BYU Book of Mormon Exam 3 Study Guide

Know President Nelson's practical definition:

"Anytime you do anything that helps anyone —on either side of the veil —take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel."

Books in our modern Book of Mormon—know where all 15 come from, who wrote them

(1 Nephi, 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni. The small plates written by the specified authors), (Words of Mormon and Mosiah. Alma, Helaman, 3 and 4th Nephi, Mormon, Written by Mormon) (Ether, and Moroni. Written by Moroni).

Hell": know the four most common uses of the English word hell in our English scriptures

. Suffering of the wicked/unrepentant in the Spirit World (temporary)2. The final destination of Satan, his angels, and the sons of perdition (permanent)3. The Spirit World as a whole (temporary)4. Guilt, pain, or anguish for one's sins (either in mortality or later)

Size of Book of Book of Mormon lands: according to estimates based on Nephite travel time

600 miles max 200 by 500

19. Whom does Jesus say the people should forbid from meeting with them? Whom does He command to "go away"?

: No one. He says to forbid no one from meeting and enjoying the gospel.

5. When Jesus quotes Micah 5:8-9 and 4:12-13 in 3 Nephi 20:16-19, He includes an additional line, not found in Micah, which emphasizes this "treading" won't be a free-for-all in which the Israelite remnant acts by itself. Who is the one behind the remnant's victories?

: The Lord

16. How much did you cry during Mormon2's whole "o ye fair ones" thing?

A little bit.

Remnant

A small part of a greater whole. This usually refers to a chunk of the House of Israel. Lehi and his family would be a remnant of Israel. There are also many different remnants of Israel that have been scattered around the world.

2. Jesus prophesies that scattered remnants of Israel will be gathered from which direction(s)? [Note that this refers to gathering in the physical sense.]

All over the earth

Royal Skousen

BYU professor who knows the BoM very well. English teacher.

7. After Jesus's ministry among the Lehites, why was there "no contention in the land"?

Because the people were converted and righteous and kept the commandments.

4. The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 opens with famous statements known as "the Beatitudes," in which Jesus blesses certain kinds of people or actions ("Blessed are the meek," Blessed are the merciful," etc.). In the Nephite version, Jesus adds four new beatitudes to the beginning (see 3 Nephi 12:1-2). What is the first set of people/actions that Jesus blesses? (Look for, "Blessed are ye if ye shall ...")

Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of the 12 apostles.

Limited Geography model of Book of Mormon geography: know its two basic assumptions

Book of Mormon events covered the entire western hemisphere, Nephites, Lamanites, and Jaradites were the only people around.

Mormon 7:8-9

Book of Mormon written for the intent of believing the teachings of our forefathers, repenting, and being baptized.

3. Jesus prophesies that scattered remnants of Israel will be brought to a knowledge of what/whom? [Note that this refers to gathering in the spiritual sense.]

Brought to a knowledge of the Lord their God who has redeemed them.

3. Mormon2 teaches that in order for each of us to become "a child of Christ," we must "lay hold upon every good thing." We "lay hold upon every good thing" by what means?

By faith in Christ we can lay hold on every good thing.

Book of Mormon written for the intent of believing the teachings of our forefathers, repenting, and being baptized.

Can divide the BOM into thirds Nephi, Abinadi, and Christ Nephi and Christ talk about the coming of Christ's Church in the last days and resurrection. They talk about the Salvation of the COvenant people throughout Abinadi focuses on individual salvation and big picture plan of salvation

7. In a revelation to Mormon2, the Lord explains that "little children ... are not capable of committing sin." Anyone who knows kids between the ages of, say, 2-7 knows that they are more than capable of doing bad things—lying, hitting their sister, pulling the cat's tail on purpose, selfishly not sharing a toy, scratching their name in huge letters onto the side of the family minivan with a rock, etc. So if little children can "do" sin-like things, how would you explain the difference between that and them actually "committing sin"?

Children may be able to do bad things, but they don't know any better. Their minds aren't developed enough and their understanding isn't to the point where they realize in the eternal perspective that what they are doing is wrong.

