Evidence #39 | September 19, 2020
Previews and Summaries
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Scripture Central
Abstract
Previews and summaries of content from embedded documents provide evidence of a conscientious editor who was familiar with the embedded documents before inserting them into the record.On several occasions, Mormon helps readers navigate transitions surrounding embedded documents by offering a preview or summary of their contents. For example, in Alma 21:17 Mormon stated, “And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.” The wording in this statement anticipates dialogue from Ammon’s testimony, which is given several chapters later: “Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers …?” (Alma 26:24).
The following chart highlights several examples of editorial summaries and previews (including the one mentioned above), as identified by literary scholar Grant Hardy:1
Topic | Previews/Summaries | Embedded Text |
Lamanites Are Convinced of the Truth | Alma 21:17 (Preview) And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct. | For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers …? |
Helaman Leads the Stripling Warriors | Alma 53:18–19 (Preview) Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. … for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader. | Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country. |
Wicked Won’t Be Numbered with Righteous | Alma 6:3 (Summary) … the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous. | … and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous … |
The Words of the Fathers Are True | Alma 6:8 (Summary) … according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins, and the holy order by which he was called. | I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God. And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called … |
Christ’s Disciples Won’t Suffer Death, Pain, or Sorrow | 3 Nephi 28:38 (Summary) Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world. | Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death… And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world … |
Hardy’s example of shared language between Alma 53:18–19 and Alma 56:5 is actually just one of many instances of consistent details or shared wording between these accounts. A comprehensive analysis of these similarities is given in the following chart.
Topic | Mormon’s Summary (Alma 53) | Helaman’s Letter (Alma 56–57) |
The People of Ammon, Who Were Lamanites, Were Brought Down to Zarahemla | 10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; … and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla | 56:3 Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi—now ye have known that these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our father Lehi |
The People of Ammon Witness the Nephites’ Afflictions and Tribulations | 13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them | 56:7 But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them. |
The People of Ammon Were about to Break Their Oath | 14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made. | 56:7 But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defence. |
2,000 Young Men Take Up Arms and Ask Helaman to Be Their Leader | 18–19 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country … and they would that Helaman should be their leader. | 56:5 Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country. |
Helaman’s Warriors Were Courageous | 20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; | 56:45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites. |
Helaman’s Warriors Were Obedient in All Things | 20 … but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. | 57:21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them. |
Helaman’s Warriors Had Been Taught | 21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. | 56:47 … yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. (cf. Alma 57:21, 26) |
Helaman Marched at the Head of His Warriors | 22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea. | 56:9 But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land. |
On one occasion, Mormon offers a preview of not just a single embedded document, but of a lengthy flashback that includes both embedded documents—such as words from Zeniff, Abinadi, and those who brought Abinadi before King Noah—as well as Mormon’s own commentary. This preview, found in Mosiah 7, actually comes from a speech delivered by King Limhi to his people at their temple. At the conclusion of the speech Mormon explains that Limhi “spake many things unto them and only a few of them have I written in this book” (Mosiah 8:1).
Interestingly, on almost every point, Mormon’s selections from Limhi’s statements closely agree in both details and wording with the contents of a lengthy flashback sequence that Mormon initiates only a chapter later in Mosiah 9.2 It appears that at least part of the reason Mormon selected specific passages from Limhi’s speech was to provide a helpful summary or preview of what was to come. It is possible that these similarities are due to both Limhi and Mormon drawing from the same or similar historical sources.3 The specific points of agreement between these passages are presented in the chart below.
