The course will not explore in detail such issues as the historical origins, translation or authorship of the Book of Mormon, but instead focus attention upon the internal literary qualities of the text itself. – David Bokovoy, instructor

SALT LAKE CITY — Beginning with the fall 2013 semester, the University of Utah will offer a course aimed at analyzing the Book of Mormon as a literary work, school officials announced Wednesday.

The course will be offered through the university's religious studies department and is described by the university as the first of its kind.

"While other programs have had Mormon studies programs up and running for the past few years, when classes have been taught, they've focused on Mormon history,” instructor David Bokovoy said in a prepared statement. "The course will not explore in detail such issues as the historical origins, translation or authorship of the Book of Mormon, but instead focus attention upon the internal literary qualities of the text itself."

The Book of Mormon is written as a firsthand account of Christians living in the Americas between roughly 600 B.C. and 400 A.D. It is part of the scriptural canon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which also includes the Bible, the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Book of Mormon was first published in 1830. Since then, more than 150 million copies have been printed in 82 languages.