Mormon 7:5-7

Christ was resurrected, which allows for the resurrection of others. He also performed the atonement, which allows for our sins to be wiped clean so that we can be saved.

11. Jesus prophesies that in the last days, if people "will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my ____church______ among them."

Church

Mormon 7:3

Come unto repentance or you can't be saved.

14. As He concludes His House of Israel discourse, what does Jesus tell the Lehites to diligently study? What does Jesus tell the Lehites to write down?

Continue to study the words of Isaiah and to write down the things that Jesus has told them because they will play a crucial role in the future.

Printer's Manuscript

Copy made by Oliver Cowdery of the entire BoM by hand. Oliver adds a bit of punctuation. Oliver goes through and adds numbers to the chapter breaks.

Second map, 200 B.C.-A.D, Mosiah-3 Nephi.

Desolation is filled with Mulekites and Nephites, Nephi is filled with Lamanites, and Zarahemla is filled with Mulekites and Nephites.

First Map, 600-200 BC, 1 Nephi-Omni.

Desolation is just Jaradites, Nephi is filled with Nephites, Zarahemla is filled with Mulekites

(Economic) Inequality—how did Book of Mormon prophets view it?

Economic inequality was viewed as the first sign of apostasy by the prophets.

How does Mormon2 define charity in his letter

Everlasting love

116 lost manuscript pages—what section(s) of the Book of Mormon did they contain

First two chapters of the Book of Mosiah--Reign of Mosiah as king and beginning of King Benjamin's reign. Book of Lehi

2. After a person recognizes something is good, that person should then recognize that the good thing necessarily comes from whom? After a person recognizes something is evil, that person should then recognize that the evil thing necessarily comes from whom?

Good things come from Christ and evil things come from the devil.

6. What does Mormon2 challenge his listeners to do in order to be "filled" with charity?

He challenges us to pray to the Father.

Small Plates of Nephi—Nephi's understanding of them at beginning vs. the end

He didn't understand at first. He thought he was just writing to his people. His sense of audience changes and he realizes that he'll be writing to the last days directly.

18. While surrounded by a multitude of righteous people who love Him, why is it that "Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled"? What did He observe a few verses later that led Him to exclaim, "And now behold, my joy is full"?

He groaned because of the wickedness of the people. The people were filled with joy and faith.

15. As he prepares for the Nephites' final battle, where does Mormon2 hide the Large Plates of Nephi and all the other Nephite records? Which specific record is the only one not to get hidden there?

He hides them in the hill Cumorah. A few plates that he gives to Moroni are not hidden there.

How does this comparison of Christ to a female expand your understanding of His nature? What can the comparison to a persistent mother tell you about Him?

He is like a mother in that He nourishes us, cares for us, sacrifices for us, and is there for us like a mother would be. Comparing Him to a female helps us to see the nurturing side of Him

How the finished product differed from how Mormon originally conceived it

He never finished the book of Ether, he found the large plates, and he did not make it to Jaredite history. He was only able to fit in less than 1% of the large plates.

Orson Pratt

He prepared the 1879 edition as above.

1. As the Nephites hear the voice of the Lord, He instructs them to do away with animal sacrifices. What sacrifices does He ask for instead?

He wants us to sacrifice unto Him a broken heart and a contrite spirit and to be baptized in His name.

Martin Harris

He was a scribe, and then lost the 116 manuscript pages.

Jesus explained to the Nephites that back in Jerusalem He had taught, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (that Old World statement is preserved in John 10:16). How did Jesus interpret that earlier statement?

He was talking about the Nephites and Lamanites in the Americas. They were separated because of iniquity.

Book of Mormon translation mechanics (what did it look like as Joseph translated)

He wrapped them up and set them on the table to shield them from view. He puts the plates inside a hat so he could block natural light and helped him focus on what he was translating.

