Changes

<br /><br />-Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” <ref>[http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1993.htm/ensign%20july%201993.htm/a%20treasured%20testament.htm "A Treasured Testament,"] Ensign, July 1993, 61</ref></blockquote>  

<br /><br />-Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” <ref>[http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1993.htm/ensign%20july%201993.htm/a%20treasured%20testament.htm "A Treasured Testament,"] Ensign, July 1993, 61</ref></blockquote>  

The Book of Mormon tells the story of the descendents of a man named Lehi, who took his family from Jerusalem to the Americas. According to the book, Lehi's wicked sons, Laman and Lemual, turned against his righteous sons, Nephi and Sam, and were cursed with dark skin<ref>[http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/Alma3.htm GospelDoctrine.com]</ref>.  Mormons believe that descendents of Lehi were the ancestors of some Native Americans; these people are referred to as "Lamanites" in the Book of Mormon:<ref>[http://search.ldslibrary.com/125037 Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]</ref> <br />

The Book of Mormon tells the story of the descendents of a man named Lehi, who took his family from Jerusalem to the Americas. According to the book, Lehi's wicked sons, Laman and Lemual, turned against his righteous sons, Nephi and Sam, and were cursed with dark skin<ref>[http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/Alma3.htm GospelDoctrine.com]</ref>.  Mormons believe that descendents of Lehi were the ancestors of some Native Americans; these people are referred to as "Lamanites" in the Book of Mormon:<ref>[http://search.ldslibrary.com/125037 Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]</ref> A post-resurrection appearance in the New World by [[Jesus]] is also described in the Book of Mormon.

Nephi and Sam's descendents, the Nephites, eventually turned to wickedness and were destroyed by the more numerous Lamanites. One of the last Nephites, Moroni, buried the golden plates in what is now New York State to keep them from falling into the hands of the Lamanites and being destroyed.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents The Book of Mormon]</ref> Three Nephites were blessed with eternal life and still wander the Earth today serving others.<ref>[http://deseretmail.com/mormon-life/curric/story?story_id=1580 "Clyde J. Williams on the Three Nephites and the Doctrine of Translation,"] Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 42, Deseret Book.</ref><br />

Nephi and Sam's descendents, the Nephites, eventually turned to wickedness and were destroyed by the more numerous Lamanites. One of the last Nephites, Moroni, buried the golden plates in what is now New York State to keep them from falling into the hands of the Lamanites and being destroyed.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents The Book of Mormon]</ref> Three Nephites were blessed with eternal life and still wander the Earth today serving others.<ref>[http://deseretmail.com/mormon-life/curric/story?story_id=1580 "Clyde J. Williams on the Three Nephites and the Doctrine of Translation,"] Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 42, Deseret Book.</ref><br />

A post-resurrection appearance in the New World by [[Jesus]] is also described in the Book of Mormon. In 1982, the subtitle, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" was added to the title page<ref>[http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/essays/bookofmormon.htm A Short Introduction to the Book of Mormon]</ref>.

In 1982, the subtitle, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ," was added to the title page<ref>[http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/essays/bookofmormon.htm A Short Introduction to the Book of Mormon]</ref>.

 

Mormons and other Latter-Day Saints believe that the book is of ancient origin and that the personages and events described therein are factual. At the same time, Mormons deny that the book is to be considered inerrant. Critics assert that its contents have been changed a number of times by LDS authorities; Mormons reply that the changes are merely grammatical corrections.

==Historicity==

==Historicity==

The Book of Mormon is often criticized for a supposed lack of "evidence" and authenicity" which would be necessary to support the claimed Historical platform which it is built upon. However, [[Mormon]] apologists have made deep and detailed efforts to combat criticism from mainstream archaeologists. In the old world narrative in the first Book of the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi) apologists have made accurate discoveries of numerous locations thought not to have existed prior to discovery. An example of this is the discovery of the place known as "Nahom" as mentioned here ([http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/16.34?lang=eng#33]) a burial place which was discovered and is referenced in no other text.<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Nahom FAIR Wiki- Mormon Apologetic resource- Nahom]</ref>. Likewise Old world geography has been very accurately pinpointed by apologists.<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Geography/Old_World]</ref>.

