One issue that often causes difficulty for readers of the Book of Mormon is the fact that several passages describe things that are out of context and chronology relative to its surrounding text. The prime example of this are the Words of Mormon (dated 385 A.D.), which are framed by the much older Books of Omni and Mosiah (both dated 130 B.C.). When the full picture of how the Book of Mormon was written and compiled is considered, it makes sense, but it nonetheless causes a confusing experience for a new reader.

It’s worth remembering that the Book of Mormon story is not a linear narrative; rather, it often tells multiple stories that occur simultaneously. One example of this is when Zeniff leaves Zarahemla to recolonize the Land of Nephi. His people’s story is found Mosiah chapters 9-22, and the parallel account of those who remained in Zarahemla (Mosiah, Benjamin, etc) is told in the early chapters of Mosiah. Because of their sequential displacement in the text, many readers fail to realize that King Benjamin’s Speech and the trial of Abinidi could plausibly have occurred at the same time.

When writing a story composed of multiple simultaneous accounts and parallel stories, telling one, then afterwards telling the other is inevitable. One of the goals of this website is to use the power of interactive media to present the stories in a format that makes it much easier to grasp the multi-dimensionality of the Book of Mormon narrative. Here some examples of this in practice:

The Calling of the Disciples

When Mormon is compiling the account of Jesus’ ministry among the Nephites, it seems he has several source materials that he is working from. In 3 Nephi 11:21–22, Jesus calls Nephi, and then Mormon mentions that Jesus also “called others.” That’s all we hear about them for now. As Mormon begins writing his next chapter (3 Ne 12:1), he interrupts himself to inform us that “the number of them who had been called…was twelve.” And finally, several chapters later (3 Ne 19:4), Mormon tangentially tells us the names of these disciples. Here we have multiple passages that are essentially describing the same event, but are scattered throughout three chapters. Thus, in order to consolidate the text chronologically, and rearrange information which is tangential in its sequence, these three verses have been assimilated into a single block of text, and are presented in the chronology and context of Jesus giving the power to Baptize.

Destruction of Ammonihah

Alma visits the city of Ammonihah to call it to repentance, because an angel had warned him that the city is otherwise doomed to destruction. The people are generally not receptive, and Alma leaves the city. Meanwhile, the Sons of Mosiah are preaching to the Lamanites in the Land of Nephi. The unbelieving Lamanites kill many of the converts, and then, furious that they had to resort to killing their own people, direct their anger towards the city of Ammonihah. In fulfillment of Alma’s prophecy and as a result of anger, a Lamanite army advances into the city of Ammonihah and destroys it completely. The destruction in described is Alma’s story, (Alma 16:1–2) and also in the Son’s of Mosiah’s story (Alma 25:1–3). When simply reading sequentially, it might seem that the Ammonihah is destroyed once in chapter 16 and again in chapter 25, but in fact these two passages describe the same event. Thus, in this website, the two accounts have been juxtaposed, to leave no room for confusion.

Mission to the Zoramites

Alma as his team of missionaries set out to the land of Antionum, where the Zoramites were deviating from the faith. The account of of their mission is contained in Alma chapters 30-34, and the majority of that is dedicated to relaying the teachings and the sermons, rather than a detailed description of their activities. After their work is Antionum is complete, however, we gain additional insight regarding what happned in Antionum. Chapters 36-42 contains Alma’s words to his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. From these chapters we learn that Shiblon, while among the Zoramites, was captured, bound, and stoned, yet maintained his faith. We also learn that Corianton left his missionary responsibilities, and ran off with a woman named Isabel. These events are described in later chapters, but they clearly took place several chapters earlier. Thus, the page containing the mission to the Zoramites also includes references to Shiblon’s capture and Corianton’s distractions, even though they are not mentioned in the proper chronological place.

There are many other instances where passages appear out of sequence in order to clarify context and chronology. These partially include:

• Coriantumr and the People of Zarahemla
• Parallel Accounts of Zarahemla’s Multi-Front War
• Mentioning Nehor’s Name
• Mormon’s Notes and Commentary
• Mormon’s Letters to Moroni
• Moroni’s Comments about the Jaredite Record

The goal is that these rearrangements will simplify the process of understanding and grasping the Book of Mormon story while remaining true to what the authors initially intended.