Evidence #425 | October 25, 2023

Book of Mormon Evidence: Title Page Intertextuality

Post contributed by

 

Scripture Central

Abstract

In numerous and often complex ways, the wording of the Book of Mormon’s Title Page interacts with a variety of prior Nephite texts.

While most of the Book of Mormon’s introductory material was written in modern times,1 its Title Page was composed anciently.2 Although Moroni was surely responsible for the final version of this text, Mormon may also have influenced its form and content.3 Whoever contributed and in whatever proportion, this brief document offers a striking example of the Book of Mormon’s remarkable intertextuality. Nearly every word and phrase of the Title Page borrows from, alludes to, or is consistent with past Book of Mormon content. This article explores the elaborate network of textual relationships embedded within this final Nephite text.

Title Page Elements

When broken down into its constituent parts, the Title Page has 37 distinct elements, a few of which are repeated as part of the document’s internal parallel structures and arrangements.4 The text is reproduced in its entirety below, with each of its 37 phrasal or conceptual elements bolded and followed by an assigned identification number (highlighted in red):5

The Book of Mormon [1]

An account [2] written by the hand of Mormon [3] upon plates [4] taken from the plates of Nephi [5]

Wherefore, it is an abridgment [6] of the record [7] of the people of [8] Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel [9]; and also to Jew [10] and Gentile [11]—Written by way of commandment [12], and also by the spirit of prophecy [13] and of revelation [14]—Written and sealed up [15], and hid up unto the Lord [16], that they might not be destroyed [17]—To come forth by the gift and power of God [18] unto the interpretation thereof [19]—Sealed by the hand of Moroni [15], and hid up unto the Lord [16], to come forth in due time [20] by way of the Gentile [21]—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God [19].

An abridgment [6] taken from [5] the Book of Ether [22] also, which is a record [7] of the people of [8] Jared, who were scattered [23] at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24], when they were building a tower [25] to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things [26] the Lord hath done for their fathers [27]; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord [28], that they are not cast off forever [29]—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile [30] that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God [31], manifesting himself unto all nations [32]—And now, if there are faults [33] they are the mistakes of men [34]; wherefore, condemn not the things of God [35], that ye may be found spotless [36] at the judgment-seat of Christ [37].

The following chart tracks the presence of these 37 elements in more than 20 Nephite textual units:6 

Title Page Intertextuality (Main Chart).jpg

The comprehensive data from which this chart was created, including additional relevant textual units and the specific verses from which these elements derive, is presented in Appendix 1. As can be seen, many elements show up together in multiple Nephite texts, often in closely proximate clusters. A few other elements correspond better with more isolated passages, some of which are not part of the texts listed in the chart.

Impressively, a good number of texts feature 7 or more elements (1 Nephi 13; 1 Nephi 15; 1 Nephi 19; 1 Nephi 22; 2 Nephi 30; 2 Nephi 33; Jacob 1; Words of Mormon; 3 Nephi 5; Mormon 5; Mormon 7; Mormon 8; Ether 1; Ether 4; and Ether 12). As might be expected, most of these units elaborate upon the contents, purpose, and eventual fate of the Book of Mormon.

The repackaging of prior material seems to be neither random nor simplistic. Even though the basic concepts show up in a number of texts, the precise wording of the elements in the Title Page can often be traced back to articulations from specific prior passages. In several instances, it is apparent that blocks of text from the Title Page contain clusters of elements that draw upon multiple prior texts simultaneously. The following sections explore these various textual consistencies, dependencies, and developments.

Recordkeeping (Elements 18, 22)

Most of the words and phrases found in elements 18 can ultimately be traced back to Nephi. On several occasions, he gave information about his recordkeeping project and why he was writing. Reformulations of his words and phrases can then be found later on in statements made by Mormon and Moroni, before they finally end up in the Title Page.

