As mentioned previously, there are multiple ways that this website can be explored. For those new to BookofMormonOnline.Net (which is most of you) I would like to outline in a bit more detail how a visitor might begin his or her study.

High-Level Overview

For those seeking an general understanding about the Book of Mormon narrative, but do not wish to invest any significant amount of time, the main portal is probably the place to start. By hovering the mouse over one of the twelve buttons on the page, the reader can read a brief synopsis of each of the twelve sections. It will likely take about five minutes to read, and will give the reader a good idea of how the Book of Mormon narrative is structured.

Skimming the Headings

Once you break past the main portal, you come into individual pages. Each page has a title, and multiple headings. A busy reader could easily skim through the headings and obtain a cursory yet solid grasp of what the page contains. The headings are also listed and organized in a collapsible list in the table of contents.

Detailed Summaries

Each page, divided by headings, contains two columns. The left side contains a summary of the corresponding scripture verses referenced on the right. These summaries will leave the reader with a detailed and thorough understanding of the Book of Mormon story. This option is recommended for those who have no interest in investing the time or effort required to study 17th century English, but still wish to come to a substantial understanding of the story.

Exploring the Full Text

The next step and ideal format of study is to explore the actual text of the Book of Mormon within the framework of this site. By clicking on a scripture reference in the right column of a page, the actual text from the Book of Mormon will appear. From here, readers can see what the Book of Mormon actually says, and understand it in the context of the summaries, headings, and sections in which it is found.

Adding Supplement

If the “Annotations” box is checked in the bottom left, there will be colored dots scattered throughout the text. These dots, when clicked, open windows containing commentary, notes, art, or other forms of media that are in one way or another related to the text by which they are found. These supplements can greatly enhance the enjoyment of reading the text, and can lead to additional insights and understanding.

I hope this illustrates the levels on which this website can be approached. In future blog posts, I’ll discuss a few other bells and whistles available, but in the meantime, I welcome all visitors to study and explore to the extent that they feel inclined.