Royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu and a recognized expert of the textual history of the book of mormon, has identified 5,280 variations in all editions of the book of mormon. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new. A new english edition of the book of mormon is not scheduled to be printed at present. They authors of the scriptures used these the concept of color to explain the forces of the devil and that of god. Posted in racist remarks by leaders in the church, tagged false prophet of mormonism, general conference october 1960, lamanites turning white and delightsome, spencer w. The bible and the book of mormon are both witnesses of jesus christ. The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the book of mormon text. I witnessed a miracle this last march as i saw a boy whom we will call eric, age 15, change from a depressed, low selfesteemed, bitter teenager into a happy, confident, grateful, and testimonyfilled young man.
Church members accept the book of mormon as holy scripture equivalent to the bible. Being a child of the fifties and growing up within the white and delightsome arms of utah mormonism i was 18 years old before ever even saw a black person other than on tv. When no one in the class is willingly to say the prayer and finally we decide to break the awkward tension. The most significant type of grammatical change in the book of mormon has been to remove the early modern english that is characteristic of the king james bible. A notsonovel way to read the book of mormon worlds. This policy was based on the belief that blacks were less valiant in the preexistence, a teaching called the curse of cain, as well as the texts of the book of mormon and other mormon scripture which equate righteousness with white skin color. We shouldnt wish our grass were as green as we perceive theirs to be. Dr james white shares his take in this episode of renewed mind. I asked her, in the past year, why her brothers did not join the church when she did. With white people, advocacy of the right to live and the right of selfdetermination equals evil, obviously. When these types of changes are made, they are rolled out to various online and print editions as they become available, purdy said in a statement. Home personal this book of mormon passage perfectly describes depression. Mormons altering indian prophecy the new york times. Great questionand as has already been said, it would be great to dig a little deeper into what you mean by spiritual than historical.
Although dna and the book of mormon has probably made the rounds through the bloggernacle, i suspect its a story that wont go away for a while. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church has been the subject of criticisms since it was founded by american religious leader joseph smith. I am grateful that they included these revelations in the book of mormon, the one book where every line and word is. Royal skousen, changes in the book of mormon royal skousen, restoring the original text of the book of mormon. Until recently, its hierarchy had spent decades and millions of dollars. Yannylaurel and the book of mormon moronis america. Here are three questions readers might have in their studies of the.
All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. This book is great, but like i said, is the tip of the iceberg. What we want to do when somebody who has never read the book of mormon starts bashing it. The book of mormon is a divinely inspired record, made by the prophets of the ancient peoples who inhabited the american continent for centuries before and after the time of christ, which record. Why is david whitmers witness of the book of mormon so. In one of the most pivotal moments of the book of mormon, the people experience days of major disaster. Oct 02, 2017 you wont find condemnations of black culture or problack mormons anywhere in the mormon churchs hierarchy, because they quite frankly approve of such things. The nephite racism towards the lamanites last week we had a reader write in asking for an explanation regarding the meaning of the wording in the chapter heading of 3 nephi chapter 2. Sep 05, 2017 being a child of the fifties and growing up within the white and delightsome arms of utah mormonism i was 18 years old before ever even saw a black person other than on tv. The lds church misses an incredibly important opportunity to fill 3 vacancies in the quorum of the 12 with a person of color, and instead selects again three white males from utah, and. The full name, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was given by revelation in 1838. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Hidden truths behind mormonism and the church of the. The curse is expressed in two antithetically parallel phrases.
How can one justify the change of the wording white and delightsome in 2 nephi 30. This change was originally made in the 1840 edition but because subsequent editions were based off the european editions which followed the 1837 edition, the. Lamanites turning white and delightsome life after ministry. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. How to have joy in others successes by grego c2018 the more we have the spirit, the less we will look at someone else accomplishing good and feel sorrow or despair. In 1978, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Everything the guys behind south park teamed with a cocreator of the smutty puppet musical avenue q to write a musical about mormon missionaries in uganda. That the book of mormon replaces the corresponding matthean passage is shown by the fact that the verses immediately before and after this section in the book of mormon correspond to the verses in the kjv before and after matthew 5. These women psychologically torture white children in the mormon church to make money. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas.
