In the Language of Adam

Reading Scripture Like the Book of Mormon's Visionary Men

By: D. John Butler

Narrated by: David Butler

Nephi puts us on notice in his very first sentence that The Book of Mormon was written by temple worshippers and for temple worshippers. He and the other prophets of The Book of Mormon, who called themselves the visionary men and the peaceable followers of Christ, knew and practiced a mystery, an ordinance by which they ascended through the temple and entered into the presence of God. This ordinance was embodied in a dramatic representation of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden and their return to it, in which initiates played the roles of Adam and Eve or their descendants.

The drama expressed the great doctrines of the visionary men about the purpose of life, the fall and redemption, Adam and Eve’s choice, and Christ’s triumph. It contained the moral commitments of the visionary men, and it taught them spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, washing, and anointing. It brought them to share a feast with the Lord and then to petition at the veil of the holy of holies to be admitted as one of the children of God.

The Nephite prophets used the sights, experiences, furniture, architecture, sounds, and even tastes of their temple experience to inform their writing. In the Language of Adam explores that complex constellation of information as a language--as a symbolic vocabulary for communicating and perceiving important truths. The more we understand about the temple practices of the visionary men, the better we can read The Book of Mormon, as well as the writings of visionary men in the Bible and elsewhere.

©2024 David Butler (P)2024 Plain and Precious Publishing

Loved the explanation! Thought provoking content.

Nothing! This is a great book I would recommend it and it’s links. The podcast links keep the explanations coming.

Thought Provoking & Worth The Time

I found Dave's insights and theories to be plausibly established by both evidentiary and logical conclusions. The study of sacred texts, purposely obscured to protect the information from those not ready to hear it or who would oppose it, is a known approach used by Isaiah and Christ. Dave and his friends have found something marvelous and have unlocked intriguing possibilities of what lies interwoven within the scriptures that, if accurate, could add further light and knowledge to our understanding and lead all who have ears to hear to a closer relationship with our Heavenly Family and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing what you have found, so far....😉

Explains the consistent themes in the scriptures.

Very precious and enlightening. Worth studying often. The author does the heavy translation from the Greek, Hebrew, and other languages of antiquity. Truly remarkable.

Temple symbolism revealed

I love learning about the temple symbolism in all the scriptures. This book has opened more truths to my eyes.

Deep Israelite Doctrine

So far , I’m only part way through for the first time, and I know LDS pretty well and this is helping me to understand more about the correlations between early Israelite temple worship and the similarities to modern temple worship. Focusing on much of the symbolism and the similarities.