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Book of Mormon — Anachronisms

Does the Book of Mormon evidence ancient and divine origins, or modern and human origins?


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Anachronisms — King James Version

The Book of Mormon quotes anachronistically from the King James Version.


A Selection of Anachronistic Quotations

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.

Holy Bible

— Apostle Peter

60 AD
Acts 3:22-23

Book of Mormon

— 1 Nephi

580 BC
22:20



For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

To be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal

Holy Bible

— Apostle Paul

68 AD
Romans 8:6

Book of Mormon

— 2 Nephi

555 BC
9:39



For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption.

Holy Bible

— Apostle Paul

55 AD
1 Corinthians 15:53

Book of Mormon

— Mosiah

148 BC
16:10



And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire.

Holy Bible

— John the Baptist

30 AD
Matthew 3:10

Book of Mormon

— Alma

83 BC
5:52



Anachronisms — Linguistic Errors

TIMELINE
600 BC 329 BC 300-200 BC 50-100 AD
Jews exiled to Babylon and learn Aramaic

Book of Mormon: small group of Jews flee to the New World

Hellenization: Greek influence over Israel Septuagint: OT translated into Greek Books of the NT written
382-405 AD 421 AD 1611 AD 1830 AD
Latin Vulgate: Jerome translates Bible into Latin Book of Mormon (Reformed Egyptian) record ends and is buried King James translation of the Bible into English Book of Mormon published

The original books that comprise the Bible were written in three languages:



Anachronisms — Linguistic Errors, Greek

In the Book of Mormon narrative, around 600 BC, a small group of Jews flee to the New World, and are permanently separated from the Hellenization of Israel that would take place three centuries later. Greek words and concepts would be foreign to them, so we should not expect to see Greek words in the Book of Mormon.

Alpha and Omega The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet should not be found on an ancient Reformed Egyptian text.
Apostle The first Apostles were commissioned by Jesus Christ around 30 AD. The word apostle is from the Greek apostolos. In the Book of Mormon, an angel asks Nephi if he remembers the twelve apostles 600 years before Jesus was born.
Christ ‘Christ’ is from the Greek Christos, which is a translation of the Hebrew Mashiach (Messias / Messiah), which means ‘anointed one’. The word Christ is not used in the Old Testament. We do see Messias used in the New Testament, and it even explains the translation.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Holy Bible

— Apostle John


John 1:41

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Holy Bible

— Apostle John


John 4:25

Further dating the Book of Mormon as a modern work:
  • ‘Christ’ is used 186 times in its Old Testament era.
  • In the book of Ether, the name ‘Jesus Christ’ is used two millennium before he was born.
  • The word ‘Anti-Christ’ is used in 76 BC.
  • Non Greek speaking Jews call believers ‘Christians’ in 72 BC
Timothy Timothy is from the Greek Timotheos.


Anachronisms — Linguistic Errors, Latin

Latin in the New Testament

As a result of the Roman occupation of Israel that began in 63 BC, we see a smattering of Latin words and terms used in the books of the New Testament:
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Book of Mormon — Errors and Absurdities
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