Review

Title: Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon
Compiler: David R. Hocking
Managing Editor: David R. Hocking
Associate Editor: Rod L. Meldrum
Contributors: Jonathan Neville, Boyd J. Tuttle, Rian Nelson
Publisher: Digital Legend Press
Genre: Non-fiction: Christian, LDS/Mormon Scripture Study Guide, Ancient American History
Year Published: 2018
Number of Pages: 614
Binding: simulated Glove Leather (navy blue) embossed
ISBN: 978-1-944200-38-1
ISBN10:
ISBN13:
Price: $69.95

Reviewed by Sherry Ann Miller for the Association for Mormon Letters

I had thought to preface my review of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon with a paragraph farther down, but something else drew my attention from within the pages of the book that seemed to call out to me. A small quotation at the bottom of page 125. This quote will, perhaps, reveal with crystal clarity the intent of the compiler and editors of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, by declaring what the Lord expects us to do, in regards to the words of the prophets and apostles in ancient times as well as those since the Restoration first began in 1820. Quoting from President Russell M. Nelson shortly before his call to the Apostleship, he said, “My philosophy is to stop putting question marks behind the Prophet’s statements and put exclamation points instead.“ A Study in Obedience, Ensign, August, 1982. When the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr., revealed that the Hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, was the same area where the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed, the Prophet Joseph Smith, deserved an exclamation point. The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon declares the truth of that exclamation point admirably.

While on the topic of the Prophet Joseph Smith, I found within the pages of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon an excellent accounting of the difference between faith versus knowledge. Quoting from Rod L. Meldrum, it states: “When Joseph Smith, Jr., walked into that grove of trees early in the spring of 1820 he had a tremendous amount of faith… But when he walked out… he no longer had faith or a spiritual confirmation of the existence of God—he KNEW HIM. And that knowledge was what he referred to when he said that: ‘I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.’ (Joseph Smith—history, v. 25)”

Like the Prophet Joseph , I found my own sacred grove. In 1977, I walked into that grove with faith, but I walked out with knowledge. I KNOW HIM. I prayed that my knowledge of the Savior, and my trust in Him, would come in useful while reading and reviewing the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon. I know that He has assisted me in this endeavor.

The Book of Mormon, 1920 edition, which is apparently in the public domain, is the text chosen by the compiler and editors for the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon. It is combined with the latest research from Royal Skousen’s work on the Printer’s Manuscript, and his critical text analysis leading to corrections of all known typesetting errors in past editions. The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon comes complete with the Original Manuscript differences shown in brackets [OM]. This has been very helpful, as it does contain words shown to be different, as found in the Original Manuscript that the Prophet Joseph Smith translated, from the manuscript that is known as the Printer’s Manuscript (the manuscript from which the first printing of the Book of Mormon was made). This was studied extensively by Royal Skousen as part of a project called “the Systematic Text of the Book of Mormon,” as revealed by Neal A. Maxwell in 2002. For instance, the word ‘feeling’ in the printer’s manuscript might have been revealed as ‘pressing’ in the original manuscript, or the word ‘at’ might have been ‘up’, etc. I found this very interesting as well as informative. These Original Manuscript notes in brackets nearly always brought with them clarity and understanding.

I found the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon enlightening, particularly the changing of colors within the text. Red is the color of choice for the words of the Lord, God, Father and Son. Blue is the color for the words of Angels and Heavenly Messengers, while blue italics represent the words of the Old Testament, both scripture and Prophets. Of course, black text represents the narrative. At first, I was a little surprised each time red or blue made their appearance, but I soon learned to look forward to them with pleasure. I found it quite interesting to have the Lord’s words in red, bringing them immediately to my attention, as did the blue words. I’m certain readers will find a much greater ease in the location of phrases or passages. For me, reading the red words was like saying hello to my dearest friend.

The Isaiah chapters have underlined words in them that show the differences from the King James Version Bible, so there is no need to compare, back-and-forth, between Bible and Book of Mormon. I really like that feature!

