The emphasis on the Zoramites’ being “lifted up” in pride is likely a wordplay on the name Zoram, which can mean “high” or “exalted” in ancient Semitic languages.

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Lehi is called a "visionary man" in the Book of Mormon. What did it mean to be a "visionary" prophet in ancient Israel and how is this reflected in the Book of Mormon? By carefully reading biblical terminology Lehi can be situated in the prophetic tradition of ancient Israel.

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Several passages in the Book of Mormon describe a strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. However, it is uncertain whether this path is described as being strait (meaning “narrow”) or straight (meaning “not crooked”). Fortunately, both of these words offer valuable and accurate insights about the path leading to eternal life.

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Many members of the Church know the stories of the Three and Eight Witnesses, but far fewer know about the "unofficial" witnesses to the plates. Among their ranks, Mary Whitmer stands out. Not only were her personal sacrifices indispensable in moving the translation forward, but she was blessed with the appearance of an angelic messenger that showed her the plates themselves. We may not receive a divine manifestation like Mary's, but her story shows that the Lord is mindful of all his children, and blesses us each in our own way.

In May 1843, a set of bell-shaped brass plates were brought to Joseph Smith to see if he would translate them. These plates were later revealed to be forgeries meant to expose Joseph as a fraud. Historical evidence, however, suggests that Joseph wasn't fooled. He briefly examined them and compared them other ancient writings in his possession, and may have offered an ordinary translation of a "portion" of them. But there is no evidence Joseph ever sought or received revelation about these plates, and he never produced a full translation. Joseph's "gift and power" to translate did not work on these bogus plates, and he lost interest in them quickly.

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Oliver Cowdery's letters which appeared in the newspaper the Messenger and Advocate are a wonderful resource for students of early Mormon history and the Book of Mormon, but must be used cautiously as historical sources or sources determining Book of Mormon geography.

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By looking at several different lines of evidence, scholars have been able to identify, topics, themes, and even quotations that were likely in the lost Book of Lehi.

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Jerusalem miraculously survived an invasion attempt by Assyria, the greatest empire in the world, in 701 B.C. For this, and several other possible reasons, when the Babylonian armies laid siege to Jerusalem about a hundred years later, there were many in the city who firmly believed it could not be conquered. Laman and Lemuel had believed similarly when their own father was called to be a prophet of God. Although many prophets, including their father, were prophesying to the contrary, they did not “believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets” (1 Nephi 2:13).

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The similarities between the Didache, an ancient Christian text, and Moroni 3–6 shed light on the founding and organization of Christ’s church in both the Old World and the New. It also suggests that the instructions for how to organize and manage the church and perform ordinances go back to Christ Himself.

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When Abish, the Lamanite servant, took the queen by the hand and raised her up, they event may have been symbolic of death and resurrection. Throughout the ancient Near East, and even Mesoamerica, women play a role in resurrection mythology, which strengthens this idea.

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