Book of Mormon/Names

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Criticism

Critics claim some Book of Mormon names are used improperly or in an inappropriate context. Examples include:

• using "Alma" as a man's name, rather than a woman's name
• using names of Greek origin, such as "Timothy"

Source(s) of the Criticism

• "That Man Alma," Utah Evangel 33:3 (April 1986): 2.
• Walter Martin, The Maze of Mormonism (Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1978), 327.
• Robert McKay, "A Mormon Name," Utah Evangel 31:8 (August 1984): 4.
• John L. Smith, editorial comment on Robert McKay, "A Mormon Name," Utah Evangel 31:8 (August 1984): 4.

Response

General treatments on Book of Mormon names

• John A. Tvedtnes, "What's in a Name? A Look at the Book of Mormon Onomasticon (Review of I Know Thee by Name: Hebrew Roots of Lehi-ite Non-Biblical Names in the Book of Mormon)," FARMS Review of Books 8/2 (1996): 34–42. off-site
• Gordon C. Thomasson, "'What's in a Name? Book of Mormon Language, Names, and [Metonymic] Naming'," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3/1 (1994). [1–27] link
• Stephen D. Ricks and John A. Tvedtnes, "The Hebrew Origin of Some Book of Mormon Place Names," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 6/2 (1997). [255–259] link
• Paul Y. Hoskisson, "What's in a Name?," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7/1 (1998). [78–] link

Alma

Despite claims into the 1980s by anti-Mormon critics, the name "Alma" has been known since the 1960s as a male Hebrew name. It occurs in contexts from 2200 B.C. to the second century B.C.^[1]

• Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link
• Terrence L. Szink, "New Light: Further Evidence of a Semitic Alma," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8/1 (1999). [70–70] link
• "John A. Tvedtnes, John Gee, Matthew Roper", "Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [40–51] link

Aha

• Anonymous, "'Out of the Dust: Did the 'Last Jaredite,' Coriantumr, Leave Descendants?'," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 8/2 (1999). link

Jaredite Names

See: below.

Jershon

• Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link

Lehi and Sariah

• Anonymous, "Seeking Agreement on the Meaning of Book of Mormon Names," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [28–29] link
• Jeffrey R. Chadwick, "Sariah in the Elephantine Papyri," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2/2 (1993). [196–200] link
• Jeffrey R. Chadwick, "The Names Lehi and Sariah—Language and Meaning," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [32–34] link
• John Gee, "A Note on the Name Nephi," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1/1 (1992). [189–191] link
• Paul Y. Hoskisson, "Lehi and Sariah," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [30–31] link
• Paul Y. Hoskisson, "Response to the Comments," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [38–39] link
• Dana M. Pike, "Response to Paul Hoskisson's 'Lehi and Sariah'," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [35–36] link
• John A. Tvedtnes, "Lehi and Sariah Comments," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/1 (2000). [37–37] link

Nahom

• Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link
• See also Nahom in geography section.

Nephi

• John Gee, "A Note on the Name Nephi," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 1/1 (1992). [189–191] link
• Paul Y. Hoskisson, "What's in a Name?," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/2 (2000). [70–71] link

Sheum

• Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link

Shilum

• Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link

Timothy

 ^{[needs work]}

Less well supported examples

Linguistics is a complex subject, and it is all too common for zealous but mistaken defenders of the Church to use parallels in names or language which cannot be sustained. Since most Church members have no training in ancient American languages, evaluating such claims can be difficult.

Mesoamerican scholars consulted by FAIR have recommended that the following sources, while superficially persuasive, should be used with caution (if at all):

• Bruce W. Warren, "Surviving Jaredite Names in Mesoamerica," Meridian Magazine (26 May 2005)off-site; citing Blaine M. Yorgason, Bruce W. Warren, and Harold Brown. New Evidences of Christ in Ancient America (Stratford Books, Inc. and Book of Mormon Research Foundation: Provo, 1999), 17–22. ISBN 0929753011. Some material in this book is less well supported. Consult: Andrew J. McDonald, "New Evidences for Old?: Buyer Beware (Review of: Evidences of Christ in Ancient America)," FARMS Review of Books 12/2 (2000): 101–118. off-site
• Bruce W. Warren, "'Kish'—A personal Name" Meridian Magazine (17 February 2005)off-site; citing Blaine M. Yorgason, Bruce W. Warren, and Harold Brown. New Evidences of Christ in Ancient America (Stratford Books, Inc. and Book of Mormon Research Foundation: Provo, 1999), 19–22. ISBN 0929753011. Some material in this book is less well supported. Consult: Andrew J. McDonald, "New Evidences for Old?: Buyer Beware (Review of: Evidences of Christ in Ancient America)," FARMS Review of Books 12/2 (2000): 101–118. off-site

These comments are not intended to disparage the individuals involved, but to encourage rigor and restraint in claims made. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks cautioned, "When attacked by error, truth is better served by silence than by a bad argument."^[2]

Conclusion

A summary of the argument against the criticism.

Endnotes

1. [note]  Matthew Roper, Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon2001 FAIR Conference. FAIR link
2. [note]  Dallin H. Oaks, "Alternative Voices," Ensign (May 1989): 27. off-site

Further reading

FAIR wiki articles

Book of Mormon/Names