The formatting in the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon is a little different from that which I was accustomed. While chapters are divided as in the Book of Mormon, the verses are noted in superscript numbers, which is very tiny and I found them a bit difficult to locate until, through familiarity of reading, I learned to spot them more easily. Also, the verses, while in their proper numerical order, are not individually set apart. Rather, the verses are grouped into paragraphs and are set apart with subtitles depending on what the topic is, or what event is happening, or what the intent of the prophets might have been at the time it was originally written. At first, this feature was a little bit annoying, but as I continued reading, I began to appreciate the work that went into that particular feature and how convenient the topic subtitles were in helping me to return to the proper place on the page. It should also make for easier scripture studying.

It is my understanding the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon took twelve years to complete. The many footnotes, artists renditions, beautiful and rich Hebrew connections all accounted for within The Promised Land…all these testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living Father in Heaven, exactly as the Prophets and the Lord intended the Book of Mormon to do from the very beginning.

The introduction, in part, reads, “Because the Bible describes God‘s relationship with ancient people and customs in the Middle East, many commentaries have been written to explain these ancient cultures to modern readers around the world. The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon is designed to provide equivalent background information about the people whose history was recorded on the ancient manuscripts that Joseph Smith translated as the Book of Mormon.” A noble attempt was made, and a noble work accomplished. There is just so much right with the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon.

There are thirty-two introductory pages before First Nephi is reached, as compared to eight pages in my personal copy of the Book of Mormon. You will find the Testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses, the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.’s, history, as well as all within the Book of Mormon that precedes First Nephi, but you will also find much more, including the identification of chiastic structures and the use of poetic phrases. When I finally reached First Nephi in the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, I was a little bit concerned about those thirty-two introductory pages preceding it; but, as I went back through those pages and studied each one thoroughly, I found their placement appropriate and quite interesting to anyone who makes a study of or intends to “ponder” the Book of Mormon.

There are quite a few maps in the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon depicting sites within what is now the United States of America. Many of these maps identify possible locations for events that occur within the Book of Mormon, beginning with the the area on and around the hill called Cumorah by the Nephites. This hill is in New York State near a little village called Palmyra. This same Hill Cumorah is, indeed, where the Jaredites and the Nephites fought and died in their very last battles, as declared by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thorough research in the Joseph Smith Papers has led to the identification of other sites within the United States of America of probable Nephite historical locations that I found entirely plausible. It is my belief that the so-called “second Cumorah theory” should be dismissed in its entirety, as there are now a wide variety of archaeological proofs that Moroni and Joseph Smith had identified the correct Hill Cumorah, and that it has always been near Palmyra, New York. There are other maps, as well, and I especially liked the one of Ancient Mesopotamia.

The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon presents the theory that God named Zarahemla (the area across the river from Nauvoo) for an important reason (see D&C 125:3), perhaps to show unto the Saints where Zarahemla was anciently. I would like to add that God “…doth counsel in wisdom over all His works,” as it states in Alma 37:12, and this statement may also be applied to God’s reasoning for naming that Iowa countryside Zarahemla, “…which purpose is known unto God.” As President Nelson said thirty-six years ago, the Prophet’s counsel deserves an exclamation point, not a question mark.

Also in Alma, the compilers and editors state that, “Although there has been no revelation on a geographic location for where the land of Jershon was, the map below shows a possible area that seems to match the region described in the text.” This is a necessary qualification as the only pins on the map that are known for absolute certainty are the Hill Cumorah and the city of Manti. Zarahemla is more “hope” than “pin,” and all the other places are speculation, reasoned out chiefly by Alma’s many hints of places and battles. That said, I am thoroughly convinced that the great river Sidon is, indeed, the Mississippi River.

