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By The Hand Of Mormon: The American Scripture That Launched A New World Religion
With over 100 million copies in print, the Book of Mormon has spawned a vast religious movement, but it remains little discussed outside Mormon circles. Now Terryl Givens offers a full-length treatment of this highly influential work, illuminating many facets of this uniquely American scripture.
Givens examines the Book of Mormon's role as a divine testament of the Last D...more
Givens examines the Book of Mormon's role as a divine testament of the Last D...more
Hardcover
Published
by Oxford University Press, USA
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Givens is a professor of religion and literature at the University of Richmond, Virginia and an active Mormon. Here, he devotes ~250 pages to the history, controversy, and the impact of the Book of Mormon. The book does not deal very closely with the text of the Book of Mormon. Nor is it a scholarly "Cliffs Notes"--providing a summary of the book. But Givens admirably covers the broader context surrounding the book. Here's my take on each of the nine chapters:
1. The f...more
1. The f...more
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There were two or three especially dense chapters, full of scholarly terms, that were tough to get through (especially when most of the erudite discussion conveyed concepts that really weren't all that complicated for someone who has read the Book of Mormon a few times and attends Sunday School every now and again), but as a whole this book was great. It's a study of how the Book of Mormon itself was received by Mormons and non-Mormons in the 18th century and how its treatment by both groups ha...more
About a month ago I came across this book at our local community library in the new book section. I decided to check it out. I have heard of the author, Terryl Givens, but I am not familiar with any of his work; so I was basically stepping into something unknown. And I am glad I did. Givens' book gave me a historical perspective of the "Book of Mormon" which I had never considered much less known. I cannot begin to list the things I learned. One thing I love about this book is the...more
This is an impressive accomplishment. Maybe I'm just sensitive to sound rhetorical moves because I try to teach them to my students every week, but Givens lays down a beating to cultural Mormonism's attempts to demystify the Book of Mormon. And he does it so lightheartedly! "No hard feelings Dan Vogel, but allow to most respectfully eviscerate your bubble of smug intellectualism" [my words, not his:]. The great thing, though, is that that isn't even the point of Givens' book. He looks ...more
This is an amazing, must-read book. In a few parts it is too intellectual for anyone besides intellectuals (which I'm obviously not).
This comprehensive book about the Book of Mormon is considered by many LDS scholars to be one of the greatest books ever written about the Book of Mormon. It examines criticisms of the Book of Mormon and looks at the period of time in which Joseph Smith lived. It brings up many interesting points which lend credibility to the Book of Mormon... certai...more
This comprehensive book about the Book of Mormon is considered by many LDS scholars to be one of the greatest books ever written about the Book of Mormon. It examines criticisms of the Book of Mormon and looks at the period of time in which Joseph Smith lived. It brings up many interesting points which lend credibility to the Book of Mormon... certai...more
Rodney
rated it
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in the Book of Mormon.
Recommended to Rodney by:
a freind
I would agree that this is likely the best book ever written about the Book of Mormon. Mr. Givens has researched not only the Book of Mormon, but it seems everything ever written about it.
This is not just another LDS book, but a scholarly examination of the Book of Mormon. Unlike most authors, Mr. Givens does not seem to have a heavy agenda. He seems to be a believer, but delves deeply into anti-Mormon criticism of the book. I have heard everything from the fact that the author is a ...more
This is not just another LDS book, but a scholarly examination of the Book of Mormon. Unlike most authors, Mr. Givens does not seem to have a heavy agenda. He seems to be a believer, but delves deeply into anti-Mormon criticism of the book. I have heard everything from the fact that the author is a ...more
A very well written book, providing both a fair review of the of Book of Mormon criticsm, but a strong, logical refutation of those criticisms. In addition to its deconstruction of the various arguments over the ages, the book provides a history of Book of Mormon academic and apologetic research itself, and a context for understanding how the book has been used by the LDS church. Definitely a faith-building read.
The best scholarly treatise on the reception of the Book of Mormon I've ever encountered. It is made all the more remarkable for its theories of dialogic revelation and its notion of the role of the Book of Mormon in early LDS proselytizing. Really, really, well done.
One of the finest scholars on the LDS Church today. Important not just as a liaison with the scholarly community, but also as a significant new perspective on Joseph Smith's contribution to the very concept of prophetic revelation.
I enjoyed Givens perspective. It was interesting to learn some of the history of scholarship of the Book of Mormon.
Takes on most of the critics with intelligence and faith.
I somehow missed reviewing this one, though I read it a couple of years ago. I absolutely loved this book, and it gave me some fantastic academic ammunition to defend against attacks on the Book of Mormon.
Spencer
marked it as to-be-read-to-me-if-i-am-bedridden
what does it say about me that i wont read this. i got it from the library and its been sitting around the house for 2 months. i totally admire Terryl Givens. (he did a great several part interview on Mormon Stories podcast.) but i lack the discipline required, and instead read stuff like, the incredible change bots.
Apologetic without the apologies. Not a bad read, but not exactly riveting.
I had to think while reading this book. It is not a quick read, but it is an amazing and powerful academic look at the circumstances surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon by a faithful, intelligent LDS scholar.
A real mind stretcher. It brought up concepts I had never before considered and clarified one thing that I had wondered about. Sometimes the author was way above my head, but I loved the challenge.
an interesting, fairly objective view of the Book of Mormon from a non-lds perspective.
A marvelous survey of the Book of Mormon's place in the past two centuries.
I've been reading back through and this book is better for me the second time.
Much better than the Book of Mormon itself.
Critique of the best book.
Grant Weaver
marked it as to-read
Brad Kuhn
marked it as to-read
Christian Larsen
marked it as to-read
Rodney Ulyate
marked it as to-read
Kyla
marked it as to-read
Shaylan
marked it as to-read
Magila
marked it as to-read
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Terryl L. Givens was born in upstate New York, raised in the American southwest, and did his graduate work in Intellectual History (Cornell) and Comparative Literature (Ph.D. UNC Chapel Hill, 1988), working with Greek, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and English languages and literatures. As Professor of Literature and Religion, and the James A. Bostwick Professor of English at the University of Rich...more
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