caspianrex

I haven't checked in here for quite some time, and I noticed that, even though there are a few recent posts here on the Forum, the main page of ThirdHour.org has no new articles since about February of 2021...over a year ago. So is the website itself basically defunct? If so, how long will the Forum continue to exist? Just curious...

Meanwhile, it is not too surprising that those verses from Moroni are at the top of the list. After all, when the missionaries talk to a non-LDS person (like myself), what's one of the first passages they are going to ask me to look up when they hand me my free copy of the BoM? So if I visit the church's Scriptures website, that's probably going to be one of the first passages I go to as well. I would be willing to bet that, for "mainstream" Christians who are just beginning to read the Bible, John 3:16 is at the top of the heap for the same reason. And I have the same concerns with that text (and people ignoring the larger context) that @Traveler mentions above.

I actually just added one more volume to my library of materials relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: a Spanish language quad combo. Santa Biblia/Libro de Mormon/Doctrinas y Convenios/Perla de Gran Precio, a burgundy, leather, thumb-indexed edition.

I have them because I've long enjoyed studying LDS history and literature. I also became fascinated with the printing history of the Book of Mormon, and the way the printing and formatting of the text evolved over time, as well as the differences among versions of the BOM printed by various groups apart from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Bickertonites, Zarahemla Research Foundation, RLDS, etc.) I read them, and do gain some inspiration from them, albeit not in the same sense as my LDS friends.