Topic | Limhi’s Historical Summary (Mosiah 7) | Flashback (Mosiah 9–21) |
Zeniff’s Overzealousness | 7:21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made king over this people, he being over-zealous to inherit the land of his fathers | 9:3 And yet, I [Zeniff] being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers |
The Cunning and Craftiness of King Laman | 7:21 therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with king Zeniff | 9:10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman, to bring my people into bondage |
Zeniff and Laman Enter into a Treaty | 7:21 therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about | 9:2 Therefore, I contended with my brethren in the wilderness, for I would that our ruler should make a treaty with them … 9:6 And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted with me that I might possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom. |
Laman’s Intent is to Put Zenniff’s People into Bondage | 7:22 And all this he did [yielding up the land], for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. | 9:10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman, to bring my people into bondage, that he yielded up the land that we might possess it. |
The Nephites Pay Tribute to the Lamanites | 7:22 And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives. | 19:15 Therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took them captives and carried them back to the land of Nephi, and granted unto them that they might possess the land, under the conditions that they would deliver up king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year. |
Mourning for Slain Nephites | 7:24 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity. | 21:8–9 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for their brethren. |
A “Great Evil” Afflicts the Nephites Because of Their Transgressions | 7:25 For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. | 12:13 And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man? 12:29 Why do ye … cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people? |
Contentions among the Nephites | 7:25 But behold, they would not hearken unto his words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves. | 19:3 And the lesser part began to breathe out threatenings against the king, and there began to be a great contention among them. 19:20–21 And the king commanded them that they should not return; and they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire. |
The Nephites Slay a Prophet (Abinadi) | 7:26 And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chosen man of God, who told them of their wickedness and abominations | 17:20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death. |
Abinadi Taught That Christ Was God, the Father of All Things | 7:27 And [Abinadi] said unto them that Christ was the God, the Father of all things | 15:2–3 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God |
God Will Come Down among Men | 7:27 And [Abinadi] said unto them that … God should come down among the children of men | 13:34 Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? 15:1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. |
Christ Will Take upon Himself Flesh | 7:27 And [Abinadi] said unto them … that God should … take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth | 15:2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God |
Conclusion
According to Hardy, “The regular interplay between embedded documents and narrative paraphrase makes the Book of Mormon more than just a compilation of primary sources; it shows Mormon as a thoughtful, engaged editor who is consciously responding to and adapting the material at hand.”4 In addition, editorial previews demonstrate that Mormon “knew the contents of his sources before he copied them into his history.”5
John Gee has also approvingly mentioned this feature of the text, specifically in regard to Limhi’s quotations and allusions to historical information that comes later in Mormon’s abridgment:
There is another odd feature here. In the Book of Mormon, Limhi’s quotations of the documents precede the cited documents themselves. If Joseph Smith were making up the story at the rate of seven or eight pages a day, that would be quite a trick. Furthermore, all quotations are from material chronologically preceding Limhi and to which he could have had access. Limhi’s prophecies do not come from Malachi or Alma 2. But in the Book of Mormon, the quotations precede the material quoted and the quotations make perfect sense in the original context. A man dictating without correction at the rate of eight pages a day would have a hard time keeping the facts straight if the events never happened.6
These types of previews and summaries of embedded documents thus offer good evidence of the Book of Mormon’s complexity and textual consistency. At the same time, they lend support to the Book of Mormon’s claim of containing abridgments of underlying texts. The following chart offers an overview of the many underlying documents that were inserted by Mormon, Moroni, and other authors into the Book of Mormon:
Grant Hardy, Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2010), 146–147.
John Gee, “Limhi in the Library,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1, no. 1 (1992): 54–66.
Mosiah 7:21–27Mosiah 9:2, 3, 6, 10Mosiah 12:13, 29Mosiah 15:1–3Mosiah 17:20Mosiah 19:3, 15, 20–21Mosiah 21:8–9Alma 21:17Alma 26:24Alma 53:18–19Alma 56:5Alma 6:3Alma 5:57Alma 6:8 Alma 5:47, 493 Nephi 28:38 3 Nephi 28:7, 9- 1 Grant Hardy, Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2010), 146–147.
- 2 See John Gee, “Limhi in the Library,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1, no. 1 (1992): 54–66.
- 3 One source of this information may have even been mentioned in Mosiah 8:5: “And it came to pass that [Limhi] caused that the plates which contained the record of his people from the time that they left the land of Zarahemla, should be brought before Ammon, that he might read them.”
- 4 Hardy, Understanding the Book of Mormon, 147–148.
- 5 Hardy, Understanding the Book of Mormon, 146.
- 6 Gee, “Limhi in the Library,” 65.
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