September 21, 2013

Dear Josten,

Yesterday marks 190 years since a very remarkable day.  Sitting on the fall equinox, September 21, 1823 marked the day that the angel named Moroni visited Joseph smith, 190 years ago.

186 years ago on September 21, 1827 the plates that would become the Book of Mormon were released from the vault in which they stood, to be translated and scrutinized the world over.  An amazing book it is.  Yesterday marks a very eventful day indeed.  I wonder if anyone else noticed.

It was also a full moon.

Fall equinox, 190/186 year anniversary, and full moon.  Stars are probably aligning, but I know too little about them to make any comments.  Hope someone else does. :)

Fun fact: you can balance eggs on end relatively easily on the quarterly equinox.  This one was done at my home in Utah, back on December 21, 2010.  Pretty fun to give a round.

Love you!
~Mom<3

How We Roll

I just caught a quick glimpse of this image, copied from "Joseph Smith, the Prophet"'s Nerdbook page.  (I wonder if Joseph Smith thinks it's great, having his own Nerdbook page.  Wonder who writes on his behalf?:)

(Sorry, they didn't give a photo source and I have no idea who did it! But it's nice, isn't it? :)

It made me laugh.  Today I was reading in Denver Snuffer's Nephi's Isaiah, and he spent quite a bit of time explaining a discrepancy between Lucy Mack Smith's account of what happened to the plates.  Lucy writes that Joseph gave the plates to the Angel Moroni, and most Mormons repeat that that's what happened to them.  But Snuffer takes a moment to clarify what scripture, in particular Nephi, dictates, and it's different than what Lucy's account describes.  (He also explains how Lucy's account is true, yet not accurate if questioning where the plates are now.)  Snuffer actually takes time to evaluate the details in the Testimony of the Three Witnesses, as well as the Testimony of the Eight Witnesses (both located in every Book of Mormon).  He highlights key differences in wording, and illustrates exactly how the plates were indeed returned to the place where Joseph was instructed to return them, rather than taken away completely by Moroni.  Yes, Joseph did return them to Moroni for a time, who then shared them with the "three", but he then returned them back to Joseph, who then, as it lists in the Testimony of the Eight, showed the plates to them for their account.  But only the observant or questioning would notice the difference in the current residence for the plates.

Anyways... all of this back and forth in the book shortly led to how we obtain a witness of the Holy Ghost, and it was quite an interesting take on the Holy Ghost.  In fact, it's one of the best descriptions and clarifications on the Holy Ghost I've ever read.  (This post leads up an incredibly well done series that has changed my understanding of the Holy Spirit.)  We, as Mormons, do a great job at confusing a lot of what's written in scripture.  But I really love that this gospel at it's heart, is so simple.  

So why the picture?  Joseph communicated quite a bit with angels, and when reading his accounts and seeing beautiful depictions, I think it's fun to realize that the paintings can never do the real experiences justice.  But I applaud the artists for trying.  What a beautiful depiction.  

And why is it funny?  Who gave these angels permission to stand upon the podium?  Was that ledge put there for angels to descend upon?  Probably.  (I can just hear them saying, "That's how we roll!":)  Could you ever imagine doing this as a mortal?  The audacity!  Now try envisioning how fun it would be if angels appeared in sacrament meeting, and decided to make their appearance by standing upon the pulpit.  That would be quite the sacrament meeting.  I hope someday they do it, just because.  

~Jen:)

1 Nephi 1:17 - Nephi's account

1 Nephi 1:17: 

17 But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an ^aabridgment of the record of my ^bfather, upon^cplates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my ^dfather then will I make an account of mine own life.

Nephi begins here by expressing that this is his account.  This is his life he's talking about, and it's him doing the recording.  Although this Book of Nephi is held in the Book of Mormon, these are Nephi's words, unabridged at this point.  I feel this is a testament to the law of witnesses.  Perhaps there is some import at the judgment day that Nephi takes the time to make this point clear, and not just to be redundant.  But they are his days.  This is not the account of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, or Nephi's sisters.  He wrote it.  

Nephi also points out he is making an abridgment - or a summary, or more brief record - of his father's experiences.  Why does he do this?  It seems that much of this record already is sharing what happened to his father Lehi.  Is it possible for Nephi to share his story, without first talking about his father, and how he was influenced?  

Once again, he is also setting himself up as a second witness.  His father is one.  Nephi makes two.  In scripture we are told that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established (2 Cor. 13:1).  Nephi is fulfilling that law.

It is also awesome to think that somewhere, also likely on metal plates, is Lehi's full, unabridged version of what happened to him.  How cool would it be to have that record revealed, as we know Lehi witnessed a LOT of things that are not contained in this record.  

Also we find out that Nephi made these plates.  Have you ever tried to make metal plates?  would you know how to start?  Would it take a long time?  Where would you find metal to create plates out of?  And why would you use metal?  Nephi surely knew that other means of writing were not going to be able to be preserved.  This tells us (before he tells us) that he knew these records would be shared with a people who would live LONG after he passed from this earth.  

So he found metal.  He had to have dug it from the earth, somehow.  Then he had to melt the metal, and have a means to form it into metal plates.  Can you imagine the process to do this?  Were there college courses for Nephi to learn how to meld metal?  Or how to remove it from the mold?  

And how did Nephi know how to inscribe his language onto metal plates?  Did he learn reformed Egyptian/Hebrew in college?  How long did it take him to form the best tools to do so efficiently?  

As far as words are concerned, do you think that Nephi felt his weakness, knowing that millions of people would eventually find his words at the beginning of a foreign book?  that millions of people would memorize "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents"?  Did he wonder if his work would be criticized, or judged?  At very least he seemed to recognize the importance of pointing out the need to testify that what he is writing is his, and it is true.

