Saturday, March 16, 2024

An Unintended but “Spot On” Commentary on Donald Trump’s Propensity of Name Calling and Labeling by an Important Religious Leader

[DWB Introduction: The following comments by Russell M. Nelson were made long before Donald Trump appeared on the political scene, so, of course, they were not directed to him.  Nevertheless, the timeless truths of the Gospel apply to all people at all times.]

"Unfortunately, our modern society is caught up in divisive disputation. Often unkind nicknames are added to—or even substituted for—given names. Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. For example, athletic teams acquire names to intimidate others, such as “Giants,” “Tigers,” “Warriors,” and so on. Harmless you say? Well, perhaps not overly important. But that is only the beginning. More serious separation results when offensive labels are utilized with the intent to demean.

Even worse, such terms camouflage our true identity as sons and daughters of God. The desire of my heart is that we might rise above such worldly trends. God wants us to ascend to the highest level of our potential. He employs names that unify and sanctify. He gave a new name to Abraham’s grandson Jacob, saying, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men.” In Hebrew, the term Yisra’el means “God prevails.” Jacob was given a name to match his divine destiny.

When we embrace the gospel and are baptized, we are born again. We take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. We become as his sons and daughters and are known as brothers and sisters. We become members of his family; he is the Father of our new life.

...

When we know who we are and what God expects of us, we are filled with hope and made aware of our significant role in his great plan of happiness.

... Our faithful Latter-day Saints are filled with hope and motivated by love of the Lord Jesus Christ. With that hope, we assiduously avoid labels that could be interpreted as derogatory. When the Nephites were truly righteous, their previous patterns of polarization vanished. “There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. …

“There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

“And how blessed were they!”

Unfortunately, the sequel to that story is not a happy one. This pleasant circumstance persisted until “a small part of the people … had revolted … and taken upon them the name of Lamanites,” reviving old prejudices and teaching their children again to hate, “even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.” And so the polarizing process began all over again.

I hope that we may learn this important lesson and delete segregating names from our personal vocabularies. The Apostle Paul taught that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Our Savior invites us “to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.”(1)

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1.  Russell M. Nelson, “‘A More Excellent Hope,’” Ensign (February 1997):62-3, emphasis by DWB. 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Evidence Seventy-Five: Twenty-Three Prophecies about Joseph Smith in 2 Nephi 3©

101 Reasons Why I Believe Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

Evidence Seventy-Five:

Twenty-Three Prophecies about Joseph Smith in 2 Nephi 3©

Introduction: I was privileged to teach The Book of Mormon for many years as an Institute instructor.  One of my favorite chapters in a book with many, many favorite chapters, is 2 Nephi 3. Many readers will know the background story. An elderly father Lehi, anticipating his demise, gathers his family and bestows upon them blessings. Chapter 3 is the account of his blessing upon his youngest son Joseph who was born during the wilderness wanderings as the family/colony traveled south along the western Arabian coast. In the course of the blessing, Lehi tells Joseph he and Lehi are descendants of the ancient Biblical Joseph who was sold into Egyptian bondage by his jealous and ambitious ten older brothers.  Lehi told Joseph that the Lord made “great” covenants with Joseph in Egypt. He was also a “seer” and “saw our day,” meaning the days of Lehi. One of the promises he received was that from among his descendants God would raise up a righteous branch “unto” the House of Israel. The branch was to be “broken off,” yet “remembered in the covenants of the Lord” who would be important in the latter days when they would be brought out of “hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.”  (2 Ne. 3:4-6.) The branch broken off was Lehi’s colony who settled in the New World, “this precious land of promise.” (2 Ne. 1:10)

Then, Lehi tells his son Joseph, that Joseph in Egypt spoke of a future individual who would come from his posterity “who shall be a choice seer,”(1) and he repeated the phrase in the next verse. (2 Nephi 3:6-7.) This is the first of almost two dozen prophecies about Joseph Smith which are found in vss. 6-20.  Later in the account Nephi writes that Joseph in Egypt “prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies he wrote, there are not many greater.”(2 Ne. 4:2) It is this author’s contention that the twenty-three prophecies concerning Joseph Smith by Joseph in Egypt are among those which there are not many greater. Consider a close scrutiny of the following list:

1. He will be a “choice seer” to be raised up unto the posterity of Joseph in Egypt.

a. 2 Ne. 3:6  For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. `

2. He shall be raised up out of the posterity of Joseph in Egypt.  

a. 2 Nephi 3:7    Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins....

3. He shall be esteemed highly among the posterity of Joseph in Egypt.

a. 2 Nephi 3:7 “ ... and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. ...”

4. He will be commanded to do a work for the posterity of Joseph in Egypt which will be of great  worth unto them.

a. 2 Nephi 3:7   “...And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them...”

5. The great work he will do for the posterity of Joseph in Egypt will bring them to a knowledge of the covenants which the Lord made with the fathers of Joseph–i.e., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

a. 2 Nephi 3:7   “... even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.”

6. He shall be commanded to do no other work besides that which God commands him.

a. 2 Nephi 3:8 “And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him.”

