The Key to the Keystone by Jonah R. Barnes: A Detailed Summary

Publication and Overview

Published in 2024, The Key to the Keystone is a 366-page book (including references and an index) written by Jonah R. Barnes, an independent researcher and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book explores the potential contents of the brass plates, a sacred record in the Book of Mormon narrative, by drawing on ancient apocryphal texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Nag Hammadi library, and Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Barnes uses tools like paleography (the study of ancient writing) and philology (the study of language in historical texts) to hypothesize what texts the brass plates might have contained and how they relate to the Book of Mormon. The central thesis is that these apocryphal writings, discovered after the Book of Mormon’s publication in 1830, provide external validation for its authenticity and shed light on its origins.

Purpose and Structure

The book aims to answer several key questions about the Book of Mormon’s historical and theological roots:

  • What books or texts were likely included on the brass plates, and can modern readers access them?
  • Why does the Book of Mormon emphasize Messianic themes over Mosaic law, unlike the Old Testament?
  • What truths about foundational doctrines—like the Fall, the Atonement, and the Messiah—were lost from the biblical canon, and how does the Book of Mormon preserve them?
  • Who were figures like Lucifer and Eve, and why are their stories underrepresented or misunderstood in the Bible?
  • What can we learn about Book of Mormon prophets like Abinadi, or biblical prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, through apocryphal texts?

The book is structured into chapters that each tackle a specific topic, beginning with a “TL;DR” (Too Long; Didn’t Read) summary to make the content accessible. Barnes’ writing style is noted for being humorous, conversational, and engaging, with a touch of sass, which contrasts with the often dense nature of scholarly works on religious texts.

Core Arguments

The Brass Plates and Their Contents

In the Book of Mormon, the brass plates are a record taken by Lehi’s family from Jerusalem around 597 BC, during the Babylonian invasion, to preserve sacred writings. They are said to contain the five books of Moses, a record of the Jews, and prophecies up to the time of Jeremiah. Barnes hypothesizes that the brass plates also included texts that align with later-discovered apocryphal works, such as:

  • Writings similar to the Book of Enoch (found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Ethiopic texts), which detail pre-Flood history, angels, and Messianic prophecies.
  • Texts akin to the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, which include prophecies about a Messiah.
  • Documents resembling the Nag Hammadi library’s writings, which explore early Christian and Jewish mystical traditions.

Barnes argues that these apocryphal texts, though not part of the modern biblical canon, were likely part of the religious knowledge available to Lehi’s family, and thus preserved on the brass plates.

Apocryphal Texts as Validation for the Book of Mormon

A key claim in the book is that apocryphal texts discovered after 1830 corroborate the Book of Mormon’s content in ways that Joseph Smith, its translator, could not have known. For example:

  • The Book of Mormon’s heavy focus on a Messiah is often criticized as anachronistic for a text supposedly written before Christ. However, Barnes points to apocryphal works like the Book of Enoch and the Dead Sea Scrolls, which show that some Jewish groups in the Second Temple period (circa 500 BC to 70 AD) had a strong Messianic expectation, supporting the Book of Mormon’s emphasis.
  • Specific details in the Book of Mormon, such as its references to the Fall and the Atonement, align with apocryphal writings that expand on these doctrines beyond what the Bible provides. Barnes suggests this indicates the brass plates contained a more complete version of sacred history than the Bible.

Corruption of the Biblical Canon

Barnes asserts that the Bible, as it exists today, has been corrupted over time through deliberate removal of key doctrines. He argues that truths about the Fall, the Atonement, and the Messiah were stripped away during the formation of the biblical canon, often for political or theological reasons. For instance:

  • The role of Lucifer (Satan) is minimally detailed in the Bible, but apocryphal texts like the Book of Enoch provide a fuller account of his rebellion and fall, which Barnes sees as consistent with the Book of Mormon’s teachings.
  • Eve’s portrayal in traditional Christian creeds is often negative, blaming her for the Fall, whereas apocryphal texts and the Book of Mormon present her as a pivotal figure in God’s plan, making a necessary choice to enable human progression.

