An Approach to the Book of Mormon

Title

An Approach to the Book of Mormon

Series Title

The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley

Publication Type

Book

Year of Publication

1988

Authors

Nibley, Hugh W. (Primary)

Edition

3rd

Number of Pages

560 Publisher

Deseret Book/Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies

City

Salt Lake City/Provo, UT

Abstract

Originally published in 1957, An Approach to the Book of Mormon is Dr. Hugh Nibley’s classic work on the Book of Mormon. A gifted scholar with expertise in ancient languages, literature, and history, Nibley shows numerous details in the Book of Mormon narrative to be in accord with cultural traits of the Middle East.

He examines Lehi as a representative man of his time, the Jews and the caravan trade, Lehi’s Arab and Egyptian connections, politics in Jerusalem, the pioneer tradition, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Apocrypha, Lehi’s dreams, proper names, Old World ritual in the New World, the Jaredite barges and shining stones, and many other fascinating topics.

By establishing the Book of Mormon securely in an ancient setting and historical framework, this pioneering study answers criticisms, illuminates the complexity and historical accuracy of the book, places it alongside the Bible and other great works of antiquity, and points the way for further research.

Table of Contents

36 Chapters

Foreword to the First Edition

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. vii-viii

Preface to the First Edition

Smith, Joseph Fielding | pp. ix-x

Preface to the 1964 Edition

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. xi-xvii

Introduction to an Unknown Book

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 3–15

A Time for Reexamination

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 16–29

An Auspicious Beginning

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 33–45

Lehi as a Representative Man

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 46–55

The Jews and the Caravan Trade

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 59–70

Lehi and the Arabs

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 71–83

Dealings with Egypt

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 84–92

Politics in Jerusalem

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 95–108

Escapade in Jerusalem

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 109–119

Portrait of Laban

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 120–131

The Flight into the Wilderness

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 135–144

The Pioneer Tradition and the True Church

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 145–156

Churches in the Wilderness

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 157–167

Unwelcome Voices from the Dust

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 171–182

Qumran and the Waters of Mormon

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 183–193

The Apocrypha and the Book of Mormon

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 194–208

A Strange Order of Battle

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 209–221

Man Versus Nature

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 225–236

Man Versus Man

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 237–252

Lehi's Dream

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 253–264

Lehi the Poet – A Desert Idyll

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 265–277

Proper Names in the Book of Mormon

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 281–294

Old World Ritual in the New World

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 295–310

Ezekiel 37:15-23 As Evidence for the Book of Mormon

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 311–328

Some Test Cases from the Book of Ether

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 329–339

Strange Ships and Shining Stones (A Not So Fantastic Story)

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 340–358

The War of the "Intellectuals"

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 361–377

The Way of the Wicked

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 378–399

The Nature of Book of Mormon Society

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 400–415

Strategy for Survival

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 416–430

Appendix: The Archaeological Problem

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 431–443

Notes

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 447–522

Scripture References

Nibley, Hugh W. | pp. 523–541

Bibliographic Citation

Terms of use

Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.