Some LDS scholars, particularly those at Scripture Central and the Interpreter Foundation, lament that God did not give us enough information about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon. "If only God had given us more" they say.
But we should be grateful for what we have already received, and then the Lord will have more to give us.
The Lord has more to give for those who feel and express gratitude for what they have already received. Let us be grateful and express that gratitude to Him constantly.
https://x.com/ChristoffDTodd/status/1857072245400580512
_____
Many Latter-day Saints do feel and express gratitude for what we have already received from the Lord through the prophets regarding the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon.
We believe He has more to give.
But our most influential scholars, particularly those who founded and currently manage Scripture Central and the Interpreter Foundation, are not grateful. Instead, they reject, resent, and repudiate what the Lord has given us.
Consequently, like blind guides they fumble around through Central America, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
_____
Regarding the origin of the Book of Mormon:
Responding to ongoing confusion about the translation, Joseph Smith answered the question in the Elders Journal in 1838.
Question 4th. How, and where did you obtain the Book of Mormon?
Answer. Moroni, the person who deposited the plates, from whence the Book of Mormon was translated, in a hill in Manchester, Ontario County, New York, being dead, and raised again therefrom, appeared unto me and told me where they were and gave me directions how to obtain them. I obtained them and the Urim and Thummim with them, by the means of which I translated the plates and thus came the Book of Mormon.
(Elders’ Journal I.3:42 ¶20–43 ¶1)
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-1838/11
With the specific assistance of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery wrote a detailed description of Moroni's visit in 1835.
He [Moroni] said this history was written and deposited not far from that place, and that it was our brother’s privilege, if obedient to the commandments of the Lord, to obtain and translate the same by the means of the Urim and Thummim, which were deposited for that purpose with the record.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/68
Regarding the setting of the Book of Mormon:
President Oliver Cowdery:
here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed. By turning to the 529th and 530th pages of the book of Mormon (Mormon 6) you will read Mormon’s account of the last great struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah....
In this valley fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites... From the top of this hill, Mormon, with a few others, after the battle, gazed with horror upon the mangled remains of those who, the day before, were filled with anxiety, hope or doubt.
This hill, by the Jaredites, was called Ramah: by it, or around it pitched the famous army of Coriantumr their tents.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/90
_____
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:38)
No comments:
Post a Comment