A good example can be seen in Nephi’s use of the phrase “upon plates [4] which I have made with mine own hands [3]” (1 Nephi 1:17), which was later quoted nearly verbatim by Mormon (3 Nephi 5:11–12). These two elements then appear to have been adapted and repackaged in the Title Page, along with the specific designation of Mormon [1] as the author.7

1 Nephi 1

3 Nephi 5

Title Page

17 … Behold, I make an abridgment upon plates [4] which I have made with mine own hands [3]

11 And behold, I do make the record on plates [4] which I have made with mine own hands [3].

12 And behold, I am called Mormon [1]

An account written by the hand [3] of Mormon [1] upon plates [4] taken from the plates of Nephi

Nephi also stated that he made “an abridgment [6] of the record of [7] my father” (1 Nephi 1:17). On a separate occasion, he described his record as being contained on “the plates of Nephi [5]” (1 Nephi 9:2). Mormon similarly said that he was going to make “an abridgment [6]” which he was going to “take from the plates of Nephi” [5] (Words of Mormon 1:3, 5). Again, these elements turn up together in the Title Page, with some wording closer to Nephi’s and other wording closer to Mormon’s:

1 Nephi 1

1 Nephi 9

WofM

Title Page

17 … Behold, I make an abridgment [6] of the record of [7] my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands

2 … and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi [5].

3 … for after I had made an abridgment [6]

5 … which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi [5]

An account written by the hand of Mormon upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi [5]

Wherefore, it is an abridgment [6] of the record of [7] the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—

A third example can be seen in Moroni’s comments about the Jaredite record: “And I take mine account from the Book of Ether [22]” (Ether 1:2). Moroni’s identification of the source record is congruent with Mormon’s previous statements about his own abridgment: “which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi [5]” (WofM 1:5). Moroni also mentioned, “And on this wise do I give the account [2]. He that wrote this record [7] was Ether [22]” (Ether 1:6).

While elements 2 and 7 were used previously in similar contexts by Nephi and Mormon, the mention of “Ether” or the “book of Ether” [22] in a recordkeeping context isn’t found elsewhere, suggesting that the similar wording in the Title Page reflects Moroni’s description in this textual unit. The following chart includes these and additional elements in various texts, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of these combined relationships.

1 Nephi 1

Words of Mormon

3 Nephi 5

Ether 1

Title Page

17 But I shall make an account [2] of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment [6] of the record of [7] my father, upon plates [4] which I have made with mine own hands [3]; wherefore, after I have abridged [6] the record of [7] my father then will I make an account [2] of mine own life.

3 … for after I had made an abridgment [6] from the plates of Nephi [5] …

 4 And the things which are upon these plates [4] pleasing me …

5 … which remainder of my record [7] I shall take from the plates of Nephi [5]; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people [8].

10 Therefore I have made my record of [7] these things according to the record of [7] Nephi, which was engraven on the plates [4] which were called the plates of Nephi [5].

11 And behold, I do make the record [7] on plates [4] which I have made with mine own hands [3].

12 And behold, I am called Mormon [1]

1 And now I, Moroni, proceed to give an account [2]

2 And I take mine account fromthe Book of Ether [22]

6 And on this wise do I give the account [2]. He that wrote this record [7] was Ether [22]

The Book of Mormon [1]

An account [2] written by the hand of Mormon [3] upon plates [4] taken from the plates of Nephi [5]

Wherefore, it is an abridgment [6] of the record [7] of the people of [8] Nephi, and also of the Lamanites …

An abridgment [6] taken from the Book of Ether [22] also, which is a record of [7] the people of [8] Jared

In some instances, as in the presentation of element 22 in Ether 1:2, it is fairly clear what past content is informing the language of the Title Page. We can also be confident that its articulation of element 5 reflects Mormon’s prior statements in 3 Nephi 5:5 and Words of Mormon 1:10. In other instances, we can trace the development of ideas before they turn up in the Title Page, such as Nephi’s and then Mormon’s use of elements 3 and 4.

For more generic elements (2, 6, 7, 8), it is difficult to determine a specific relationship of derivation, seeing that multiple authors used similar words or phrases in similar contexts. Overall, however, it can be stated with confidence that the conceptual elements and particular language of recordkeeping—as articulated on different occasions by Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni—are  reflected in the Title Page.

Three Audiences (Elements 911)

The Title Page specifies that it was intended for three different audiences: “Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel [9]; and also to Jew [10] and Gentile [11].” There is some overlap in these designations, however. Technically, the Lamanites eventually became a mixture of Lamanites and Nephites,8 and both Lehi’s posterity and the Jews belong to the house of Israel.9 So, in some instances, multiple audiences may fit within a single designation. With this in mind, it can be seen that the audiences mentioned in the Title Page are essentially the same three audiences repeatedly addressed and specified by the Book of Mormon’s primary authors and abridgers.

