REL 210: Introduction to Latter-day Saint Scripture

Assessment 2: Thematic Analysis Essay — The Book of Mormon

Assessment Overview

This assessment requires a structured analytical essay that examines major themes across selected chapters of the Book of Mormon. Students are expected to interpret narrative developments alongside doctrinal teachings, focusing on how individual stories contribute to broader theological and ethical patterns. The task reflects common assessment models used in theology and religious studies courses across U.S., UK, and Australian institutions, where textual interpretation and thematic synthesis are central.

Task Description

Write an 825–1,050-word essay analyzing key themes presented across the Book of Mormon, with reference to specific chapters such as 1 Nephi, Jacob, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, and Moroni. The essay must move beyond summary and present a clear argument about how these themes shape the text’s overall message.

Core Themes to Address

• Leadership and obedience (Nephi’s narrative)
• Scriptural preservation and spiritual identity
• Social justice, pride, and inequality in emerging societies
• Prophetic authority and moral accountability
• Faith, trials, and personal growth
• Agency and consequences of choice
• Repentance, charity, and spiritual renewal

Analytical Requirements

1. Develop a focused thesis that connects at least three major themes across different books.
2. Use textual evidence from the Book of Mormon to support interpretation.
3. Explain how narrative events reinforce doctrinal teachings rather than treating them separately.
4. Evaluate how recurring patterns such as conflict, repentance, and renewal shape the overall structure.
5. Conclude with a critical reflection on the text’s continuing relevance in ethical or spiritual discussions.

Formatting and Submission Guidelines

• Length: 825–1,050 words
• Formatting: Double-spaced, 12-point standard font
• Citation style: Turabian or MLA (as appropriate for theology)
• Sources: Minimum of 3 scholarly secondary sources in addition to the primary text
• Submission: Week 6 via LMS

Assessment Criteria (Marking Rubric)

• Thesis and Argument (30%): Clear, coherent, and sustained analytical position
• Textual Engagement (25%): Accurate and relevant use of scripture and supporting sources
• Thematic Integration (20%): Ability to connect themes across different sections of the text
• Structure and Expression (15%): Logical organization and clarity of writing
• Referencing Accuracy (10%): Correct use of citation style and academic integrity

Study bay notes: writing guide

Nephi’s leadership establishes a pattern that continues throughout the Book of Mormon, where obedience to divine instruction is consistently linked to survival and progress. His willingness to act despite opposition from his brothers introduces a recurring tension between faith and resistance. Later narratives, particularly in Alma, suggest that faith develops gradually through testing rather than immediate certainty. The allegory of the seed frames belief as something that requires sustained effort, which aligns with earlier examples of perseverance under hardship. These patterns indicate that spiritual growth is presented as a process shaped by both individual choice and external pressure. Agency therefore appears central, since outcomes depend on how individuals respond to guidance rather than on predetermined fate (Givens, 2020, https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-book-of-mormon-a-very-short-introduction-9780190603881).

Social concerns in Jacob and Mosiah extend this framework into communal life. Warnings against pride and inequality suggest that spiritual decline often begins with shifts in social behavior rather than purely personal failings. Prophetic figures such as Abinadi challenge these patterns directly, even when doing so places them at risk. Their role highlights a tension between authority and accountability that remains visible across the text. Taken together, these elements show that the Book of Mormon links personal faith with social responsibility in ways that remain open to interpretation in contemporary contexts.

Strong responses identify patterns that recur across different books rather than treating each section independently. For instance, connect Nephi’s early experiences with later teachings in Alma or Moroni to show continuity. Avoid descriptive retelling. Focus on how meaning is constructed through repetition, contrast, and consequence.

Recommended References (APA 7th Edition)

• Givens, T. L. (2020). The Book of Mormon: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780190603881.001.0001
• Hardy, G. (2019). Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com
• Spencer, J. M. (2021). For Zion: A Mormon Theology of Hope. Greg Kofford Books. https://gregkofford.com
• Barney, K. (2020). Literary approaches to the Book of Mormon. Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/
• Bushman, R. L. (2019). Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Vintage Books. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
• Write an 825–1,050-word essay analyzing major themes in the Book of Mormon using textual evidence and scholarly sources.
• Compose a 3–4 page paper evaluating leadership, faith, and agency in selected Book of Mormon chapters.
• Analyze key Book of Mormon themes and explain their relevance through structured academic writing.

Next Assessment Preview

Assessment 3: Discussion Post — Agency and Moral Responsibility

Students will submit a 300–500-word discussion post examining how the concept of agency is presented in the Book of Mormon and how it compares to modern ethical frameworks. Responses must include one scriptural example and one scholarly source.

Requirements

• Initial post due Week 7
• Two peer responses required
• At least one academic reference

Focus

Evaluate how individual choice shapes outcomes in both scriptural narratives and contemporary ethical debates, with attention to responsibility, consequence, and social influence.