Lastly, Nephi shows a great example of how to write a bit of family history.  First he writes about his father's experience, and shows how it has impacted him.  While this might seem natural to those familiar with writing, those who are just beginning to analyze their lives might not realize the importance of one's parentage.  Nephi starts it from the get go.  

A Note about the Book of Mormon Introduction

When I start the Book of Mormon over, I usually try to include the preliminary things.  I overlooked sharing comments on my thoughts of those when I started.  While I won't go into too much detail, I did want to share one thought that came to me when reading the Introduction.  This is the part I want to focus on, which is quoting Joseph Smith, the prophet who translated the plates on which the Book of Mormon was written:

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Many times people point out the important points which I underlined, but I think often the highlighted part gets overlooked. 

Why are we here?

What is the purpose of life?

Where do we go when we die?

What's the point of church?

Why is life so hard?

These are questions that people seeking religion often ask.  But I think the true question at the heart of those is "How do I get nearer to God?"  And this book is the answer.  

Over the last many months, I have had all sorts of peculiar things happen to my body, physically, that I have determined are spiritual in nature.  I seek answers from gurus and spiritual "mentors", people with "gifts", and read many books to find answers to my unique bodily observations.  But upon reading this line, this time around, I realized that I can always get my answers from God.  To get my answers from God, I can follow the "precepts" shown in this book, and witnessed by countless of its characters.  (I use that term affectionately.  I know they're real.)  So while I enjoy the opportunity to seek help from people with spiritual gifts, I am learning more each day that the BEST way to find my answers, is to seek God directly, and trust the means He has already provided me, which are witnessed of in the scriptures.  

I LOVE the Book of Mormon.  And while I love it, I realize that it is not to be the object of my adoration and worship, just like I am not to worship anyone or anything but God.  When I say that I know "this" or "that" is true, it is all pointing to the bottom line, in that these are tools to help us get back to God, which IS the point of our existence.

Can I get an Amen?!  :)

A "Seer", Revelator, Prophet; plates, breastplates and swords

In Mosiah 8 there is so much amazing information I don't know where to start.  I might just do bullets.

We learn the following:

• Limhi sent out a party of 43 to try to find help for their current situation.  
• In their search, they couldn't find Zarahemla, which they were trying to find, but instead found a land covered in bones of man and beast.  
• It was a land of many waters.  
• They returned with 24 plates with engravings on them, made of pure gold.  
• They also brought large breastplates, made of copper and brass
• and rusted swords, where the hilts had broken off.  

Can you imagine, coming across a land left desolate like this?  They describe it as being covered with ruins of buildings of every kind.  Wow.   

(Beautiful photo at Little Round Top, Gettysburg, PA, USA, taken by shaunoboyle from his photoblog, here. I imagine the ruins they found resembled something in a setting like this, for some reason.)

I can just picture Limhi, being so excited to realize who Ammon is once Ammon explains that he's from Zarahemla.  Can you feel his heart just swell with that knowledge?  Limhi asks Ammon if he can translate these plates of gold which they had found.  Can you imagine the anticipation of that answer???  Drumroll, please?

Ammon says he... can't, but then says he knows someone who can!  How excited that must have made Limhi and his people feel!

There is then discussion about Mosiah and how he uses "interpreters", and how it is a "gift" from God.

• They were a tool used to translate the records.
• No man can look in them except he be commanded.
• ...lest he should look for that he ought not and perish.
• Whoever is commanded to look in them is called a "seer". (Mosiah 8:13)

Then there's a description about what a "seer" is.

• A seer is greater than a prophet.
• A seer is both a revelator and a prophet.  
• "...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." (Mosiah 8:16)

 Of course, after this,

"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.  O how marvelous are the works of the Lord"! (Mosiah 8:19-20)

I can only imagine how excited he was!  I can't imagine how long he waited to hear such things.  Could you imagine, having such things in your possession, and not being able to interpret them?  I think I'd go crazy.  What a blessing, to have been able to finally find a way to get some answers!

~Jen:)

Ammon, descendant of Zarahelma

It's been fascinating to read the Book of Mormon in a relatively fast manner.  It's allowed me to grasp things through different glasses.  There's a section in Mosiah and into Alma where there's a bit of a "flashback", where so many different stories are told quite quickly, and it's often been hard for me to keep them straight.  I hope to record on here some notes to keep the stories a bit more clear in my mind.

One thing I caught yesterday in Mosiah 7:3 was the description about Ammon.  Often when we take lazy perspectives on the Book of Mormon, we just assume that most of the main characters are descendants of Lehi, and then Nephi as well.  They're all lumped into the label "Nephites" for general reference.

In regards to Ammon, we learn that he is "a descendant of Zarahemla" –a Mulekite.  For the reference chain on this, read Mosiah 7:3, Omni 1:14-15, and Mosiah 25:2.  (If you click on Mos. 7:3, there's a hyperlink that'll lead you to Omni, then to Mosiah.  Cool!)  That means he was a descendant of Mulek, son of Zedekiah, king of Judah.  He was not of the descent of the family of Lehi. 

Ammon and about 40 others, to include his three brothers, were sent to find the people of Zeniff, who left Zarahemla about 79 years prior to settle in the land of Lehi-Nephi.  When they encountered Limhi and his guards, they (Ammon & bros.) were taken, bound, and imprisoned for several days. 

(The Lamanite King before King Limhi, by Minerva Teichert)

Upon giving an opportunity to speak with Limhi again, they all basically get reintroduced.  We learn of Limhi's background, but *thus far* there is nothing spoken to say if he's a Nephite or Mulekite.  I'm excited to read the account that was kept from Zeniff down to Limhi, and learn more about what went on! 

~Jen:)