A deeper look into the Words of Mormon -- Part 3

In part 1, I asked several questions in the introduction and have really only attempted to answer the last: Where exactly do the small plates end and the large plates start? Since this is complicated and speculative, I spent part 2 also dealing with that question. To answer the rest, we will have to rewind much more than only two centuries. We need to go back to the 4th century AD. I have already written a biographical sketch of Mormon, especially in relation to the Nephite records. (See this post). I will not repeat all that but instead try to get into more details on the process of adding the small plates of Nephi to his abridgment of the large plates of Nephi.

As pointed out in the linked post about Mormon and the Nephite records, it seems that Mormon abridged the large plates of Nephi late in life, at least for the most part, probably while he was in his seventies. The Nephites are almost extinct at that point, which is probably why he directs much of his more personal writings to his future readers rather than the Nephites. When Mormon is about half way through his abridgment, he discovers the small plates of Nephi. I can imagine this happening because this was at a point in Nephite history that becomes more complex and more writings are added. King Mosiah-I and his group fled the land and discovered Zarahemla. Some time later there was a group that went back to possess the land of their first inheritance. We know that there is a separate record of Zeniff from this time period and there were probably other records as well. While Mormon is searching among the records to get a better overview, he discovers the small plates of Nephi as commented in the beginning of the Words of Mormon.

Where did Mormon write this?

On which set of plates did Mormon engrave the words at the beginning of the Words of Mormon? There are different theories. The one I spent the most time on in parts 1 and 2 suggests that they were written on the small plates as an addendum by Mormon. It is also indicated in the text:

And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi. And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me (WoM 1:3-4)

There may be other ways to interpret this, but I would think that "these plates", referencing the small plates of Nephi, indicates that Mormon is engraving his words on them. At the end of the Book of Omni, Amaleki speaks about the small plates of Nephi and says that they are full. If so, how could Mormon fit those additional words? Perhaps there was simply insufficient space to start a new book but just enough for that addendum by Mormon. Another possibility would be Mormon making and adding an extra page. Since Mormon made his own set of plates on which he engraved the abridgment of Nephite history, we know he was capable of it.

According to the alternative theory I presented in part 2, Mormon engraved those words on his plates with the abridgment of Nephite history. I don't think that theory matches the wording of the quoted passage ("...after I had made an abridgment...I found these plates").

When did Mormon write this?

From the quoted passage, it is clear that Mormon speaks about a past event: "after I had made an abridgment...down to the reign of king Benjamin". So when writing this, the abridgment at least to the point where king Benjamin enters the scene is a thing of the past. We still don't know if he has finished the whole abridgment. But there are bits and pieces of information we can put together.

At some point during this period, Mormon and Moroni are fighting at different fronts against the Lamanites. Mormon writes an epistle the Moroni later decided to include in what is now Moroni 9. In verse 24, he writes

I trust that I may see thee soon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee.

It seems to me that Mormon is done with the abridgment at this point. It is probably one of the records he wants to "deliver up". Based on the wording, I conclude that this letter was written before the first half of the Words of Mormon

And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites. (WoM 1:1)

As Mormon is making his addendum to the small plates, he has been reunited with his son, Moroni. "I have witnessed almost all the destruction" indicates that they are likely preparing for the last battle at Cumorah where all remaining Nephites gathered. At this point, Mormon has finished his abridgment of the Nephite history until the end of 4 Nephi. Verse 9 in the Words of Mormon may then seem confusing, but it makes much sense in context

And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; (WoM 1:9)

Does this mean that Mormon has not completed the abridgment after all? No, it means that he has not finished his own record, the Book of Mormon (within the Book of Mormon). This book is also an abridgment from a fuller account on the large plates of Nephi. I believe at this point he has finished what is now chapter 5 and possibly written some of chapter 6. Compare WoM 1:9 with Mormon 6:1

And now I finish my record concerning the destruction of my people, the Nephites.

