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Rating: 
Summary: A Survey of Essential LDS Scholarship
Review: This volume consists of 13 essays by LDS scholars, providing an excellent survey of current research. Essays by Apostle Neal Maxwell, and convert Alison Coutts emphasis the spiritual values of the book. John W. Welch provides a thoughtful discussion of "The Power of Evidence in Nurturing Faith." Other essays discuss the Old World context of the Book of Mormon, the New World context, and Joseph Smith's information environment. For example, including S. Kent Brown provides "New Light From Arabia on Lehi's Trail" including mention of the 1998 finds of three 6th century altars that"secure the general location of Nahom." Various essays compare the Book of Mormon with ancient Hebrew language and literary forms, rituals, newly discovered documents, legal practices, and doctrines. John Sorenson survey's the Mesoamerican setting. John Gee's "The Wrong Type of Book" compares the Book of Mormon with the Dogberry's "Book of Pukei" satire, Spaulding's Manuscript Found, and Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews. John Tvedtnes surveys "Ancient Texts in Support of the Book of Mormon." The volume includes a 29 page Appendix of quotes from Hugh Nibley, an "Alphabetical Listing of Hits" meaning aspects of the Book of Mormon that accurately hit the ancient world, and a scripture citation index. All essays include extensive footnoted documentation. It becomes an essential volume for any serious student of the Book of Mormon. Very readable, very timely.
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Summary: Very funny. A great laugh.
Review: When a friend of mine showed up for work with Echoes and Evidence I couldn't believe it. How can anyone take the fictional writings of Joseph (multiple murder) Smith seriously? Echoes and Eveidence attempts to prove that Smith's 1830 novel 'The Book of Mormon' is history. I'm waiting for the one that claims 'Lord of the Rings' is history. I was then accused of being "close minded." So I started reading the book. The other employees and I couldn't stop laughing as we read the book cover to cover it's very entertaining. Probably the funniest chapter is when they try to explain how Smith must have had god's help in "translating" BOM since it was done in only 60 days. They argue that surely an Egyptologist would have taken years to translate the book. Of course they never even address the theory that Smith made the whole thing up in 60 days. Many outragious claims are never backed up by sources. For example they insit that horses lived in pre-Columbus America (they didn't) and that the scientific community has established this. As a source they cite an unknown science journal, and fail to cite the issue or story they are refering to. They also go the great legnths in attempting to prove that the Jaradites (fictional Hebrew tribe) came to California by locking themselves in a giant boat for a full year with enough food while the ocean current swept them East. The book is deviod of any real research or rational logic. I is clearly meant to preach the the Mormon choir who will believe anything they are told no matter how farcicle.
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