Nephi foresaw that the Book of Mormon (among other records) would come forth unto “the Gentiles [11] and the remnant of the seed of my brethren [9], and also the Jews [10]” (1 Nephi 13:39). In his final message in 2 Nephi 33:6–8, Nephi likewise addressed “my people [9],” “Jew [10],” and “Gentiles [11].”10

On separate occasions, Mormon addressed the same three groups. In Mormon 3:17–19 he stated, “I write unto you, Gentiles [11], and also unto you, house of Israel [9–10]…. And I write also unto the remnant of this people [9].” Two chapters later, Mormon declared, “these things must come unto the remnant of these people [9], and also unto the Gentiles [11]” (Mormon 5:9). After several more verses, he mentioned that “these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob [910]” (v. 12) and that they would “go unto the unbelieving of the Jews [10]” (v. 14).

Through Moroni, the Lord also addressed these groups: “Come unto me, O ye Gentiles [11] … Come unto me, O ye house of Israel [910]” (Ether 4:14). Finally, Moroni himself directly addressed two of these groups in one of his farewells: “I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles [11], yea, and also unto my brethren [9] whom I love” (Ether 12:38).11

Commandment, Prophecy, and Revelation (Elements 1214)

The Title Page declares that it was “Written by way of commandment [12], and also by the spirit of prophecy [13] and of revelation [14].” Combinations of this triad first show up in the writings of Nephi: “the Lord commanded [12] me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people … and also many of mine own prophecies [13] have I engraven upon them” (1 Nephi 19:1; cf. 2 Nephi 29:11). Note that this is given specifically in connection with Nephi’s creation of plates and his overall recordkeeping project, much like the Title Page is about the nature of metal records and their purpose.

Later on, we learn that Nephi’s directives from the Lord were passed on to Jacob and his posterity: “Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment [12] … that I should write upon these plates” and that “if there were … revelation [14] which was great, or prophesying [13], that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates” (Jacob 1:1–2; 4).

Title Page Intertextuality (Jacob and Plates).jpg
Jacob creating plates. Image via churchofjesuschrist.org

We can then trace various combinations of these elements (especially the divine command to keep these records) in the subsequent writings on the Small Plates,12 in Mormon’s explanation of why he included the Small Plates,13 in Jesus’ resurrected ministry among the Nephites,14 and in the instructions given to Moroni by his father and directly from the Lord himself.15 These three elements in the Title Page are thus consistent with a series of divine injunctions given to Nephite recordkeepers throughout their history.   

Preservation and Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Elements 1521)

The section of the Title Page containing elements 1521 concerns the preservation and coming forth of the Book of Mormon:16

Written and sealed up [15], and hid up unto the Lord [16], that they might not be destroyed [17]—To come forth by the gift and power of God [18] unto the interpretation thereof [19] —Sealed by the hand of Moroni [15], and hid up unto the Lord [16], to come forth in due time [20] by way of the Gentile [21]—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God [19].

As demonstrated below, these 7 elements regularly show up together in various combinations in past Nephite writings, often in similar or related contexts.17 The first relevant set of relationships involves elements 15 and 16, as manifested in 2 Nephi 27:

2 Nephi 27

Title Page

22 then shalt thou seal up [15] the book again, and hide it up unto me [16]

Written and sealed up [15], and hid up unto the Lord [16]

In 2 Nephi 26, however, it is elements 15 and 17 that show up together:

2 Nephi 26

Title Page

17 and they shall be written and sealed up [15] in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy [17] the things of God.

Written and sealed up [15], and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed [17]

In Ether 3, we encounter a combination of elements 15, 19, and 20:

Ether 3

Title Page

22 And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up [15], that no one can interpret [19] them …

27 Write these things and seal them up [15]; and I will show them in mine own due time [20] unto the children of men.

Written and sealed up [15], … to come forth in due time [20] by way of the Gentile—The interpretation [19] thereof by the gift of God.

In Mormon 2, a conceptual match with element 16 is combined with a verbatim match for element 17:

Mormon 2

Title Page

17 And now, the city of Jashon was near the land where Ammaron had deposited the records unto the Lord [16], that they might not be destroyed [17].

Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord [16], that they might not be destroyed [17]

In 1 Nephi 13:35, elements 16, 18 and 21 are all situated next to one another:

1 Nephi 13

Title Page

35 these things shall be hid up [16], to come forth unto the Gentiles [21], by the gift and power of the Lamb [18].

