Temples in the Book of Mormon
Urim and Thummin in translating the Book of Mormon?
Were plants and crops mentioned in the Book of Mormon present in the pre-Columbian era?
Highlighted text – Verses that are similar or exactly the same in the Bible.
For the sake of time, I won’t cite all the parallel phrases and words from the Old and New Testaments that are in the Book of Mormon text. While it can be argued that some of the parallels are only a coincidence most are so strong it is impossible to not conclude that their, true source is the King James Version of the Bible. For a complete transcript of this lesson, please click on the link in the description below.
As we begin, let’s set the context for this story. About 79 years previous, to Mosiah chapter 7, a group of men left the land of Zarahemla in an, attempt to return to the land of Lehi-Nephi, where their ancestors had once lived. That expedition fought among themselves, and all but 50 were killed in the wilderness before returning, back to Zarahemla. After returning, they gathered another group and left again to find the land of Lehi-Nephi. And that group was never heard of again. (see Omni 1:27-30) At the time Mosiah II took over as king of the people in Zarahemla.
Mosiah 7:1 As we begin this chapter, King Mosiah II is wondering what happened to the men in that group, especially since a number, of his people have been constantly asking him to send a party of men to discover their fate. The phrase “the space of three years” is also in James 5:17 and, “was desirous to know” is in Esther 11:12.
Mosiah 7:2 “And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted that sixteen of their strong men might go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi, to inquire concerning their brethren.”
Mosiah 7:3 “And it came to pass that on the morrow they started to go up, having with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man, and a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was also their leader.” The “Ammon” here is not the same as the Ammon we will meet later in Chapter 27, who will become a mighty missionary. The words “strong and mighty” are in Psalm 24:8.
As we get back to our story, let me make it clear that sometimes they call the land “the land of Lehi-Nephi” and other times, it is just called the “land of Nephi.” The terms were used interchangeably.
Mosiah 7:4 “And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the wilderness to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore they wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander.” The number 40 seems similar, to the number of years the children of Israel wandered. This begs the question – Why didn’t they take the brass ball/compass with them to point the way? The words “even forty days” are in Numbers 14:34.
Mosiah 7:5 “And when they had wandered forty days they came to a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched their tents.”
Mosiah 7:6 “And Ammon took three of his brethren, and their names were Amaleki, Helem, and Hem, and they went down into the land of Nephi.”
Mosiah 7:7 And behold, they met the king of the people who were in the land of Nephi, and in the land of Shilom; and they were surrounded by the king’s guard, and were taken, and were bound, and were committed to prison.” One of the most frequent grammatical errors Joseph Smith made while translating the Book of Mormon is the use of the word “was” instead of “were.” In the 1830 edition page 169 it read “…and they were surrounded by the king’s guard, and was taken, and was bound, and was committed to prison.” So, “was” was changed to “were” in later editions.
Mosiah 7:8 After two days they were brought before the king to be questioned. The words “bands were loosed” are in Acts 16:26.
Mosiah 7:9 “And he said unto them: Behold, I am Limhi, son of Noah, who was the son of Zeniff, who came up out of the land of Zarahemla” (79 years ago) “to inherit this land which was the land of their fathers, who was made a king by the voice of the people.”
Let me briefly summarize what happened to the people who
left the land of Zarahemla 79 years before.
They were led by a man named Zeniff.
When the search party arrived in the land of Nephi, they were welcomed
by the Lamanites who were now in control of the area. The Lamanites secretly plotted to let
Zeniff’s colony settle in the Land of Nephi, make the land productive, and
ultimately force these Nephites into bondage by living off their labors.
At first the Nephites thrived in the land, until the
Lamanites began their efforts to subject Zeniff and his people into
bondage. The Nephites fought them off
and maintained their independence for about 40 years. As Zeniff grew old, he turned his kingdom
over to his son, Noah. We will learn in
a future lesson that Noah turned out to be a very wicked king. He replaced the righteous priests with wicked
men to serve as priests over the people.