Mormon 6 is about the final battle on Cumorah. Mormon writes it along with an invitation to his future readers in chapter 7 before Moroni finally takes over. Here is a simple timeline

• After a long life filled with warfare, Mormon makes a set of plates and starts engraving an abridgment of the large plates of Nephi
• Half-way through, he discovers the small plates of Nephi
• Being almost done with his writings (ca Mormon 5), he sends an epistle to his son saying that he has records to give him and hope they can meet soon. Most likely they are fighting battles on different fronts
• At the final gathering at Cumorah, he is reunited with his son, Moroni. He adds a few words to the small plates of Nephi (Words of Mormon) explaining how he found them and why he is including them. 
• He fights the final battle at Cumorah and engraves chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Mormon after the event, before his son Moroni takes possession of the plates and Mormon is killed.

Were the small plates of Nephi physically attached to the large?

This is a very difficult question to answer but I am inclined to answer no. There is a major inplication, however: If the small plates were not attached to Mormon's plates, the probably also were not dug up by Joseph Smith in the hill Cumorah! All the witnesses describe a set of plates bound in a D-shaped ring. If there was an additional set of plates, not physically attached to the rest, the witnesses would surely have noticed and said something about it. They gave other details like the approximate weight and size and more than half being sealed. 

I also find it unlikely that Mormon physically bound the small plates of Nephi together with the rest. First of all, Mormon had already made his plates when he discovered the small plates of Nephi. It is therefore unlikely that they were the exact same size. If not the same size, they would look weird bound together. Notice also the wording: 

But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record (WoM 1:6)

Mormon puts the small plates together with his plates. What does he mean by that? The same wording is used a few verses later

Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates (WoM 1:10)

We know that king Benjamin did not physically attach the small plates to the large ones. Otherwise Mormon would have known about them instead of discovering them later when searching through the various records. So Mormon is apparently using the terms in a sense comparable to stacking two books on top of each other and carrying them together. 

But if Joseph Smith did not dig up the small plates of Nephi in Cumorah, how did he get them? This is something I got from an online discussion involving Don Bradley, who has also come to believe that the small plates of Nephi was a separate set. Consider this verse in the D&C

And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate. (D&C 9:2)

These are the Lord's words through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery. If not the small plates of Nephi, what records is this verse referring to? Could it be that Joseph Smith at some point between the loss of the 116+ pages and Oliver's arrival in Pennsylvania was visited by the angel Moroni to receive the small plates of Nephi? The problem with this theory is that there is no historical record of such an event. Joseph did not include it in his history. But I am sure he did not record every interaction with heavenly beings, of which there were many. It is also difficult to find a better competing theory for reasons already laid out here, so for now I am inclined to believe that the small plates were a separate set, Joseph only dug up the plates of Mormon (the abridgment of the large plates of Nephi) in Cumorah, and received the small plates of Nephi at some point later.

That concludes my long, entangled dissection of the small, mysterious book called the Words of Mormon. At least I learned quite a bit from my recent studies of this topic and have a better overview of what I at least think happened.

 

Mormon's authorship in Mosiah 11

Reading Mosiah 11 I see Mormon's brilliant authorship at full display. He is really on a roll here, creating puns and fun allusions. Here are some notes:

• In Mosiah 9 and 10, Mormon copied directly from Zeniff's record. You will notice that it is all written in first person. When Mosiah 11 starts (which is also the start of a new chapter in the original text on the plates), we are back to Mormon's voice relating the events in third person. It makes a lot of sense: If King Noah kept a record like his father (and I doubt he did), he would obviously not have written: "And it came to pass that I, Noah, did cause my people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord." Mormon gives us the story from his perspective, based on other sources than the record of Zeniff or Noah. 
• Just like the author(s) of Genesis, Mormon creates a pun on the name, Noah. The Hebrew meaning is "rest". Mormon describes how Noah and his priests caused a "breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people." There is some irony in the descriptions in verse 6 of how the people had to "labor exceedingly" while Noah was resting. See also this post. 
• Noah builds "spacious buildings" and a "spacious palace" (verses 8-9). I have written about this before. The only other use of the expression "spacious building" in the Book of Mormon is the one in Lehi's dream and in the Book of Ether where another wicked king is described. 
• Noah also builds a "great tower" (verse 13). The only other use of "great tower" in the Book of Mormon is referring to the Tower of Babel. At the time Mormon wrote this, no references to the Tower of Babel had been made yet, but it seems to be the Nephite term. Mormon uses it later in Mosiah 28:17 and Moroni uses it in Ether. The term, "Tower of Babel" does not exist in the Book of Mormon. Anyway, these are clever allusions by Mormon.
• Mormon gives King Noah the involuntary role as Pharaoh with all the connections to the Exodus. See this post.
• Mormon is also presenting King Noah as an anti-Benjamin. We have read about King Benjamin only a few chapters earlier. Note in verse 12 that King Noah builds a tower near the temple. Sounds familiar? This connection is used by Mormon to focus on the contrast between them, like "lifted up in pride" (Mosiah 11:5) vs "I am also of the dust" (Mosiah 2:26), or "boast in their own strength" (Mosiah 11:19) vs "I do not desire to boast" (Mosiah 2:16), or "laziness" (Mosiah 11:6) vs "service" (Mosiah 2:16-19). The descriptions of the effect the two kings had on their people is another example.
• I'm beginning to wonder if Mormon made another intentional allusion to Isaiah 5

