Reading of Book of Mormon – Pathways

[AmyJ]

I started re-reading the Book of Mormon for Pathways. This reading of the Book of Mormon I am going to focus on how the 2 Great Commandments (Love God and Love Others) are portrayed throughout. I am looking for teachings, and I am looking for how these 2 commandments are filtered throughout.

In reading the first few passages, I realized something (having minimal to do with my current focus) …

We all have experiences we return to in our mind over and over again where some truth is understood and shapes our decisions, and is a part of defining and re-defining who we are – I think of them as “touchstones”. Some recent touchstones in my life have been our reverse trek to Michigan, specific personal answers that I cite as personal revelation for me, that is the general gist of it… Common theoretical universal “touchstones” are missions or marriage (though I cite this example specifying the conversations that refine and redefine the marriage, not necessarily the day of).

The first 7 chapters of 1 Nephi are basically his personal historical “touchstone” experiences. I can also see them more as a legacy for the next generations – the way that talking to your parents and grandparents about what experiences they had is.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. Interesting. Good luck on your studies.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the insight. I can certainly get behind Nephi’s flight from Jerusalem, journey through the wilderness, and eventual arrival into the promised land as being somewhat metaphorical/legendary/based on a true story to impart the message that he was trying to transmit to his progeny.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

I can certainly get behind Nephi’s flight from Jerusalem, journey through the wilderness, and eventual arrival into the promised land as being somewhat metaphorical/legendary/based on a true story to impart the message that he was trying to transmit to his progeny.

Have any of you heard of Joseph Campbell, and the “Universal Myth”/”The Hero’s Journey”? He postulated that all of the timeless tales, from the Greek/Norse myths, to the Greeks, to Christ, and up through Star Wars and Harry Potter all had the same basic story arch, with the same underlying themes. Nephi’s story, fits the bill perfectly.

It’s definitely worth looking into. Here are a couple of resources worth checking out:

“What makes a hero?” – A 5 minute Ted-Ed explaination of The Hero’s Journey

“Finding Joe” – A wonderful documentary on Joseph Campbell and the Universal Myth

“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell (on public domain)

[Author]

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