03 The Structure of the Book of Mormon

Introduction
- Welcome by Andy Hedges, along with colleagues Keith Wilson, Todd Parker, and Steve Harper, who teach at Brigham Young University.
- Aim: To provide a comprehensive overview of the structure and contents of the Book of Mormon.

Plates Mentioned
- The Book of Mormon is comprised of several sets of plates.
- Mormon provides specific details about how the Book of Mormon was compiled and the sources used.
- Initial confusion often arises from the numerous plates mentioned within the text.

Gold Plates
- What Joseph Smith Took:
- Joseph Smith, reportedly, took the plates of Mormon (gold plates) with the small plates attached.
- He did not take the plates of brass, large plates, or plates of Ether.
- The Plates of Brass:
- These plates were obtained in Jerusalem (the event involving Laban).
- Large Plates:
- Made by Nephi shortly after arriving in the promised land, representing the majority of secular history.
- Small Plates:
- Created by Nephi approximately 20 years later upon God's command for a more spiritual record.
- Plates of Ether:
- Represent the Jaredite civilization, discovered later and passed down through the lineages.

Mormon's Role
- Mormon was born around March and created his own record on the gold plates.
- His abridgement consists of only one hundredth of what is on the large plates.
- At the time of the last battle in March, it was directed that the small plates be attached to the gold plates.
Translation Process
- Joseph began the translation of the record, starting with the gold plates containing the abridgment.
- The narrative begins with Lehi's story, moving through to King Benjamin's time.
- A significant event involved the theft of some translation materials; a divine solution was provided whereby Joseph relied on the small plates, which covered the same time span.
- Translation from First Nephi to Omnia comes directly from the small plates in first-person narrative.
- The remainder comes from Mormon's abridgment of the large plates in third-person narrative.

Structure
- Left hand (Small Plates): Direct translation from Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jerim (first-person).
- Right hand (Large Plates): Mormon's abridgment of history (third-person).
- Middle Connection (Words of Mormon): Connective explanation regarding the inclusion of the small plates.

Plates of Brass
- Contents include early historical details, covering from about 4000 BC (the creation) to the time of Jeremiah.
Plates of Ether
- These describe the Jaredite civilization from about 2000 BC to near 200 BC.
Large Plates
- Initiated in May, continuous history written down to the last battle.
Small Plates
- Began at approximately 570 BC, historical record until King Benjamin's reign around 130 BC.

Mormon's Compilation Process
- While abridging, Mormon discovered the small plates among the records he was reviewing for his abridgment.
- He found them valuable because they contained prophecies regarding Christ.
- He expressed that he could not account for the hundredth part of events impacting his people, suggesting a careful selection of what was included.

Focus on Christ
- Strong emphasis throughout the Book of Mormon to prompt readers to come unto Christ, evident in the writings of Nephi and other prophets.
- Nephi expresses his purpose in First Nephi 6:4, stating the importance of persuading men to come unto God.
Authorial Intent
- Ultimately, the authorship is attributed to Christ, who guided the prophets in their writing and compilation processes.
Student of the Book
- Notable perspective offered regarding how writers from different times and backgrounds maintain a coherent narrative structure focusing on central themes of faith and redemption.

Book of Mormon as a Sacred Text
- The Book of Mormon carries a deep emphasis on being a Christ-centered work, with prophets intentionally articulating their messages to bring people closer to Jesus.
- Recognized as a complex and purposeful book with divine guidance throughout its creation.