Another example of a biblical story that is expanded in the Book of Mormon is Alma 32 where Jesus’ parable of the sowre (Matt. 13) serves as a source of language. Both of these narratives compare the word of God to a seed. Motifs are developed in the same chronological order in both chapters and in no others, suggesting dependency of one on the other. A unique commentary appears in the Book of Mormon between the Matthean motifs:

Matthew 13:3-8

[A] sower went forth to sow (3) [“The seed is the word of God,” Luke 8:11] . . . [S]ome seeds fell by the wayside (4) . . . [Some] sprung up (5) . . . [But] the sun was up[, some] . . . were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away (6) . . . [But some] brought forth fruit (8) . . .

Alma 32:28-43

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed (28) . . . [I]f ye do not cast it out by your unbelief (28) . . . [it] sprouteth . . . up (29-36) . . . [But] when the heat of the sun cometh[, it] . . . scorcheth it, because it hath no root[, and] it withers away (37-40) . . . [But some seeds] bring forth fruit (41-43) . . .

Joseph said the Book of Mormon was translated “by the gift and power of God,” coming “forth out of the treasure of the heart . . . thus indicates that the Book of Mormon is in fact an amalgamation of ideas that were inspired by Joseph’s own environment (new) and themes from the Bible (old).