Teaching Choral Concepts

Review

     In this important work, Michael T. Griffith answers criticisms of the Book of Mormon raised by anti-Mormon writers and presents numerous evidences of the veracity of that sacred text. This book documents a wide array of evidences of the Nephite record. Exciting new research developments are discussed in detail, including recent studies on:
     -Archaeology and the Book of Mormon.
     -Computer wordprint tests
     -Ancient Near Eastern language elements in die Nephite record
     -The geography of the Book of Mormon
     -Cultural parallels between ancient America and the Old World

     This book also refutes challenges raised by critics against the Nephite record. The following are some of the anti-Mormon issues considered and answered herein:
     -Bible passages in the Book of Mormon
     -Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews and the Nephite record
     -The Spaulding theory
     -Alleged anachronisms in the Book of Mormon
     -Alma 7:10 and the place of the Savior's birth
     -Supposed conflicts between archaeology and the Book of Mormon
     -The accuracy and completeness of the Bible

     Refuting the Critics is carefully researched and thoroughly documented. Well over two hundred sources are cited, including scores of scholarly works by recognized LDS and non-LDS experts in such fields as Near Eastern and Mesoamerican archaeology, biblical studies, early Christian history, and ancient languages. Yet, for all of the impressive evidence presented herein, the author is careful to point out that the most powerful confirmation of the Book of Mormon comes from the Holy Ghost. 

Easy to understand yet abundantly documented, this book strengthens faith in the Book of Mormon and will be a valuable missionary tool.

Table of Contents

Introduction, 5
An Ancient Book, 5
An Ancient Promise, 5
The Arm Of Flesh, 6
The Proper Role Of Evidence, 6
Answers And Evidence, 8
Coe, Green, And The Smithsonian Statement, 8
A Note About Sources, 8
Stronger Testimonies And Greater Interest, 9

1.The Authenticity Of Alma 7:10, 15
Considering The Context, 15
Internal Consistency, 16
Archaeological Evidence And Biblical Precedents, 16
Conclusion, 21

2. Divine Justice In the Book of Mormon, 22
The Judgments Of Yahweh In The Old Testament, 23
Jesus Is Yahweh: A Serious Theological Problem For Anti-Mormons, 24
Fair Warning, 27
Unequal Punishment?, 28
The Vapor Of Darkness, 30
Christ's Appearance To The Nephites, 35
Jesus And Salvation In Mormonism, 37
Conclusion, 38

3. The Book Of Mormon In The Ancient World, 39
The Old World, 39
Jewish Attitudes And Lifeways, 39
"Devout Israelites" And The Egyptian Language, 40
Lehi In The Desert, 42
Getting To The New World, 44
Transoceanic Crossings, 44
The New World, 45
Metal In Ancient America, 45
The Civilizations Of Ancient America And Book Of Mormon History, 46
Semites, Mongoloids, And Others In Ancient Mesoamerica, 48
Warfare In Ancient Mesoamerica, 52
Literacy In Ancient Mesoamerica, 53
Great Cities And Large Populations, 55
The Wheel And Highways, 56
The Anthon Transcript, 58
Miscellaneous Items, 59
Conclusion, 60

4. The Book Of Mormon And Solomon Spaulding, 62
Lacking Crucial Evidence And Avoiding Relevant Research, 62
The Missing Connection, 62
Ancient Evidence, 63
Avoiding A Major Hurdle, 63
Methodology, 64
Holley's Methodology, 64
Proper Testing, 64
Holley's Parallels, 64
General Comments, 64
Finding The Records, 65
Misrepresenting An LDS Scholar, 66
Ocean Crossings, 66
Savage Natives, 68
Lobaska And Christ In The Book Of Mormon, 69
Geography, Linguistics, And Astronomy, 71
Book Of Mormon Geography, 71
The Narrow Neck Of Land, 72
Name Comparisons, 73
More Ancient Evidence, 76
Astronomy, 77
More Differences Between The Book Of Mormon And Manuscript Story, 77
A Note About The MS Text, 77
35 Differences Between The Book Of Mormon And Manuscript Story, 78
Book Of Mormon Wordprint Tests And The Spaulding Theory, 83
What Are Wordprint Tests?, 83
Book Of Mormon Wordprint Tests, 83
Conclusion, 84

5. Clasping At Straws, 86
The Environmental Theory, 86
The Alleged 19th-Century "Foundational Source", 87
Ethan Smith's Book, 87
The Missing Connection, 87
Previous Refutations Of Alleged VOTH-Book Of Mormon Parallels, 87
Some Differences, 88
A Puzzling Incident, 89
Other Alleged Sources, 90
Humboldt On Cortez, The White God, And Pyramids, 90
The Bible, 90
Methodology, 93
The Methodology Behind The Environmental Theory, 93
More Nineteenth-Century "Parallels", 95
Parallels Galore, 97
Proper Testing, 102
What Could Joseph Smith Have Known?, 104
Book Of Mormon Wordprint Tests, 109
Conclusion, 110

6. Is The Bible Inerrant And Complete?, 111
Why This Question Must Be Asked, 111
The Bible's View Of Itself, 112
The Bible Versus The Doctrine Of Scriptural Inerrancy, 112
A Curious Proof Text: 2 Timothy 3:16, 113
Manuscripts And Variant Readings, 114
No Original Manuscripts, 114
Variant Readings, 114
Internal Problems, 118
Geographical Problems, 118
Misidentified And/Or Misquoted Scripture, 119
Reading In Between The Lines, 120
Chronological Difficulties, 122
Historical Problems, 123
Resurrection Difficulties, 124
Other Discrepancies, 125
Missing Scripture, 126
History And The Bible Speak, 126
Revelation 22:18-19, 128
The Witness Of the Early Church Fathers, 129
Conclusion, 131

7. Does The Book Of Mormon Teach Mormonism?, 132
The Claim, 132
Three Unique LDS Doctrines In The Book Of Mormon, 132
Our Pre-Mortal Life, 132
Godhood, 134
The Book Of Mormon Versus The LDS Doctrine Of God?, 134
The Father And The Son: Two Separate Divine Beings, 136
Conclusion, 138

8. Conclusion, 140
An Influential Book, 140
The Evidence And The Critics, 140
Sources For Future Study, 140
Exciting Times, 142

Bibliography, 143
Index, 163

Order Information

Title:

Refuting the Critics--Evidences of the
Book of Mormon's Authenticity

Author:

Michael T. Griffith

Retail Price:

$17.98

Available:

Now

ISBN:

0-88290-462-0

Order Number (SKU):

1032

Pages:

168

Size:

6" x 9"

Binding:

Hardbound with jacket