Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Volume 3: Enos through Mosiah

Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon #3

by Brant A. Gardner

Volume three of the six-volume commentary

Genres: Religion, History

543 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like it as much as the previous two volumes of the series because it has a lot more Mesoamerican speculation that I find dubious. The author also has an irritating habit of using language that makes his conclusions sound more likely to be true than they really are. He will describe something as "almost certainly" true, when in reality it is "maybe" true, and I got tired of that after awhile and it took me a long time to finish the book. He builds arguments on top of speculative assumptions built on on top of more speculative assumptions and then acts as though he has reached sound, reliable conclusions. I dislike that. If a proposition is speculation, label it as such (which to his credit he occasionally does). Don't label something as true that you don't have a sound basis for really asserting that it is true.

The parts of this book I really liked were the textual analysis, comparing the current Book of Mormon text to variants from the original manuscripts, actual doctrinal commentary on the text of the Book of Mormon, etc. The more the book was about the Book of Mormon instead of about Mesoamerican geography, archaeology, history, and social and political customs which may or may not have anything at all to do with the Book of Mormon, the more I liked it.

I intend to finish reading the rest of the series, but I hope future volumes are better than this one. I would not wholeheartedly recommend this book to my friends.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason I put off reading this books (the entire commentary set). I had another commentary set that I really liked and I suppose felt an allegiance to. I think one reason is on each dust-jacket of the series there is a blurb that says these commentaries have the latest in Meso-American studies which I interpreted to mean Book of Mormon geography discussions (in reality, and to the series credit, there isn't that much in here about geography, etc--a subject that I have little to no interest in when it comes to my personal study of the Book of Mormon). A trusted friend highly recommended that I purchase and read these and I am so glad he did. In fact, I feel like I could have benefited a long time ago if I had read them earlier.

Gardner does a great job of bringing many aspects of the text and doctrine to light. This book in particular highlights the contribution a good commentary can make on scripture. For me the value of a good scriptural commentary can introduce new lines of thinking that many times we are incapable of until a teacher, friend, or author points out. For me, a new idea and line of thinking gives me a kick-start in a new direction of learning and considering important doctrines and narrative. In some ways, it is almost like getting permission to think a new way. I am confident the entire series is like this. I have read the first and second volumes and am working my way through the third. My only complaint is that I wish I could reader faster (and it is already pretty fast). Clearly, that is my own limitation and not a limitation of the author. I also find myself sitting in Gospel Doctrine class on Sunday's wishing I could share more of what Gardner taught me in my reading and what further insights I have gained from piggy-backing on his ideas.

Gardner has an nice conversational tone that is just the right amount of scholastic thought, clear thinking, and well-reasoned ideas. I should note that because I gave the book five stars does not mean I am in agreement with everything Gardner says. However, because he challenges me on some things and compliments me in others, I find his work very engaging and certainly recommendable to anyone interested in a serious study of all aspects of the Book of Mormon.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gardner's commentary continues to generate good insights into the text and plausible reasons to believe that the Book of Mormon takes places in Mesoamerica. His careful readings of many of the throwaway lines about population sizes, cultures, journeys, rivers, climate, etc. help paint a more vivid picture of the peoples described in the Book of Mormon as real, living, complicated, and complex—as I'm sure they were, being him. Particularly around cultural issues Gardner's insights shine, helping explain in-group and out-group dynamics that I've not fully explored before. Whether the setting is properly Mesoamerican, Gardner's training as an anthropologist helps him read the text closely with regard to such considerations, which have helped me thus more carefully understand the main actors from the Book of Mormon and the societal and cultural pressures they were probably operating under, which in turn helps us understand their various teachings and sermons and testimonies. The Book of Mormon is not a cultural anthropologically dense text, but using cultural anthropology can help us get context for the teachings that make up its true purpose—to testify of Christ through the words of these ancient peoples.

[Christian Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a commentary on the Book of Mormon, this one outstrips them all. Without exaggeration, every other commentary set (especially the 4-vol McConkie/Millet set) is going to appear useless and superficial in comparison. Gardner uses everything at his disposal, from literary criticism and early manuscripts of the Book of Mormon to Mesoamerican cultural and archaeological findings to inform his commentary. It is not just trite fluff, devotional ramblings, or regurgitation of General Authority quotes (see the McConkie/Millet set to see what I'm talking about) but is hard hitting and thought provoking. Whether you are a true believer in the Mesoamerican model for Book of Mormon geography or even question the very historicity of the Book of Mormon, this commentary will enlighten and enliven your reading of the Book of Mormon in every aspect.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book in this multi-volume commentary to get into the Mesoamerican connections pretty hardcore, and it was great. Don't get me wrong, Volumes One and Two were great, and I highly recommend them, but this is the first volume where the author seemed to be making his own points rather than summarizing (and citing, of course -- he appears to be a very responsible scholar) things that others have already said about the Book of Mormon.

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid. I wish there were more information on each verse, and perhaps less speculation. Still, this is extremely useful, a huge step forward in Mormon commentaries -- just not to the level of non-Mormon biblical commentaries.