400 Questions and Answers about the Book of Mormon

by Susan Easton Black

In this engaging volume, renowned gospel scholar and teacher Susan Easton Black explores more than 400 questions, many inspired by her own students, about the Book of Mormon. The book is organized into six chapters that address questions that enhance your knowledge of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and how this sacred scripture testifies of Christ. These chapters also include queries about Mormon's abridgment, the plates of Ether, the small plates of Nephi, and Moroni's final additions to the Book of Mormon. Dr. Black's answers illuminate and enhance the scriptural text, and many address more complex doctrinal topics in a succinct and sensitive manner. Colorfully illustrated with more than 80 images, this book is an ideal companion for students and teachers in a variety of settings, from seminary and gospel doctrine class to personal and family scripture study. The research in this book is backed by extensive documentation as well as Dr. Black's deep and evident love for the subject matter developed over decades of careful study.

Genres: Religion, Lds

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Susan Easton Black is a retired professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. She is also an author of several books related to Joseph Smith, Jr. and the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ryceejo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a sufficient compliment-companion to the Book of Mormon, neither was it appropriate for sitting and reading cover to cover. The "questions" did not make sense out of their context. This book was my narcotic. I have never fallen asleep so much while reading. Many of the questions were ridiculous, and most of the "answers" talked around the question without really addressing it. There were a dozen or so insightful questions, but I don't feel it was worth weeding through the junk to get to them.

I feel like Black threw together all the knowledge she had about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in a few days, and made up questions for the information that did not apply. There was even a HUGE typo on one of the pages. I wish I could have rushed through this book as quickly as it was rushed to the printer.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Like most commentaries on the BofM there is a lot of information about the coming forth of the book, 1 Nephi, and Isaiah. Like most commentaries, it is lacking everywhere else. She handles the former nicely though.

[Karianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if there was a defined audience for this book. Some portions seem like they’re meant for people new to the Book of Mormon, others were for someone very familiar with the text.

[Charity (Charity's Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. As a recently returned missionary not long after reading this i could see such great ties to questions i was asked while serving. That included some surface questions as well as some deep doctrine questions that at the time i struggled to answer. I also love that the author is an actual church historian - these questions and answers dont just come out of nowhere - theyve been asked through the last 150 or so years over and over and over again.
I think the best part however was how it helped me to ask questions i had never thought of before and find answers to those questions with faith. Would absolutely recommend.

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars! I think that if anybody came up to me and said, "What's the Book of Mormon about?" I'd probably throw this book at them! Well...not throw...place lightly in their hands and know that this book was going to pack them with information! As far as an entertainment value this book is non-fictional and informative so it's not exactly a page turner BUT it's information that I wanted to know THUS it kept me intrigued! (I love the word thus!)

[Danelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and informative read. I was surprised by how much I knew already, but will be able to use a lot of the 'nuggets' I learned when reading with the family or explaining the Book of Mormon to a non-member friend. The 'question/answer' format was a hindrance though- they were put in more like a game of Jeopardy than anything, which leads me to believe they were included as a marketing tactic instead of keeping the reader focused.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellently researched commentary of the Book of Mormon. It is the answer to all of the questions Ms. Black collected over years of studying and teaching the Book of Mormon. It is a wonderful read, and the best part is her testimony that concludes this volume. I strongly recommend it to everyone studying, discussing, or simply thinking about The Book of Mormon.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't surprised with the content of the book. There were some interesting insights. Many of the Q & A were established from previous readings.

[Alyssa Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I will be reading this again next time i read the BOM. Its on my Wish list.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! She shares lots of insightful information.