1 And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill.
2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein; and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Compare with Mosiah 11

13 And it came to pass that he caused many buildings to be built in the land Shilom; and he caused a great tower to be built on the hill north of the land Shilom...

15 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a wine-bibber, and also his people.

Just like in Isaiah's sad love song about the Lord and Israel, who only produced "wild grapes", Noah's people as a branch of Israel also planted vineyards in a "very fruitful hill", the land of their first inheritance, and built a tower, but they only produced wild fruit too.

All this in one chapter. Not to mention the fantastic sermon by Abinadi afterwards. There are definitely layers in the Book of Mormon.

Chronological detail in the Book of Mormon

It is interesting to note that the portions of the books of Mosiah and Alma detailing events that took place in Lamanite territory (Mosiah 9-24 and Alma 17-27) have far fewer chronological markers than the portions of these book which take place in Nephite lands. It seems as if the sources had a different level of attention to this detail, which is evident even in Mormon's abridgment.

I read this assertion about the chronological markers not being found in long stretches of the story that takes place in the land of Nephi and (as usual) I wanted to see it for myself. So I made a chart of the number of chronological markers in each chapter of Mosiah and Alma.

This was a really interesting exercise.  What I found was that in chapters where Mormon is abridging Nephite history (presumably working from detailed Nephite records), there are many chronological markers (up to 12 in Alma 63 alone). Whenever possible, it seems, Mormon likes to give these markers as bookends in his narrative, documenting the beginning and the end of the year in many instances. In other chapters, when we are reading the direct words of others, particularly in sermons and some epistles, we get no chronological markers at all.

I made a graph.

In some ways, this is completely obvious and expected--the "historical record" part of the text is replete with chronological indicators and the other parts are not.

What is interesting to me is how intricate and complicated the narrative is.  Let me give a few examples that stood out while I undertook this exercise:

1. Alma 47 (0 chronological markers) begins with the words: "Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness..." We then get a pretty detailed account of the inner workings of "the bad guys." What source is Mormon using here?
2. Whenever possible, Mormon gives us exact dates.  We get to know the exact date Moroni received the epistle from Helaman (30th year, 1st month, 2nd day).  This must have been recorded somewhere for Mormon to have knowledge of it hundreds of years later. Helaman's epistle goes on for three chapters (Alma 56-58), and contains several chronological markers, all of which refer to the 4 years prior to the 30th year.  So we get a small flashback contained in the bigger narrative. 
3. The same thing happens on a bigger scale when the sons of Mosiah meet Alma-2 in the 14th year and we then get 11 chapters detailing their missionary labors (kept by someone who apparently didn't include many dates.)
4. The result of skimming the 92 chapters of these two books in one sitting specifically for this purpose highlights how many different voices Joseph Smith would have had to keep track of, had he been authoring the book spontaneously, as some believe he did: King Benjamin, Mosiah-2, Zeniff, Abinadi, Alma-2, Amulek, Ammon, Lamoni, Lamoni's father, Helaman, Moroni-1, Pahoran, etc.  Not to mention Mormon's editorial comments laced throughout and in between.  It's a complicated arrangment.

Of course, this is not a very hard task for any author to accomplish, if they are given the time and the ability to take notes. Making the argument that Mormon had the time, education, and means to carry out this task is easy. Joseph Smith had neither time nor notes from which to work, and the work was completed in a single draft. It's remarkable.

Hat tip: Grant Hardy.