On page 35 there is an excellent photo of a Phoenician ship and a map of the route it sailed around the Cape of Africa and northwest towards Florida or the southeast portion of the United States, a likely landing spot for Lehi’s family. As a young woman, I always assumed Lehi navigated around the many islands of northern Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific Ocean, heading nearly directly east, landing somewhere along the Pacific Coast of the Americas. But, when my children grew up and moved away, I was able to live some of my youthful dreams of becoming a sailor. Hubby and I bought a sturdy cutter-rigged sailboat, one large enough and strong enough to handle any ocean, yet small and maneuverable enough that either of us could sail it wherever we wanted. We took and passed boat safety classes and began studying waves, currents and winds, striving to become knowledgeable enough to brave any sea. It was around this time that my line of reasoning took a drastic turn as I wondered why the Lord would ever take Lehi’s family across the Pacific Ocean, bucking wind and currents all the way, when a much safer, easier route was around the southern tip of Africa, utilizing the currents and winds that would take them across the Atlantic and toward the southeastern USA. Even more importantly, the Lord would already have that useful information at his disposal since He’s the one who created the currents and prevailing winds in the beginning.

I love the quote found between Alma 38:8-9 from Elder M. Russell Ballard, part of which reads: “Do we realize that small events and choices determine the direction of our lives just as small helms determine the direction of great ships?” As a former sailor, this is one principle I completely understand. Even more remarkable, Alma 38:9 follows the quote with: “And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom…that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ…” We must remember that Christ is at the helm, and if we choose Christ we will never go astray. I do believe the compilers of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon got it perfectly right here.

Also, I happen to concur with the compiler that Lehi’s family had likely landed near the same latitude as Jerusalem, which would account for their Jerusalem-type seeds growing in abundance. The Lord would have understood far better than man about latitude and longitude, and would have planned the landing site well in advance.

The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon also contains numerous photos and artist renderings of current archaeological sites, including the Hopewell Culture, a people who, scientists are now discovering, lived during the Nephite occupation of those areas…data that shows the Hopewell Culture vanished about 400 A.D. In Alma 50:2 there is a great description about ridges of earth with timbers on top of them. I was fascinated to see photos within the Hopewell Culture where these ridges might have been, with artists’ renditions showing how those areas would have looked two millennia ago. I found this absolutely fascinating.

Other photos are found within this work, even a photo of the Jordan River near Jerusalem at the spot which is thought to be the location where Jesus was baptized. Surprisingly, there is also a photo of President Abraham Lincoln and some interesting information regarding Lincoln, the Book of Mormon, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

From 2 Nephi 10:14, we read, “For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king.” Interestingly, the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon points out here that every nation in the Americas has had a ruling king at some time since its inception, except the United States of America.

I love the quote at the bottom of page 197, which is evidently given to us because of Mosiah 29:38 where it says, “yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins.” Regarding our responsibility to accept the consequences of our own actions, B. H. Roberts, from the conference report of October 1912, states, in part, “This great Book of Mormon thought is this: that while governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,…The great doctrine of direct, moral responsibility to God of a free people is indeed a soul-inspiring utterance, but it is also an awe-inspiring condition, and on its face bears evidence of the divine source from whence it comes….” And it is “…upon this great principle…that the corner stones of this republic were laid.” While the reader would certainly understand the concept of answering for our own sins, I felt the tidbit from B. H. Roberts appropriate and inspiring.

In 3 Nephi 13:34, the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon highlights a simple sentence, in the red words of the Lord: “Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.” It shows a little box below it with the same sentence from Matthew 6:34: “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Notice the placement of the word “unto,” and how this simple change in the Book of Mormon emphasizes the sufficiency of the day to overcome the evil, or the troublesome, annoying problems of everyday life, suggesting a more optimistic outlook. When I find little tidbits like this, it encourages me to give my attention to the little things in the Book of Mormon that mean so much.

On page 105, a reference to a phrase in Jacob 4:14 about “looking beyond the mark” was emphasized, needed and appropriate, with the remarks of Elder Quentin L. Cook, who said, “Today there is a tendency among some of us to ‘look beyond the mark,’ rather than to maintain a testimony of gospel basics. We do this when we substitute the philosophies of men for gospel truths, engage in gospel extremism, seek heroic gestures at the expense of daily consecration, or elevate rules over doctrine. Avoiding these behaviors will help us avoid the theological blindness and stumbling that Jacob described.” I found this a perfect way to bring ancient scripture into modern focus.

