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Book of Mormon Central / Archive / KnoWhy #107 - How Were Judges Elected in the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 29:39)

KnoWhy #107 - How Were Judges Elected in the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 29:39)

TitleKnoWhy #107 - How Were Judges Elected in the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 29:39)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsAncient America; Judge; Mesoamerica; Reign of the Judges
Abstract

Most people assume that the "voice of the people" reflects modern democratic processes, but the text itself suggests otherwise. Scholars have pointed out that judges are still appointed, usually an heir of the previous judge. The voice of the people typically works more as an affirming vote of confidence rather than an election. John Sorenson has described what this would have been like in Mesoamerica, and finds that the text seems to be consistent with this.
URLhttps://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/how-were-judges-elected-in-the-book-of-mormon
Citation Key1890

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Scripture Reference

Mosiah 29:39