Could there be a summary of each parallel using a
1. 11 -
2. 15 -
3. 24 -
numbering system for easy reader understanding? Thanks.
Could there be a summary of each parallel using a
Michael J. Preece, M.D wrote:We learn that Mormon was really Mormon, Jr. John M. Butler has found some remarkable similarities between Mormon, Jr., and Joseph Smith, Jr. Brother Butler suggests that Mormon was a type for the Prophet Joseph ("The 'Author' and the 'Finisher' of the Book of Mormon," in The Book of Mormon, Fourth Nephi Through Moroni, From Zion to Destruction, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., a FARMS publication, 61-68). Let us consider a few of the similarities.
Both were sober, thoughtful, and bright as children (Mormon 1:2; Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, 67). Both families moved to other locations when the boys were ten to eleven years old (Mormon 1:6; Joseph Smith-H 1:3). Both saw the spiritual deficiencies of their people and importuned God on the matter. Both had "First Visions" at ages fourteen and fifteen (Mormon 1:14- 15; Joseph Smith-H 1:7, 10-20). Both men were tutored by older prophets who had hid up records for their future use-Mormon by Ammoron and Joseph by Moroni. Both were also tutored by angels-Mormon by the three translated Nephite disciples (Mormon 8:10-11), and Joseph by numerous heavenly messengers (H. Donl Peterson, "Personages Who Appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith," in Joseph Smith: The Prophet, The Man, edited by Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate, Jr. 184-86). Both were charismatic leaders of their people. Both were men of large stature (Mormon 2:1; George Q. Cannon, Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, 19) and strong enough to protect the plates from falling into the hands of evil people (see Mormon 6:6). Although both were large and physically fit as youths, neither Mormon nor Joseph received the plates appointed them until they were spiritually mature enough to perform the labors required of them. Several years of testing and training went by after Ammaron and Moroni revealed to their respective charges the missions they were to fulfill regarding the record of the Nephites. Mormon was told to record his observations of Nephite society on the plates when he was twenty-four years old (Mormon 1:3-4). Joseph translated the plates of Mormon and the small plates of Nephi when he was in his twenty-fourth year (Joseph Smith-H 1:66-67) and published them to the world in March of 1830, shortly after his twenty-fourth birthday.
John M. Butler wrote: And I would like to draw parallels between the lives of Joseph Smith and the prophet Mormon. In the Church we speak of Jesus Christ as the author and finisher of our faith (Moroni 6:4; Heb 12:2). This paper examines and compares Mormon as an "author" and Joseph Smith as a "finisher" of the Book of Mormon. Perhaps no other prophet personifies the preparation and achievements of Joseph Smith better than the prophet Mormon. He was a type for the Prophet Joseph—foreshadowing Joseph's life and important mission.
John M. Butler wrote:Next, in Mormon's introduction of himself, we learn that he "was carried by [his] father into the land southward" when he was 11 years old (Mormon 1:6). Here again Joseph Smith's life follows Mormon's motif. Joseph went south with his father from Vermont to New York in his "tenth year or thereabouts" (Joseph Smith-H 1:3).
John M. Butler wrote:Not long after moving to Zarahemla, Mormon saw that "there were no gifts from the Lord [among the people], and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief (Mormon 1:14). Being of "a sober mind," he called upon God when he was 15 years of age and "was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus" (v 15). Mormon experienced a personal visit from the Lord, like Samuel at Shiloh (see 1 Sam 3). Joseph Smith states that he was visited of the Lord in his fifteenth year (Joseph Smith-H 1:7). He, too, "tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus."
John M. Butler wrote:Their 24th year was an important one in the lives of both these prophets. Mormon was told to record his observations of Nephite society on the plates when he was 24 (Mormon 1:3-4). Joseph translated those words when he was in his 24th year (see Joseph Smith-H 1:66-67) and published them to the world in March of 1830, shortly after his 24th birthday.