“Several of [John] Bunyan’s distinctive narrative patterns repeatedly appear in the Book of Mormon. One of the most prominent examples is the template that forms the narrative foundation for both the story of Faithful, a Christian martyr in [Bunyan’s] Pilgrim’s Progress, and the story of the Prophet Abinadi in the Book of Mormon…

“In Pilgrim’s Progress, Faithful and Christian journey to the wicked city of Vanity Fair on their way to the Celestial Kingdom. As the pilgrims enter the city, their presence causes a disturbance among the citizens, and the travel companions are 1) bound and thrown into prison. A town leader 2) assembles a group of associates to examine the pilgrims, and the prisoners 3) are ‘brought before’ the town leaders and put on trial. They accuse Faithful 4) of being a ‘madman,’ 5) of stirring up contention among the people, and 6) of slandering the town leaders. Faithful 7) speaks ‘boldly’ in his defense, but to no avail. The trial leader 8) condemns Faithful to be ‘slain’ and ‘put to […] death.’ Faithful is then 9) ‘scourged,’ and finally 10) burned at the stake. Thus, Faithful 11) ‘seals’ his ‘testimony’ with his ‘blood.’ Faithful’s teachings and martyrdom 12) convert a witness, Hopeful, who becomes a major character in the story. 13) Other converts follow and depart from the city, 14) ‘entering into’ a ‘covenant’ to follow Christ.

“In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Abinadi enters the now-wicked city of Lehi-Nephi and begins preaching to the people. His presence causes a great disturbance among the citizens, and Abinadi is 1) bound and thrown into prison. The leader of the city, King Noah, 2) assembles a group of false priests to examine Abinadi, and he 3) is ‘brought before’ the leaders and put on trial. They accuse Abinadi 4) of being ‘mad,’ 5) of stirring up contention among the people, and 6) of slandering the town leaders. Abinadi 7) speaks ‘boldly’ in his defense, but to no avail. King Noah 8) condemns Abinadi to be ‘slain’ and ‘put to death.’ Abinadi is then 9) ‘scourged,’ and finally 10) burned at the stake. Thus, Abinadi 11) ‘seals’ his ‘testimony’ with his ‘blood.’ Abinadi’s teachings and martyrdom 12) convert a witness, Alma, who becomes a main character in the story. 13) Other converts follow and depart from the city, 14) ‘entering into’ a ‘covenant’ to follow Christ.”

William L. Davis, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Origins of the Book of Mormon (Los Angeles, CA: William L. Davis, 30 October 2012).