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Bare Record: The Nephite Archivist, The Record of Records, and the Book of Mormon Provenance

TitleBare Record: The Nephite Archivist, The Record of Records, and the Book of Mormon Provenance
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsWells, Anita
JournalInterpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture
Volume24
Pagination99-122
KeywordsAncient Near East; Archival Work; Authenticity; Historicity; Mormon; Provenance; Record; Record Keeping; Translation
Abstract

This paper looks at the Book of Mormon through the lens of library science and the concept of archival provenance. The Nephites cared deeply about their records, and Mormon documented a thorough chain of custody for the plates he edited. However, ideas of archival science and provenance are recent developments in the western world, unknown to biblical authors or to anyone at Joseph Smith’s time. Understanding this aspect of Mormon’s authorship and Joseph Smith’s translation provides additional evidence to the historical validity of the Book of Mormon.

URLhttps://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/bare-record-the-nephite-archivist-the-record-of-records-and-the-book-of-mormon-provenance/