#BOMTC Jarom-Words of Mormon: Plates, Prophets, and Prosperity

Here is something pretty cool to consider that was published by Book of Mormon Central (by the way, if you have not yet found Book of Mormon Central on your favorite social media platform it is definitely time to like, follow, subscribe, etc.; they are amazing and will continue to produce inspiring and insightful Book of Mormon-related content for years to come). Check out the short video they produced below, “Has a Portion of the Lost 116 Pages been Discovered?” and if you are interested in learning more about this go to: What If Martin Harris Didn’t Lose All Of The 116 Pages?

Something that stands out to me in the books of Jarom to Words of Mormon is how to prosper in the Promised Land.

Ready for some alliteration? The Lord provided prophets and plates to preserve and prosper His people in the Promised Land (that is my attempt at Maxwellian alliteration…). Within these few pages we find the rise and demise of different civilizations, and generations within those civilizations, based on their diligence or indifference in heeding the words of the prophets of God. Those who preserve and obey God’s word prosper; those who do not falter. Those who obey the Lord prevail; those who rebel fail. So, do you want to prosper or falter; do you want to prevail or fail? The Lord has given us everything we need to succeed!

The sources behind the Book of Mormon are remarkably complex, and sometimes hard to keep straight. Here is a helpful chart to use as you read and study. (Content by John Welch. Graphics by Fernando Vazquez.)

For a Wise Purpose

A seminary teacher uses over-sized models of the Book of Mormon, the gold plates, and other source plates to help his students understand the structure of the book . (11:18)

These few pages cover many different individuals, groups of people, eras, and years. Below you will find several charts that may help you study this material more effectively.

A simple way to mark the the table of contents in the Book of Mormon to help you understand the organization of the “plates”.

 

Visual explanation of “A Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon” found at the beginning of the Book of Mormon

 

Genealogical, historical, legal, and prophetic records of the Nephites were handed down in sacred trust, usually from father to son. Only four Nephite families kept the plates: Lehi’s posterity mainly through Jacob, Mosiah’s family, Alma and his long line of descendants, and Mormon and his son Moroni. As anthropologist John L. Sorenson has pointed out, the Book of Mormon is structured as a “lineage history.” Inserted from http://byustudies.byu.edu/januarybomcharts/charts/16.html | view PDF

In these charts you will find the four families of Nephite record keepers of the Book of Mormon listed chronologically, along with their approximate dates of birth and other relevant information. If a date is not found in or tied directly to a specific verse then the information has been deduced from general historical information. The list below is similar to the chart above and can be used to document and explain the relationships between keepers of the plates of Nephi (source: http://byustudies.byu.edu/januarybomcharts/charts/17.html | View PDF)

Although only four families kept the main Nephite records (see the charts above), the words of many other authors are included in the Book of Mormon as well. The writings or speeches of Jesus Christ, Isaiah, Captain Moroni, and Zenos, for example, all add significantly to the Book of Mormon, even though these authors did not actually write upon the plates themselves. This chart adds to charts above some of the additional writers or speakers who are quoted in the Book of Mormon. (Source: http://byustudies.byu.edu/januarybomcharts/charts/18.html | View PDF)

BONUS! My buddy, Adam Daly, sent me a chart that he created in an effort to help him understand his scripture study better. It expands on what I have listed here, and I find it very informative. It is not exhaustive, but it is very helpful! I would invite you to put your own effort into a similar endeavor so that you can receive the benefit of such diligent study and pondering. Please click on the chart to enlarge it.

CLICK ON THE CHART TO ENLARGE IT. Chart created by Adam Daly. He said, “Seeing it laid out like this helped me understand the Book or Mormon better and also remember people, places and stories better.”

Want to know more? Check this out:

• KnoWhy: Jarom 1:, Why Were Genealogies Important to the Book of Mormon Peoples?
• KnoWhy: Omni 1:20, Why Was Corianumrs Record Engraved on a Large Stone?
• KnoWhy: Words of Mormon 1:3, Why is “Words of Mormon” at the End of the Small Plates?
• KnoWhy: What If Martin Harris Didn’t Lose All Of The 116 Pages?

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