9. Jesus asks if there's a person who would give his or her child a rock if the child asked for food. (For those of you who are not parents yet, the answer is "no.") He then asks if there's a person who would give his or her child a snake if the child asked for food. (The answer is, "of course not, that sounds crazy!") How do these scenarios help us understand how we should approach our Heavenly Father?

Heavenly Father knows how and what to give us. He knows how to give good gifts. When we approach Him, we should ask for what we need and tell Him everything, because He cares about us.

During His second-day sermon, Jesus quotes Isaiah 52:13-15 about a "servant" who will be "marred" but later "extolled." Name the four most common identifications Latter-day Saints have suggested for this servant. Which one do you prefer?

I like thinking of it as Jesus. It seems to fit Him best to me.

7. Even though, from an exegetical perspective, 3 Nephi 13:25-34 was meant specifically for the twelve Nephite disciples, are there any lines that are still helpful if you eisegetically remove them from that context and apply them to yourself? Choose one and explain why you like it.

I like verse 30 and I think it can apply to me, because the Lord will help me find what I need if I have faith. If I have faith in Him, He can help me provide for myself. He will take care of His faithful children. I also like verse 32, because it reminds me that the Lord knows everything that I need and how to help me, and verse 33, because it reminds me to seek the Kingdom of the Lord first and foremost, and myself afterwards, and everything will be okay.

How do you think our society does with regard to refugees—do we seek to help them, or would the Lord find us guilty of "turning [them] aside"? (Obviously refugee settlement is complicated, are there are many legitimate points of view about this—but since Jesus warns that in the last days He'll come in swift judgment against those that turn aside refugees, it's worth thinking about what this means for us in the last days.

I think we should seek to help refugees! Lawfully. We should always help others and not turn them aside, but we should also obey the law and make sure that by inviting them in we are not jeopardizing anything else.

8. During his second-day sermon in 3 Nephi 20, Jesus quotes Isaiah 52:8-10 ("Break forth into joy ... for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem"). How does Jesus interpret this prophecy? How it this different from how He interpreted it during His first-day sermon in 3 Nephi 16?

In 3 Nephi 16:18-20, Jesus used Isaiah1's prophecy as an illustration that the Lehites' descendants would once day joyfully receive their ancestral lands for their inheritance. Here in 3 Nephi 20:32-35, Jesus uses Isaiah1's prophecy as an illustration that the Jews/House of Israel more generally would one day joyfully receive Jerusalem for their inheritance (see vv. 29-31). Keep in mind that neither of these interpretations is the original, contextual meaning of Isaiah 52:8-10; in both cases, Jesus is likening the original prophecy to fit new historical circumstances.

16. During his first-day sermon in 3 Nephi 16, Jesus quotes Isaiah 52:8-10 ("Break forth into joy ... for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem"). In its original context in the book of Isaiah, what is this passage describing? How does Jesus reapply for the Lehites?

It was talking about the joy of the Jews when they rebuild Jerusalem. Jesus applies it to the inheritance of ancestral lands that the Gentiles will inherit.

Hemispheric model of Book of Mormon geography

It went from a huge area to a smaller area.

1830 edition of the Book of Mormon

JS had to be called the author at first for copyright purposes, but it was dropped later and made the correct term of translator. The Chapters were not the same. Chapters 1-5 were all one chapter originally.

Chapter divisions—original system (where they come from)

Joseph felt impressed to add chapters as he translated, and Oliver Cowdery wrote them down.

f. Can you think of any modern examples of a church receiving a divine mandate to reemphasize its Christ-centered name after nearly two centuries of doing it differently?

Just recently we were asked to make sure that we call the Church by its true name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Mormon 7:2

Lamanites are of the house of Israel.

For a small ________________ have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a ________________, but with ________________ kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

Moment, moment, everlasting.

Words of Mormon—the purpose/function of the book

Mormon explains what the Small Plates of Nephi are and why he has attached them to his own work

Book of Lehi

Mormon's abridgment of the Large Plates, covering Nephite history from Lehi to the first king Mosiah. It had been the first book in Mormon's work.

Moroni's contributions to his father's record (what did he add?)