In Jacob 5 is found the Prophet Zenos’ Allegory of the Tame Olive Tree. The explanatory body of notes for the chapter are very well done in the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, and help the reader understand the story much more easily.

I LOVE the painting of Prophet Thomas S. Monson by Ken Corbett, and President Monson’s four promises to us if we will prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day: we will hear the voice of the spirit, resist temptation, overcome doubt and fear, and receive Heaven’s help in our lives, as quoted from the April 2017 General Conference.

“And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me, for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me, that I am; and he that will not believe me, will not believe the Father who sent me, for behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.” I believe the compiler and editors are striving to follow this counsel, as found in Ether 4:12, in publishing the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, and I am sold on acquiring my own copy. I am even considering it for gift giving this Christmas.

All the above is definitely praiseworthy, and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught to seek after the praiseworthy. I am convinced that the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon will find a prominent place in most Latter-day homes. I can even picture fathers and mothers gathering their children around their copies to teach some of the eternal truths and principles found therein.

This is not to say I found the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon to be perfect. There are flaws that might be changed or at least thoughtfully reconsidered. One generally dislikes pointing out difficulties or incongruences in any book, but this is the business of reviewing annotated Holy Scripture. I feel that I am representing not only the Prophet Joseph Smith, but all the prophets who wrote the Book of Mormon, especially Moroni and his father. Indeed, I am even representing Jesus Christ. Therefore, I have proceeded in my sacred duty to voice my concerns, however small or insignificant they may seem to others.

I love Oliver Cowdery. He and I are distant cousins. Through another lineage he is a distant cousin to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as am I through five other ancestral lines. If it were up to me, I’d simply call them both my cousins and be done with it. However, the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon is, in great part, Holy Scripture, and “annotations” (yes, all of them) require a more serious approach. Both the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were devoted to one another and to their Creator, so much so that the Lord empowered them both with some of the same Heavenly visitations and ordinations. However, I felt that calling Oliver Cowdery by the title President was improper, mainly because when a President is released (or in Cowdery’s case, excommunicated), he no longer has claim to the title. And, although cousin Oliver repented and was rebaptized, he died before any title was restored to him. See appendix page x.

Along a similar line of thinking, in a few places the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon (including page x) refers to the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., as merely Joseph Smith, Jr. I think either an explanation for this discrepancy is in order, or the Prophet Joseph Smith, should always be granted the proper respect he deserves. The Lord called him to be the first Prophet of this dispensation, and he is still exactly that, no matter where he resides (even if I do call him cousin Joseph within my own family).

In 1 Nephi 3:15, the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon reads: “But behold, I said unto them: ‘That as the Lord liveth…’ “ but the actual current-day Book of Mormon reads: “But behold, I said unto them that: ‘As the Lord liveth…’ “. I realize it is a matter of personal preference, but in this reference, I like the Book of Mormon version better because when quoting someone, we generally do not include the word “that” as part of the quote. I found several such changes, but they made the grammarian within me cringe. The editors might be wise to put such changes in the following context, and perhaps it will be easier to understand my reasoning:
I said that, “I like you.” OR
I said, “That I like you.”
It’s a bit simplified, but I’m certain my meaning here is quite clear.