To come forth by the gift and power of God [18] unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord [16], to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile [21]

In Mormon 5, a verbatim match with element 16 turns up in conjunction with a nearly verbatim match for element 20:

Mormon 5

Title Page

12 they are to be hid up unto the Lord [16] that they may come forth in his own due time [20]

Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord [16], to come forth in due time [20] by way of the Gentile

In 1 Nephi 15, a conceptual match for element 18 is paired with a verbatim match with element 21:

1 Nephi 15

Title Page

17 and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles [21], that the Lord may show his power [18] unto the Gentiles

To come forth by the gift and power of God [18] unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile [21]

Finally, even though element 19 was earlier included as part of a cluster in Ether 3, it is also featured in isolated passages with language closer to that found in the Title Page:

Omni 1

Mormon 9

Title Page

20 … and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God [19].

34 … therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof [19].

To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof [19]

In summary, it is clear that elements 1521 in the Title Page are interacting with a host of prior texts. What is so remarkable about these relationships is the way that the Title Page captures so many past combinations and integrates them into a single set of ideas. Although these elements are all clearly related, as a full set they couldn’t have been derived from any single prior location, especially when considering that the wording of certain elements matches up more closely with some prior texts than with others.

Title Page Intertextuality (Sealed Up).jpg
Moroni hiding and sealing up the Book of Mormon. Image via churchofjesuschrist.org.

Jaredite Origin Story (Elements 2325)

The Title Page explains that the Book of Mormon includes “a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered [23] at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24], when they were building a tower [25] to get to heaven.” These three elements turn up together in two other locations in the Book of Mormon, once in Mormon’s summary contained in Mosiah 28 and later in Moroni’s introduction to the book of Ether in Ether 1:

Mosiah 28

Ether 1

Title Page

17 it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the great tower [25], at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24] and they were scattered [23] abroad upon the face of all the earth

33 Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower [25], at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24], and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered [23] upon all the face of the earth;

a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered [23] at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24], when they were building a tower [25] to get to heaven

Several details about these relationships should give the reader full confidence that they are intentional. First, the fact that the Title Page reflects all three elements found together in two prior texts is noteworthy.18 Second, although these elements can also be found in Genesis 11:4–7, they are found in closer proximity and with closer phrasing in the Nephite texts, especially the verbatim, 11-word match for element 24. Third, the fact that the sequence of elements in the Title Page is reversed from their ordering in both prior Nephite renditions may be significant.19 With only three elements, it is hard to say for certain whether their being given in the opposite order was intentional. Nevertheless, according to John W. Welch,

Reversing the order of a previous statement in this fashion was an ancient scribal practice often used to signal to the reader that the writer was intentionally quoting from or alluding back to that earlier text. Thus, the similarities between the Title Page and Mosiah 28:17 do not appear to be accidental. Such intertextual connections … demonstrate that the wording of the Title Page itself deserves to be studied and admired.20

Great Things / Fathers / Covenants (Elements 2628)

The Title Page declares that the Book of Mormon is intended to “show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things [26] the Lord hath done for their fathers [27]; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord [28].” Although not as tightly related in prior passages as some other elements, this cluster of concepts can still be found in several textual units.

A close match for elements 26 and 27 arises in Ether 6:24 and Ether 7:27:

Ether 6:30

Ether 7:27

Title Page

30 and did remember how great things [26] the Lord had done for his father [27], and also taught his people how great things [26] the Lord had done for their fathers [27].

and he remembered the great things [26] that the Lord had done for his fathers [27]

Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things [26] the Lord hath done for their fathers [27]

All three elements turn up at the beginning and end of Mormon 7:

Mormon 7

Title Page

1 behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people … that they may know of the things [26] of their fathers [27]; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel

10 And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant [28]

Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things [26] the Lord hath done for their fathers [27]; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord [28]

Another instance is found in Ether 4:

Ether 4

Title Page

15 then shall the great and marvelous things [26] which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant [28] which he made unto your fathers [27], O house of Israel.

Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things [26] the Lord hath done for their fathers [27]; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord [28]

Intriguingly, Ether 4 situates these concepts as parallel elements in back-to-back alternate structures (see Appendix 2), thus providing additional justification for their being used together in the Title Page.21

Convincing / Jesus / Manifesting (Elements 3032)

With varying degrees of similarity to the Title Page, elements 3031 show up together in a good number of prior texts (see Appendix 1). However, the two instances that have wording closest to the Title Page—each of which were written by Nephi—also uniquely feature element 32 in close proximity:  

1 Nephi 13

2 Nephi 26

Title Page

39 unto the convincing of the Gentilesand also the Jews [30] … that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.