Moroni adds Ether, the title page, finishes Mormon, and writes Moroni.

Large Plates of Nephi vs Small Plates of Nephi· Who started, who maintained

Nephi and his family line continuing with Jacob. He worked on them for about 20 years. Large plates were taken up by Mormon.

12. In the last days, Lehi1 and Sariah's descendants will join Gentiles and other members of the House of Israel to build a city called what?

New Jerusalem

Mormon 7:4

No shedding of blood/war unless God commands it. Don't seek revenge

Chapter divisions—modern system (where they come from)

Oliver Cowdery made official chapters and later, Orson Pratt made them shorter and more readable.

Original Manuscript

Original Manuscript: Mostly Oliver Cowdery's handwriting, but also some Emma Smith and a few other people occasionally. It had virtually NO punctuation. Includes chapter breaks from the plates. Only 28% of the original manuscript survived, the rest was lost to water damage.

Verse numbers—where they come from

Orson Pratt, made it easier to find things, also it was like the Bible.

The two major things people began noticing in the Book of Mormon that undermine those assumptions

People realized that Book of Mormon events happened on a smaller scale. Also that there were others in the land, other cultures that contributed besides the Nephites and Lamanites.

1879 edition of the Book of Mormon

Prepared by Elder Orson Pratt. He wanted to make it look more like the King James Bible, so he added verse numbers. He chopped the chapters up to be shorter and moved some of the chapter breaks.

Oliver Cowdery

Primary scribe, printers' manuscript, added a little punctuation, added numbers to chapters.

Joseph Smith Papers Project

Project to find and publish any papers written or dictated by Joseph Smith.

Purpose and unique features

Small plates is dedicated more towards ministering. The large plates tell more history.

8. After the years of peace and righteousness are over, what's the first thing that Mormon2 observes in year 201 that indicates the Lehites are starting to their descent into wickedness? What did they not have "common" among them anymore? What did the Lehites begin to "be divided into"?

Some got riches and they no longer were equal, but some were richer and dressed nicer than others. They began to be divided into classes.

Accommodation:

Sometimes the Lord has to dumb things down for us so that we can understand.

Know which model—hemispheric or limited geography—the Church officially supports

Somewhere in the America's, an official model is provided, possibly the northern hemisphere.

5. How does Mormon2 define charity in his sermon (Moroni 7)?

Suffereth long, kind, envieth not, selfless, believing,

3. Jesus invites the Nephites to "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet." What three specific truths will this experience affirm to them?

That they would know that He was the God of Israel, and the God of the Earth, and that He was slain for the sins of the world.

Abrahamic Covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant is just as much about the Gentiles as it is the Jews, that's why this Jewish books (the Bible) is necessary for the Gentiles to read b/c they need to learn about the covenants. 18 And in thy aseed shall all the nations of the earth be bblessed; because thou hast cobeyed my voice. Israel should receive the Gospel and then they are responsible for missionary work to the whole world

According to the angel, what is the significance of the Bible?

The Bible is significant because it contains the Abrahamic Covenant

14. In 3 Nephi 16:4-7, Jesus tells the Lehites that they need to write down what He is teaching because "these sayings" (which will end up in the Book of Mormon) would need to "be manifested" in the latter days. Whom did Jesus say would receive these sayings (in the Book of Mormon) first—the Gentiles or the House of Israel?

The Gentiles.

Where Mormon got his historical information

The Large Plates

3. Mormon2's original plan was to include all the things written about Christ's New World ministry that were in the Large Plates. What changed his plans?

The Lord forbade him saying, I will try the faith of my people.

8. Jesus had earlier taught that the Father already knows everything we need even without us having to ask Him (3 Nephi 13:8, 32). But Jesus also teaches that receiving blessings depends on our asking for blessings (3 Nephi 14:7-10). If the purpose of asking is not to "let God know" what we need, why do you think it's so important that we go through the process of asking?

The Lord knows what we need, but I think we need to ask to show that we are humble enough to accept it. We need to qualify for those blessings and show that we are in earnest.

