Understanding the Book of Mormon

by Ross Anderson

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2009

Overview

A former Mormon and an adult convert to Christianity, author Ross Anderson provides a clear summary of the Book of Mormon including its history, teachings, and unique features. Stories from the author and other ex-Mormons illustrate the use of Mormon scripture in the Latter-day Saint church. Anderson gives special attention to how the Book of Mormon relates to Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The high point of the Book of Mormon story is the appearance of Jesus to the ancient Americans in AD 34. As described in 3 Nephi, Jesus’ arrival in America was ushered in by terrible devastation.” (Page 26)

“In several other key areas, the Book of Mormon’s teaching about God differs markedly from the later teachings of Joseph Smith. For example, Smith declared that God is an exalted man, who was once mortal like us before he became God.⁶ Mormonism teaches that God is married and Jesus is literally his spirit child.⁷ These concepts are not found anywhere in the Book of Mormon.” (Page 43)

“A second type of parallel involves interpretative changes to a biblical text.” (Page 64)

“On September 22, 1827, the angel allowed Joseph, now twenty-one, to take possession of the plates, along with two items buried beside them: a breastplate and the Urim and Thummim. The latter was a pair of crystals set in a metal frame like eyeglasses, provided by God as an instrument of translation. Smith was told to protect the plates carefully. He was not to show them to anyone or he would be destroyed.” (Page 32)

“Mormonism teaches that the original Church founded by Jesus fell into apostasy. Foundational truths were lost and confused. The organization and authority established by Jesus were forfeited. As a result, God chose Joseph Smith as a prophet to restore original Christianity.” (Page 12)

Product Details

• Title: Understanding the Book of Mormon
• Author: Ross Anderson
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 128
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Book of Mormon › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780310493686, 9780310283218, 0310493684, 0310283213
• Resource ID: LLS:UNDERMORMON
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:36:03Z

About Ross Anderson

Ross Anderson (DMin, Salt Lake Seminary) is the founding pastor of Wasatch Evangelical Free Church in Roy, Utah, where he served for 28 years. He is currently a teaching pastor at Alpine Community Church, a multi-site congregation in northern Utah, and the director of Utah Advance Ministries. He was born in Utah and raised in California as an active member of the Mormon (Latter-day Saint) Church. His passions include planting culturally appropriate churches in Utah and incorporating former Mormons into the local church.