Another problem is the fact that "lamanite" leaders often self-identified themselves on the basis of their own lineage.
by the way, I've never met a single exmormon who thought the prophet spoke for God every time he opened his mouth. What we do tend to expect is that when the prophet addresses a congregation, functioning in his role as prophet, and speaking "in the name of Jesus Christ", he would actually take the time beforehand to seek inspiration and, you know, be accurately inspired in that talk.
Otherwise, we might have to conclude the the whole idea of inspiration and "personal revelation" is, well, you know, "bunk".
Here's a post I put together a while ago that contains pertinent information:
From “background information” on the church’s website, regarding the Book of Mormon:
http://www.LDS.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=
64da8bd9eeb9f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3e0511154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD
Latter-day Saints also consider the Book of Mormon to be a record of great ancient-American civilizations.
According to the record, one of these civilizations stemmed from a man named Lehi who left Jerusalem with his family around 600 B.C. They traveled to the sea, built a boat and continued over sea to the Americas.
Following the party’s arrival in the New World, growing disharmony caused family groups to fragment into clans that evolved eventually into two opposing nations. Conflicts ensued during the recorded 1,000 years, leading to the eventual demise of one of these nations.
Within the context of this story is a series of prophecies and testimonies about Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, including, strikingly, a visit by the risen, resurrected Jesus to the people in the New World.
The Book of Mormon records that during Christ's ministry to the people of ancient America, He established His church, as in the Old World.
According to the record, the people lived in unity and prosperity for nearly 200 years following Christ's visit.
Then, over time, many people began to abandon Christ's teachings. Wickedness prevailed among them, and a war of extermination resulted in the destruction of an entire nation.
Now, notice the statement "one of these civilizations, certainly a nod to LGT. However, LGT does not allow for the "destruction of an entire nation".
A talk by Mark E. Peterson, “The Last Words of Moroni”, Ensign, Nov 1978
http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnex ... RD&locale=0&sourceId=15d2d0640b96b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Moroni’s father was commander of the armies of this ancient people, known as Nephites. His name was Mormon. The war of which we speak took place here in America some four hundred years after Christ. (See Morm. 6.)
As the fighting neared its end, Mormon gathered the remnant of his forces about a hill which they called Cumorah, located in what is now the western part of the state of New York.
Their enemies, known as Lamanites, came against them on this hill. Of that dreadful event Mormon wrote:
“My people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them.
“… Every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers.
“And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war.
“And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst.” (Morm. 6:7–10.)
Then he spoke of other leaders serving with him in the Nephite army, all of whom had fallen with the forces under their command. He accounted for about a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers killed in that final encounter at Cumorah.
A big battle in New York??? Bzzzt, thanks for playing.
Marion G. Romney, “America’s Destiny”, Ensign, Nov 1975
http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnex ... RD&locale=0&sourceId=314761cb2b86b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
In the western part of the state of New York near Palmyra is a prominent hill known as the “hill Cumorah.” (Morm. 6:6.) On July twenty-fifth of this year, as I stood on the crest of that hill admiring with awe the breathtaking panorama which stretched out before me on every hand, my mind reverted to the events which occurred in that vicinity some twenty-five centuries ago—events which brought to an end the great Jaredite nation.
You who are acquainted with the Book of Mormon will recall that during the final campaign of the fratricidal war between the armies led by Shiz and those led by Coriantumr “nearly two millions” of Coriantumr’s people had been slain by the sword; “two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children.” (Ether 15:2.)
As the conflict intensified, all the people who had not been slain—men “with their wives and their children” (Ether 15:15)—gathered about that hill Cumorah (see Ether 15:11).
The Jaredites in New York??? Bzzzt. Thanks for playing.