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A review by nocoolnametom
Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader's Guide by Grant Hardy
5.0
A decade ago there were few scholarly books written for the non-Mormon audience about the Book of Mormon, and in another decade there will probably not be many more. However, within those twenty years I doubt that there will be a book that approaches the depth and complexity in regards to the text as Dr. Hardy's volume. The approach to the characters and editors of the story of the Book of Mormon will, undoubtedly, infuriate some members of the LDS Church. Dr. Hardy's aim is not to produce a summary of a sacred history, but rather to puzzle out the human biases and contexts of the Book of Mormon editors. Laudably, he tries to walk a fine line in asking the reader to set assumptions of historicity aside as they explore the text; how well he personally succeeds at following his own advice as he guides the reader through the Book of Mormon is debatable. Personally, I found that Dr. Hardy occasionally cannot resist the urge to point out what he feels are inconsistencies of the presentation of the text against Joseph Smith as author. All that aside, the book is fascinating as it takes the risks of humanizing sacred stories with human flaws as well as asserting, on occasion, that perhaps the Mormon story behind its production deserves a closer look. I should also note, of course, that this is a book interested in looking at *narrative*, not theology.
Personally, I do not believe in the Book of Mormon as an ancient historical work, but that lack of belief certainly did not prevent me from enjoying this amazing work. For anyone interested in having a deeper and richer understanding of one of the foundational books of scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement and the myriad of churches that accept the Book of Mormon as scripture, do not pass up this exploration.
And, truth be told, simply to have some state in black and white that Nephi is almost certainly unfair in his treatment of his brothers, that Captain Moroni is not really the paragon of Christian virtue described in Alma 48:11-13, and that the Jesus in 3 Nephi can often be overly verbose and confusing in his speech patterns: that is something amazing to read from an LDS author!
Personally, I do not believe in the Book of Mormon as an ancient historical work, but that lack of belief certainly did not prevent me from enjoying this amazing work. For anyone interested in having a deeper and richer understanding of one of the foundational books of scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement and the myriad of churches that accept the Book of Mormon as scripture, do not pass up this exploration.
And, truth be told, simply to have some state in black and white that Nephi is almost certainly unfair in his treatment of his brothers, that Captain Moroni is not really the paragon of Christian virtue described in Alma 48:11-13, and that the Jesus in 3 Nephi can often be overly verbose and confusing in his speech patterns: that is something amazing to read from an LDS author!