- Source: Zenos
According to the Book of Mormon, Zenos () was an old world prophet whose pre-Christian era writings were recorded upon the plates of brass. Zenos is quoted or paraphrased a number of times by writers in the Book of Mormon, including Nephi, Jacob, Alma, son of Alma, Nephi, son of Helaman, Samuel the Lamanite, and Mormon.
The book of Mormon says that Zenos wrote on a variety of topics, including the signs to accompany the death of the Messiah, the Atonement of Christ, and the scattering and gathering of Israel. According to one Book of Mormon writer, Zenos was killed as a result of his preaching.
Dead Sea Scrolls connection
Outside of the Book of Mormon, there is no direct evidence that Zenos existed. However, some LDS apologists argue that Zenos' Book of Mormon hymn of thanksgiving and praise, which elaborates upon prayer, worship, and mercy, compares favorably in style and content with Hymn H (or 8) and Hymn J (or 10) of the Thanksgiving Hymns of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The scrolls state that the Teacher of Righteousness was descended from Zadok, which some LDS scholars have argued might have been a transcribed or altered version of the name Zenock, another prophet referenced only in the Book of Mormon. Non-LDS scholars identify this Zadok as the priest who anointed Solomon (1 Kings 1:39, 2:35) and whose dynasty officiated in the office of High Priest around 1,000-700 BC. Thus, being descended from Zadok more likely meant that the Teacher was a member of, loyal to, or teacher of doctrines espoused by this Zadok.
See also
Neum (prophet)
Sons of Zadok
Zenock
Citations
References
Adamson, Grant (Winter 2021). "Joseph Smith, Thomas Paine, and Matthew 27:51b–53". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 54 (4): 1–33. doi:10.5406/15549399.54.4.001.
Givens, Terryl (2015). Wrestling the Angel: The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199794928.
Gore, David Charles (2021). "'All the Precious Trees of the Earth': Trees in Restoration Scripture". Religions. 12 (12). doi:10.3390/rel12121035.
Hardy, Heather (Fall 2011). "Alma's Experiment in Faith: A Broader Context". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 44 (3): 67–94. doi:10.5406/dialjmormthou.44.3.0067.
Hardy, Heather (2014). "'Saving Christianity': The Nephite Fulfillment of Jesus's Eschatological Prophecies". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 23: 22–55. doi:10.5406/jbookmormstud2.23.2014.0022. S2CID 171901639.
Jackson, Kent P. (1992). "Zenos". In Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan. pp. 1623–1624.
Lambert, L. Gary (1992). "Allegory of Zenos". In Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan. pp. 31–32.
Skousen, Royal (2004). Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon, Part One: Title Page, Witness Statements, 1 Nephi 1–2 Nephi 10. FARMS. ISBN 978-0-934893-07-7. LCCN 2004010131.
van Dyk, Gerrit (2023). "Poetry in and about the Book of Mormon: A Review of Literature". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 32: 138–165. doi:10.5406/23744774.32.09. S2CID 260644323.