40 … and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world [31] …

42 And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations [32]

12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews [30], that Jesus is the very Christ [31], it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also [30] that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God [31]

13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people [32]

And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile [30] that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God [31], manifesting himself unto all nations [32]

While each earlier passage from Nephi possesses all three elements in close proximity, 1 Nephi 13:42 has a better match for element 32 (“manifest himself unto all nations”) and 2 Nephi 26:12 has the better match for elements 3031. In particular, 2 Nephi 26 states that both the “Jews” and “Gentiles” need to be “convinced” that “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.” This final 7-word phrase doesn’t turn up anywhere else in the Book of Mormon (or even in the Standard Works). Thus, its verbatim repetition in the Title Page, along with a cluster of other parallel concepts (“convinced” + “Jew” + “Gentile”) provides clear evidence for a specific textual interaction.

If Fault / Mistakes of Men / Condemn Not (Elements 3335)

The Title Page declares, “And now, if there are faults [33] they are the mistakes of men [34]; wherefore, condemn not the things of God [35].” These three elements, articulated in this manner and in this sequence, almost certainly derive from Moroni’s comments in Mormon 8–9:

Mormon 8

Mormon 9

Title Page

12 And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it [35] because of the imperfections [33] which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these.

17 And if there be faults [33] they be the faults of a man [34]. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that condemneth [35], let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire.

31 Condemn me not [35] because of mine imperfection [34]

And now, if there are faults [33] they are the mistakes of men [34]; wherefore, condemn not the things of God [35]

The closest match to elements 3334 comes from Mormon 8:17, where both elements turn up together in the same sequence, with parallel syntax, and with much of the same wording (with only slight synonymous variation). The fact that a conceptual match with element 35 soon follows in each case helps cement the relationship.

Found Spotless at the Judgment Seat (Elements 29, 3637)

The Title Page connects its warning about not condemning the Book of Mormon with the following blessing: “that ye may be found spotless [36] at the judgment-seat of Christ [37].” This pairing of elements shows up in Nephi’s final farewell in 2 Nephi 33 and then again in the farewell found in Ether 12 which was written by Moroni (who likely was alluding to Nephi’s earlier writings):22

2 Nephi 33

Ether 12

Title Page

7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless [36] at his judgment-seat [37].

until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ [37], where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted [36] with your blood.

that ye may be found spotless [36] at the judgment-seat of Christ [37]

The way these final two elements of the Title Page mirror a similar pairing of elements in final addresses given by Nephi and Moroni doesn’t seem accidental, especially since each of these chapters feature additional clusters of elements that also turn up together in the Title Page (see Appendix 1).

A related cluster can be found in Nephi’s statements in 1 Nephi 10:21. Yet in that case element 36 is only conceptual, while a verbatim match with element 29 is included:23

1 Nephi 10

Title Page

21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean [36] before the judgment-seat [37] of God; and no unclean thing [36] can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever [29].

that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever [29] …

that ye may be found spotless [36] at the judgment-seat of Christ [37].

General and Specific Textual Relationships

Although nearly all of the elements of the Title Page can be found in multiple prior texts, it shouldn’t be viewed merely as a variation on a theme (or even as multiple variations on multiple themes). This is because a good number of quotations, paraphrases, or allusions to specific prior passages are interlaced among its more generic relationships with other Nephite records.

For instance, although more than ten textual units feature phrasal or conceptual parallels with elements 30 and 31, it is almost certain that the particular wording of this pair of elements in the Title Page is interacting specifically with 2 Nephi 26:12. Likewise, although several texts feature elements 16 and 20, their articulation in the Title Page was very likely drawn from Mormon 5:12, as it provides not only a tight sequential match but also the closest wording. The following chart presents these and a handful of similar relationships (involving both unique consistencies and persuasive dependencies):

Prior Passage

Text

Title Page

WofM 1:5

… I shall take from the plates of Nephi [5]

upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi [5]

Mormon 5:12

they are to be hid up unto the Lord  [16] that they may come forth in his own due time [20]

and hid up unto the Lord [16], to come forth in due time [20]

Omni 1:20

and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God [19].