One of these wicked priests was Alma.
The corrupt reign of King Noah and his priests weakened the colony of
Nephites. And, that enabled the
Lamanites to then put Noah’s people into bondage and live off their
labors.
Noah was eventually killed by his own priests. And one of
Noah’s sons, Limhi, became the next king.
Limhi inherited the kingdom that
had to pay 50 percent of everything they had to the Lamanites. This was the state of, affairs at the time
Ammon and his companions found Limhi and his people. Thus, the Nephite colony in Lamanite territory
had three kings during the 79-year period – Zeniff, Noah, and Limhi.
We will now return to Mormon’s account of what happened
after Ammon’s group found Limhi and his people in the Land of Nephi or
Lehi-Nephi. We are going to learn why Ammon and his
companions were arrested so quickly. The
king was concerned for his own safety, and we find out why as the story
continues.
Mosiah 7:10 The
words “without the gate” is also in Hebrews 13:12.
Mosiah 7:11 The
words “permitted to speak” are the same in Acts 26:1.
Mosiah 7:12 “And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he
went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again he said: O king,
I am very thankful before God this day and I am yet alive, and am permitted to
speak; and I will endeavor to speak with boldness;” The phrase “bowed himself before the
king” is also in 1 Kings 1:23
and, “and rising again” is in Luke 2:34 and, “this day
that I am” is in Acts 20:26 and, “I will
endeavor” is in 2 Peter 1:15.
Mosiah 7:13 Ammon proceeds to tell the king why they came
from the land of Zarahemla to find out what happened to those who Zeniff led
out of that land. The phrase “if ye had known me ye would not have” is similar, to John 8:19 and, “up
out of that land” is
the same in Exodus 3:8.
Mosiah 7:14 Hearing this made Limhi “exceedingly glad” and
relieved that the Nephites in land of Zarahemla still exist. Limhi and his people are facing very
difficult times themselves as he will now explain to Ammon. His hopes have been raised that Ammon and the
people of Zarahemla will rescue them. The phrase “of Ammon, he” is similar, to Judges 10:18 and, “said: Now, I know of a surety” is also in Acts 12:11 and, “on the morrow” is also in Acts 25:17.
Mosiah 7:15 “For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed
with a tax which is grievous to be borne.
And now, behold, our brethren will deliver us out of our bondage or out
of the hands of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves; for it is better that
we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king of the
Lamanites.” The words “grievous to be borne” are also in Matthew 23:4 and, “will deliver us out of” are in Daniel 3:17.
Mosiah 7:16 King Limhi told Ammon to get the rest of his
party from the hill and bring them into the city where they can rest from their
journey and eat. The words “that
thereby they might eat, and drink” are similar, to 2 Kings 6:22 and, “had suffered many things” are also in Mark 5:26.
Mosiah 7:17 “And now, it came to pass on the morrow that king Limhi sent a
proclamation among all his people, that thereby they might gather themselves
together to the temple, to hear the words which he should speak unto
them.” More than likely this
temple was the same one which Nephi and his people built in the land of Nephi,
as recorded in 2 Nephi 5:16. There were only 3 temples mentioned in the
Book of Mormon. This one is in the land
of Nephi, or Lehi-Nephi, one in the land of Zarahemla, and one in the land of
Bountiful. While there is mention of
these temples, it seems they were used mostly for open assemblies or a gathering
place to hear the word preached – with no mention of sacred ordinances being
performed such as marriage sealings or ordinances for the dead. The phrase “proclamation among” and “that
thereby they might gather themselves together” are similar, to Ezra 10:7.
Mosiah 7:18 “And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves
together that he spake unto them in this wise saying: O ye, my people, lift up
your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far
distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies,
notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust
there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made.” With the arrival of Ammon
and his companions, suddenly there was hope for deliverance. The words “for behold, the time is at
hand” are similar, to Revelation 1:3 and, “be
in subjection to” are the
same in 1 Peter 3:1 and, “in vain” are also in 1 Corinthians 15:10.
