Description
Infinite Goodness: Joseph Smith, Jonathan Edwards, and the Book of Mormon
This book is a fascinating new approach to the Book of Mormon that offers new insights into how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. Readers have always known the book contains language from the King James Bible, but what about all the non-biblical language? Where did Joseph Smith acquire his lexicon?
In his earliest known personal history (1832), Joseph Smith, Jr., said he had an “intimate acquaintance with those of different denominations.” Later, when asked about the establishment of the Church, Joseph began with his “experience while in my juvenile years, say from 6 years old up to the time I receive the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14 years old.” This book proposes that during these years of convalescence, Joseph spent his time reading Christian literature, particularly the works of Jonathan Edwards. In this way Joseph was prepared to translate the Book of Mormon.
Jonathan Edwards, the great Christian theologian, led an exemplary life. Preacher, minister, and missionary to the Indians of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Edwards left a voluminous body of work that included his anticipation of great prosperity of the Church in the latter days. In retrospect, from the perspective of Joseph Smith, Edwards set the stage for the Restoration as “God’s forerunner.”
This new understanding opens up the Book of Mormon by identifying the numerous allusions Joseph made to Edwards’ works. The detailed analysis and examples in this book reveal how the Book of Mormon, which “is the possession of mankind,” is also the fulfillment of centuries of Christian hopes and aspirations, the instrument God prepared to establish Zion in our day.
Jeff Downs –
Infinite Goodness is fabulous!
How sad it is that the world has treated with such contempt The Book of Mormon. Meant as a loving gift to all of us, provided as a means to comfort, direct and guide us on our earthly journey, it has been dissected, torn apart, misread, and treated by many with outright contempt and derision. Truly we undervalue its power and potential in our lives. But you will find no greater defender of the book than Jonathan Neville. In a world hellbent on twisting and manipulating the words of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, Jonathan takes them at their word. He beautifully demonstrates how our loving Heavenly Father loves each and every one of His Children (members and nonmembers of our faith alike) and allows them to take part in carrying out His Plan of Salvation. Too many members of the Church underappreciate the work of the Christian writers and theologians of the past. They too had a part to play in the Restoration and their hard work and love of the Gospel were instrumental in weaving the fabric of our Father’s plan. Tug and remove those strands and the tapestry falls apart.
Jonathan also clearly demonstrates how Joseph was indeed prepared from a very young age to fulfill the calling he would one day have, just as Christ “increased in wisdom and stature” and–and this is key–how this ultimately points to the fact that EACH ONE OF US is being prepared as well. Seeing in great detail how Joseph grew and developed, acquiring the knowledge he would one day call upon as a translator and prophet, was inspiring, humbling, and amazing! Acknowledging this gives long-overdue credit to the Christian leaders and writers of the past. The Church of Jesus Christ does NOT have the monopoly on truth! This is made clear in Moroni, Ether, Alma, Omni, and the 13th Article of Faith! These brave, early Christian reformers could hear in their hearts the same musical notes that are present in the Plan of Salvation. The stanzas may have words that are slightly different, but the melody and tune are the same! Read this book! When you are finished, you too will realize how deeply our Heavenly Father cares about each and every one of us and how he can USE each one of us to aid and elevate one another. Each of us has a part to play in this orchestra. And each of us must put in the time and hard work necessary if we are going to play our “instrument” well. Joseph Smith was no exception. The music each of us plays has the potential of building up and edifying someone else (as Jonathan masterfully shows Jonathan Edwards unquestionably did for Joseph Smith). Jonathan also backs up his defense–as always–with all the evidence you would ever need.
Don’t be fearful that Jonathan Edwards may have inspired Joseph with words and phrases he would later need and use. Rather, see it for what it is: evidence that our Heavenly Father cares about each and every one of us and will do all he can to help us reach our full potential to further His work and bring his children home!
In keeping with the musical metaphor, rest assured that when you read Neville, you aren’t getting a drum and a kazoo, rather you are getting the entire Philharmonic Orchestra!
gralion torile –
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