How the Book of Mormon's Complexity Shows its Authenticity 

Thank you for this.

Every time I read the Book of Mormon along with the King James Bible, I am baffled at just how complex it is and Im ever learning new things. Took me 10x longer to read Alma this time, just to try and chart out the cities and battles and story line. No way an unlearned man could compose this out of order and in such a short time ...not to mention the witnesses who fell away but still stayed firm in their testimonies.

Oh, if we could only teach all of our youth and members in general to speak as slow, clearly, and smooth as this young sister!😊

Love this, thanku

Clear speech, robust presentation, and meaningful message. Thank you for sharing. In God we trust.

I have a testimony of The Book of Mormon that continues to grow every time I open its pages. ❤ 📖 ❤

Ultimately, we know the Book of Mormon came from God because of a witness from the Holy Ghost. However, it is really nice to see all this evidence that supports that testimony. Thanks!

Love this video!!! Great job!!!

Its very worth noting the book of mormon was written in 6 weeks. In alma 43 it talks about how Moroni equipped his army with defensive, padded armor. While it seems that metal would be a more effective means of armor its actually been proven recently that padded armor is actually quite effective at stopping swords. However I doubt Joseph was an expert in medieval style combat.

Thank you ❤

This was a good video! I also find it fascinating that Joseph Smith just carried on right where he left off without first seeing where he left off. I love writing and I can say that sounds completely impossible, especially for something so complex as The Book of Mormon.

I love this video and appreciate the people who worked on it.

Great presentation. I already knew rather a lot of it, but this presentation combines these elements into a persuasive argument. Let's see some other country farm boy do this in 2 months.

It's crazy to me that people overlook all of the complexity of the book and choose to get stuck on horses. Like come on people, it's not like dragons disqualify the Bible

Glad you brought up the fact that it was dictated (not written) in around 65 working days. That’s one of the craziest parts to me. Joseph also apparently never asked for recaps from his scribes after taking long breaks, and would start back up at the very word that was next in the translation.

The BOM changed my life for the better!

Absolutely amazing presentation. Thank you.

I do love a good Chiasmus.

Great presentation! Love all the info. I hope people realize that all this information isn’t enough to convince of the BOM. The moment someone’s heart is pricked by the spirit, then they know, without all of this info.

This is a fabulous video! Both concise and informative. Thank you!

Even with all this evidence it’s still not enough to convince people or get them to care. It can only be through the Holy Spirit that we are convinced of it’s divine origin

Amazing

Excellent presentation. Thank you!

The Narrator does a great job!!! Good illustrations too! The writers must be Pleased with your findings & testimonies!

This is excellent. Thank you guys 😊

Personally I don't need evidence to prove that The Book of Mormon is true. I feel it deep inside. I feel it deep in my bosom. Go with your feelings. Who cares what anyone says, it's what you feel inside that counts.

Thank u so much. I love the BOOK OF MORMON, From the Philippines.

Amen to that! I love the Book of Mormon and how it has brought me closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. It is a marvelous work and a wonder!

I read The Book of Mormon twice the year I joined The Church in 1975. Amazingly, I noticed I was smarter. It appears to be a short simply written book. Not so. Knowledge is layered into The Book of Mormon and revealed through the Holy Ghost, over and over. WOW. That little book is a powerhouse. Thank you Jesus for your book and your church. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This is superb! Beautiful voice

Very cool 😎

Another fantastic video! Thank you!

Thank you Rebecca for sharing this. What an amazing content on the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

I love The Book of Mormon. Why? Because it’s the word of God.

With the New Testament of the Bible, we have many thousand copies of the original text in the original language so we may translate the word of God into many languages. Do we have access to the original text of the book of Mormon, or even a copy of the original untranslated text?

I recommend the Book of Mormon for its messages

Thank you for reminding us that God is in the Details!

This video doesn't teach me that the Book of Mormon is true. I prayed and received a testimony and firm belief that it is true from reading, pondering, and praying if it was truly the word of God. I received an answer through the Holy Ghost that this Book is from God. This video helps show some solid points and things to consider. But if you REALLY want to know. Ask God. He will answer you if you take the time to try Him. Thanks for this video and bringing those points up!

a friend told me he wouldn't read the BOM because he figured that he would come to the same conclusion that all the other "rationally minded" people come to that read it. He didn't know that accepting it is the only rational conclusion.

