According to the Book of Mormon, Zenos was an ancient extra-Biblical Israelite prophet who lived in Old Testament times and prophesied concerning the destiny of the Children of Israel and the atonement and death of the Messiah. A prophecy of Zenos, sometimes termed the "Allegory of the Olive Tree,"[1] is quoted (presumably verbatim) by the prophet Jacob in the fifth chapter of his book.[2] Additionally, Zenos is quoted or paraphrased a number of times by other writers in the Book of Mormon, including Nephi,[3] Alma, son of Alma,[4] Nephi, son of Helaman,[5] Samuel the Lamanite,[6] and Mormon.[7]
Introduction edit
In the Book of Mormon record, the writings of Zenos are acquired by Lehi when he obtains a set of brass plates from Laban before fleeing Jerusalem. In addition to material originally authored by Zenos, these plates contained a copy of the Torah,[8] geneaological information for Lehi's family,[9] and a record of the Israelites which included accounts of prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.[10]
Historicity edit
Outside of the Book of Mormon, there is no evidence by name that Zenos existed. However, there is evidence that writings of, and references to several ancient Israelite prophets were destroyed by the ruling class of the ancient Jews.[citation needed] Zenos' Book of Mormon hymn of thanksgiving and praise elaborates upon prayer, worship, mercy, compares favorably in style and content with the Hymn H (or 8) and Hymn J (or 10) of the Thanksgiving Hymns of the Dead Sea Scrolls. [11] The best known example of this is a reference in the Dead Sea Scrolls to an ancient prophet known as the "Teacher of Righteousness" who was driven out of Jewish society because he preached of the coming of a Messiah. Outside of the Dead Sea Scrolls, there is no other reference to this person, and until 1950, there was absolutely no record of his existence. However, certain identical components exist between allegories found within the Book of Mormon and those contributions found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The scrolls state that the Teacher of Righteousness was descended from another mysterious prophet named Zadok, which might have been a transcribed or altered version of the name Zenock, another prophet referenced only in the Book of Mormon.[11]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Jacob 5-6: The Allegory of the Olive Tree" (PDF). Book of Mormon: Seminary Student Study Guide (PDF). Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2004. p. 63. Retrieved 2006-05-09.
- ^ Jacob 5
- ^ 1 Nephi 19:10, 12, 16.
- ^ Alma 33:3, 13, 15.
- ^ Helaman 8:19.
- ^ Helaman 15:11
- ^ 3 Nephi 10:6.
- ^ 1 Nephi 5:11
- ^ 1 Nephi 5:14
- ^ 1 Nephi 5:12-13
- ^ a b [1] Nibley, The Dead Sea Scrolls: Some Questions and Answers
Category:Book of Mormon people Category:Book of Mormon prophets
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