Mormon and the Nephite records

I'm trying to set the record straight (pun intended) for myself with respect to Mormon's dealings with the Nephite records. Writing some sort of timeline is helpful:

About 310 AD: Mormon is born probably somewhere in the land northward, which usually is not part of the Book of Mormon narrative. We know little of his background other than his father's name also being Mormon

About 320 AD: The last record keeper, Ammoron, apparently not a relative of Mormon, gives the 10-year old boy an important message: When he is about 24, he needs to go to the hill Shim where all the Nephite records are hidden, retrieve the plates of Nephi and make a record.

About 345 AD: Mormon retrieves the plates of Nephi in the hill when his armies are close to the site. He is about 35 years old, 11 years older than he was supposed to be when getting the records. Warfare has probably prevented him until this time. He makes a record on the plates, even "a full account" (Mormon 2:17-18). Note: This is not the account we have in the Book of Mormon today

About 384-385 AD: Mormon is now about 74 years old. It is just before the final battle between the Nephites and Lamanites. Mormon creates a new record (plates of Mormon) on which he engraves an abridgment of the plates of Nephi before he makes his own account and then hands the plates to his son, Moroni. His own account on the "few" plates (Mormon 6:6) he made seems to be a shorter version than the one on the plates of Nephi (Mormon 2:18).

What seems to also have happened in the meantime, between 345 and 384, is that he retrieved all of the Nephite records from the hill, Shim. In 345 he only took the plates of Nephi and left the rest there. But in 384, he says that he had

been commanded of the Lord that I should not suffer the records which had been handed down by our fathers, which were sacred, to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, (for the Lamanites would destroy them) therefore I made this record out of the plates of Nephi, and hid up in the hill Cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were these few plates which I gave unto my son Moroni.

Since Lamanites have captured all the lands south of Cumorah, Mormon must have taken the records out of Shim before the Lamanites possessed that part of the land. Now everything, except the plates of Mormon is hidden in Cumorah instead.

When Mormon has abridged about half of the Nephite record, he discovers the small plates of Nephi (see Words of Mormon 1:3). Then he attaches them to the plates of Mormon (somehow?). This could indicate that he hadn't had the plates for very long or at least hadn't had the time in the middle of warfare to look through all of them, or perhaps there really just was a very large amount of records. As they now spent years gathering the people for the last battle, he had some time on his hands and it seems to be the time period where he is making this abridgment. At this time, Mormon has already lived a long life and "witnessed almost all the destruction of [his] people" (Words of Mormon 1:1).

400 AD: The next thing we know is Moroni finishing his father's record, telling us that 400 years have passed and Mormon has died sometime after the last battle at Cumorah We don't know exactly when, but at least we know he died sometime between age 75 and 90.

A few notes:

• Mormon was only 10 years old when he received instructions about the Nephite records, but the Book of Mormon (in the Book of Mormon) was probably written when he was more than 70 years old.
• Mormon made two accounts: One on the plates of Nephi, which we don't have, one on the plates he made himself which contain the abridgment from the plates of Nephi. Like Nephi himself, he first made a larger account, then a smaller account, and we only have the smaller.
• It sounds like Mormon has a lot of records in addition to the plates of Nephi and the plates he made. We learn from Helaman 3:15 that "there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites." Helaman 3 talks about the people "who were in the land northward" (verse 9), so it seems that the many books and records are kept by the people there. It is worth noting that the hill, Shim, where the records were hidden, is in the land northward.

Subtle internal consistency found in names within the Book of Mormon

Some of the most remarkable internal consistency found in the Book of Mormon draws absolutely no attention to itself.  Consider the following:

1. Perhaps the most intricate example can be found in Helaman 5.  
2. Lehi has two sons born to him during the family's journey in the wilderness.  He names them Jacob and Joseph.  Interestingly, these two names come after Lehi obtains the brass plates and discovers his lineage through Manasseh (son of Joseph, who is the son of Jacob).
3. Benjamin names one of his sons Mosiah after his father.  We actually don't learn that Benjamin's father was named Mosiah until the book of Omni. Thus, a detail found in the very first dictated chapter is not explained until on of the very last chapters dictated.
4. Mormon clearly admired "Captain" Moroni, based on the description he gives in Alma 48, culminating in verse 17 (see below). Is it any wonder Mormon names his son Moroni?

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.