The best of things only mormons will understand lds s. The keystone scripture by book of mormon symposium 1985 brigham young university. He then proceeded to ridicule, in painstaking detail he clearly spent some time on wikipedia, the mormon faith, ultimately concluding that mormons are retarding fucking morons. Hidden truths behind mormonism and the church of the latter day saints james r white. The book of mormon lecture 1 description and origin what is the book of mormon. Sep 08, 2016 on january 31, 2014, the lds church published an essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies in the gospel topics series on its official website. Whites should not seek belonging in orthodoxy rome is not the white mans home. It was one of the best nights out that ive had for a long time. I come from lamanite heritage that is my mother was born and raised in mexico. Clearly the book of mormon revises this passage, but it retains that part of the kjv which has been questioned by modern scholarship. Book of mormon central why is david whitmers witness of.
May 29, 2009 the lds church maintained a racist policy of denying full membership to blacks until 1978. The book of mormon is delightfully irreverent the observer. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. Church removes racial references in book of mormon. The phrases describe a previous condition and its succeeding condition, pivoting upon causation. If the book of mormon is true and god is at least consistent if not unchanging why dont the disobedient turn black 2 nephi 5. Soon the mormon church grows exponentially in brazil and africa.
According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon church, the book of mormon is a divinely inspired revelation that is complimentary to the bible. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. I thought he would be really upset had he been at the set. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. He reiterated this when he was president of the quorum of the twelve in the 1950s in his book doctrines of salvation. Patty henetz of the associated press has written an article on dna and the book of mormon, focusing on geneticist simon southerton and his forthcoming book, losing a lost tribe. Jan 20, 2014 the musical the book of mormon is hilarious, outrageous, and brilliant. There is no place for the alt right in mormonism faith. What could cause such a miraculous change in eric you might ask. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints wikipedia. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Books of moses and abraham are from the pearl of great price, which, although not in the book of mormon, is a part of mormon scripture.
Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon, 6 vols. Following is my response to the readers inquiry that paul and i thought might. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland deseret. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. Why was the phrase white and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon. Years before the south park guys the book of mormon made a. Book of mormontextual changeswhite changed to pure. Nov, 2017 one blasphemers new admiration for mormons. While the mormon church leaders taught that indians were cursed with a dark skin they went a step further with regard to blacks.
I know of no prophecy, ancient or modern, that has had a more literal fulfillment. Apr 30, 2016 the story of book of mormon is made of jokes, but the production is certainly taken seriously. It has also been taught in mormonism that opposite repercussions could result when a white person abandons their mormon. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. I am not mormon, but i was thinking at the time of a good mormon friend of mine who is a big fan of cross. As i recall, mark organized three roundtables, in which he brought together both mormons and nonmormons to read the book of mormon together. Posts about racism in the book of mormon in 2 nephi 5. Modern dna evidence in no way disproves the traditional lds belief that book of mormon peoples represent the principal ancestors of the american indians. Those indians, at least as many as i have observed, were white and delightsome, as white and fair as any group of citizens of our country. Tate, charles d brigham young university religious studies center and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Lds mormons say these book of mormon scriptures are not. A blasphemer finds new admiration for mormons the atlantic.
Why is david whitmers witness of the book of mormon so compelling. Explorations in critical methodology metcalfe, brent lee on. Does dna evidence refute the authenticity of the book of mormon. They were perfectly honest and upright in all things. Since the early 1990s, the mormon church has surpassed 14,000,000 members worldwide. The book of mormon an account of its origin, with evidences of its genuineness and authenticity two lectures by dr. Hidden truths behind mormonism and the church of the latter.
The entire theater is transformed in the musical numbers, like in spooky mormon hell dream when it becomes the fiery pits. The lamanites are one of the four ancient peoples described as having settled in the ancient americas in the book of mormon, a sacred text of the latter day. Nov 17, 2011 hidden truths behind mormonism and the church of the latter day saints james r white. Converted lamanites become white and are called nephites. White and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome jump to subtopic. This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormon s racial views, with some. The crowning achievement of mormon scholarship argues that mormonism ought to be viewed as a new religious traditionit is to christianity what christianity was to judaism a restoration movementrather than a cult, sect, or denomination of christianity. In a lot of ways, its hard to imagine a more implicitly white religious institution than the mormon church. The lds church maintained a racist policy of denying full membership to blacks until 1978.
Assuming youre referring to historically accurate vs. Buy a cheap copy of letters to a mormon elder book by james r. In this article, we will provide some background on this issue focusing on the book of mormon itself, followed by a point by point response to various statements made in the essay about the book of. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Dna and the book of mormon, by david stewart takes traditional position.