[When I clicked on the link I shared in the previous post, I was unable to scroll down, so I copied the spreadsheet below, just in case.] Title Description Publication Date 1 [The Book of Mormon] (Deseret Alphabet version) Blue Paperback, transcribed by John H. Jenkins 2015 2 A Companion to Your Study of the Doctrines and Covenants Paperback, by Daniel H. Ludlow (Vols. 1 & 2) 1978 3 A Complete Concordance of the Book of Mormon Burgundy hardcover, by George Reynolds 1973 4 A New Approach to Studying the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Blue softcover; organized by events, emphasizing narrators, speakers, locations, dates and quoted passages; ed. by Lynn A. Rosenvall & David L. Rosenvall (2013 BOM text) 2018 5 A Topical Guide to the Scripturws of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Black hardcover, topical index to Standard Works 1977 6 Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon Large blue hardcover w/ 2 marker ribbons; edited by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum 2018 7 Book of Mormon Hardcover 1830 facsimile edition, from Nauvoo Mercantile 1830 (reprint) 8 Book of Mormon, Seminary Student Study Guide Paperback, prepared by the Church Educational System 2000 9 Book of Mormon, Student Manual Paperback (Religion 121 and 122) 1996 10 Book of Mormon: 1830 Edition Brown hardcover, Grandin Artisans facsimile ed. 1830 (reprint) 11 Book of Mormon: Authorized Version Black hardcover, published by RLDS 1992 12 Book of Mormon: Revised Authorized Version Black hardcover, published by RLDS (copyright renewed 1994) 1966 13 Church History in the Fulness of Times, Student Manual Paperack (Religion 341 through 343) 2003 14 Doctrine and Covenants, Student Manual Paperback 1981 15 Gospel Principles Paperback 2009 16 Holy Bible, King James Version Brown leather, regular size 1979 17 Holy Bible, King James Version Brown leather, regular size (newer copy) 1979 18 Holy Bible, King James Version White leather in zipper case, previously owned by Carol F. Capps; specially bound for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Daints; distributed by The Deseret Book Company (Missionary edition) -- 19 Holy Bible, King James Version Blue leather, regular size, thumb indexed (1979 edition) 1983 20 Holy Bible, King James Version Brown leather, large print edition 1979 21 Holy Bible, King James Version Burgundy paperback, regular size 1979 22 Holy Bible, King James Version Blue paperback, large print edition 2013 23 Holy Bible, King James Version Blue paperback, thinline free edition, no notes 2000 24 Holy Bible/The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Teal leather quad combo in matching case 1979 25 Holy Bible/The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Black imitation leather quad combo, 2013 version 2013 26 Holy Bible/The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Burgundy imitation leather quad combo (thumb indexed), 2013 version 2013 27 Holy Scriptures: Inspired Version Black hardcover, published by Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS) 1974 28 Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Green hardcover hymnal, second edition 1998 29 Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Blue leather, pocket size edition 1985 30 Mormon America: The Power and the Promise Paperback, by Richard & Joan Ostling 2007 31 Mormons Under the Microscope Paperback, by Ed D. Lauritsen, PhD 2010 32 Revelations in Context Paperback 2016 33 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young Paperback 1997 34 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay Paperback 2003 35 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Paperback 2014 36 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith Paperback 2011 37 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley Paperback 2016 38 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor Paperback 2001 39 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith Paperback 1998 40 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith Paperback 41 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Spiral bound 2007 42 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Paperback 2007 43 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow Paperback 2012 44 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball Paperback 2006 45 Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff Paperback 2004 46 Teachings of Thomas S. Monson Paperback 2011 47 The Book of Mormon Burgundy paperback w/ Moroni on cover (1920 text) 1950 48 The Book of Mormon Blue paperback w/ Moroni on cover (1920 text) 1978 49 The Book of Mormon Paperback, Penguin Classics version of 1840 edition 2008 50 The Book of Mormon Blue hardcover w/ Moroni on cover (1920 text) 1980 51 The Book of Mormon Blue hardcover, large print, illustrated (1920 text) 1962 52 The Book of Mormon (Red letter) Black leather edition, published by Bickertonites, Monongahela PA, 4th ed. 2001 53 The Book of Mormon Study Guide: Start to Finish Paperback, by Thomas R. Valletta 2015 54 The Book of Mormon: A Reader's Edition Paperback, 1920 text edited by Grant Hardy 2005 55 The Book of Mormon: A Reader's Edition Hardcover, 1920 text edited by Grant Hardy 2003 56 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Blue hardcover (1981 text) 1987 57 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Blue paperback (2013 text) 2013 58 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Blue paperback (1981 text) 1981 59 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Blue paperback (1981 text, prev. owned by Wood family) 1981 60 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Hardcover, Doubleday edition (1981 text) 2004 61 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Burgundy paperback pocket size edition ("Beware False Prophets!") 1981 text 1990 62 The Book of Mormon: Maxwell Institute Study Edition Paperback, ed. by Grant Hardy (2013 text) 2018 63 The Book of Mormon: Restored Covenant Edition Black bonded leather, published by Zarahemla Research Foundation 2009 64 The Book of Mormon: Selections Annotated & Explained Paperback, annotations by Jana Riess, foreword by Phyllis Tickle 2005 65 The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text Hardcover, Yale edition edited by Royal Skousen 1999 66 The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Blue paperback, Triple combo, large print 1981 67 The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Black leather, Triple combo, regular size 2013 68 The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price Brown leather, triple combo, regular size 1981 69 The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price White triple combo, in white zipper case, formerly owned by Carol F. Capps 1974 70 The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints Hardcover w/ dust jacket, by Leonard J. Arrington & Davis Bitton 1979 71 The Mormonizing of America Hardcover, by Stephen Mansfield (signed by author) 2012 72 The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim Hardcover, Hebraicized Book of Mormon adaptation 2019 73 The Timechart History of Mormonism Large fold-out book by Christopher Kendall Bigelow 2007 74 КНИГА МОРМОНА [Book of Mormon in Russian] Blue hardcover, Russian translation 1982

This is a spreadsheet of my current LDS Library (and I'm a non-member)... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTvS_yh18fxiIWzLz2tVrvvaLccFV63Mv52jv4rPmGwQrP9PVNHbwh5u6AtemwOlXNrn7KSjx1fOvcb/pubhtml

I have the more recent editions in a variety of sizes and combinations (individual volumes, large and small, as well as a few triple and quad combos).

1919? Cool, just before the 1920 Salt Lake City edition came out. That would be neat to see!

Yes, they are in excellent shape. There is some highlighting in both volumes, and some handwritten notes in ink. I also had to go over the covers with some GooGone, to get rid of some scuff marks. But really, both volumes are in great shape!

