How would Joseph Smith know there were many prophets in Jerusalem when Lehi was preaching?

At the start of the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 1:4 it reads:

For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

While the point about there being “many” prophets is subtle, it is also accurate. At least nine Israelite prophets were active during this time: Zephaniah, Nahum, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Huldah, Urijah, Daniel, Ezekiel and Obadiah. There may also have been others too. 

Why are subtle details like this correct in the Book of Mormon? How many readers of the Bible would know there were many prophets in Jerusalem around 600 BC? 

See:

• Evidence Central -Book of Mormon Evidence: Many Prophets in Lehi’s Day

© 2024 Showyourshelf.com

Show Your Shelf is not in any way sponsored or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For official information from the Church please see churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org