Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - You have to admire the persistance of Mormons

smooth · 09-16-2004, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsRight41401

If you look at the legends of the Natives in South America, you find that there are MANY legends that support the Book of Mormon. Especially among Peruvian Natives. And just like any oral record things have changed over the years. However, when Cortez landed and was welcomed so whole heartedly it was because they believed he was the god their legends promised would return to them.

Also - at the end of the Book of Mormon - 200 years after Christ visited the Americas, the Nephite people were destroyed by the Lamanite people - both descendants from the same family because they had slipped into wickedness. The plates were buried by Moroni - the last prophet of the Nephites after the war.

Look forward to the scriptures and no, I'm not looking for trouble. I am just talking with some new acquaintances on one of the must mature boards I've ever found. I've got some great jokes about my religion if you wanna hear them. :-)

Rachel

OK, I'm confused because I'm not Mormon. But I read some of the book of Mormon and I read some of their history. Then here you are referencing the Nephites and Lamanites.

So I googled around and found this:

Quote:

Who Were the Book of Mormon People:

"Accounts of three major migrations from the Old World to the New World are provided in the Book of Mormon. Most of the text consists of records maintained by the Nephite people, which descended from a group that left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. That group, consisting of the family of Lehi and others, split into two rival groups which became known as the Nephites (descended from Nephi) and the Lamanites (descended from Laman, eldest son of Lehi). These groups seem to have gained strength and numbers by incorporating (possibly conquering?) other diverse peoples in the area, as anthropologist John Sorensen ably documents in his article, "When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 1(1): 1-34 (1992), Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, Provo, Utah.

In the Book of Ether, a condensed account is offered of the ancient Jaredites, a people which escaped the dramatic changes occurring at the time of the tower of Babel. They were led by the Lord to construct unique, sealed vessels (with provisions for ventilation and miraculous provisions for lighting) in which they traversed the Atlantic to the New World, establishing a civilization that could correspond with or be tied to the Olmecs (based on the stimulating analysis of Dr. John Sorensen in his monumental book, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, Deseret Book Comp., S.L.C., UT, 1985. This civilization showed marked differences in culture and government compared to the Nephites and Lamanites, though they suffered similar destruction in the end. The story is a stunning tragedy of man's rejection of God.

Another migration to the New World occurred around 588 B.C. when some survivors of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem (including Mulek, of royal blood) fled to the New World (details are not provided - the journey may have been made with the help of Phoenician sailors). The Mulekites had been on their own for several generations when the Nephites joined forces with them."

--http://www.jefflindsay.com/BOMIntro.shtml#9

and this:

Quote:

Mormon Scripture: The Articles of Faith, Part XXIV
By Marvin W. Cowan
The tenth LDS Article of Faith states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” In this Article, LDS leaders and scripture
define Christian terms with meanings which are foreign to historic Christianity. For example, Mormons believe “the literal gathering of Israel” will bring the “ten lost tribes” and Book of Mormon “Lamanites” together in America, while the tribe of Judah will be gathered to the
area around Jerusalem. They also believe when the “lost ten tribes” of Israel left the land of their captivity they went to an undisclosed location in the “frozen north” from whence they will return to Zion in America as Elder George Reynolds wrote on pages 10-11 of Are We of Israel?

At the semi-annual LDS conference on October 8, 1916, Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage said, “The (lost ten) tribes shall…be brought forth as hath been predicted: and I say unto you there are those now living—aye, some here present—who shall live to read the records of the Lost Tribes of Israel, which shall be made one with the record of the Jews, or the Holy Bible, and the record of the Nephites, or the Book of Mormon, even as
the Lord hath predicted; and those records... shall tell of the visit of the resurrected Christ to them, after he had manifested Himself to the Nephites upon this continent” (Articles of Faith by Talmage, p. 513). His prediction was based upon 3 Nephi 16:1-4 and 17:4 in the Book of Mormon, which says Christ would appear to the lost tribes of Israel and they would
record His visit in a new book of scripture. Talmage said that Christ would visit the lost tribes of Israel in the North Country and they would record His visit in a book of scripture and bring it with them to Zion in America in the last days where it would be joined with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Talmage also said that some who heard him speak in 1916 would live to read that new scripture. Talmage’s message was given 87 years ago and the “lost tribes” still haven’t arrived in “Zion.” So, even if they wrote a book of scripture, it isn’t available to read which means this was a false prophecy.

Joseph Smith said he received a revelation on September 22 and 23, 1832, about Zion and a temple to be built there. It says, A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple
lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house (Doctrine & Covenants, Sec. 84:1-4"

-- http://www.johnankerberg.org/Article...s/AP1W0903.pdf

And I'm wondering whether the mormons don't trace their lineage back to Lehi? That's what I was referring to in my comment about being another literal tribe of Israel--not metaphorical as you responded. But maybe there are different denominations of Mormon? I just picked this stuff up while I was in SLC and talking to people, I don't really know too many practicing Mormons. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what I'm reading. Thank you for explaining some aspects of your religion to me.

Sorry for the formatting, it's coming out all wonky.