A few days ago, I acquired a neat little addition to my library: a Bible and a Triple Combo (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price), missionary editions from the late 1970s (just before the Standard Works were published in a "new" format). They are both thumb-indexed editions in a white zipper-case. The Bible had a little slip of paper inside it, printed with these words: The Bible also has a section in the middle, between Old and New Testaments, called Ready References, a handy little guide for the missionaries on a variety of topics. There is a Bible Dictionary, that was extensively adapted when the church published its own KJV in 1979. This edition also says on its title page that it is specially bound for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and distributed by the Deseret Book Company. (I believe the edition was actually printed by the Cambridge University Press, which would later print the Church's edition of the KJV.) Both books are in excellent condition, so I'm quite happy with this addition to my library!

I read the book as well, and it was pretty awful. Really kind of amazing that they were able to make a hit Broadway show based on that depressing, dreary book. Meanwhile, my wife adores Wicked, and my daughter has seen it on Broadway. I'm kind of lukewarm on it, but I do think a few songs are good: Defying Gravity, Popular, and For Good are standouts for me.

I initially posted this on the Scripture Study part of the forum, but not sure anyone saw it... I've searched, but haven't seen much discussion about the Maxwell Insitute's Study Edition of the Book of Mormon, edited by Grant Hardy. Hardy published a Reader's Edition of the BOM about 15 years ago, and I have to say, as a someone who is not a Latter-day Saint, I found it much easier to read than the standard edition published by the Church and distributed by the missionaries. Nothing wrong with that standard edition, of course. I have several different copies of that version. But I was only able to finish reading the BOM by reading Hardy's Reader's Edition. Well, just the other day, I got a copy of the Maxwell Institute Study Edition, and I think it's possibly even better than Hardy's Reader's Edition! This one is oriented more towards Latter-day Saints, whereas the Reader's Edition was primarily oriented towards non-LDS folks. The new(ish) MISE uses the 2013 Church edition of the text, while Hardy's earlier book used the 1920 edition, which was in the public domain. The MISE has some excellent notes, based largely on Royal Skousen's critical text work over the past couple decades, and I think that whereas it was designed to be used by LDS, it can also be a useful tool for non-LDS like myself, who want to experience the BOM in a more accessible format. Here is a good review of the MISE, from Book of Mormon Central. I would love to hear thoughts from others who may have this edition. What do you like (or not like) about it?

I thought JK! Studios did a great job on the show. I hope they do well in the competition: my family are all big fans of Studio C.

I've searched, but haven't seen much discussion about the Maxwell Insitute's Study Edition of the Book of Mormon, edited by Grant Hardy. Hardy published a Reader's Edition of the BOM about 15 years ago, and I have to say, as a someone who is not a Latter-day Saint, I found it much easier to read than the standard edition published by the Church and distributed by the missionaries. Nothing wrong with that standard edition, of course. I have several different copies of that version. But I was only able to finish reading the BOM by reading Hardy's Reader's Edition. Well, just the other day, I got a copy of the Maxwell Institute Study Edition, and I think it's possibly even better than Hardy's Reader's Edition! This one is oriented more towards Latter-day Saints, whereas the Reader's Edition was primarily oriented towards non-LDS folks. The new(ish) MISE uses the 2013 Church edition of the text, while Hardy's earlier book used the 1920 edition, which was in the public domain. The MISE has some excellent notes, based largely on Royal Skousen's critical text work over the past couple decades, and I think that whereas it was designed to be used by LDS, it can also be a useful tool for non-LDS like myself, who want to experience the BOM in a more accessible format. Here is a good review of the MISE, from Book of Mormon Central. I would love to hear thoughts from others who may have this edition. What do you like (or not like) about it?

Has anyone seen the recently published (Dec. 2018) Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the BoM, edited by Grant Hardy? It looks like it's pretty similar to his Reader's Edition discussed above, but the text is the 2013 version published by the Church. I'm interested in getting this publication, and would appreciated any insights from those who may have a copy!

I was reading 1 Nephi in the RCE yesterday, and I have to say, it's beautifully laid out. Very friendly to the eye. Too bad they chose to go with the RLDS numbering system. I would find the volume more useful, I think, if the chapters and verses were in line with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' official publication. Still, despite some of their questionable motivations and methodology, it's a lovely piece of work in many respects.