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

Why does Lehi need the plates to tell him that he's a descendant of Joseph? Does he not know which tribe he's from? And since this was when the tribes were still a thing, shouldn't Nephi mention whether the record says they're from Ephraim or Manasseh?

"Brethren of the church."

What church? This is pre-Babylonian exile. I'm not even sure if synagogues were a thing yet, let alone churches.

"...the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world. And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him."

Why? It's not even him claiming to be the Messiah, like with Jesus. Why does "the world will be redeemed" make them angry?

"And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him."

That's an odd way to phrase it, given that Nehi is a Jew living in a nation where pretty much everybody is Jewish. And because the word "Jew" didn't come into use until after the exile.

The generous interpretation is that the supposed Golden Plates read "Judahites," but that's still a weird phrasing, and at least shows that Smith wasn't translating well.

This whole "Hi, I'm Nehi" narrative really doesn't seem in line with Biblical style.

This whole "Hi, I'm Nehi" narrative really doesn't seem in line with Biblical style.

This whole "Hi, I'm Nehi" narrative really doesn't seem in line with Biblical style.