Reading Paths

There is no single path for reading the Book of Mormon — nor for reading this atlas. This page suggests reading paths that begin from different questions, so you can choose the entry point that suits you.

Path 1: The New Reader

For: You know nothing about the Book of Mormon and want a general understanding before diving into details.

1. How to Read the Book of Mormon? — the general introduction
2. Narrative Map — the grand story
3. Characters — who is who
4. Major Themes — cross-cutting ideas
5. Devotional Reading and Critical Reading — two perspectives on reading

Path 2: Tracing the Narrative

For: You want to understand the story in sequence before anything else.

1. Narrative Map — the seven stations
2. Internal Books — index of books in order
3. Characters — characters by their appearance
4. Sacred Geography — where events take place
5. Major Themes — what holds the story together

Path 3: Tracing the Concepts

For: You are interested in ideas and theology more than narrative sequence.

1. Concepts — index of governing concepts
2. Major Themes — how concepts work together
3. Relationship with the Bible — comparing concepts between the two texts
4. Devotional Reading and Critical Reading — questions about the concepts
5. Sacred Geography — theology of place

Path 4: Critical Reading

For: You want to interrogate the text and analyze its claims and context.

1. Devotional Reading and Critical Reading — the comparison framework
2. Atlas Methodology — how this analysis was built
3. Relationship with the Bible — the text in relation to the Bible
4. Sacred Geography — constructing place
5. Reading Boundaries and Rights — what can and cannot be said

Path 5: Comparison with the Bible

For: You know the Bible and want to understand how the Book of Mormon relates to it.

1. Relationship with the Bible — the five axes of comparison
2. Concepts — concepts shared and differing between the two texts
3. Characters — prophets and patterns of prophecy
4. Narrative Map — a parallel narrative in a new land
5. Major Themes — shared and differing themes

Path 6: Understanding the Project Itself

For: You want to understand how this atlas was built before using it.

1. Atlas Methodology — Charter, Scope, PRD, SOP
2. Reading Boundaries and Rights — project boundaries
3. How to Read the Book of Mormon? — why this entry point
4. Devotional Reading and Critical Reading — the method of engaging the text

Note

These paths are initial suggestions. Every page of the atlas contains links at its end to return or move to related pages. You are not required to follow a specific path. Start wherever you wish.

[Source needed] For developing these paths based on actual reader experience.

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