KnoWhy #525 - Why Do New Testament Words and Phrases Show Up in the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 3:12)

In addition to the more obvious biblical writings that could have been present on the plates of brass, there is also language in the Book of Mormon that is similar to what we find in later sections of the Old Testament and also the New Testament. Beyond 3 Nephi 12-14, many other parallels or similarities to New Testament passages can be found throughout the Book of Mormon, the presence of which may be challenging to understand. According to some counts, approximately 850 phrases or passages from the Old Testament and 700 from the New Testament can be found in the Book of Mormon.

 

There may be many reasons why biblical words and phrases show up in the Book of Mormon, several of which are explained briefly in this KnoWhy. Although we do not know for sure which explanation, or combination of explanations, stands behind each of the many Old and New Testament phrases found in the Book of Mormon, it is important to remember that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets but was meant to be read by people in our time – people who often know the Bible, especially the New Testament, well and are accustomed to recognizing KJV literary styles as holy scripture. As such, finding biblical language in the Book of Mormon may very well be a fulfillment of the ancient prophet Nephi’s inspired words when he taught that God “speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding” (2 Nephi 31:3; D&C 1:24).