Word in Season

A groundbreaking look at the relationship between two sacred textsThe Book of Mormon s narrative privileges Isaiah over other sources, provocatively interpreting and at times inventively reworking the biblical text. Joseph M. Spencer sees within the Book of Mormon a programmatic investigation regarding the meaning and relevance of the Book of Isaiah in a world increasingly removed from the context of the times that produced it. Working from the crossroads of reception studies and Mormon studies, Spencer investigates and clarifies the Book of Mormon s questions about the vitality of Isaiah s prophetic project. Spencer s analysis focuses on the Book of Mormon s three interactions with the prophet: the character of Abinadi; the resurrected Jesus Christ; and the nation-founding figure of Nephi. Working from the Book of Mormon as it was dictated, Spencer details its vital and overlooked place in Isaiah s reception while recognizing the interpretation of Isaiah as an organizing force behind the Book of Mormon.