Dna, zelph, and the book of mormon july 27, 2004 by bccjohnh patty henetz of the associated press has written an article on dna and the book of mormon, focusing on geneticist simon southerton and his forthcoming book, losing a lost tribe. Dec 01, 1985 jan shipps is rightfully known as the leading non mormon scholar on mormonism. The story of book of mormon is made of jokes, but the production is certainly taken seriously. I am thankful that book of mormon prophets saw our day and knew the troubling threat homosexuality would bring upon the eternal families of the world. Jan shipps is rightfully known as the leading nonmormon scholar on mormonism. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the 19thcentury moundbuilder genre that was pervasive at the time. Book of mormon on the red carpet by common consent, a. I think it is wonderful when outsiders read, analyze, and comment on the book of mormon, and i certainly dont expect them to approach it as anything other than fiction. Since these changes are so minor, it is not necessary to include them until it is printed. The new face of mormon racism religion news service. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland. Mormon history mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The new theory proposed by roberts, and still popular today, is that god only gave joseph the ideas and.
The bible and the book of mormon translators used two colors to explain two things. This was changed by joseph smith in 1840 to read that nephis descendants would become a pure and a delightsome people. On january 31, 2014, the lds church published an essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies in the gospel topics series on its official website. Tammy uzelac hall is the host of lds living s sunday on monday, a new weekly podcast focused on come, follow me that dives into the hidden treasures of the gospel. In this article, we will provide some background on this issue focusing on the book of mormon itself, followed by a point by point response to various statements made in the essay about the book of mormon. The musical the book of mormon is hilarious, outrageous, and brilliant. More importantly, why dont lamanites turn white and delightsome within one year after accepting the gospel, as they did in 3 nephi 2. The other possibility, if you dont hold to the historicity of the book of mormon, is what jared anderson responded on the ms fb group. This book of mormon passage perfectly describes depression. She converted to the church as a young woman after being raised as a catholic. What does the book of mormon mean by skin of blackness.
Source, substance, and prophetic disruption terryl l. The church of christ the original name for the mormon church was organized with six founding members in fayette, new york on april 6, 1830. Book of mormon memes for those who have actually read the. It represents the commentary following the text introducing the phrase skin of blackness and analyzes the. White which symbolizes purity and the dark or black to denote evil spirit. Church removes racial references in book of mormon headings. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. Day of the lamanite is nigh as they turn white and delightsome. See book of mormon central article on ancient context of white and delightsome regarding 2 nephi 30. The prophet joseph smith made an important textual emendation to this passage in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, where the phrase a white and a delightsome people was changed to a pure and a book of mormon use of black and white read. How we feel when our spouse tells us its fast sunday. The earliest members were almost all the family and friends of the prophet joseph smith. That is, if you believe the book of mormon is inspired fiction or jusst plain, made up, then you can attribute the color change to 19th century racial ideas.
Tate, charles d brigham young university religious studies center and a great selection of related books, art and. Jan 25, 2010 the bible and the book of mormon translators used two colors to explain two things. The book of mormon mormon, apologetics, jesus christ. Trumps share of the mormon vote was 20 percent less than he got from white. The change in the 1981 edition seems to be an attempt to bring the book of mormon up to speed with the 1978 revelation that allowed black members of the church to hold the priesthood. This new evidence, in contrast to the first, appears to provide support for the book of mormon as well as and an interesting geographic paradigm for the events therein. Another strength of the book is that white not only critiques mormon theology, but presents the reformed protestant position also. In referring to native americans indians the book of mormon says, and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and.
What does it mean to be a white and delightsome people. In the 1980s the church concentrates on translating the book of mormon into dozens of world languages and mormons answer the call to flood the earth with it. As an apostle and church historian, joseph fielding smith said the twocumorah theory caused members to become confused and disturbed in their faith in the book of mormon. So it was real regret that i concluded that the gleeful depiction of traditional stereotypes about africa dead babies, warlord, hiv, etc reinforced rather than challenged general preconceptions. In the 50 years since then ive learned that discovering ones own racism, misogyny andor homophobia is a bit like peeling back an onion. The fact that the book is written as to a mormon believer no doubt helped facilitate this winsome, userfriendly approach. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have. But when it comes to white peoplewell, thats different. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon church. May 24, 2015 the question of racism in the book of mormon is very close to me.
Lds scripture church drops dark and skin of blackness from lamanite descriptions. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon had nephi prophesy that his descendants would become a white and a delightsome people through the gospel of jesus christ. One group has claimed it cannot be racist as white skinned nephites and black skinned lamanites are nothing more than metaphors for cultures, not for skin. A historian looks at the legacy of racism in the church of jesus christ of latter day saints.
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