Rare Possessions: From The Archives of Book of Mormon Central

In this paper from the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Latter-day Saint scholar Daniel C. Peterson explores research on the presence of Asherah, the divine consort of El (God), in both Israelite and Canaanite religious traditions from 1000-500 B.C. After addressing this history, Peterson applies this context to Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi 11. This potential connection can provide Latter-day Saints with additional layers of understanding, and insight into the world of Lehi and Nephi. Read the full paper at: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/nephi-and-his-asherah

George Q. Cannon, editor of the Juvenile Instructor, wrote an editorial concerning the treatment of Native Americans by gold prospectors, senators, and the government at large. In his comments, he views this treatment as a fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy, but also as counsel on how the Saints needed to be more Christlike in their behavior towards peoples of other nations and cultures. Read his full remarks at: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/editorial-thoughts-9

This article from the Children's Section of the Juvenile Instructor appears with a short introduction, sharing that these short testimonies were given after a theology class taken at the "Latter-day Saint University." These testimonies highlight the way that young adults viewed the Book of Mormon as part of their studies. They also serve to remind readers of the Book of Mormon's message in practical ways.

Tad R. Callister is author of the book “A Case For The Book of Mormon. Tad Callister received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California–Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in tax law from New York University Law School. He spent most of his professional career practicing tax law. He and his wife Kathryn Saporiti are the parents of six children. Brother Callister was serving in the Presidency of the Seventy and as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy when he was called as the 21st Sunday School general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served in a number of Church callings including full-time missionary in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission, bishop, stake president, regional representative, mission president, and Area Seventy. Brother Callister was released as Sunday School General President in the April 2019 General Conference where he gave his 6th and possibly last General Conference talk. 1/3 of his General Conference talks were about our subject on this podcast episode, The Book of Mormon. He is the author of the book “A Case For The Book of Mormon”, published by Deseret Book.

George Q. Cannon, then editor of the Juvenile Instructor, wrote this opinion piece in March of 1876. This article discusses the prophecy relating to the righteousness of God's people with respect to the Land of Promise now called The Americas. https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/editorial-thoughts-10

In 1841, in Doctrine and Covenants 124, the Prophet Joseph Smith was commanded to write and distribute a proclamation about the coming forth of the Restored Gospel and distribute it to the leaders and peoples of the world. Four years later, in 1845, following the deaths of the prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, Elder Parley Pratt composed this proclamation which carried the support of the Twelve Apostles. This is part 2, containing the second half of the Proclamation. For the audio for the first part of this document, listen to our last episode. To read the entire Proclamation in the Book of Mormon Central Archive, click here: archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/p…ay-saints

In 1841, in Doctrine and Covenants 124, the Prophet Joseph Smith was commanded to write and distribute a proclamation about the coming forth of the Restored Gospel and distribute it to the leaders and peoples of the world. Four years later, in 1845, following the deaths of the prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, Elder Parley Pratt composed this proclamation which carried the support of the Twelve Apostles. This is part 1, containing the first half of the Proclamation. In our next episode, we will discuss the second half. To read the entire Proclamation in the Book of Mormon Central Archive, click here: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/proclamation-twelve-apostles-church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints

"Questions and Answers - Were All the Unsealed Records of the Book of Mormon Translated?" was an article written by Elder Matthias F. Cowley in the March 1902 Improvement Era. He wrote to answer a question regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon, and discussed the Anthon Transcript and other aspects of the history of the Gold Plates. For the full transcript of the article, visit the Book of Mormon Central Archive, click here: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/questions-and-answers-were-all-unsealed-records-book-mormon-translated

In a lecture presented at several universities throughout the United States, Dr. James E. Talmage spoke on early Latter-day Saint history. In this second part, he focused on the critical reception that the Book of Mormon received, and dismantles one popular theory of its origin. He mentions early Latter-day Saint missions to the "Lamanites" and the persecutions that the early Saints endured. Find the full text here: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/story-mormonism-part-ii

In a lecture presented at several universities throughout the United States, Dr. James E. Talmage spoke on early Latter-day Saint history. In this first part, he focused on the young Joseph Smith and the First Vision, as well as a basic overview of the Book of Mormon and its ancient origins. Find the full text here: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/story-mormonism-part-i

The article "He Shall Perish" was written by Elder George Reynolds and published in the Improvement Era. In it, Elder Reynolds discusses a proposed connection to the dismal fate of European powers that sought to establish a kingdom in the American Continents. For the full text of this article, click here: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/he-shall-perish

This week we feature an article from the August 1882 Juvenile Instructor by George Reynolds. This article introduces the absurdity of the notion that Joseph Smith plagiarized the Book of Mormon from Solomon Spaulding's manuscript. https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/internal-evidences-book-mormon-showing-absurdity-spaulding-story

"Book of Mormon and Napoleon III" is an article written by George C. Fergusun, originally printed in October 1880 in the Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. Nick and Jared discuss the historical context for this article as well as provide a reading of the article. The text of this article can be found in the Book of Mormon Central Archive. https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/book-mormon-and-napoleon-iii

Jared and Nick discuss and provide a reading of the late LeGrand L. Baker's 2007 book, "Joseph and Moroni: The 7 Principles Moroni Taught Joseph Smith". This episode discusses the conclusion and some of our thoughts on the book, as well as Nick's tribute to the late LeGrand L. Baker, who passed away on August 2nd, 2018. For the text of Joseph and Moroni: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/joseph-and-moroni-7-principles-moroni-taught-joseph-smith

Jared and Nick discuss and provide a reading of the late LeGrand L. Baker's 2007 book, "Joseph and Moroni: The 7 Principles Moroni Taught Joseph Smith". This episode discusses the Seventh Principle of the book, "The Lord Provides Whatever Help He Understands We Need," as well as some broader ideas to be considered as we continue through the book. For the text of the seventh principle:https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/seventh-principle-lord-provides-whatever-help-he-understands-we-need Full text of Joseph and Moroni: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/joseph-and-moroni-7-principles-moroni-taught-joseph-smith