“Arise, Why Hast Thou Fallen?”

Brant Gardner

Redaction: No theological point should be made of an omniscient God asking the brother of Jared why he had fallen. The tale needs the drama of Yahweh asking the question. This is not to say that the story of the brother of Jared is nothing more than a story. Rather, it is a story told for effect; and it continues to remain one of the more popular Book of Mormon stories for the same reason. Asking this question heightens the impact of the brother of Jared’s disclosure.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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