Like other Christian denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has been engaged in the battle for the Bible since challenges to biblical authority began to exert significant influence in America toward the end of the nineteenth century. Other believing communities have responded with various reevaluations of the biblical text. Latter-day Saints have experimented with similar approaches, often taking liberal positions on biblical authority and conservative positions on history and authorship. However, Latter-day Saints accept additional scripture and embrace a theology notably distinct from traditional Christianity. Hence, they relate to the Bible differently from other Christians, creating gaps with mainstream biblical studies. This volume bridges that gap.

From comparing the Book of Mormon to the Bible or the Dead Sea Scrolls, to Mormon feminists’ views on the Gospels, this volume takes a comprehensive and inclusive approach to understanding Bible scholarship’s role in Mormon history, exploring these differences for both scholars and students. A diverse group of contributors presents an accessible resource to mediate between Latter-day Saint traditions and the broader context of biblical history, literature, and scholarship. Each essay provides a synopsis of relevant major scholarly views and delivers new insights into varied crosscurrents of biblical studies.

Taylor G. Petrey is associate professor and chair of religion at Kalamazoo College. He is the author and editor of numerous books, including Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism and Resurrecting Parts: Early Christians on Desire, Reproduction, and Sexual Difference.
 
Cory Crawford is associate professor of biblical studies at Ohio University. He is the author of numerous articles and chapters on Bible and Ancient Near Eastern culture in Vetus Testamentum, Harvard Theological Review, and more.
 
Eric A. Eliason is professor of folklore and the Bible as literature at Brigham Young University. His books include (with Terryl L. Givens) Yet to Be Revealed: Open Questions in Latter-day Saint Theology, Mormons and Mormonism: An Introduction to an American World Religion, and (with Tom Mould) Latter-day Lore: Mormon Folklore Studies.