The approach of Book of Mormon English
Comparative study of the English usage.
Book of Mormon English seeks to remedy the problem posed by academic priorities that might conflict with linguistic realities. In the case of its English usage, such priorities might support selectively examining some data while ignoring counterevidence, sometimes choosing to dismiss conflicting data as errors of some kind. Consequently, unlikely explanations enter the literature, with reviewers not questioning methodologies.
In addition, things are frequently dismissed atomistically by authors. This leads to systematic defects in argumentation that are not readily apparent. For example, Joseph Smith was familiar with various modes of expression found in the text. He was also unfamiliar with various modes of expressions. That he was unfamiliar with syntax and lexis that he dictated constitutes very strong evidence against his authorship. But the tendency has been to focus on things he was familiar with, to the exclusion of things he was not familiar with. By and large, the focus has been on non-dispositive evidence, as far as authorship is concerned — a trivial exercise.
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