Editor's Introduction

Stephen D. Ricks

Last fall the premiere issue of the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies appeared. Response to it was gratifying—the first printing was almost immediately exhausted and a new printing was required. We trust that this issue will find an equally positive response.

With this issue we are introducing a slightly different publication schedule. Whereas the first volume of the Journal had only one number, beginning with volume two, it will appear twice a year, once in the springtime and again in the fall.

The subjects of this issue range from history, linguistics, and theology, to archaeology, apologetics, and folklore, in short, some of the many fields that the Book of Mormon touches on. In the last issue I wrote that I believed that there is—and should be—no privileged access to the Book of Mormon. It was our hope that those who contribute to the Journal would represent a broad cross-section of Church membership. I believe that we are succeeding in our hope, but would like to have the net cast even wider. We wish again to encourage all of those who may have serious, thought-provoking work to submit it for consideration (a style sheet for submissions is included at the end of this issue).

Normally, references to modem literature have been fully written out. In at least two instances, however, abbreviations have been used: the Journal of Discourses is abbreviated JD, while the Documentary History of the Church is HC.

We wish to thank Michael Lyon and Elise Barrett for their artistic contributions that appear in this volume, and to Melvin Thorne and Brent Hall for editorial and other timely assistance in its production.