12. What special revelatory experience did Mormon2 have at age fifteen?

The Lord visited him.

1. What help "is given to every man, that he may know good from evil"?

The Spirit of Christ.

After Christ appeared and significantly updated the Church's organization and practices in about A.D. 30, which of the two original names was always used for the Church?

The church of Christ.

During the period between Alma1 and Christ, which of the two original names was always used for the Church?

The church of God.

When Alma1 founded the Church among the Nephites in about 147 B.C., what two names was it initially known by?

The church of God. Or the church of Christ.

15. In 3 Nephi 16:16, Jesus switches from speaking about the House of Israel generally to speaking directly to the Lehites and their situation. What has the Father commanded that Christ should give to the Lehites?

The land for their inheritance.

17. When Jesus indicates He has to leave the Nephites for a time, he says he needs to go "unto the Father, and also" unto whom else?

The lost tribe of Israel.

11. Ammaron instructs 10-year-old Mormon2 to record Nephite history on what set of records?

The plates of Nephi

n 3 Nephi 21, Jesus quotes Micah 5:8-9 ("a remnant of Jacob shall be among the [unrepentant] Gentiles ... as a lion ... among the flocks of sheep: who ... both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces"). Whom does Jesus identify as the "remnant" in this prophecy? How is this different from His use of that prophecy in 3 Nephi 20?

The remnant is the House of Israel instead of the Lehites.

14. During his first aside to latter-day readers (Mormon 3:17-22), Mormon2 names three audiences: (1) "Gentiles" / "all the ends of the earth," (2) the "House of Israel" / "twelve tribes of Israel," and also (3) what specific group? Notice that by the end of his Small-Plate writings Nephi1 has the exact same tripartite conception of who his future readers will be (see 2 Nephi 33:10).

The remnant of the people who shall be judged by the twelve.

Book of Mormon Critical Text Project

The scholarly project to analyze the entire history of the book of Mormon text with the goal of correcting it and restoring the text as far back as we can go.

Where/how they show up in the modern Book of Mormon (if at all)

The small plates of Nephi are at the beginning of the Book of Mormon and go up through Mosiah, the Large plates are abridged and put after that.

10. When the people divide up again into "Nephites" and "Lamanites," the divisions do not follow the older ethnic/political designations. What do the terms "Nephite" and "Lamanite" mean in this era?

The terms mean those who follow God and his church, and those who do not.

13. Mormon2 tried to inspire his people to "fight for their wives, and their children, and their houses, and their homes." Mormon2 may have had in mind Captain Moroni1's Title of Liberty (Alma 46:12), but what aspects of that Title does Mormon2 leave out as he tries to persuade this wicked people? Could this difference explain why Mormon2's mantra could only "arouse them somewhat to vigor"?

The title of liberty says, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." Mormon says to fight for their wives and children and houses and homes. They weren't fighting for their God or for peace and so they didn't have the Lord to strengthen them.

4. In 3 Nephi 20:16-17, Jesus quotes Micah 5:8-9 ("a remnant of Jacob shall be among the [unrepentant] Gentiles ... as a lion ... among the flocks of sheep: who ... both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces"). Whom does Jesus identify as the "remnant" in this prophecy? Who are the flocks of sheep who are going to get torn to shreds?

The unrepentant Gentiles

1. Jesus invites His audience to "search" whose words?

The words of Isaiah

Orson Pratt, made it easier to find things, also it was like the Bible.

There is no exact location that is official. They are officially neutral.

In His antithetical teachings, are Jesus's standards easier than, the same as, or stricter than the requirements of the law of Moses?

They are far more strict and require a stronger character and self discipline.

How did some of the Nephites respond to this change to the "traditional" name?

They had disputations and murmurings.

ollowing Jesus's teachings, what did the people have "in common" among themselves?

They ministered to one another and dealt justly with each other. They did all the things that the Lord commanded them and were baptized.

