KnoWhy #437 - How Do the Psalms Quoted in the Book of Mormon Teach about the Temple? (2 Nephi 25:16)

The Psalms mention the word “temple” more than almost any other book in the Old Testament. The Psalms have been called the “hymn book” of the ancient temple because many of them were likely read or sung during temple rituals and ceremonies. What most readers likely do not realize is that phrases and expressions from the Psalms are often used in the Book of Mormon. About 50 such references have been identified and many of them allude to a temple context. These findings demonstrate that Book of Mormon authors had access to at least some of the Psalms, either from the plates of brass or from memory. Recognizing that Book of Mormon authors knew and quoted from the Psalms provides greater depth to their words. It also illumines the temple setting and background of much of the Book of Mormon text.