On page 75, a highlighted passage reads, “and upon all the ships of the sea.” The reference at the bottom of the page further explains, “When Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon, he did not just copy the Isaiah passages directly from the King James Version Bible. As an example, KJV Isaiah 2:16 reads: “And upon the ships of Tarshish and upon all pleasant pictures.” The Book of Mormon adds, “And upon all the ships of the sea,” at the beginning of 2 Nephi 12:16. The Greek Septuagint has the verse written, “And upon every ship of the sea and upon every display of fine ships.“ This evidence of including “all the ships” shows that Joseph Smith was translating a Nephite record—not copying from the Bible.“ This seems, to me, a little tedious. Why is the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon using everything possible to prove that the Book of Mormon is true, when the truthfulness of the book of Mormon is readily ascertainable through prayer? Through talking these things over with God. I understand that some people might need those extra proofs, those tangible tidbits that reinforce the divine witness that God gives to all those who inquire sincerely, with real intent. I bring this up because the Book of Mormon will be proven absolutely true in the final analysis by every person who sincerely and earnestly wants to know.

On page 101, the reference text reads: “On August 29, 1877, 85 American Indian chieftains had Temple work performed for them in the St. George Temple, Saint George, Utah, on August 29, 1877…” I doubt the reader is so obtuse they need the date at the beginning AND ending of the same sentence.

There is absolutely no evidence to sustain the reasoning at the bottom of page 122 that the Lamanites might have mixed with indigenous peoples to have their population grow to become exceeding more numerous than the Nephites. It is supposed this reasoning is suggested from the Book of Jarom verse six, but it is perfectly clear three verses earlier why there were more Lamanites than Nephites. From Jarom verse three we read, “Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people (the Nephites), because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceeding merciful unto them, and has not AS YET swept them off from the face of the land” (CAPS were added by the reviewer for emphasis). Isn’t it more likely that the Lamanites had killed off a lot of Nephites in battles, many battles, because God does not protect the Nephites when they disobey him? Heavy losses for the Nephites could equal a more numerous Lamanite army quite easily. Remember the people of Ammonihah.

Mosiah 2:21 reads: “I say unto you that if you should serve him who has created you from the beginning and is preserving you from day to day…” But the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon for this same verse reads: “I say you from day to day…” Seventeen words are missing with no explanation. Why?

*or rather…see page 325. This asterisk, words “or rather” and page reference appear several times within the pages of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon. Why is this not presented as a footnote on the very first example in the book…then leave the others alone? I found that having to find page 325 for each instance rather tedious. Just a thought.

In Alma 27:7-10, there are seven words highlighted in red, as though they are words of the Lord. Yet, they are prefaced with IF the Lord says. Yes, the Lord did tell the people of Ammon to leave the land of Nephi in verse 12, but in verses seven through ten, the Lord had not actually SAID anything. Ammon and the King were simply discussing IF THE LORD SAYS. Therefore, it was premature to highlight those IF words in red.

What is the purpose of the comma between the word ‘did’ and ‘obtain” in Helaman 6:39, as that particular comma is not found in the current edition of the Book of Mormon?

In Helaman 7:15, the word “away” has been changed to “way”, yet no explanation is given for this change.

In Helaman 11:37, the word “ripening” has been shortened to “ripen” with no explanation given.

In 3 Nephi 24:1, the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon adds these words in brackets: “the Lord of Hosts is God, the Father” between the words, “Thus said the Father” AND “unto Malachi:” but no explanation for the brackets and inserted words is given. It left me wondering if this was something found in the Original Manuscript, usually signified with (OM). If so, it was not indicated in this case. If not from the Original Manuscript, but a clarification from the editor, I think the reader is not so obtuse as to be unaware who the Father is by now.

An important error is found in a subtitle on page 458, preceding Ether chapter 1 verse 34. The subtitle currently reads: “Jared‘s Brother Asks Jared to Cry Unto the Lord.” It should read: “Jared Asks his Brother to Cry Unto the Lord.” There is some confusion for the reader with the subtitle as it currently stands, as it is the brother of Jared whom Jared asked to cry unto the Lord.

On page 453, it states in regards to Coriantumr that “…He lived with them for nine moons (months) and either died while living among them or disappeared.” Yet, we read in Ether 13:21 that the Lord told the prophet, Ether, to tell Coriantumr that he (meaning Coriantumr) “… should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumr should receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumr.” If every other event that was prophesied regarding Coriantumr and the destruction of all the Jaredites is true, as shown in the why should the supposition be made that Coriantumr disappeared? Believe the Lord. Believe what God said through Ether that Coriantumr would be buried by another people. Believe that he was buried by them. Just believe.

