Parallels: The Book of Mormon and the Articles of Faith

"We...believe...the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." With this declaration in the Eighth Article of Faith, Joseph Smith brought together 2 of the cornerstones of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: the Book of Mormon and the Articles of Faith. This book serves as a study guide, one way of reading the Book of Mormon and the development of themes through 13 distinct sections, which correspond to each of the thirteen Articles of Faith--in order. For example, First Nephi helps us to understand and develop faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, whereas Second Nephi 1-11 teaches, or reinforces, the second Article of Faith, and so forth. A sample of section development is as follows: 1st Article of Faith/1 Nephi 2nd Article of Faith/2 Nephi 1-11 3rd Article of Faith/2 Nephi 12 - Mosiah 5 4th Article of Faith/Mosiah 6 - 27 5th Article of Faith/Mosiah 28 - Alma 27 6th Article of Faith/Alma 27 - Helaman 4 Latter-day Saints have long been encouraged to read the Book of Mormon with a purpose or theme. Parallels provides an opportunity to do this, and shed light on how to read with a purpose. Often, we read with a singular theme: faith, Christ, baptism, and so forth. Now, a larger picture of thematic reading comes to light. A theme can be more than one single idea. Our understanding of the breadth and depth of the mind of God expands when we expand our studying