“Thou Knowest That I Believe": Invoking The Spirit of the Lord as Council Witness in 1 Nephi 11

by David E. Bokovoy

Overview

The Book of Mormon features an esoteric exchange between the prophet Nephi and the Spirit of the Lord on an exceedingly high mountain. The following essay explores some of the ways in which an Israelite familiar with ancient religious experiences and scribal techniques might have interpreted this event. The analysis shows that Nephi’s conversation, as well as other similar accounts in the Book of Mormon, echoes an ancient temple motif. As part of this paradigm, the essay explores the manner in which the text depicts the Spirit of the Lord in a role associated with members of the divine council in both biblical and general Near Eastern conceptions.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940014828086
Publisher:	Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture
Publication date:	08/03/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	23
Sales rank:	863,969
File size:	121 KB

About the Author

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East from Brandeis University. In addition to his work in Mormon studies, David has published articles in the Journal of Biblical Literature and Vetus Testamentum. His dissertation is entitled “Yahweh as a Sexual Deity in J’s Prehistory.” A former LDS Chaplain at Harvard University, Dr. Bokovoy has taught for many years in the Church’s Seminaries and Institute program. He is the father of four children and is married to the former Carolyn Bird.