? No, he was blessed because he had a great knowledge of the goodness of God, and he felt that knowing of Our Heavenly Father’s goodness was a blessing to him. And he knew of the mysteries of Our Heavenly Father, not His dogmas and doctrines, not His covenants and commandments. Perhaps the great mystery of Our Heavenly Father is His goodness to us, who are at times so unworthy. Simply knowing of His goodness is one of the greatest blessings for us. To know we are speaking of mysteries when we speak of Our Heavenly Father is also a great blessing.
Finally, with this understanding of the blessings he has received throughout his life through Our Heavenly Father’s goodness towards him, despite his afflictions, what did Nephi do? Did he proclaim his piety and humility, or his unerring authority? Did he then ascend into Heaven, or the Celestial Kingdom? He tells us, “therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.” He recorded what he saw as the blessings he had received from Our Heavenly Father, despite his afflictions, so he could teach and be a blessing to others. As he had been blessed through the teaching of his goodly parents and his knowledge of the goodness of Our Heavenly Father, he sought to teach his own progeny, and the progeny of all Our Heavenly Father’s children, not only in his own life but beyond. Simply, he did this by making a record.
I would add that this first passage is a colophon. It is typical of ancient Jewish literature that the author identifies himself at the beginning. The words are familiar to readers of the Book of Mormon, but most fail to recognize that this is Hebrew format not English. Similarly the Book of Mormon never mentions “brass plates” but always refers to “plates of brass.” People have become so accustomed to the phrases they no longer recognize them as authentic ancient expressions. Such awareness gives us an appreciation of the content of this voice from long ago.