Reading Boundaries and Rights
This page clarifies what this atlas does and does not do, and alerts readers to rights matters related to the text of the Book of Mormon.
What This Atlas Does
- Provides an analytical map of the narrative and conceptual structure of the Book of Mormon
- Helps the reader trace characters, concepts, and major themes
- Compares the text with the Bible in terms of themes and language
- Raises critical questions that assist in conscious reading of the text
- Documents its methodology on the Atlas Methodology page so it is open to review
- Uses short quotations from the text only when analysis requires them
What This Atlas Does Not Do
- Does not republish the Book of Mormon in whole or in large portions
- Does not provide a substitute for reading the original text — the atlas is a map, not the text
- Does not adopt a missionary stance — it does not call for belief in the truth of the text
- Does not adopt an offensive stance — it does not mock the text or those who believe in it
- Does not make definitive historical or archaeological claims without a source
- Does not publish copyrighted materials (footnotes, indexes, interpretive materials of the church)
- Does not republish the official Arabic translation
Copyright Notice
The English Edition
This atlas uses, when necessary, the English edition of the Book of Mormon available through Project Gutenberg. This edition is classified as being in the public domain in the United States and in most of the world, with the caveat that the legal status should be verified outside the United States.
The Modern Church Edition
The current official edition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1981, 2013, and subsequent printings) is copyrighted by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Protection includes:
- The revised text
- Footnotes and commentary
- Indexes and appendices
- Interpretive materials and introductions
- The cross-reference system
This atlas does not use any of these materials.
The Arabic Translation
The official Arabic translation of the Book of Mormon is available but is not necessarily free for republication. This atlas uses it for reference and comparison only, and does not reproduce passages from it.
Note to the Reader
This atlas does not replace:
- Reading the original text of the Book of Mormon
- Consulting the cited academic sources
- Referring to official church texts for those wishing to understand the official position
- Referring to academic criticism for those wishing to understand objections and analyses
Readers are always advised to refer to the original texts and sources.
What If You Find an Error?
This atlas is an individual research project. If you find an error or wish to suggest a correction or addition of a source, you can contact the atlas compiler.