Excellent Video. Critics often exaggerate aspects of the Book of Mormon such as repetition and anachronisms, which do exist. It is still curious that no Book of Mormon site has been established. Contrast this with the Bible where we can set numerous events in modern geology. Also the claim of 65 days to produce the BOM ignores D&C 5:30, which speaks of translating before the arrival of Oliver Cowdery. thanks for a fine presentation.

It also includes plagirized sections of the new testimate.

I love the visuals, charts, and helpful illustrations in this video! Is there a place on the website we can find them for our own personal study?

It is said that Joseph Smith plagiarized from the Bible. Yes, there are quite a few verses that you could say come from the Bible, but I find it fascinating that the verses taken from Isaiah talk about the mission of Christ, the Restoration, and the end times. When you realize the Book of Mormon was written for us in our day and that it is a second witness of Christ, it all makes sense why those verses are in there. It is another complexity to the book because Joseph would have had to tie all those scriptures into a complex narrative. Above all, a confirmation from the Holy Spirit is the way to truly know the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. At the end of the day, we all have to live by Faith, but as Alma 32 teaches, you can know by the fruits that the book is of God.

Incredible !! What a testimony of the book!! Love this !!!!! The Book of Mormon is true and the church is true, it the people and leadership that sometimes are flawed , but who isn’t .

Amen

Great video on the Book of Mormon

Really great concise summary of so many additional witnesses and evidences that confirmed that the book of Mormon is what it claims to be. Thank you for publishing this video! ❤

Great! information for members and investigating folks as well!!

Very well presented and great content.

For me, the most amazing thing is the book being written in 65 working days (dispersed through months). Joseph had no literature support or time to create something of his own mind. Imagine you dictating a book with over 500 pages in this short amount of time. Seems quite impressive.

I love this! The best book ever written.

The location of the Book of Mormon events is very MUCH debated.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Why did you read them?

What is an example of a fulfilled prophecy?

WOW! That was amazing.

Accepting the Book of Mormon for what it claims to be, I appreciate the hard work that Mormon had to go through: compiling all the sources from a thousand years of history (in the process no doubt having to deal with language change), writing a sacred history based on those sources in a coherent way. When I think of the nostalgia and longing that must have pierced his soul as he chronicled his people's bygone golden age hundreds of years before, his choices of words and his perspective (like his fixation on the salvation of the souls of all those who died in battle) make more sense; it makes the whole thing much more meaningful and poignant.

Doing away with Kwaku eh? Love the video still

An amazing analysis. Thank you, we needed this. In the cacophony of typical anti-Church blogs and hysteria, it's sometimes hard to keep a stiff upper lip and press on. Would love to hear more of your analyses. Thank you.

Over 150 named locations, but leaders steer clear from naming the exact location. Why??

Thank you for this presentation, very interesting. Definitely it is the work of God not of man. God was far more concerned about Joseph correctly translating the book than his understanding of all you have explained here. I love the book!

This is why we need more debates. Just another echo chamber that’s missing SO MUCH CONTEXT. I accuse both sides of it and this fear apologists have of open debate holds back fascinating discussions that could be happening but instead we get this stuff.

Change it's to its in the title of the video.

It's far more complicated than that... I personally have found, so far: 2,419+ instances of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, including each principle of (faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, keeping the commandments (baptism), and the Holy Ghost (confirmation). and so much more. The spiritual complexity of the Book of Mormon is far greater than the secular complexity, though the latter is still impressive.

Thank you for sharing this information with everyone 😊 ❤ 2:32

"There is a power in the book of which will begin to flow into our lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path." --Ezra Taft Benson

Thank you 🙏😊❤️

We learn from this book that the holy one of Israel is the keeper of the gate and employs no servant there. He is and will be the first person we see going through the vale. All things are done in the wisdom of Him who knows all things.

All your evidences are only found by reading and studying the Book of Mormon. This unfortunately, is usually well beyond the scope of critics and anti-Mormons. The book's complexity is completely irrelevant to anyone other than those who are already engaged in reading and studying it. Complexity only serves to reinforce an existing testimony. Still a very good point but perhaps a bit pointless nonetheless. .

By faith and by fact, The Book of Mormon is the word of God!

Your own video says there are over 150 named locations and 600 passages of geographic references and the “completely fictional map” that your video shows. All of the details with zero proof, in the “Americas” at least. Why?

The argument being made here is that if the BOM shows marks of complexity, then it is inspired of God. This does not necessarily follow because there are many books that are complex, but they are not inspired of God. I am actually in agreement that the Book of Mormon is complex in some ways (having read through it several times). The assumption is made that Smith, an uneducated man, did not make this. And I am in agreement with that assumption that Smiith is not solely responsible, but actually the BOM is based on Manuscript Found by Solomon Spalding (which is no longer extant), but we do have his first manuscript - Manuscript Story - to compare the BOM. It is interesting she mentioned lots of invented character names which is also what Manuscript Story does which has also some root names that will be used to make up other names. The reason it is complex is because Spalding spent several years (probably from the Spring of 1812 to sometime in 1816). That is four years, my friends. But you also have the transformation of it along the way by Sidney Rigdon from 1816 to 1829, especially in regards to the loss of the 116 pages in June of 1828 in adding the theological/religious parts to the BOM. You still have to account for why so many changes to the BOM after the 1830 edition. There is much more to say, but soon I will be releasing a new set of videos updated. You can go ahead and watch the former series now, but I wanted to add more research and information discovered - “Where Did The Book of Mormon Come From?” (Revised Series) on my RU-vid channel. I just desire for people to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4)..

😊 I KNOW THE BOOK OF MORMON ❤ IS TRUE

And all complex things are true, duh.

Please tell all of us exactly where the events of the Book of Mormon actually took place “in the Americas” with proof to back it up. With all of the details in this book, why can’t we visit any of these sites in the Americas that took place. I’m challenging you to answer this!

True, every word. The Book of Mormon, I mean, and this video too.

Why do you feel you need to prove it's authenticity?

The power of the Book of Mormon is in its powerful witness of Christ and its ability to strengthen your faith in Christ and not necessarily in trying to prove its authenticity necessarily.

The Book of Mormon cannot be dismissed. It was either dictated directly by the devil or is an inspired translation of God's word to His prophets. It's complexity will allow for nothing in between. Since the devil would never testify of Christ in this manner, there is but one conclusion. IT IS THE WORD OF GOD.

Did you ever wonder why Jesus appeared in Israel and 'The Americas', but not Africa, Asia, Australia or the Pacific nations?

This book sounds like a Dungeons and Dragons series or Lord of the Rings.

Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. It is holy scripture like the Bible.

this just isn't true. Joseph Smith misinterpreted "The Book of Abraham"... among many other major problems being directly contradicting Isaiah 43:10 and 44:6 and Ephesians 2:8-9. Just to name a few. Jesus wasn't created, but instead all things were created through Him Colossians 1:16-17 (including Satan, so they weren't brothers)

Jesus is God. The TRINITY is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. Done !

Beautifully presented. If people are sincere the witness of the Holy Ghost will testify of its authenticity. We have flat earth societies today despite the overwhelming evidence available. Let those with eyes to see , see. Thanks for sharing 👏👌

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭18‬-‭21‬

Too bad it does not have consistency with the Bible, God’s revelation to man :/ e.g. John teaches salvation through belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Romans then elaborating on the grace wherewith a man is saved, not through his own actions, but by God’s election.

A marvelous work and a wonder anyone believes it 😂

First of all, I don’t understand why you haven’t responded to my questions unless you know I’m right. Second of all, at the end of your video, you state” The first draft is a final draft of the Book of Mormon”. That is a lie! The Book of Mormon has been edited appropriately 4,000 times from 1830-1964 and beyond! This is your video, defend it.

Yea! Just a copy of “ View-of the Hebrew” same language tone, because that book was a copy of King Jame language tone. “View of the Hebrew” is a book made to create Moral and values on UK. Plagiarism is not okay, this is just one of many evidences of JS master manipulation.

Agreed. William Kidd was an excellent author.

