(A word about Heritage Press. I have learned this is an enterprise begun by David E. Bokovoy, in an effort to provide quality Latter-day Saint publications that might not find a publisher elsewhere. This is the press's first book. They plan to release others books from a variety of authors. They can be reached at P.O. Box 214, Tooele, Utah 84074)

My many years of reading Mormon apologetic literature has created a process of categorization that some may feel is a bit broad, but I believe helpful in developing a philosophy about such books.

One of the criteria is the book's inherent honesty. Does it present its subject in a way that impresses the reader that the authors are correctly representing their subject? Do the authors make claims that are supportable, or do they make wild claims not supported by the evidence?

Another criterion is one that is a natural consequence of the above: does the book encourage "use" or "abuse"? Can an honest seeker "use" the information to enable deeper study and, perhaps, foster belief? Or does the book encourage "abuse," an idea I'll develop later?

"Testaments," happily, falls into the former category. The authors set the tone at the outset:

We recognize ... that an acceptance of the Book of Mormon's claims for historicity is essentially a matter of faith. A testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon can only come through the power of the Holy Ghost. We therefore present this study not so much to convict but rather to instruct. (p. 6)

This, to me, sets the proper tone for the rest of the book. Had they claimed any more for the book than what they stated above, I would have been disappointed. Any stronger claim becomes an opportunity for "abuse" -- "Hey, have you read this? How can you still say the Book of Mormon isn't true history?"

"Instruction" doesn't end the discussion. It only adds to the store of knowledge, giving readers support and reason for their belief, should they find the evidence convincing. And, make no mistake, the authors advocate the orthodox belief stance of the Church. But their purpose here, as they state above, is not to "convict." They can only present evidence and leave it to the reader to make up his or her own mind.

Any book that explores links between two works travels a dangerous path. When one considers how easy it is to fall into logical fallacies, serious scholars must be careful about how they connect the works. Biblical critics share this concern. Many of you will be familiar with the theoretical existence a "Q" document, from which the gospel writers supposedly drew in constructing their accounts. When considering parallels between, say, Matthew and Luke, does one want to say that Luke borrowed from Matthew, or that both Matthew and Luke borrowed from a third, albeit undiscovered, source?

By finding "links between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible," the authors can not, and do not, claim that this constitutes definitive evidence for Book of Mormon historicity. Instead, the authors take a helpful approach, one that claims that an understanding of the text can be enriched when one studies the text of one book in light of the other. And, also helpful, the authors draw upon other ancient sources, leaving open the possibility that there is a larger tradition from which both sources draw.

Consequently, in my categorization program, Testaments is a "user" book! I'm sure the authors will be greatly relieved that I've so categorized it. .

The book consists of 35 chapters, some rather brief. Each chapter can be read as a stand-alone essay. The authors take a thematic approach, allowing the reader to approach the book without having to read through the entire work sequentially. Every chapter has some helpful bit of information that will be appreciated by both teacher and student.

Let's consider a few examples:

Chapter 6 is titled "Rod as a Symbol of Power." In just two pages, the authors explain the role of the "rod" in ancient literature, including the Old Testament, the stela of Hammurabi, and depictions of the Egyptian Pharaohs, all of which point to the use of a "rod" as a symbol of power. They then examine a possible link between this imagery and the beating of Nephi and Sam, by their older brothers, with a "rod," as reported in 1 Nephi 3. As the thought is developed, the authors include cautionary language: "...it seems significant that Laman and Lemuel chose to beat both he [sic] and Sam with a rod" [emphasis mine] and then follows this with the statement of the angel that Nephi had been made a "ruler" over them. The juxtaposition of Nephi, the ruler, being beaten by a "rod," a symbol of power, is an irony I had not previously noted.

Earth-shaking discovery? Of course not. Final, nail-in-the-box evidence that silences the critics? Nope. But, to the reader, it may "seem" to be indicative of a link between the idea of the "rod" in generally-acknowledged authentic writing, and the Book of Mormon, whose authenticity is not recognized within the scholarly world. Readers may wonder why the Book of Mormon chooses the word "rod" over some other word that would have suited the situation.

Chapter 14 explores "The Personification of Death and Hell." The authors do a good job of showing how the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon share this literary technique with other ancient sources, and raise the interesting issue of the phrase "bands of death" in the Book of Mormon, not present in the King James Version of the Bible, but evident in the Hebrew text.

Other chapter titles include "The Symbolic Value of Clothing," "The Law of Moses," "Cities and Lands in the Book of Mormon," etc.

As helpful as this book is, it does lack indices, in my view a real flaw. In particular, a scripture index would not have been merely helpful, but, in my opinion, mandatory. Given the nature of the book -- linkages between Old Testament and Book of Mormon texts -- the student (or teacher, for that matter) looking for enrichment materials, will have a difficult time references to specific scriptures. A scripture index would facilitate its use.

A glossary would also have been helpful. Testaments introduces new words and concepts to the average reader. It seems that everyone knows what "chiasmus" is -- who has not encountered a "chiasmus abuser"? -- but "merismus" is less well known. And although the authors are careful to define new terms within their appropriate chapters, a glossary at the end of the book would have been helpful.

One aspect of the book deserves comment and commendation. While the authors do not underestimate their readers' ability to learn and assimilate information, they recognize and respect the fact that many readers will be "beginners" in their study. They achieve a nice balance, being neither condescending nor overly-technical.

The authors reserve their personal belief statements for the conclusion of their book. There is little doubt that they are "true believers."

We believe that the Book of Mormon is an authentic, ancient document. Though augmented through our studies, this conviction is the result of sincere prayer. (p. 230)

The conclusion acts much like the editorial page in your newspaper. I did not object to this insertion of personal conviction, inasmuch as it was separated from the evidentiary body of the book.

Having read this book, I don't think anyone will go away fully convinced of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon based solely on the evidences provided. Real belief in the Book of Mormon requires much more than "evidences." These may "augment" that belief, but they cannot compel belief. "Abusers" want to use evidences as a sledge-hammer. "Users," like the authors of this book, understand the process and respect the belief decisions of their readers.

Both students and teachers of the Book of Mormon will find this volume of value. It gives the reader insights into the nature of ancient scripture, demonstrates interesting linkages with the Book of Mormon, and enriches the study of both.

I recommend this book, and appreciate this new publishing venture by Mr. Bokovoy. I look forward to future releases, and believe the LDS community will be served well by his efforts.

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Jeff Needle
September 12, 2003