Preston Burns’s Reviews > The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ > Status Update

Wrapped up Nephi. Supposedly from 550 BC, had most doctrinal passages so far. Some idea of their soteriology came through - seemed to have more of a sacramental view of baptism (required and regenerative) and sort of a bit more riding on human effort and grind than faith alone. Couple curses on people who reject the Book of Mormon and say “they have enough Bible” thrown in there

Prophesied the ultimate downfall of his people the Nephites who are in the Americas and predicts the coming of Book of Mormon. It’s gonna have 3 witnesses who see it and is going to be delivered to someone who is unlearned. Also he nearly quoted acts 4 one time so that was disorienting since this is supposed to be from 550 BC

Around 550 BC now, more prophecies. They read like they are NT-informed and mention saints, baptism, heaven and hell/lake of fire, the cross, etc so again some dissonance with theology of the time that makes you think hmm maybe this isn’t from 550 BC….

Nephi’s father dies, he builds a temple somewhere in the Americas based on Solomon’s temple, splits off from his brother Laman and his people and they start warring. Lamanites are cursed for their sins which changes their fair and delightsome whiteness to a “skin of blackness” so they won’t be enticing to Nephi’s people.😬

“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

“If Adam had not transgressed… they would have had no children… remained in a state of innocence… having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.”

Super interesting take - basically argues the fall was necessary, and in some sense that it was good it happened. Wild

Nephi (main character) is told to build a boat and then they take it over to the promised land which I understand to be the America’s and see lots of animals that I’m sort of confused that they are seeing e.g. horses (don’t think those were around in 600 B.C…

God speaks far more directly and frequently than in the OT. Prophecies are very precise- like Son of God will rise from the dead in 600 years precise

The America’s have shown up on the scene as a land of promise for Gods covenant people

Alrighty so we just beheaded Laban the keeper of some Brass plates when he was drunk and took his clothes and then pretended to be him and got his servants to give us the tablets by imitating his voice. Off to quite the start here.

“Better for one man to die than for a nation to die in unbelief” is the justification, interesting ethical take, not too far from OT I guess…