It’s Not the End of the World; It’s Just the Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation in the Book of Mormon

Authors

Nicholas J. Frederick
Joseph M. Spencer

Keywords

Book of Revelation, Book of Mormon, Apocalypse

Abstract

Among the Book of Mormon’s most remarkable characteristics is its consistent interaction with the Bible. The Bible haunts this book, showing up in subtle allusions and type scenes as well as direct quotations both short and long. Further, the Book of Mormon explicitly reflects on the Bible’s historical origins, canonical shape, and scriptural destiny. As has long been recognized, the Book of Mormon’s most sustained interest is in the book of Isaiah. But at least one other biblical focus deserves detailed notice because it has a place of some privilege in the Book of Mormon: the book of Revelation. Indeed, it stands alone among New Testament books as one that early Book of Mormon authors specifically knew in advance would exist and that later Book of Mormon authors looked back on as existing already. Other potential New Testament sources (like most potential Old Testament sources) exist more spectrally, hovering around the Book of Mormon, influencing its language and composition in translated form. The book of Revelation or the Apocalypse, on the other hand, is explicitly referred to in the Book of Mormon as a text, deserving of attention as such.

Recommended Citation

Frederick, Nicholas J. and Spencer, Joseph M. (2024) "It’s Not the End of the World; It’s Just the Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation in the Book of Mormon," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 63: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol63/iss2/5