Anyone who has read the Book of Mormon knows that it is a complex book. However, it can be difficult to put our finger on exactly where and how it is complex. That isn’t a problem anymore. All of the examples below demonstrate the complexity of the Book of Mormon, a complexity that would have very difficult, if not impossible, for Joseph Smith to accomplish given the manner in which he dictated the text (no script, no reviewing of the text, relatively short dictation time).
Mormon’s Editorial Method and Meta-Message — Brant Gardner details various fascinating, and complex, ways in which Mormon edited the Book of Mormon in order to emphasize spiritual lessons. Highly recommended. (Brant Gardner)
Mormon’s Editorial Promises — Mormon, the editor of the Book of Mormon, promises the reader at least seven times that later in the book he will return to a topic. Mormon fulfills that promise every time. (John Tvedtnes)
Mormon as Editor — Mormon had the task of weaving complex political events and battles together in a way that would teach spiritual truth. Grant Hardy analyzes a few interesting events where Mormon’s hand is seen guiding the narrative. (Grant Hardy)
Nephi and the Exodus — In his telling of his family’s exodus from Jerusalem, Nephi makes many allusions, some clear and others subtle, to the Israelite Exodus from Egypt. This complex web of allusions could not have been accomplished by a hasty copying from the Bible. (Terrence Szink)
Lineage History in the Book of Ether — Ether chapter 1 contains a quick listing of 30 individuals in a royal lineage. Then, the Book of Ether precedes to tell the stories of the 30 individuals in opposite order from how they listed in chapter 1. Very remarkable in light of eye witness testimony that Joseph never reviewed the text or used any sort of manuscript as he dictated. (Grant Hardy)
Colophons, Headers, and Source Indicators — The Book of Mormon was compiled from a variety of sources. This article by Thomas MacKay explains the methods that Book of Mormon authors and editors used to keep track of their sources. (Thomas MacKay)
Nephi’s Outline — Noel Reynolds “describes a complex chiastic structure based on both standard and inverted parallelism throughout [1st Nephi]. These rhetorical patterns, Reynolds argues, have specific purpose—they develop and prove “Nephi’s thesis” of 1 Nephi 1:20, and distinguish 1 Nephi from 2 Nephi. Further, as Joseph Smith had no way to be aware of such elaborate literary structures, it seems evident that their presence in the Book of Mormon testifies of truly ancient origins.” (Noel Reynolds)
Book of Mormon Evidence 