Did Korihor Usurp the Words of Zeniff?

Title

Did Korihor Usurp the Words of Zeniff?

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2024

Authors

Jolley, Eliott (Primary)

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

211–222

Volume

62

Publisher

The Interpreter Foundation

Abstract

The Book of Mormon contains several instances where a speaker or author in the Book of Mormon quotes a previous one. This article presents one such example: It appears that Korihor usurped the words of Zeniff, quoting some of them for his own purposes. The context of this reference to Zeniff’s words lies in Korihor’s claims that the Nephites were in bondage to the priests, just as the Lamanites wanted to bring Zeniff’s people into bondage. The connections between these two passages cross multiple generations and narrative events internally, and multiple pages of translated, dictated manuscript by Joseph Smith. It provides yet another example of the authenticity and complexity of the Book of Mormon, revealing the subtle rhetorical devices of the Book of Mormon, and further revealing the devices of an anti-Christ.

Subject Keywords

Korihor
Antichrist
Record of Zeniff
Zeniff
Priestcraft
Rhetorical Analysis

Bibliographic Citation

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