Chris
From the very first chapter in the Old Testament, we are taught that women – like men – were created in God’s own image. Men and women are created equal. And from that point forward, women played prominent roles in may key biblical narratives.
As we study the Bible, we see at every turn – in the story of God’s people – that the gifts of women are necessary and vital. God elevates the status of womanhood throughout the biblical record.
But, now let’s consider the women in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has over 500 pages, covering a span of 1021 years of Nephite and Lamanite history. Plus, another 2,000 years of Jaredite history. Considering all that time and history – how many women in the Book of Mormon are actually mentioned by name?
Ava
Total?! Six.
Chris
Only six. It was very, noticeable to me when I read the Book of Mormon – the lack of personal names for women.
Ava
And three of those women mentioned by name are taken directly from the Bible: Sarah – wife of Abraham; Eve – wife of Adam; and Mary – mother of Jesus.
Chris
So, who are the remaining three women originating from the Book of Mormon?
Ava
There’s Sariah – wife of Lehi; Abish – a Lamanite convert; and Isabel – the harlot.
There’s almost complete silence on women in the Book of Mormon. They play basically, unimportant roles. There are references to other females such as “wife,” “mothers,” “daughters,” “sisters,” “queen,” “her,“ “she” – but none of them have proper names.
While Nephi never mentions his wife’s name once, he uses his own name numerous times in the first two books of the Book of Mormon. In fact, we find the phrase “I, Nephi” eighty-six times. Unlike the Bible – there is virtually nothing mentioned about family life, children, romantic love, marriage ceremonies, or divorce.
It seems that in the Book of Mormon, women were primarily accessories to men – dependent upon them, not only for survival – but also for identity.
All of this is strong evidence that the Book of Mormon was written by one man – who wasn’t interested in the matters or needs of women.
Chris
You’re right. If the Book of Mormon really was a collection of histories passed down from one writer to the next over thousands of years – like the Bible – there would have been numerous women named in the record. But, there are not.
The god of the Book of Mormon does not appear to be the God of the Bible. Which is yet another proof that the Book of Mormon was a fabrication of one man’s misogynistic imagination.
