We would expect the Book of Mormon to be efficient in words for several reasons:
- The size and composition of the plates.
- Its claim to be an abridgment of abridgments.
- The difficulty of engraving characters in ancient times.
I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates. | |
 | — Jacob
|
- In sharp contrast we find the Book of Mormon to be very wordy. For comparison:
| New Testament | Book of Mormon | |
|---|---|---|
| Verses | 7,957 | 6,604 |
| Words per verse | 22.7 | 40.6 |
| Total words | 180,552 | 268,163 |
- Examples of its wordiness:
And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever. | |
| — Mosiah
|
And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, and also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away. | |
| — 4 Nephi
|
- The extensive copying of entire chapters from the Book of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon must be considered filler.
