Still want to fight about the intro?

[_charity]

It started on a day in early spring of 1820. God didn't come to Joseph Smith, UNTIL Joseph asked a question. There was a pattern established ealry in the history of the Church. Joseph asked a question about baptism. John the Baptist appeared. Joseph asked and a revelation was given.

Charity, are you able to put enough distance between yourself and this statement to see what red flags about it on its face?

Please explain.

[_Mister Scratch]

I am what I am: a TR carrying, dual calling holding, active member of the LDS church whose views do not always coincide with the views of our leaders... and who isn't afraid to let that be known.

Have you referred them to your posts here? Let's face it, harmony, if your views were really known by the leaders (Scratch's too), you would last about 2.5 seconds in the Church. That's why you post anonymously. Your fear isn't about being "stalked", primarily, it's about being excommunicated.

To you and Scratch: At least David Wright had the guts to put his name to what he wrote, and paid for it!

Why are you and Scratch so ashamed of what you write? You can run, but you can't hide.

Wow, Ray! Who knew that you harbored such a Gestapo mindset? You are a disturbed individual, mate---Travis Bickle-esque, I daresay.

And by the way: you do not know what my Church status is. You don't know if I am a TR-carrying member, or a total apostate, an Area Seventy, a never-mo, or anything else. All you can do is guess. And boy, does that ever steam you! You throw stones without have any real knowledge, which, I must say, doesn't do much for your character.

[_Ray A]

And by the way: you do not know what my Church status is. You don't know if I am a TR-carrying member, or a total apostate, an Area Seventy, a never-mo, or anything else. All you can do is guess. And boy, does that ever steam you! You throw stones without have any real knowledge, which, I must say, doesn't do much for your character.

I'd say your anonymous attacks don't do much for your character, Scratch.

[_Mister Scratch]

And by the way: you do not know what my Church status is. You don't know if I am a TR-carrying member, or a total apostate, an Area Seventy, a never-mo, or anything else. All you can do is guess. And boy, does that ever steam you! You throw stones without have any real knowledge, which, I must say, doesn't do much for your character.

I'd say your anonymous attacks don't do much for your character, Scratch.

What "attacks"? I criticize, but, unlike you, I tend to rely on actual evidence for my remarks.

[_Pokatator]

Charity,

Like it or not, the teaching of Lamanite = Native American as been a core belief of the church. It is not just 150 years of Prophets teachings, it is also in canonized scripture. Do a search in the D&C for "Lamanite", and in every instance it is used to reference native Americans. Not just some, but all. So, is the D&C not correct?

The change doesn't say what you think it does. The old phrase was: "were destroyed, except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians." The new introduction says the Lamanites "are among the ancestors of the American Indians."

The new word STILL says that the Lamanites are in the ancestry of the American Indians. ALL the American Indians. It just clears up the little bit of confusion that the word "principal" causes among people who aren't very well educated. "Principal" means most important, not "majority of the DNA" as those less educated tended to think.

But do you see anywhere in the statement "Lamanites are among the ancestors of the American Indians"to mean that there aren't any American Indians who don't have Lamanite ancestors?

Sunstoned's post caused me to read the D&C references in the index under the headings: Lamanite and Indian. I found them interesting.

D&C Section 19

27 Which is my word to the Gentile, that soon it may go to the Jew, of whom the Lamanites are a remnant, that they may believe the gospel, and look not for a Messiah to come who has already come.

D&C Section 28

Intro - 8–10, Oliver Cowdery is to preach to the Lamanites

8 And now, behold, I say unto you that you shall go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them; and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my church to be established among them; and thou shalt have revelations, but write them not by way of commandment.
9 And now, behold, I say unto you that it is not revealed, and no man knoweth where the city Zion shall be built, but it shall be given hereafter. Behold, I say unto you that it shall be on the borders by the Lamanites.

D&C Section 30

Intro - 5-8, Peter Whitmer, Jun., is to accompany Oliver Cowdery on a mission to the Lamanites

6 And be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance; for I have given unto him power to build up my church among the Lamanites;

D&C Section 32

Intro - Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson, October 1830. HC 1: 118–120. Great interest and desires were felt by the elders respecting the Lamanites, of whose predicted blessings the Church had learned from the Book of Mormon. In consequence, supplication was made that the Lord would indicate his will as to whether elders should be sent at that time to the Indian tribes in the West. The revelation followed.
1–3, Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson are called to preach to the Lamanites and to accompany Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jun.; 4–5, They are to pray for an understanding of the scriptures.

2 And that which I have appointed unto him is that he shall ago with my servants, Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jun., into the wilderness among the Lamanites.
3 And Ziba Peterson also shall go with them; and I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail against them.

D&C Section 49

Intro - 22–28, Zion shall flourish and the Lamanites blossom as the rose before the Second Coming.

24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.

D&C Section 54

8 And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.

D&C Section 57

Intro - Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. HC 1: 189–190. In compliance with the Lord’s command (Section 52), the elders had journeyed from Kirtland to Missouri with many varied experiences and some opposition. In contemplating the state of the Lamanites and the lack of civilization, refinement, and religion among the people generally, the Prophet exclaimed in yearning prayer: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy Temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” Subsequently he received this revelation.

I guess I am wondering when these "Intros" will undergo some revision to support "among" more than "principal". Maybe the verses will get changed too.