Mosiah 7:19 King Limhi tells his people to put their
trust in God. That same God who brought
the children of Israel out of Egypt. The phrase “put your trust in God” is similar, to Psalm 4:5 and, “the God of Abraham, and Issac, and Jacob” is similar, to Matthew 22:32 and, “Israel
out of the land of Egypt” is
the same in Amos 9:7 and, “through the Red Sea on dry ground” is similar, to Hebrews 11:29 and “with manna”
is also in Deuteronomy 8:16.
Mosiah 7:20 “And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the
land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and
behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that the has brought
us into bondage.” We
can see the symbolism in this verse of their sins bringing them into spiritual
slavery. The words “the same
God” are similar, to 1 Corinthians 12:6 and, “because
of our iniquities” are also
in Isaiah 64:7 and, “brought us into bondage” are similar, to Galatians 2:4.
Mosiah 7:21 The
words “ye all are witnesses this day” are similar, to Ruth 4:9.
Mosiah 7:22 Limhi reminds his people that because they
are in bondage they have, to pay 50 percent of their corn, and their barley,
and grain of every kind, and of their flocks and herds to the Lamanites or be
killed. In the 1830 edition page 170
it read “And
this he done, for the sole purpose…” This was later changed to “And this he did.” The words “of our flocks and our herds”
are similar, to Nehemiah 10:36.
Mosiah 7:23-24 Limhi reminds them they have great reason to
mourn over their losses.
Mosiah 7:23 The
phrase “grievous to be borne” is also in Matthew 23:4.
Mosiah 7:24 The
words “Yea, I say unto you” are also in Matthew 11:9 and “their blood
has been spilt” are similar,
to Psalm 79:3.
Next, Limhi points out to his people how they got into this
predicament.
Mosiah 7:25 “For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord
would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his
words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed
blood among themselves.” The words “would not have suffered” are also in Matthew
24:43.
Mosiah 7:26 Speaking of Abinadi, “And a prophet of the Lord
have they slain; yea, a chosen man of God, who told them of their wickedness
and abominations, and prophesied of many things which are to come, yea, even
the coming of Christ.” Another
common grammatical mistake in translation is the uses of the word “is”
when it should read “are.” In
the 1830 edition page 171 This verse read “…and prophesied of many things which is
to come…” So, “is” was
changed to “are.”
Mosiah 7:27 “And because he said unto them that Christ was the God, the
Father of all things, and said that he should take upon him the image of man,
and it should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; or in
other words, he said that man was created after the image of God, and that God
should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood,
and go forth upon the face of the earth.” The words “God, the Father of all
things” are similar, to 1 Corinthians 8:6 and, “after
the image of” are also in Colossians 3:10. Does this verse seem a bit
confusing? Joseph Smith taught in D&C 130:22 that
God has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s body. This doctrine was placed into his story of
the First Vision with God and Jesus both appearing to him in bodies of flesh
and bones. That became the doctrine of
God, which is essential – because if we’re going to become like God, we come to
this earth to get bodies, so we can become exalted gods who have immortal physical
bodies. Mosiah 7:27 is
saying that God himself is going to come down to this earth and become a
man. Who is it that did this? Jesus.
It says Christ is God. He is the
Father of all things. Isaiah 9:6 says
“He shall be
called Everlasting Father.” And
God has, to take on the image of man – meaning a physical body of flesh and
bones and blood. But, if God already had
a physical body, how can he take on another physical body? See the confusion?
Mosiah 7:28 “And now, because he said this, they did put him to death; and
many more things did they do which brought down the wrath of God upon
them. Therefore, who wondereth that they
are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?” Speaking
of Limhi’s people. The phrase “the wrath of God upon” is also in Revelation
16:1.
