[Abstract]

Although we no longer have the plates of gold from which the Book of Mormon was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, elements of the original texts have left traces in the shape of around 500 names and words (including those from later revelations). Largely names of persons and places, there are also weights and measures, materials and animals Around half of these terms also occur in the Bible, and many of these unknown to Biblical, Jewish, or Talmudic writings, play on familiar chords. This article will examine this material as internal evidence and attempt to draw conclusions about the source of the material. The evidence must speak for itself, rather than trying to prove a prior position taken. Names, whether the names represent fragments of a language, or whether they were structured in the sub-conscious mind of Joseph Smith, is a conclusion which cannot be unmistakably drawn from analysis of the material, Acceptance of the contents and values of religious works must always remain a matter of faith for the individual, rather than being compelled to belief by pressure of some scientific proof.