Did I Not Declare My Words Unto You Which Were Written by This Man

Alan C. Miner

John Welch states the following:

An important part of my testimony is that we shall see the Book of Mormon again at the judgment bar of God. As a professor, I watch my students try to figure out what is likely to be on their final exams. Fortunately, the Lord has not left us in the dark on life's final exam. As Moroni closed the book, he wrote: "And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man?" (Moroni 10:27). And King Benjamin bore similar testimony that his words "shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day" (Mosiah 3:24). Interestingly, the book is true to its ancient origins, even down to this concluding element, for it is a long-recognized principle of Jewish law that a person cannot be convicted unless he has been warned in advance. . . .

Through my study of ancient laws, I have been particularly fascinated by the legal details in the Book of Mormon. One of my favorite examples; is found in the execution of Zemnarihah (3 Nephi 4:28-33). . . . Similar ancient legal concepts and elements are to be found in the trials of Abinadi, Nehor, Alma and Amulek, Korihor, Paanchi, and Seantum, and in the backgrounds of many Book of Mormon narratives. They indicate again that whoever wrote these texts was thoroughly immersed in the social context and jurisprudence of early biblical times--evidence that does not point toward Joseph Smith, but rather invites us to seek elsewhere for the Book of Mormon's authorship. [John W. Welch, "Good and True," in Susan E. Black ed. Expressions of Faith: Testimonies of Latter-Day Scholars, pp. 240, 236-237]

[Moroni 10:27-28] (Narrative Midrash):

According to Angela M. Crowell, narrative midrash occurs where an interpretation or text is added to another scripture text, forming an uninterrupted narrative. Narrative midrash has been identified in the Old testament, as well as the New Testament.

According to George Wesley Buchanan, Professor of New Testament Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary, "Midrashic composition was more widely practiced in the Hebrew Scriptures than anyone has imagined . . . This method deserves more attention than it has received (1990:32-33)

In Moroni 10:27-28 the author uses the text of Isaiah 52:1-2; 54:2,4,10 in his exhortation in narrative midrashic form (see illustration). [Angela M. Crowell, "Midrash: Ancient Jewish Interpretation and Commentary," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol 2, p. 29]

Moroni 10:27-28 (Narrative Midrash) [Illustration]: [Angela M. Crowell, "Midrash: Ancient Jewish Interpretation and Commentary," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol 2, p. 29]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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