Mosiah 7:29 “For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people
in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they
prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.” The words “my people in the day of
their” are also in Obadiah 1:13 and “I will
hedge up” are the same in Hosea 2:6.
Mosiah 7:30-32 Limhi teaches that if his people sow
wickedness, they shall reap destruction.
Mosiah 7:30 The
words “they shall reap the chaff thereof in
the whirlwind” are similar,
to Hosea 8:7.
Mosiah 7:31 The
words “And again he saith” is also in Romans 15:10.
Mosiah 7:33 However, Limhi teaches there is a way out of
their painful situation. “But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put
your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he
will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.”
Mosiah 8:1-2 When King Limhi finished his speech to his
people, he invited Ammon to speak to them about what has happened in the land
of Zarahemla over the past 79 years.
Mosiah 8:1 The
phrase “he spake many things unto them” is also in Matthew 13:3.
Mosiah 8:2 The words “before the multitude” are in Luke 9:16.
Mosiah 8:3 So Ammon spoke,
and he repeated King Benjamin’s last sermon in the land of Zarahemla to them, as
well. That speech, as you recall was in Mosiah chapters 2 through 5. The phrase “that they might understand” is in Luke 24:45 and, “all the words which he spake” is similar, to Acts 20:38.
Mosiah 8:4 When Ammon
was done speaking, king Limhi dismissed the crowd and sent them away.
Mosiah 8:5 “And it came to pass that he caused the plates which contained the
record of his people from the time that they left the land of Zarahemla, should
be brought before Ammon, that he might read them.”
Mosiah 8:6 “Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the king inquired of
him to know if he could interpret languages, and Ammon told him that he could
not.” The words “the king
inquired of him” are similar,
to Daniel 1:20.
Mosiah 8:7-9 King Limhi tells Ammon about sending several
men in an, attempt to find Zarahemla. Limhi
had hoped to get help from the people in Zarahemla to free his people in the
land of Lehi-Nephi. But his men got lost
and found themselves at the ruins of the Jaradite civilization – whom they knew
nothing about at the time. Limhi’s men
discovered 24 gold plates and brought them back to Limhi. Because they were written in a language they
could not understand – Limhi wondered if Ammon could read them – but he could
not. We will learn later in our study of
the Book of Mormon that these plates were the record of the Jaradites. Eventually, Moroni will translate and abridge
these plates which will become the book of Ether. When Ether had finished his record, he hid
them so the people of Limhi would eventually find them (see Ether 15:33).
Mosiah 8:7 The words “grieved for the afflictions” is also in Amos 6:6 and “journey
into the wilderness” is in Exodus 3:18.
Mosiah 8:8 In this verse and no less than five more
times in the 1830 edition of Book of Mormon is the abbreviation “&c” meaning,
“and so forth”, used. It is hardly
believable that such a symbol as “&c” was a translation from ancient
writings. This kind of mistake is clear
evidence of a recent origin of the book.
The words “bones of men and of beasts” are similar, to Numbers 31:11 and, “the
hosts of Israel” are the
same in 1 Kings 2:5.
Mosiah 8:10 “And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are
large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound.”
Mosiah 8:11 “And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have
perished, and the blades thereof have were cankered with rust; and there is no
one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that
are on the plates. Therefore I said unto
thee: Canst thou translate?” So, Ammon finds ancient swords. If swords existed in pre-Columbian America,
why is there no evidence of them today?
Mosiah 8:12 King Limhi asks Ammon if he knows ANYONE who
can translate these 24 plates? The words “remnant of the people” are also in Jeremiah
39:9.
Mosiah 8:13 “Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king,
of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look,
and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from
God. And the things are called interpreters,
and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for
that he ought not and he should perish.
And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.” These “interpreters” are
the Urim and Thummin. Here is Joseph Smith’s
description of the interpreters, and an account of how he received them which
is recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History 1:35
“There was a
book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former
inhabitants of this continent, and the source from when they sprang…Also, that
there were two stones in silver bows – and these stones, fastened to a
breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummin – deposited with
the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted
‘seers’ in ancient or former times; and the God had prepared them for the
purpose of translating the book.”