In Moroni 7:15, the word “daylight” has been changed to “day light” with a space between those two words. This stops the reader at this point, and makes the reader wonder why that change has been made with no explanation.

On page 498, after Moroni 7:33, which is part of Mormon’s discourse on faith, the author has put into brackets the question: “Sealed portion of the plates?” To this question I would answer with an emphatic, “No! The sealed portion of the plates was never to be revealed except as directed by the Lord.” I believe Moroni 7:33 is counsel given to Mormon through revelation: “And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” This revelation is not new to Mormon or Moroni. Indeed, Nephi told his father, Lehi, nearly a millennium earlier, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

On page 534, in the third paragraph at the end of the first sentence I wonder if you might want to reconsider the words: “follow the Savior’s appearance.” As it reads, it sounds like the calamity and destruction came AFTER the Savior appeared to the Nephites, when in fact the calamity and destruction came following the Savior’s crucifixion, BEFORE He appeared to the Nephites.

In the last sentence on page 537, the last line of the page I would remove the last “the”, it is obviously a typo.

Enough on criticisms and corrections.

The pages that follow the actual Book of Mormon portion, the Appendix, begin on page 504 with President Marion G. Romney’s personal witness that near the hill called Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, the Jaredite and Nephite nations were destroyed. The Appendix is very well done. In fact, the entire Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon proves the Hill Cumorah is exactly where the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., said from the very beginning: In New York, near a village called Palmyra. In the Appendix there are sixty pages of verifiable sources, with maps, charts, drawings, paintings and photographs proving the point that the families of Lehi and Jared occupied North America in the lands we now call the United States and parts of Canada.

Admirably, in the Appendix Mark E. Petersen refutes the two Cumorah theory (page 517). Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith confirms that Book of Mormon geography spanned the area of the USA “from the Rocky Mountains to the Hill Cumorah or eastern sea,” which statement is confirmed by James E. Talmage in “The Articles of Faith” AND “Jesus the Christ”; his statement is also confirmed by apostles and prophets George Albert Smith, Orson Pratt, Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Ezra Taft Benson, and many others. Remember that President Russell M. Nelson wanted us to put exclamation points after the words of the prophets. That counsel must apply to all the prophets, not just the prophets with whom we personally agree. The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon is exceptionally well done, with all the correct exclamation points.

In the Appendix, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (August 16, 2017) is quoted: “… It should be noted that truly rock-ribbed faith and uncompromised conviction comes with its most complete power when it engages our head as well as our heart.” Speaking of the unbelieving eleven disciples of Christ following Mary and Peter’s witness of Christ resurrected, Elder Holland referenced Mark 16:14, and Acts 1:3, then explained, “The message is that if members of the Godhead go to the trouble of providing ‘many infallible proofs’ …of truth, then surely we are honor bound to affirm and declare that truth and (we) may be upbraided if we do not.” He also stated that, “…we are to be more assertive than we sometimes are in defending our testimony of truth.”

The above quote from page 559 of the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon perfectly describes my approach to reading and reviewing this book.

In conclusion, I would like to testify that while the truth of the Book of Mormon may be proven in the newly revealed archaeology, it really doesn’t matter, however interesting it may be. Scientists may discover even more of the Nephites and Jaredites that can be proven and report it through every media source available to them. Although you may seek those evidences as your proof, since it is finally available, it is truly unnecessary. The real truth of the Book of Mormon is going to be found by the humble seeker after truth: Those who get on their knees actually wanting to know from God, having the real and honest intent that they will act upon the Lord’s answers, after they have asked in faith: Those people will receive their answers from the Lord. The Book of Mormon is true, and no amount of archaeology or science annotated into it is actually needed as proof. The Lord has been able to prove the truth of the Book of Mormon all on His own for almost two centuries to the great joy of millions of His followers, of whom I am only one.