The Book of Mormon: Brief Theological Introductions

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." So begins the first book in the Book of Mormon. In this brief theological introduction, philosopher and theologian Joseph M. Spencer investigates the central themes and purposes of a book he calls a "theological masterpiece". What was Nephi trying to accomplish with his writings? How can readers/listeners today make better sense of Nephi's words? What can an ancient seer offer readers/listeners in the 21st century? Spencer introduces a Nephi for our moment, a complex prophet with an urgent message for a world in turmoil.

In this brief theological introduction, Terryl Givens echoes Nephi’s invitation for listeners to keep Christ front and center in their minds, hearts, and worship. Givens finds clear emphasis on the Redeemer’s healing atonement, the promise of resurrection, the necessity of oppositional strife and of agency wisely employed, and other plain and precious truths lost or obscured by time.

"What could I have done more for my vineyard?" In one of the Book of Mormon’s most magisterial passages, the lord of a vineyard looks over his beloved olive trees with great sorrow and strives to redeem them. This allegory represents Jesus Christ’s labor to save not only individual souls, but an entire world. Perhaps, more than any other Book of Mormon prophet, Jacob manifests the same divine anxiety, having been born in a “wild wilderness” and inheriting the task of uniting a divided people.

"And I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records." Less than a generation after Sariah and Lehi arrive in the promised land, their family fractures in two. The books of Enos, Jarom, and Omni feature seven authors recounting five generations of fallout from this division. Whether the people and their records will be preserved is in constant doubt. Yet, the authors continue writing in order to keep hope alive despite civil wars and precarious political reorganizations.

The prophet Mormon faces the monumental task of abridging Nephite history for future generations. He looks back hundreds of years to discern God’s hand amid the people’s divisions and conversions. Multiple records recount multiple migrations to lands where different kings organize competing societies. A righteous monarchy ends, and a reign of judges begins. In this brief theological introduction to the book of Mosiah, philosopher and theologian James E. Faulconer untangles a complicated timeline. 

Alma is an idolatrous man until an angel's rebuke leads to repentance and two decades of righteous service in realms both political and religious. In this brief theological introduction to the first 29 chapters of the "Book of Alma", literary scholar Kylie Nielson Turley considers how Alma's profound transformation from anti-Christ to high priest of the church of God can deepen our understanding of Christ s mercy. What if God forgives and forgets but humans do not? Does following God ensure a less painful life?

Alma the Younger is forever changed by an overwhelming personal experience with God's mercy, a mercy capable of overpowering justice and giving Alma the means to exercise faith unto repentance. Driven by his new desire to share the joy that God's mercy brings, Alma confronts the apostate Korihor, preaches a sermon on faith to the Zoramite outcasts, and encourages and consoles his sons. His ministry cannot be understood apart from the miraculous transformation initiated and powered by God's mercy. 

In this brief introduction to the second half of the book of Alma, philosopher Mark Wrathall painstakingly works out the logic of Alma s understanding of faith, justice, mercy, and the final judgment and restoration of all things, encouraging listeners to receive salvation today.

In this brief theological introduction, Daniel Becerra enlists 3 and 4 Nephi as aids in the disciple's pursuit of Christ and Christlikeness. What do these books reveal about divine nature, human nature, and the means of bridging the gap between the two? Becerra places Christ at the center of all theological thinking in his interpretation of these remarkable books of scripture. He proposes that the fullest expression of discipleship Christlikeness can only be found in community and collaboration.

From the moment Sariah and Lehi’s family arrived in the promised land, their prophets warned that the people would face destruction if they failed to trust in Christ. Centuries later, Mormon witnesses the fulfillment of this dark prophecy. He witnesses his own people hewn down in open rebellion against God. Crying out from the depths of his heart, the prophet reflects on what went wrong and how it might have been avoided. Through it all, hope in Christ abides.  

In this brief theological introduction, literary scholar Rosalynde Frandsen Welch explores the book of Ether, a sweeping history in which Moroni, absorbed in the past, turns his heart to future readers whose spiritual fate will be at stake. According to Welch, Moroni's work as translator-prophet brilliantly reframes the nature of scripture itself. Like the brother of Jared's luminous stones, Moroni's offering glows with his powerful testimony of Christ. In faith, his record extends the promise of Christ's saving power to people in every place and time. 

David Holland shows the book of Moroni to be an intentionally organized collection of artifacts, pointing listeners toward the transformative power of divine love. He interprets Moroni’s teachings as a “theology of the gift” - a doctrinal depiction of a God whose nature is to give. This theology powerfully reminds Latter-day Saints that the ordinances we observe, the community we serve, and the talents we develop are all gifts designed to draw us toward the culminating bestowal of Christlike love.