These were supposedly given to Joseph Smith by the Angel
Moroni. Joseph used the Urim and Thummin
to translate the first 116 pages which included the book of Lehi. Once the pages were lost, God confiscated the
Urim and Thummin from Smith. He was left
to translate the rest of the Gold Plates with his stone in a hat.
As a note to Verse 13, From the 1830 edition
of the Book of Mormon page 173 the word “had” has been deleted and the
words “not
ought” have been rearranged to “ought not” in
later editions. It used to read “… lest he should look for
that he had not ought and he should perish.” The words “it is a gift” are the same in Matthew 15:5 and, “that he ought not” are also in Acts 25:24.
Mosiah 8:14 “And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of
Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this
high gift from God.” In
other words, King Mosiah II is a seer. The words “behold the king of the people” are similar, to Ezekiel 17:12.
Mosiah 8:15 “And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.” So, a seer is greater than a
prophet, for all seers are prophets, but not all prophets are seers? The phrase “is greater than a
prophet” is similar, to Luke 7:26.
Mosiah 8:16 “And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also;
and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power
of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.” The words “can no man” is also in James 3:8.
Mosiah 8:17 “But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of
things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or rather,
shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light,
and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things
shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.” The words “could not be known” are in Genesis
41:21. When
the verse says “can know things which are past” it means the seer can
interpret ancient
records. The words “prophet,” “seer,” and “revelator” are
titles given to general authorities of the LDS Church – including the Twelve
Apostles and the First Presidency. No
General Authority since Joseph Smith has ever translated ancient writings. There was a golden opportunity back in the
late 1960’s when the Book of Abraham papyri was procured by the Church. Instead of using their callings as “seers”,
the Church leaders gave that task to trained secular linguists. And, we know how that turned out. (see T2M
episodes 61, 62, 63, 64) (see Gospel Topics Essays – Translation and
Historicity of the Book of Abraham)
Mosiah 8:18 “Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might
work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow
beings.” Ammon was referring
to Mosiah II.
Mosiah 8:19 “And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking these words the
king rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God, saying: Doubtless a great
mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless
prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of
men.” The 1830 edition
page 173 read “…and these interpreters was doubtless prepared…” So, “was” was
changed to “were.”
The words “And gave thanks to God” are in Acts 27:35 and, “a great
mystery” are also in Ephesians 5:32.
Mosiah 8:20 The
words “should rule over them” are also in Joel 2:17.
Mosiah 8:21 The
words “and are driven” are in James 3:4.
(no reference on screen) It is easy to get confused
chronologically at this point in your reading of the Book of Mormon. So, I’m going to explain what we are entering
next. A heading note in the Book of
Mormon just before Mosiah chapter 9 states “The Record of Zeniff – An account of his
people, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time that they
were delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites. Comprising chapters 9 to 22 inclusive.” So, Chapters 9-22 in
the book of
Mosiah are
a flashback to the days of Zeniff and his people as they left the land of
Zarahemla 79 years ago to return to the land of Nephi. In fact, the diversion from the narrative is
so extensive that it is not until Mosiah 21:28 that the story line of Ammon and Limhi resumes. Mormon quoted directly from Zeniff’s own
records for Chapters 9 and 10.
Mosiah 9 Covers 13 years, from approximately 200 BC
to 187 BC.
Mosiah 9:1-2 Zeniff and his men were sent from Zarahemla
to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the Lamanite army in the land of
Nephi. Once Zeniff saw that there was
good among the Lamanites, he didn’t want to destroy them. He wanted to make a treaty with them, but his
own leader wanted to kill Zeniff for even suggesting such a thing. There was infighting and most of the group
died. The rest returned with Zeniff to
Zarahemla to tell the story.
