Many years ago, my grandmother wanted me to read her Book of Mormon but, my father, a Baptist, would not permit it. When she died, her things were packed in her steamer trunk and stored for over fifty years. Now, that I am retired and my parents are long dead, I decided to go through her things. I found her old Book of Mormon, it was old when she had it, and in it were pictures of her grandparents and the wagon train that they were in as they moved to Utah. These were drawings; not photographs. I sent those to my son but, I retained the Book of Mormon which I decided to read in honor of my grandmother. In First Nephi, it tells of the movement of Nephi from Israel to America. I was thinking that this account was before Christ but, much of the Book deals with post Christian events. I am about to start the book of Alma at this time and have noticed that there has been much written in the Book of Mormon to this point about Christ. So, I am confused about the dating of the books contained in the Book of Mormon. Could you give me a list of the dates of each book in the Book of Mormon? Lee.
3 Responses to “Many years ago, my grandmother wanted me to read her…”
Pedro Cruz
2013-02-03 18:50:14
Since it was first published in English in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been fully translated into 72 languages.
Hi Lee. What an interesting and touching way to connect with your grandmother. The feelings we have for our forbearers, the people who helped us, whether directly or indirectly, to become who we are, can be very sacred.
The history described in the Book of Mormon starts around 600 B.C. and extends through 421 A.D., so it includes both pre-Christian and post-Christian events. However, some pre-Christian Book-of-Mormon prophets prophesied of Christ, much as the pre-Christian biblical prophet Isaiah did.
Here are the start dates for the various books:
1 Nephi: About 600 B.C.
2 Nephi: About 588 B.C.
Jacob: About 544 B.C.
Enos: About 420 B.C.
Jarom: About 399 B.C.
Omni: About 323 B.C.
Words of Mormon: About A.D. 385
Mosiah: About 130 B.C.
Alma: About 91 B.C.
Helaman: About 52 B.C.
3 Nephi: About A.D. 1
4 Nephi: About A.D. 35
Mormon: About A.D. 321
Ether: About 2600 B.C.
Moroni: About A.D. 401
I hope this answer helps. God bless you.
Pamela Bonta
2013-01-28 06:26:00
The Book of Mormon has been translated into many languages.
Great question. In 2011 the church developed a Book of Mormon timeline that was published in our church magazine, the Ensign. Here's the link.
I am not a mormon, but I have read alot about mormonism and I have read the BoM twice, and as far as I understand, the People in the BoM had visions and was foretold by angels and when the Lord answered their prayers that the son of God would be born and that he would be called "Christ" so they were looking forward to that and speaking of the coming saviour many hundred of years before he actually was born !
The history described in the Book of Mormon starts around 600 B.C. and extends through 421 A.D., so it includes both pre-Christian and post-Christian events. However, some pre-Christian Book-of-Mormon prophets prophesied of Christ, much as the pre-Christian biblical prophet Isaiah did.
Here are the start dates for the various books:
1 Nephi: About 600 B.C.
2 Nephi: About 588 B.C.
Jacob: About 544 B.C.
Enos: About 420 B.C.
Jarom: About 399 B.C.
Omni: About 323 B.C.
Words of Mormon: About A.D. 385
Mosiah: About 130 B.C.
Alma: About 91 B.C.
Helaman: About 52 B.C.
3 Nephi: About A.D. 1
4 Nephi: About A.D. 35
Mormon: About A.D. 321
Ether: About 2600 B.C.
Moroni: About A.D. 401
I hope this answer helps. God bless you.
If you are really interested, this is also a wonderful resource: http://www.bookofmormontimeline.com/