Some critics
of the Book of Mormon claim that it is a superficial study of a civilized (Nephite)
vs. savage (Lamanite) groups, paralleling how View of the Hebrews and other 19th-century works present
Amerindian history prior to Columbus et al. Notwithstanding, this is not only a
superficial reading of the Book of Mormon—it contradicts the depiction of the
Nephites and Lamanites therein. As my friend Blake Ostler wrote:
Unlike Views,
the Book of Mormon does not simply divide the people into civilized and savage
groups. The Nephites and Lamanites enjoyed free cultural exchange and trading
throughout much of their history (Alma 22; 23:15-17; 47:35-38; 55:4; Hel.
6:7-8; 4 Ne. 20; Moro. 2:8; 6:15). Lamanites became Nephites and Nephite
dissenters became Lamanites (Words of Mormon 16; Alma 32:15-17; 43:13; Hel.
4:4). Most important, the Nephites were reportedly more depraved and savage
than the Lamanites at some points in their history, and especially at their
demise as a nation (Jarom 3; Alma 59:12; Hel. 4:1-12, 22; 6:17-18, 37-38; Morm.
2:13-15; 3:11; 4:5-9; Moro. 9). The supposed parallel between civilized and
savage nations in the two works thus oversimplifies the Book of Mormon. (Blake
T. Ostler, “The Book of Mormon as Modern Expansion of an Ancient Source,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought vol.
20 no. 1 [Spring 1987]:66-123, here, p. 69)