Mosiah 9:1 The words “but when I saw that” are also in Galatians 2:14.
Mosiah 9:2 The words “an austere” are also in Luke 19:21.
Mosiah 9:3-4 Zeniff was determined to possess the land of
Nephi, so he took a group of men and women into the wilderness and eventually they
reached the land of Lehi-Nephi.
Mosiah 9:3 The words “our journey into the wilderness” are also in Deuteronomy 2:1.
Mosiah 9:5 “And it came to pass that I went again with four of my men into the
city, in unto the king, that I might know of the disposition of the king, and
that I might know if I might go in with my people and possess the land in
peace.”
Mosiah 9:6 “And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted with me that I
might possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom.” The words “possess the land of” are also in Amos 2:10.
Mosiah 9:7 “And he also commanded that his people should depart out of the
land, and I and my people went into the land that we might possess it.” As you can tell, the meeting went surprisingly
well – because the king of Lamanites recognized an opportunity to work his
cunning plan. The words “that
we might posses it” are similar,
to Joshua 24:8.
Mosiah 9:8 “And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of the
city, yea, even the walls of the city of Lehi-Nephi, and city of Shilom.” It’s obvious that Nephi and
his people once lived in these cities.
Mosiah 9:9 “And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner of
seeds, with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and with neas, and with
sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits; and we did begin to multiply and
prosper in the land.” The
Book of Mormon fails to mention important plants which were in the area, such
as beans, squash, avocado, chili peppers, chicham, potatoes, pumpkins,
sunflowers, pineapples, papya, etc. But
It does mention seeds, plants, crops, fruits of every kind. Therefore, one would expect to find an
abundance of plants brought to the New World by the Jaradites and Nephites –
but we don’t. Later on the Book of
Mormon speaks of grapes and figs (3 Nephi 14:16) which did not exist in the
Americas. The words “of wheat,
and of barley” are
also in Jeremiah 41:8.
Of course, no one knows what “neas” and
“sheum” are. We know that “corn” and “wheat” and “barley” were
not present until Europeans brought them to America centuries later. The writer of the Book of Mormon had a habit
of inventing new and contrived words such as: “neas” and “sheum” which
were some kind, of plant or crop.
Next, in retrospect Zeniff points out the cunning plot in
the heart of King Laman. We should also
note, that, just as the Nephites named their kings after Nephi for awhile (see Jacob 1:11), so
also the Lamanites named their kings after Laman, who was Nephi’s brother.
Mosiah 9:10 “Now it was the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, to bring
my people into bondage, that he yielded up the land that we might possess
it.” The words “yielded up the land” are similar, to Matthew 27:50.
Mosiah 9:11 “Therefore, it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the
land for the space of twelve years that king Laman began to grow uneasy, lest
by any means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not overpower
them and bring them into bondage.” The phrase “land, and that they” and “bring them
into bondage” is the same in Acts 7:6.
Mosiah 9:12 “Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they
were desirous to bring into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the
labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of
our fields.” The phrase “they were desirous to” is also in John 16:19 and, “bring us into bondage” is the same in Galatians
2:4.
Mosiah 9:13-15 King Laman enacts his plan. He stirred up his people the Lamanites to
attack the Nephites while they were working in their fields. The Nephites came calling on Zeniff for
protection.
Mosiah 9:14 The
phrase “in the thirteenth year” is also in Jeremiah 1:2.
Mosiah 9:16 “And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with
arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and
with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go
forth against the Lamanites to battle.” Somehow,
Zeniff was prepared with numerous kinds of weapons, some of which he invented
on the spot. Unfortunately, there is no
evidence for swords and cimeters in the pre-Columbian era of the Americas.
Mosiah 9:17-19 God answered their prayers for strength, as
Zeniff and his people defeated the Lamanites 3043 to 279.
Mosiah 9:17 The
words “go forth to battle” are in 2 Samuel 11:1 and, “the
Lord that he would deliver” are
in Psalm 22:8 and, “deliver
us out of the hands of our enemies” are similar, to 1 Samuel 12:10.