Which book is more important? Book of Morman or the Bible? Most LDS members will say the BOM because they add this clause to the Bible “so long as it is translated correctly.” For the Bible we had original manuscripts and documents texts dating back to the time of the Apostles which is what the KJV of the Bible is written from in the 1600’s which the LDS church still uses. The KJV is a word for word translation of the Bible with old English vernacular. In the 1946-1956 a little boy discovered over 6000+ manuscripts and documents of the original Bible text pristinely preserved in clay pots in a cave (known as the Dead Sea Scrolls). There where many duplicate versions of texts. When translated this gave us modern word for word translation like ESV, NASB, NKJV which when read next to the old KJV you will find they are fairly similar to the old KJV except in modern English. And you can even go and see the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) with many good resources online. With millions of copies of the Bible sold in many languages worldwide we have the most accurate and most reliable book to ever exist, which would be impossible for someone to change something in the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God. In the Bible we have the original genealogy of man all the way to Jesus proving to us that he fulfilled prophecy. From Adam to King David to Jesus. Then the Bible has the birth of Jesus which fulfills Old Testament prophecy. The the Bible has Jesus’s entire ministry while he was alive. Again fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Then the Bible has his crucifixion his death and his resurrection which fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Then the Bible also has the Acts of the Apostles which shows us how the church is to function. Then all the Epistles show the church how to be Christians. All of that is in the Bible. Without the Bible we would not know who Jesus is and what prophecy he fulfilled. And LDS members will say but the BOM is “Another Testimony of Jesus.” To that I ask why does Jesus need a second testimony? John 8 : 18 - I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. And what about the BOM being another testimony of Jesus? Galatians 1 : 8 - But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1 : 9 - As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. And what about the Apostacy? 2 Thessalonians 2 : 7 - For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2 : 8 - And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: The moment the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth the AntiChrist will show up and Tribulation would start. The Holy Spirit that is inside of believers is what restrains the AntiChrist spirit from coming into the earth. The moment the Holy Spirit is removed from Earth (rapture) that would trigger the appearance of the AntiChrist and begin Tribulation. Neither has happen so that means that the Holy Spirit was never removed from the earth. Please read the Bible. Especially the New Testament and the Epistles which go over these things. Ask yourself this: What benefit is it to God to make the Bible of lesser importance than another book? Now what benefit is it to the devil to make the Bible of less importance than another book? Can you read any of the original manuscripts of the BOM today? So why “so long as it is translated correctly” about the Bible. If the Bible is not translated correctly from many original transcripts then how is the BOM translated correctly which has no original transcripts? If the Bible isn’t translated correctly why doesn’t the LDS church use the original Dead Sea scrolls to make their own correct translation of the Bible? Or is it easier to dismiss the Bible as lesser importance than the BOM? Yet without the Bible we wouldn’t know the prophecy that Jesus fulfilled with his birth, his death, and his resurrection. So how do we get to heaven? Do I need to become LDS or Catholic or Baptist or Pentecostal or Jewish or neither? Let’s see what Jesus said. The one person who never lies. John 14 : 6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. No matter what church you are a member of you must know Jesus intimately. You can be a member of the LDS church or the Catholic Church or Baptist or Pentecostal or Methodist or Lutheran and Not know Jesus. Matthew 25 the 10 bridesmaids. All 10 knew who Jesus was but only 5 were wise and had their lamps (earthen vessels) full of the oil which is the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 : 4 - And they were all FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Mark 16 : 17 - And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16 : 18 - They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

To a writer who outlines their work, these things aren’t all that miraculous. There are over 2,000 named characters in the game of thrones books, a money system, different religions, a magic (priesthood) system, and different distinct writing styles from different viewpoint characters…and George RR Martin isn’t even an outline writer. That doesn’t mean it’s real, and it doesn’t make the Book of Mormon real either. It’s either real, or it isn’t…and you aren’t going to come to that conclusion with “proof”, you’ll come to that conclusion spiritually or not at all.

Cool Aid tastes lovely.

THANK YOU so much for presenting on Scripture Central. Can you please help SC find more young and diverse blood and ideas? i'm 50 years old and Taylor and Tyler and BORING me to death with their CES look and sound. even John and Lynn are comparatively excited and lively in their videos. the Book of Mormon should be invigorating to learn about!!! please less of Taylor and Tyler.

This is not a proof...several times the Bible says nothing will be added and even if an angel comes to give revelation, don't believe it. Complex does not prove truth.

This is cool video but I don’t believe the Book of Mormon took place in South America. I believe the whole Book of Mormon took place in North America. The United States and a small portion of Canada.

So I suppose since Harry Potter is so complex that proves it’s also authentic and true?

And then there's all the archeological eviden... Oh, wait.

I'm sure you'll delete this comment too, but the book is on its 18th edition. If you're going to argue based on literary characteristics, you should deal with the original text-the one that has trinitarian theology. (One of the MAJOR edits you say doesn't exist).