The Book of Mormon is often criticized for a supposed lack of evidence of the many persons, cities, metals, wars, weapons, animals and etc. mentioned in the book as being part of the history of the Western Hemisphere over the many hundreds of years covered by the narrative. In addition, some of these artifacts are known to have been introduced into the areas in question by Europeans colonists coming much later than the timeframe claimed in the Book of Mormon.

For the New World setting fo the Book of Mormon, there has been criticism directed towards the Book that numerous "Anachronisms" in regards to supposed items mentioned in the Book which are thought not to exist within the Americas, or accusations of alleged Anachronisms within the Book. Mormon Apologists though have worked to find counterarguments and responses to all of these claims in detail to draw more plausible debate around the Book<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Anachronisms]</ref>

[[Mormon]] apologists have responded by citing, for example, the first Book of the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi) in which discoveries of place locations thought not to have existed prior to discovery are to be found. An instance of this concerns the alleged discovery of the place known as "Nahom" as mentioned here ([http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/16.34?lang=eng#33]), a burial place which was discovered and is said by Mormons to be referred to in no other text.<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Nahom FAIR Wiki- Mormon Apologetic resource- Nahom]</ref>. Likewise Old world geography has been pinpointed by apologists.<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Geography/Old_World]</ref>. 

Linguistically evidence the Book of Mormon has infact been more positive. Linguists have worked to find links numerous between Hebrew and Native American languages<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Anachronisms/Language/Hebrew_and_Native_American_languages]</ref>. At the same time there has been claimed linguistical anachronisms in the text, such as the mention of the French word "adieu". Though nonetheless the Book of Mormon been found to have numerous Semetic linguistic and literary traits within it which make it appear to be more authenitic, such as the inclusion of Chaismus<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Evidences/Hebraisms/Chiasmus Chiasmus]</ref> and numerous other Hebrew traits within the text<ref>[http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Evidences/Hebraisms]</ref>. Nonetheless, how much this fits in to confirmed evidence regarding pre-columbian America is largely limited and Mormon apologists do ultimately confess that the main evidence and support of the Book of Mormon does center upon ones very faith in that it is a divinely inspired document.  

Opponents have pointed to linguistic anachronisms in the text, such as it being written entirely in a Sixteenth-century King James style and its use of words such as French word "adieu". Mormons do ultimately confess that the main evidence and support for the Book of Mormon does not center upon history or language but upon faith that it is a divinely inspired document.  

Despite such, Mormon apologist Jeff Lindsay has compiled his own list of positive Book of Mormon evidences.<ref>[http://www.jefflindsay.com/BMEvidences.shtml]</ref>

Mormon apologist Jeff Lindsay has compiled his own list Book of Mormon evidences.<ref>[http://www.jefflindsay.com/BMEvidences.shtml]</ref>

==Contents==

==Contents==

==Other denominations==

==Other denominations==

The Book of Mormon is also accepted as Scripture by some breakaway denominations, the largest of which, the [[Community of Christ]] (est. 1860), publishes its own versions of the Book of Mormon, with different chapter and verse divisions, and one with "modernized" language. Most other Christian denominations, Catholic and Protestant, reject the Book of Mormon as Scripture.

The Book of Mormon is accepted as Scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and by other Latter-day Saints denominations, the largest of which, the [[Community of Christ]] (est. 1860), publishes its own versions of the Book of Mormon with different chapter and verse divisions and one with "modernized" language. Other Christian denominations, Catholic and Protestant, reject the Book of Mormon, considering it to be neither inspired nor ancient.

== Polygamy ==

== Polygamy ==

It should be noted that although the Book of Mormon generally forbids [[polygamy]], it allows for its practice when divinely mandated, apparently for the purpose of raising righteous posterity. The Book of Mormon says the following concerning plural marriage:

Although the Book of Mormon generally forbids [[polygamy]], it allows for its practice when divinely mandated, apparently for the purpose of raising righteous posterity. The Book of Mormon says the following concerning plural marriage:

''"Wherefore, my bretheren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife, and [[concubine]]s he shall have none... For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things."'' (Jacob 2:27,30).

''"Wherefore, my bretheren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife, and [[concubine]]s he shall have none... For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things."'' (Jacob 2:27,30).

The revelation that authorized the practice of polygamy among Latter-day Saints during the 19th Century is recorded in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]], section 132.  

The alleged revelation that authorized the practice of polygamy among Latter-day Saints during the 19th Century is recorded in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]], section 132.  

==Notes and references==

==Notes and references==