The Book of Mormon translated by Joseph Smith, Jun. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 1961).
Well. I had to read the thing because I was writing a story of Mormons hell bent for leather to “bleach” Lamanites into “white and delightsome” beings as The Book of Mormon foretells. Yes, I understand that this is a purported book of scripture, “another testament of Jesus Christ” as is now proclaimed on the cover of newer editions of the book. So I will not, in this brief post, try to argue against the authenticity or veracity or plausibility of the story behind Joseph Smith’s purported translation of ancient plates left in New York by Jews who inhabited North American before the coming of Christ. For a scholarly discussion of the shortcomings of the book as theology or history, there are hundreds of websites and books you can read to come to your own conclusions as to whether or not the book is a novel or a revelation from God.
But I will review The Book of Mormon as a book, as a readable, or in this case, virtually unreadable attempt at communication. It has been said that the phrase, “and it came to pass” occurs in the book no less than 2,000 times. I believe whoever wrote that but I didn’t independently verify the number. The repetition of that singular phrase says volumes about the quality of the dialogue, narrative, and plot of The Book of Mormon. It is insipid. It is violent without point or purpose. It lacks any details of setting or place which might make the journeys of its characters the least bit inspiring or interesting. The Bible, while having its own shortcomings, is, overall, a wondrously written book. The Song of Solomon is exquisite. The Gospel of Mark is divinely written, even if one doubts the divinity of Christ. The Gospel of John sings. There is no such literary quality to The Book of Mormon. The book’s failure in this respect is likely due to the fact that one man, Joseph Smith, a man of very limited vocabulary and learning, “translated” the entirety of the book. In a very real sense, the book points out his limitations as a writer, theologian, and historian. The most tortured read of my life. 1 star out of 5.