The interpretation thereof by the gift of God [19]

Ether 1:2

And I take mine account fromthe Book of Ether [22]

An abridgment taken from [5] the Book of Ether [22] also

Mosiah 28:17

to the building of the great tower [25], at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24] and they were scattered [23]

who were scattered [23] at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people [24], when they were building a tower [25] to get to heaven

2 Nephi 26:12

And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews [30], that Jesus is the very Christ [31], it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also [30] that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God [31]

And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile [30] that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God [31],

1 Nephi 13:42

And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations [32]

manifesting himself unto all nations [32]

Mormon 8:17

And now, if there are faults [33] they are the mistakes of men [34]

17 And if there be faults [33] they be the faults of a man [34].

2 Nephi 33:7

I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless [36] at his judgment-seat [37].

that ye may be found spotless [36] at the judgment-seat of Christ [37]

Whoever authored the Title Page must therefore have possessed a remarkably nuanced understanding of its 37 elements, not only regarding their patterns of clustering together in diverse texts but also their particular articulations in scattered prior passages.

Significance of the Mosiah-First Translation Sequence

Because of the lost 116 pages, Joseph Smith’s dictation of the contents of the Book of Mormon didn’t follow the order in which readers encounter them today. Concerning the extant text, Joseph most likely began translating with the book of Mosiah and continued on to the end of the book of Moroni. At that juncture, he then translated the contents of the Title Page before concluding with 1 Nephi through Words of Mormon.24  

If this understanding is accurate, it means that the dictation of the Title Page was sandwiched between Mormon and Moroni’s abridgment project and the Small Plates. This, in turn, would mean that in a number of instances the Title Page appears to summarize, allude to, or quote from specific passages that, at that point in the translation timeline, hadn’t yet been dictated!25

If Joseph Smith were merely making up its contents, this would suggest that he had to remember both to integrate prior scattered statements and specific language into the Title Page, but also to disperse some specific contents from the Title Page into later textual units in diverse locations. The following chart contains a sampling of parallel passages from the Plates of Mormon and the Small Plates, showing how textual interactions with the Title Page branch out in both directions.

Title Page Intertextuality (Mosiah-First Chart).jpgWhile some of these textual interactions merely involve specific consistencies in content or language, others are fairly obvious quotations or paraphrases (such as 1 Nephi 13:35, 42; 2 Nephi 26:12; 2 Nephi 33:7; Mosiah 28:17; Mormon 5:12; and Mormon 8:17). No matter how one chooses to view the directional influence of these relationships, unless Joseph Smith was aided by divine power he would have needed incredible memory recall to keep track of all these details.

Conclusion

In light of this comprehensive analysis, the Title Page can be viewed as a masterwork of textual synthesis and distillation, as it repeatedly and succinctly repackages clusters of elements found in an array of prior texts. Most of these were written by the Book of Mormon’s primary authors and abridgers (Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni) and typically feature their metacommentary about the book’s prophetic mission and ultimate destiny. Thus, the contents of the Title Page seem to have been carefully selected from specific textual units written by a limited set of authors.

It may be tempting to view this final Nephite document as merely a generic permutation of terms and phrases that were regularly used in prior texts. Its unique quotations and paraphrases of specific external passages, however, are too numerous for that type of reductive assessment. In the particulars of its wording, in the combinations of its elements, and in the broader selection of its main topics and themes, the Title Page is an extraordinary feat of intertextuality.

Title Page Intertextuality (Moroni Wandering).jpg
Moroni wandering in the wilderness. Image via churchofjesuschrist.org.

How was this remarkable document created? One can imagine Moroni, sometime during his wanderings, poring over the words of his father and also the words of his progenitor Nephi, searching for themes and patterns in their statements concerning the contents and ultimate purposes of the Book of Mormon, and likely taking notes on some perishable writing material. He then may have spent a good deal of time crafting this final summary, structuring its contents into brief parallel statements that creatively combined numerous essential threads from his research.26

In contrast, Joseph Smith wouldn’t have had years to visually study and internalize existing relevant texts. Nor was he utilizing notes or outlines, according to the witnesses of the translation. Nor did he have the luxury of structuring and reformulating the language and contents of the Title Page through multiple drafts and revisions. Considering these and other constraints,27 the intertextual consistency and complexity of the Book of Mormon’s Title Page offers impressive evidence that it truly came forth “by the gift and power of God,” just as the document itself attests.

Further Reading
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Endnotes
Complexity
Intertextuality (Internal)
Title Page Intertextuality

© 2024 Scripture Central: A Non-Profit Organization. All rights reserved. Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 20-5294264