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

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.

So good!

I love everything this covers. I love learning about new ways to view and interpret scripture. Weather the interpretations are right or wrong doesn’t matter so much as stepping out of or narrow view and opening our hearts beyond what we the we know so the spirit can whisper

Comprehensible yet profoundly deep

Thank you, Dave Butler for distilling a magnitude of gospel teachings into a cohesive, all-inclusive guidebook. Your ability to see the big picture and convey it to your readers is as impressive as the ideas shared. Very well done! I will have to revisit this book regularly because it helps me see more clearly the plain and precious jewels of God’s plan of happiness and especially the beauty of His Beloved Son who is our guiding star and truest friend leading us safely home.

Long standing questions answered

This book has answered several questions I have had for a long time but haven’t been able to figure out how to piece my thoughts together to find the right questions to ask.
Insightful and scripture based.
Thank you for the time and effort you put in to studying these topics.

Fantastically thought provoking

Butler eloquently describes an underlying narrative found throughout scripture which seems to jump off the page only once it is pointed out. With very few necessary examples and many more to eliminate all doubt, the author both informs, entertains, and testifies. The ideas he puts forward are invigorating and demand greater diligence in my own studies. Well done, Brother Butler, and thank you.