Mark Twain once derided the Book of Mormon as "chloroform in print." Long and complicated, written in the language of the King James version of the Bible, it boggles the minds of many. Yet it is unquestionably one of the most influential books ever written. With over 140 million copies in print, it is a central text of one of the largest and fastest-growing faiths in the world. And, Grant Hardy shows, it's far from the coma-inducing doorstop caricatured by Twain. In Understanding the Book of Mormon, Hardy offers the first comprehensive analysis of the work's narrative structure in its 180 year history. Unlike virtually all other recent world scriptures, the Book of Mormon presents itself as an integrated narrative rather than a series of doctrinal expositions, moral injunctions, or devotional hymns. Hardy takes readers through its characters, events, and ideas, as he explores the story and its messages. He identifies the book's literary techniques, such as characterization, embedded documents, allusions, and parallel narratives. Whether Joseph Smith is regarded as author or translator, it's noteworthy that he never speaks in his own voice; rather, he mediates nearly everything through the narrators Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni. Hardy shows how each has a distinctive voice, and all are woven into an integral whole. As with any scripture, the contending views of the Book of Mormon can seem irreconcilable. For believers, it is an actual historical document, transmitted from ancient America. For nonbelievers, it is the work of a nineteenth-century farmer from upstate New York. Hardy transcends this intractable conflict by offering a literary approach, one appropriate to both history and fiction. Regardless of whether readers are interested in American history, literature, comparative religion, or even salvation, he writes, the book can best be read if we examine the text on its own terms.

This study guide is designed to fit the needs of various ages and study habits and is ideal for personal, class or family study. We have taken every chapter in 1 Nephi - Mosiah and provided study pages to help you really dig in and study every single verse! This study guide contains 116 pages of study pages and over 50 more note pages where you can record your valuable insights. If you like to doodle and draw - then you can fill your pages with doodles and drawings! Another person may want to write in great detail. Another may make lists, draw diagrams, etc. You can customize this study guide to your own personal preferences! We have provided you many diagrams to help you follow story lines, lineage, doctrines, etc. Also included are explanation pages. For example, there is a page that explains the history of Jerusalem, and another page that explains "The House of Israel". These pages will offer you valuable insights that you can easily reference as you are studying your Book of Mormon! Besides being a helpful study guide, this journal also provides a place for you to record what you are learning and leave a history of your thoughts and insights as you study your Book of Mormon.

General use study guides for the current and future year course of study for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as well as an important resource for anyone desiring to know more about the scriptures.

Helaman through Moroni. This volume is the third of three on the Book of Mormon. It covers the Book of Helaman through through the Book of Moroni. This includes the period of great wickedness just prior to the coming of Christ. We read of the missions of Nephi and Lehi, followed by Samuel the Lamanite. The signs of Christ's birth and death are given, followed by their fulfillment. Great destruction occurs on the American continent, and only the righteous survive in the Land of Bountiful. Christ appears to the Nephites, teaches and heals them, organizes His Church and ordains 12 disciples to lead them. After His departure, a Zion people live in peace for many years, then decline again into great wickedness. We read of the final days of the Nephites in the writings of Mormon and Moroni. We also read about the Jaredites, who were the first to inherit the land, long before Lehi's family arrived. In all, it covers 2,000 years of Jaredite history, and 469 years of Nephite history from 52 BC to 421 AD when the book of Moroni closes. The cover features a beautiful painting titled "Behold Your Little Ones," by Del Parson.

Book of Mormon Study Guide, Pt. 2: The Book of Alma.This volume is the second of three on the Book of Mormon. It covers the last chapters of Mosiah and all of the book of Alma. It begins with the story of the conversion of Alma the Younger. We learn of the beginning of the reign of the judges. Then we follow the missionary efforts of Alma and Amulek in the land of Zarahemla, followed by the missions of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites in the Land of Nephi. We follow the fate of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. We read Alma?s letters to his sons, including an in-depth discussion of the Great Plan of Happiness. Then we finish with the stories of Captain Moroni and Helaman?s stripling warriors. In all, it covers 67 years of Nephite history from 130 to 63 BC when the book of Helaman began. The cover features a beautiful painting of ?The Title of Liberty,? by Joseph Brickey.

The Book of Alma. This volume is the second of three on the Book of Mormon. It covers the last chapters of Mosiah and all of the book of Alma. It begins with the story of the conversion of Alma the Younger. We learn of the beginning of the reign of the judges. Then we follow the missionary efforts of Alma and Amulek in the land of Zarahemla, followed by the missions of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites in the Land of Nephi. We follow the fate of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. We read Alma's letters to his sons, including an in-depth discussion of the Great Plan of Happiness. Then we finish with the stories of Captain Moroni and Helaman's stripling warriors. In all, it covers 67 years of Nephite history from 130 to 63 BC when the book of Helaman began. The cover features a beautiful painting of "The Title of Liberty," by Joseph Brickey.

This manual is a resource to help seminary teachers prepare lessons from the scriptures. It provides 160 lessons that contain teaching suggestions, doctrines and principles, and scripture mastery helps. In addition, there are 32 lessons for teacher of home-study classes that correspond to The Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students.

1 Nephi through Mosiah. This volume is the first of three on the Book of Mormon. It covers 1st Nephi through the Book of Mosiah. This includes the journey of Lehi and his family across the Arabian Peninsula to Bountiful. It follows them on to the promised land, where the Nephites and Lamanites separated. It contains the marvelous prophesies of Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob. We then read remarks from the book's editor in the words of Mormon, and follow the Nephites until their establishment in the land of Zarahemla under King Mosiah. In all, it covers 508 years of Nephite history up until about 92 BC when the book of Alma began. The cover features a beautiful photograph of the Land Bountiful taken by Scot Facer Proctor.