Just to document some of the gaslighting occurring here, because there is a TON of it...
Interpreter's spin zone wrote: The Book of Mormon describes a dark mark on the skin that distinguished people who rebelled against God and his laws from those who obeyed God.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... ssues.html
Interpreter's spin zone wrote:The source of racist accusations against the Book of Mormon is the assumption that God caused a skin of blackness to come upon the Lamanites
https://journal.interpreterfoundation.o ... blackness/
Clueless SeN commenter's post - liked by DP wrote:Re: The Lamanites: I've wondered if the "mark" was really just a result of lifestyle. They lived outdoors for the most part and wore nothing but a leathern girdle. And their little children probably didn't wear anything at all. Is it too simplistic to suggest that the mark was just a deep tan of sorts?
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... ssues.html
What the Book of Mormon
actually says
2 Nephi wrote:20Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence.
21And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.
22 And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.
23 And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... 5?lang=eng
What Mormons have always believed is well documented. For example, in the original chapter heading, written most likely by Bruce R McConkie:
Bruce R McConkie wrote:* Old version: “Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge to the Nephites.”
New chapter heading, written by committee circa 2010:
2010 Correlation Committee wrote:* New online version: “Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cut off from the presence of the Lord, are cursed, and become a scourge unto the Nephites.”
Original chapter heading for Mormon 5:
Bruce R McConkie wrote:* Old version: “The Lamanites shall be a dark, filthy, and loathsome people. . .”
New version:
2010 Correlation Committee wrote:* New online version: “Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites will be scattered, and the Spirit will cease to strive with them . . .”
https://religiondispatches.org/dark-ski ... of-Mormon/