Has the Book of Mormon Fulfilled its Mission?

[_just me]

There are a couple things that the Book of Mormon is supposed to do. I am wondering if it has done what it set out to do.

We read in the JST

Genesis 50:31 Wherefore the fruit of thy loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

Have false doctrines been confounded? Which ones?
Have contentions been laid down, set aside? Among who?
Has peace been established among the descendants of Joseph (I believe that is who it is speaking of)? Where?
Has it brought knowledge of their fathers to them? Covenants?

This is what the title page has to say about the Book of Mormon:

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

Has the Book of Mormon convinced Jew and Gentile that Jesus Christ is the Eternal God?
Has it shown the remnant of the house of Isreal that God did great things for their fathers? Given knowledge of the convenants made?
Has it been received by the Lamanites to whom it was written? Who are the Lamanites?

[_Fence Sitter]

I am sure the response will be that it is fulfilling (present tense) its mission. Without some sort of time frame within which it is supposed to be done it is not possible to say it has failed.

One could point out that the number of people as a percentage that are not hearing the message is rising or what early members of the church considered to be Lamanites is very different from what is believed today or that early members believed the time frame for this mission to be much shorter than members do today, but these are all errors of man and can be explained away as mere misunderstandings that do not affect the validity of the mission. Hands held firmly to the rod and face down. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

[_bcspace]

Have false doctrines been confounded? Which ones?

Yes. The relationship between faith and works, Baptism of little children. The priesthood. The resurrection. Faith and the Atonement. The garden state and the Fall. Etc. etc.

Have contentions been laid down, set aside? Among who?

This only happens as more people accept one doctrine and one source for such doctrine. So this will not be accomplished till the end.

Has peace been established among the descendants of Joseph (I believe that is who it is speaking of)? Where?

Only among the Saints and not till the end for everyone else.

Has it brought knowledge of their fathers to them? Covenants?

Sure.

Has the Book of Mormon convinced Jew and Gentile that Jesus Christ is the Eternal God?

Ongoing process. I have taught the discussions to Jews, even baptised one.

Has it shown the remnant of the house of Isreal that God did great things for their fathers? Given knowledge of the convenants made?

Yes.

Has it been received by the Lamanites to whom it was written?

They are the principle ancestors yes.

Who are the Lamanites?

My opinion is that events and teachings in the Book of Mormon affected a large portion of "indigenous" peoples in the Western Hemisphere at some point before Joseph Smith. Those would be the Lamanites spoken of.

[_LDSToronto]

Have false doctrines been confounded? Which ones?

Yes. The relationship between faith and works, Baptism of little children. The priesthood. The resurrection. Faith and the Atonement. The garden state and the Fall. Etc. etc.

I always figured New Jersey was a false state. Now I know.

H.