9. Apostate Christian churches began to develop among the Lehites. Christ had earlier taught them to receive all kinds of people ("I have commanded that none of you should go away"; "ye shall not cast [anyone] out"), but these new churches twist that by "receiv[ing] all manner of" what?

They received all manner of wickedness.

9. Mormon2 primarily addresses why little children need no repentance or baptism, but he also mentions a second category of people: "and also they that are ___________ ______ ________." How do you interpret Mormon2's meaning here?

They that are without the law. I interpret this to mean, they who haven't been taught and don't know any better, just like a child doesn't know any better.

6. What specific practices does Mormon2 say the people participated in that replaced all "the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses"?

They walked after the commandments which they had received from Jesus.

11. Jesus asserts that not everyone who believes in Him ("Lord, Lord") will "enter into the kingdom of heaven"—not even everyone who spends their life doing "many wonderful works" in His name. Although following Jesus Christ and doing good works are certainly part of the process, what standard does Jesus say ultimately determines one's place in God's kingdom?

Those who do the will of the Father.

What have Church leaders taught about those who are victims of sexual abuse or violence—are they guilty of sin? Do they need to repent? Should they feel guilty?

Those who have been sexually abused against their will do not need to repent and should not feel guilty.

4. People who live after Christ's mortal/post-mortal ministry do not usually get the privilege of coming to know Him through personal interaction. What "way" did "the Lord God prepare" to enable the "residue of men" (those that show up after Christ's ministry) to "have faith in Christ" despite that lack of personal interaction?

Through prophets, the scriptures, faith, etc.

· Mormon's purpose and plan for his work

To abridge the Large Plates.

6. After Jesus quotes Micah 5:8-9 and 4:12-13 in 3 Nephi 20:16-19, He then quotes a warning directly from the Father, driving home the theme of destruction found in the Micah passages. "All the nations of the Gentiles" will be subject to this remnant-treading unless they do what?

Unless they repent.

20. What does Jesus instruct the disciples about those who want to partake of the sacrament but are unworthy? Even if such a person continues not to repent, what should the disciples continue to do for that person?

Unworthy people should not partake of the sacrament, or they drink damnation to their souls. However, the priesthood holders should still minister to them. If they don't repent they should not be numbered among the members of the church.

How did Christ explain the importance of this reemphasis on having His name in the name the Church?

We need to take His name upon us and be numbered in His church in order to be saved. It is Christ's church, therefore we must call it by Christ's name.

6. As Jesus teaches, He sometimes gives general instructions to the entire multitude and sometimes gives missionary/leadership instructions to the twelve disciples. Mormon2 very helpfully indicates these shifts, and we should pay attention to them. For example, in 3 Nephi 13:25-34, why is it important to keep in mind that these verses were meant just for the twelve disciples? What practical problems might these instructions create if they had been given to the people as a whole?

When you are a servant of the Lord, your main priority is to do His work, and He will help provide for your needs. However if you are not an apostle, you should take the time to take care of yourself and your family along with serving the Lord. You should plan ahead and take thought for yourself. But if you are a missionary or a general authority, your main priority is the Lord, and He will help take care of you.

After Jesus finished giving the Nephites the customized version of the Sermon on the Mount, what big question did many of them have

Whether the Law of Moses had passed away or not.

10. What method does Jesus suggest to judge whether a prophet is a true prophet or a false prophet?

You will know them by their fruits. If they are corrupt, you will know.

2. Through Malachi, the Lord rebukes people who have kept the commandments while experiencing trials, but who then conclude, "It is vain [pointless] to serve God, and what doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances...?" How would you answer someone who says it's pointless to be obedient if you're just going to have hard times anyway?

ou'll always have hard times, but if you're obedient than at least you know that you have the Lord's help and that you are in the right. You might not always be happy or feel blessed, but if you keep the commandments and turn to the Lord you will be able to qualify for the blessings of heaven and find peace. If you refuse to be obedient then you'll be struggling without hope of deliverance.

E. B. Grandin

was a printer in Palmyra, New York, best known for publishing the first edition of the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the churches of the Latter-Day Saint movement.