Nthe book of mormon a very short introduction

But, to those that staunchly affirm the biblical truths contained and expounded in it, it contains the inspired word of god. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the. Terryl givenss lecture about the book of mormon now available on. Though the short introduction goes on at length about how central the idea of christ is in the book of mormon, the author does not include jesus appearance in the new world givens was ultimately disappointing, however, in the tantalizing points that he failed to address. A very short introduction oxford university press, 2009. Terryl givens is a professor of literature and religion at the university of richmond, and wrote the recentlypublished the book of mormon.

It is initially addressed as a tribal history to an audience of nephite tribal descendents and then to their lamanite cousins. Testimony of the prophet joseph smith brief explanation about the book of mormon illustrations 1 nephi. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. Terryl givens with over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential. A very short introductionhereafter abbreviated vsi by oxford university press. The book of mormon likewise shatters familiar religious paradigms and reconfigures them with a totality that is resistant to compromise. A very short introduction examines the book of mormon primarily in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds. A very short introduction is designed to focus primarily on what has been overlooked. The book does have a greater degree of editorial input, resulting in a tighter narrative. The only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work, which is too often overshadowed by the controversies that surround it. These themes also provided the focus for givenss the book of mormon.

Byu scholarsarchive citation properzi, mauro, the book of mormon. I have two more yet to read, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the subject. Traces five governing themes in particular revelation, christ, zion, scripture, and covenant and analyzes the books central doctrines and teachings. A concise, authoritative account of the mormon religion.

Givens, 9780195369311, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, very short introductions offer an introduction to some of. In this latter work givens gives greater prominence to the structure and content of the book itself while limiting. A very short introduction includes only the preface andor introduction. This is the third book i have read this week which discuss the doctrines of the church, each in an entirely different way. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the princi.

The book of mormon has less literary renown than the bible, as its militarypolitical clan chronicle format leaves less room for literary embellishment. Written by terryl givens, a leading authority on mormonism, this compact volume offers the only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work. Yet, a vsi a very short introduction is not a summary of by the hand of mormon, although those who have read both books will certainly identify common claims and themes and recognize the same voice throughout their pages. Ranges from the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to the contentious issues of contemporary mormonism. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced discussions of the central issues in a given. Naturally, as a member, i would also advocate careful study of the source material, the book of mormon. Download it once and read it on your kindle device. The beauty of this book is that it is accessible at several different levels. The book does a fair job of balancing competing views, no easy task for such a controversial subject.

Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of mormon. Terryl givens, a highly regarded english professor at the university of richmond and one of the finest book of mormon scholars, has written this brief introduction to the book of mormon for the oxford university press very short introduction series. A very short introduction, by terryl givens, international journal of mormon studies 4 2011, 148153. A very short introduction very short introductions english edition ebook. The editor is also able to unfold a tragic history throughout the book. The lack of a liturgical function for the book in mormon worship reduces the need. The testimony of the eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. The book of mormon speaks for itself origins, narrators, and structure themes stories and characters the book of mormon as literature teachings the coming forth of the book of mormon the book of mormon and its audiences. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an. After the appearance of the resurrected jesus to the nephites, the book is directed to an israelite remnant, through gentile intermediaries. Written by richard lyman bushman, an eminent historian and practicing mormon, this compact, informative volume ranges from the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to the contentious issues of contemporary mormonism.

I just finished reading terryl givens the book of mormon. Givens very short introduction to the book of mormon, i find myself somewhat interested in reading the book of mormon to see how it holds up as a fantasy epicwork of literature. This book is brought to you for free and open access by ur scholarship repository. But it is also an introduction to a compelling and complex text that is too often overshadowed by the controversies that surround it.

The book of mormon as literature very short introductions. A very short introduction ebook written by terryl l. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds. What he found instead was a lot a veil of secrecy surrounds mormon temple worship. As such, to provide an introduction a very short introduction, as a matter of fact and a fair synopsis to such a piece of religious text is a daunting task, to say the least. Richard bushmans book, mormonism, a very short introduction is almost written from a nonmember perspective. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of. It has been accepted for inclusion in bookshelf by an authorized administrator of ur scholarship repository. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

This is the first very short introduction that i have read and, based on the quality and concision of this book, i will be buying more of the series. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is. I read it 1 because im a bit obsessed with the series, 2 ive been following givens for some time and respect the work he has done and the rigor he uses when writing about lds topics and the book of mormon for oxford and others. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. A very short introduction very short introductions kindle edition by terryl l. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to freud, quantum theory to islam. Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, very short introductions offer an introduction to some of lifes most interesting topics. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of. A very short introduction richard lyman bushman very short introductions. A very short introduction, a recent addition to oxford university presss wildly successful vsi series. When craig harline set off on his twoyear mormon mission to belgium in the 1970s, he had big dreams of doing miracles, converting the masses, and coming home a hero. The book of mormon constructs an audience that shifts its definition with time. A very short introduction very short introductions 1 by givens, terryl l. A very short introduction to the book of mormon daves.