The Book of Mormon, derived from the brass plates, is presented as a purer record that restores these lost truths.

Insights into Specific Figures and Events

The book delves into figures and events that are either unique to the Book of Mormon or underrepresented in the Bible, using apocryphal texts to provide context:

  • Lucifer: Barnes explores why the Bible contains so little about Satan’s origins, suggesting that apocryphal texts like the Book of Enoch and the Life of Adam and Eve fill in the gaps with details about his rebellion and role in the premortal world.
  • Eve: He challenges traditional Christian views of Eve as a source of sin, highlighting apocryphal narratives that portray her as a wise and courageous figure, aligning with the Book of Mormon’s more positive depiction.
  • Prophets: The book examines prophets like Abinadi (a Book of Mormon figure who preaches about the Messiah and is martyred) and biblical prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. Barnes uses apocryphal sources to provide additional details about their lives, teachings, and deaths. For example, he may draw on texts like the Ascension of Isaiah to discuss Isaiah’s martyrdom, which is not detailed in the Bible.

Messianic Focus Over Mosaic Law

A recurring question in the book is why the Book of Mormon emphasizes Messianic prophecies over strict adherence to the Law of Moses, which was central to Jewish practice in Lehi’s time. Barnes argues that the brass plates contained writings that prioritized Messianic hope, reflecting a strain of Jewish thought preserved in apocryphal texts. This perspective, he claims, explains why Book of Mormon prophets like Nephi and Abinadi focus on Christ’s coming rather than ritual law.

Tone and Reception

Barnes’ tone is described as lighthearted and accessible, making complex topics digestible for a general audience. He avoids academic jargon, opting for a conversational style with humorous asides (one reviewer noted his “sassy” approach). Each chapter starts with a TL;DR summary, ensuring readers can grasp the main points quickly. The book includes references and an index, suggesting a level of scholarly rigor, though it’s written for a lay audience rather than academics.

Reviews on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon are generally positive, with readers appreciating the fresh perspective on the Book of Mormon and the engaging style. Some praise its apologetic value, noting that it provides new evidence for the Book of Mormon’s authenticity by tying it to apocryphal texts. However, critics might question the speculative nature of Barnes’ reconstructions, as the brass plates are not available for direct study, and his interpretations of apocryphal texts may be seen as selective to fit a preconceived narrative.

Key Takeaways

  • The brass plates likely contained texts similar to apocryphal writings, which explain the Book of Mormon’s unique theological emphases.
  • Apocryphal texts discovered after 1830 provide external support for the Book of Mormon’s authenticity, as they align with its content in ways Joseph Smith couldn’t have fabricated.
  • The Bible has lost key truths over time, which the Book of Mormon restores, particularly regarding the Fall, the Atonement, and the Messiah.
  • Figures like Lucifer, Eve, and various prophets are better understood through apocryphal texts, which complement the Book of Mormon’s teachings.

 

This summary is based solely on the content and intent of The Key to the Keystone as described in publicly available sources.

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  • Which books were on the brass plates stolen by Lehi in 597 BC? Can we read them?
  • Who corrupted the Old Testament canon? And how badly?
  • Who was Lucifer, and why does the Bible say so little about him?
  • Who was Eve, and why are the Christian creeds so hard on women?
  • Who was the prophet Abinadi? Where did he come from?
  • How did the prophet Isaiah die? Who killed him and why?
  • Who murdered the prophet Jeremiah? And what for?
  • Why does the Book of Mormon sound too Messianic and not more Mosaic?
  • Do the apocrypha support the authority of the Bible? Or do they support the Book of Mormon?
  • Do anti-Mormons think Joseph Smith was a time-traveler? Do they think Elvis is still alive?

Filled with unique parallels and scriptural insights with recently discovered apocryphal works, the The Key to the Keystone will unlock the Book of Mormon and change your view of the mission of Jesus Christ. And it might make you chuckle along the way.