Sethbag wrote:Chap, you just don't understand that Joseph Smith was an Idiot Prophet. God used him as a tool, but he never really understood what he was doing. And God didn't think it was important to prevent Joseph Smith from passing on his own fallible human conjecture about the nature of the Book of Mormon, so Joseph was allowed to print as explanations of Mormon beliefs false things that were just his own mistaken opinion.
Don't you get it?!?!
Hey! Like I pointed out on the other 'wording' thread, Joseph Smith didn't work this stuff out from the Book of Mormon, he was told it direct from the Angel Moroni.
Oh well, (sigh) Moroni was an Idiot Angel. (with a name like that ...)
In this important and interesting book the history of ancient America is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the Tower of Babel, at the confusion of languages to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era. We are informed by these records that America in ancient times has been inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites and came directly from the Tower of Babel. The second race came directly from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred years before Christ. They were principally Israelites, of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the second race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country.
[...]
Respectfully, etc.,
JOSEPH SMITH
If The Brethren(R) can make updates to the 1981 intro surely they can update Joseph Smith's Wentworth Letter, which was a sort of Book of Mormon intro for its time. In light of scientific discoveries made over the past 175 years an updated Wewntworth letter will be necessary in order to "take into account details of Book of Mormon demography which are not known." For example, here is a suggested update to the last paragraph from the above quoted portion of the letter (changes are in bold):
In this important and interesting book the history of ancient Guatemala is unfolded, from one of its settlements by a small band of immigrants that came from the Tower of Babel, at the confusion of languages to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era. We are informed by these records that Guatemala in ancient times has been inhabited by some distinct races of people. One was called Jaredites and came directly from the Tower of Babel. Another race came directly from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred years before Christ. They were living among the Israelites, possibly of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the other people came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the inheritance of their village. One of the rival tribes of the second immigrant group fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are mingled somewhere among the mass of non-related people that now inhabit Guatemala.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
thestyleguy wrote:I submit that the limited geography theory hereafter be coined the limted intelligence theory.
He'll be here all week, folks [and every week after that, for hours a day!] Try the fried fish! G'night!
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
thestyleguy wrote:I submit that the limited geography theory hereafter be coined the limted intelligence theory.
He'll be here all week, folks [and every week after that, for hours a day!] Try the fried fish! G'night!
LOP - how long are you going to run with the great whore?
Isn't he a charmer, folks? I'd give you a big kiss right now if I could, styleguy.
'Night!
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
Gosh dangit. I do miss the "magic" that the church had when I was younger, you know? Reading Joseph Smith's words brings it back, the way it felt back then. This is an sincere question, what is the apologist response to his words? For any other theory to work Joseph Smith's words must be voided. Or are they?
Insert ironic quote from fellow board member here.
Jersey Girl wrote:Could someone, in a nutshell, explain to me what the significance of this is?
After how many years as a follower of Mormonism and how many wasted YEARS of time on these discussion boards and you ask a question like that?
DUH?
Speaking of a nutshell, with that revealing question, that's about the extent of your Mormon knowledge- it would fit in a nutshell.
Because, unlike you, I ask questions for meaningful clarification before I assume anything. That's why. The only thing "revealing" in my question is that I think.
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
Chinese Proverb
Jersey Girl wrote:Could someone, in a nutshell, explain to me what the significance of this is?
For years, the Church has taught that the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon are the primary or principal ancestors of the American Indian.
The Lamanites were descendents of Lehi, who was Hebrew. DNA evidence refutes the Hebrew descention as a primary source.
Therefore, changing the wording in the Book of Mormon from "the Lamanites are the principal ancestors of the American Indian" to "the Lamanites are among the ancestors of the American Indian" is extremely significant.
It changes the entire meaning of the phrase, and directly disputes years of doctrinal teaching throughout the Church.
Edited to add---There is another thread in this forum which debates this issue rather thoroughly: