Q: What is the history of the position of "governor" in the Book of Mormon?
A: It appears suddenly in Alma 2, rather late in the history of the Nephite nation, persists for less than a century, then vanishes for good. The circumstances appear to be the threat of a civil war, led by the Amlicite faction.
No mention of such a position is made in the great governmental reform that replaces a monarchy with judgeships.
The Bible helps us to learn that it is certainly not some 19th century anachronism -- and provides a clue that may solve the mystery of its origin. One of the Old Testament words translated "governor" is "sar," which Strong's concordance also translates as "chief captains."
Go back to Alma 2, verse 13. Facing the Amlicite threat, the Nephites appointed "captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers."
It seems to me that the Nephite governors were not so much politicians as are our modern governors, as they were chief-chief captains, sarim. More akin to the old Roman Republic emergency dictators.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Exploring Book of Mormon names
In the second chapter of the Book of Alma, within the Book of Mormon, seditionists wage war atop the hill Amnihu, east of the river Sidon, near the capital city of the Nephites.
The Biblical King David had a son, Amnon, which according to Strong's Concordance can be transliterated Aminon, but I think the etymology of this place derives from another Biblical word ... Near Damascus in the Holy Land is the hill Amanah, which is Hebrew for "faithful."
Yet another amazing cooincidence for the imaginative Joseph Smith, or a neat little mark of authenticity? You decide.
What of the river Sidon? Why would Nephites, expatriate Hebrews, name their principal New World river for that Phoenician -- foreign -- city?
Perhaps they did for the same reasons the United States has a Paris, Moscow, Memphis, Philadephia, New London, etc.
Or perhaps it is because Sidon is Hebrew for "fishery." Which could be expected to be a major business upon a major river. Old World Sidon may not have come to their minds at all.
Typically, the New Testament has Sidon while the Old has Zidon -- both of course translating the same word which in Hebrew begins with the letter "tsadee," pronounced "ts," which is neither an s or a z but a little of both. Hence the difficulty. We see this with other words such as Melchizedek (OT) and Melchisedec (NT).
But Sidon appearing in the Book of Mormon is hardly an anachronism. If you are still not convinced, Genesis 10:15 should put your mind at ease.
The Biblical King David had a son, Amnon, which according to Strong's Concordance can be transliterated Aminon, but I think the etymology of this place derives from another Biblical word ... Near Damascus in the Holy Land is the hill Amanah, which is Hebrew for "faithful."
Yet another amazing cooincidence for the imaginative Joseph Smith, or a neat little mark of authenticity? You decide.
What of the river Sidon? Why would Nephites, expatriate Hebrews, name their principal New World river for that Phoenician -- foreign -- city?
Perhaps they did for the same reasons the United States has a Paris, Moscow, Memphis, Philadephia, New London, etc.
Or perhaps it is because Sidon is Hebrew for "fishery." Which could be expected to be a major business upon a major river. Old World Sidon may not have come to their minds at all.
Typically, the New Testament has Sidon while the Old has Zidon -- both of course translating the same word which in Hebrew begins with the letter "tsadee," pronounced "ts," which is neither an s or a z but a little of both. Hence the difficulty. We see this with other words such as Melchizedek (OT) and Melchisedec (NT).
But Sidon appearing in the Book of Mormon is hardly an anachronism. If you are still not convinced, Genesis 10:15 should put your mind at ease.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Experiencing the divine ...
"I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it." -- 1 John 2:21.
By this statement, the writer of this epistle seems to make clear that he is not addressing outsiders or even potential converts to the Christian faith. He is writing to Saints already grounded in the gospel, those who already know the truth. His purpose? "That your joy may be full."
And yet, this seems to contradict his earlier declaration, in which he states that his purpose in writing is that "ye may also have fellowship with us." At first glance, that appears to be precisely an invitation to outsiders, an appeal to join the family of the saints.
I puzzled over that tonight. Then the Spirit spoke to me. John is indeed addressing the membership, telling them: You know the truth. Now I invite you to ascend to the next level -- experience it, even as we apostles have!
To quote LDS author Robert Millet, referencing certain saints in his recollection: " Their [testimonies weren't] simply an intellectual disclosure but rather a report of personal engagement with things divine." (Holding Fast, P. 1)
We know from Jesus' words that the pure in heart are promised that they shall see God. And God keeps his promises.
By this statement, the writer of this epistle seems to make clear that he is not addressing outsiders or even potential converts to the Christian faith. He is writing to Saints already grounded in the gospel, those who already know the truth. His purpose? "That your joy may be full."
And yet, this seems to contradict his earlier declaration, in which he states that his purpose in writing is that "ye may also have fellowship with us." At first glance, that appears to be precisely an invitation to outsiders, an appeal to join the family of the saints.
I puzzled over that tonight. Then the Spirit spoke to me. John is indeed addressing the membership, telling them: You know the truth. Now I invite you to ascend to the next level -- experience it, even as we apostles have!
To quote LDS author Robert Millet, referencing certain saints in his recollection: " Their [testimonies weren't] simply an intellectual disclosure but rather a report of personal engagement with things divine." (Holding Fast, P. 1)
We know from Jesus' words that the pure in heart are promised that they shall see God. And God keeps his promises.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cain's gain
Students of the Bible have long wondered at Cain's motive for killing Abel. Simple jealousy? Modern revelation, in the Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price) adds back the lost information that the crime was not so much about hurt feelings and sibling rivalry as it was about something far more evil.
Cain had made a pact with Satan, being convinced that by killing Abel, he could become wealthy -- get gain.
It is terribly ironic that the very meaning of Cain's name is "possession" or "gain." That last detail I just learned yesterday, reading in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). I'm not sure that Joseph Smith the Prophet had any idea of that connection, when he brought forth the lost details of the Book of Moses to the world.
Cain had made a pact with Satan, being convinced that by killing Abel, he could become wealthy -- get gain.
It is terribly ironic that the very meaning of Cain's name is "possession" or "gain." That last detail I just learned yesterday, reading in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). I'm not sure that Joseph Smith the Prophet had any idea of that connection, when he brought forth the lost details of the Book of Moses to the world.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Conversion
It is wonderful to be home visiting my family in Wash. for a few days. Dad took me along on a missionary split last night. We visited a young couple where the husband has recently been reactivated and his wife will soon be baptized.
It was a sweet, peaceful feeling in that home, in spite of some "youth minister's" attempts to poison her against the church with a list he sent to her of the usual, stale, tired, long-ago refuted anti-Mormon nonsense.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ -- the same Gospel that Paul and the other apostles preached, that came to them from Christ and the angels of heaven, not some new gospel -- is pure, sweet and exhilarating. By it we know what the Bible means when it says that when Christ comes, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. By it we know what the apostle meant when he confirmed that we are the offspring of God. By it we know that God works today in the same way that He always has, through prophets and living revelation.
It was a sweet, peaceful feeling in that home, in spite of some "youth minister's" attempts to poison her against the church with a list he sent to her of the usual, stale, tired, long-ago refuted anti-Mormon nonsense.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ -- the same Gospel that Paul and the other apostles preached, that came to them from Christ and the angels of heaven, not some new gospel -- is pure, sweet and exhilarating. By it we know what the Bible means when it says that when Christ comes, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. By it we know what the apostle meant when he confirmed that we are the offspring of God. By it we know that God works today in the same way that He always has, through prophets and living revelation.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Lehi's Dream and Psalmic connections?
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." -- Psalms 119:9.
That is the King James Version. But reading the Jewish Publication Society translation of this passage of the Tanakh opens up a rich field of contemplation for me.
"With what shall a young man keep his way pure? By holding to thy word."
Holding to the word (bmr in Hebrew) immediately brought to mind the vision of Lehi in 1 Nephi 8, in the Book of Mormon. Then the similarities seemed to leap out at me. I hardly think I can be accused of paralellomania but judge for yourself:
The writer of the psalm has sought the Lord with his whole heart and pleads "O let me not wander from thy commandments." He prays that his eyes may be opened, as one might when wandering in a mist of darkness. He is a stranger in the earth, just as the visionary was in a broad field as it were a world.
He says the Lord has rebuked the proud who are cursed, which do err from the commandments, who held him in reproach and contempt as one who kept the commandments ... even princes sat and spoke against him.
The way of God's testimonies brought him joy.
I really believe Lehi, as a pious Jew, could have had this psalm in mind the night he beheld his great vision -- especially if his mind was harrowed up with concerns for his sons, his young men, as he specifically stated that it was.
That is the King James Version. But reading the Jewish Publication Society translation of this passage of the Tanakh opens up a rich field of contemplation for me.
"With what shall a young man keep his way pure? By holding to thy word."
Holding to the word (bmr in Hebrew) immediately brought to mind the vision of Lehi in 1 Nephi 8, in the Book of Mormon. Then the similarities seemed to leap out at me. I hardly think I can be accused of paralellomania but judge for yourself:
The writer of the psalm has sought the Lord with his whole heart and pleads "O let me not wander from thy commandments." He prays that his eyes may be opened, as one might when wandering in a mist of darkness. He is a stranger in the earth, just as the visionary was in a broad field as it were a world.
He says the Lord has rebuked the proud who are cursed, which do err from the commandments, who held him in reproach and contempt as one who kept the commandments ... even princes sat and spoke against him.
The way of God's testimonies brought him joy.
I really believe Lehi, as a pious Jew, could have had this psalm in mind the night he beheld his great vision -- especially if his mind was harrowed up with concerns for his sons, his young men, as he specifically stated that it was.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Visiting a friend's Christian blog recently, on the subject of the proverbial "wolves in sheep's clothing," I was struck by a terrible fact: In order for a wolf to put on the "clothing" of a sheep, a sheep must first die. Or rather, a soul must become vulnerable to the enticings of the evil one and leave the safety of the flock, where the wolf can possess it and thus gain entry to the flock.
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