Mosiah 9:18 The
words “go forth in his might” are similar, to Judges 5:31.
Mosiah 9:19 The
phrase “myself, with mine own hands” is similar, to 1 Samuel 25:33.
Mosiah 10:1-5 After all that bloodshed, Zeniff tells
his people to stock-pile weapons of war and posts guards around the land. The men raised crops and the women made
clothes. Consequently, they had 22 years of continual peace and
prosperity.
Mosiah 10:2 The
phrase “into the hands of our enemies” is also in Esther 14:6.
Mosiah 10:3 The
words “twenty and two years” are the same in Judges 10:3.
Mosiah 10:4 The
words “manner of fruit” are similar, to Revelation 22:2.
Mosiah 10:5 The
words “work all manner of” and “fine
linen” are also in Exodus 35:35.
Mosiah 10:6 Eventually, King Laman died, and his son
prepared the Lamanites for war again. The phrase “died, and his began to reign in his stead” is similar, to 1 Chronicles 19:1.
Mosiah 10:7 Zeniff’s spies saw the Lamanites coming. The words “come upon my people” are also in Amos 8:2.
Mosiah 10:8 The Lamanites had shaved heads and were
girded with a leathern girdle about their loins. They were looking wild and ferocious in their
leather underwear. More swords and
cimeters, but no evidence of these pre-Columbian weapons has ever been
found. The phrase “armed with
bows” is also in 1 Chronicles 12:2 and, “that
they were naked” is in Genesis 3:7 and, “were
girded with” is in Daniel 10:5 and, “a
leathern girdle about their loins” is similar, to Matthew 3:4.
Mosiah 10:9 Zeniff hid all the women and children in the
woods and armed every man and boy for battle.
The phrase “children of my people” is also in Judges 14:16 and, “were able to bear” is also in Acts 15:10.
Mosiah 10:10-11 The Nephites had the strength of the Lord on
their side, while the Lamanites depended on the strength of men.
Mosiah 10:10 The
words “the Lord to battle” are also in Numbers 32:27.
Mosiah 10:11 The
words “a strong people” are also in Joel 2:5.
Mosiah 10:12 Zeniff rouses his troops with a speech about
the Lamanites, explaining that “They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,
believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this – Believing that
they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of
their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren,
and they were also wronged while crossing the sea.”
Mosiah 10:13-16 Zeniff goes on to recount all the reasons
that throughout their family history the Lamanites were extremely angry with
the Nephites.
Mosiah 10:13 The
words “of the Lord – therefore he” are similar, to 1 Chronicles 10:14 and, “the
Lord, for the Lord” are also
in Psalm 135:3.
Mosiah 10:14 The
words “they understood not the” are also in Luke 2:50.
Mosiah 10:15 The
words “and they sought to” are also in Mark 12:12.
Mosiah 10:16 The
phrase “as the Lord had commanded him, and
took” is also in Exodus 34:4.
Mosiah 10:17 Zeniff speaking of the Lamanites “And thus they have taught
their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them,
and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy
them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.”
Mosiah 10:18 The
words “may destroy them” are also in Deuteronomy 9:14 and, “years in
the land” are the same in Genesis 16:3.
Mosiah 10:19 The
words “told all these things unto” are also in Luke 24:9.
Mosiah 10:20 Zeniff and his people “slew them with a great
slaughter, even so many that we did not number them.” The words “did drive them” are also in Jeremiah 46:15.
Mosiah 10:21 The Nephites once again, returned to tend
their flocks and tilled the ground.
Mosiah 10:22 “And now I, being old, did confer my kingdom upon one of my
sons; Therefore, I say no more. And may
the Lord bless my people. Amen.” His son
the new, ruler will be a man named Noah, who will be a very wicked
king.
And, this concludes
our study for today. For more you can
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God Bless!