7. God will make him great in the eyes of God, for he will do the work of God.

a. 2 Nephi 3:8   “And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.”

8. He will be great like Moses.

a. 2 Nephi 3:9   “And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.”

9. He is a seer raised up from the posterity of Joseph in Egypt to whom God will give power to bring forth his word to the posterity of Joseph in Egypt.

a. 2 Nephi 3:11   “But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins....”

10. He will be given power to convince the posterity of Joseph in Egypt of his word which has already gone forth among them (the Bible).

a. 2 Nephi 3:11   “...and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.”

11. His writings and the Bible will “grow together.”

a. 2 Nephi 3:12   “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,...”

[12-16].  The uniting of Joseph Smith’s writings with the Bible will produce five important effects to: 

12.    Confound false doctrine.

13.    Lay down contention.

14.    Establish peace among the posterity of Joseph in Egypt

15.    Bring the posterity of Joseph in Egypt to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days.

16.    Bring the posterity of Joseph in Egypt to a knowledge of the covenants of the Lord.

g. 2 Nephi 3:12   “...unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.”

17. Out of weakness he shall be made strong in the day when the Lord’s works to restore his people, the House of Israel.

a. 2 Nephi 3:13   “And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.”

18. He will be blessed so that those who seek to destroy him will be confounded and the fulfilling of this promise is sure.

a. 2 Nephi 3:14     “... that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;”

19. His name shall be called after Joseph in Egypt, the same name as his father.

a. 2 Nephi 3:15   “...his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father.”

20. He shall be like unto Joseph in Egypt and the Lord will bring forth by his hand the salvation of the Lord’s people.

a. 2 Nephi 3:15   “And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

21. God will make for Joseph Smith a spokesman like he will do for Moses.  (See vs. 17.)

a. 2 Nephi 3:18   “...I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman...”

22. He will write the writing of the posterity of Joseph of Egypt; the spokesman will “declare it.”

a. 2 Nephi 3:18   “...I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.”

23. His writings will be those things which are expedient in the eyes of the Lord, and it will be as if the posterity of Joseph of Egypt were crying from the dust.  It will be the cry of repentance in simple words.

a. 2 Nephi 3:19-20   19)  And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith. 20) And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.

Much could be said about this list.  Indeed, for most of my career I intended to write a book about the prophecies of Joseph in Egypt about the Prophet Joseph Smith and include a chapter on each of the prophecies. Alas...good intentions. Some of these prophecies have captured the attention of some authors more than others. Among them #s 1, 5, 8, 11, 17, 19, and 20. Nineteen is perhaps the best known because it identifies the subject of these prophecies by name–Joseph, named after Joseph in Egypt and his own father–Joseph Smith, Sr. This list also includes the promises that Joseph Smith will be like Moses (#8), and like Joseph in Egypt himself, (#20).  

One of the most astounding of all these prophecies is little noticed and almost never commented upon.  It is #7. There God said, “I will make him [Joseph Smith] great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work”!!  The questions immediately arise: “What does one have to do to be considered great in the eyes of God?” and “Has this ever been said of anyone else in scripture?” I will answer them in reverse order.  Indeed, only one other person has had this said of him.  Luke 1:15 says of John the Baptist: “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord....” Matthew 11:11 may give some insight into this when it says, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist....”  Joseph Smith said this was true because John the Baptist was given two important missions no other prophet had–1), he was entrusted to prepare the way “before the face of the Lord,” and 2), he  was entrusted to baptize the Savior.(2) Joseph of Egypt’s statement was that Joseph Smith would be great and do the work of the Lord. Most LDS know that is an allusion to Moses 1:39, “this is my work and my glory–to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” John Taylor wrote a brief account of the martyrdom which was later canonized as D&C 135. Therein he testified that Joseph Smith “lived great, and died great in the eyes of God, and his people.” (D&C 135:3) In the same section he rendered one of the most eloquent, memorable, and oft quoted passages about the Prophet’s saving work: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” (D&C 135:3, emphasis added.)  Verse 24 of 2 Nephi 3 speaks of a future “mighty” one who will “do that which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel....”(3) Joseph Smith, of course, as the head of this final dispensation, laid the foundation of the Restoration.

I will reserve comment on some of the other prophecies in this amazing collection perhaps for other blogs, but I would like to conclude this one with some observations I think carry a lot of weight as evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. All of the above prophecies have or are in the process of being fulfilled. How astounding is that? Who among us under age twenty-five would be willing to write twenty-three prophecies about ourselves and our spiritual work in life for the world to see and evaluate? And then for them to be fulfilled, several in notably miraculous ways over which Joseph Smith had no control. Who can gainsay that he was God’s prophet when evaluated on the basis of these twenty-three statements and their fulfillment?  

But there is more. As far as I know, and I’ve spent most of my life studying Joseph’s life and teachings–as far as I know he never breathed one word or alluded in any way to any of these prophecies!(4) He appears to have dictated them to Oliver Cowdery and then let them stand on their own without further comment or discussion. To me this is remarkable for at least two reasons. The first is what it suggests about his humility and confidence in the word of the Lord. It was both an act of humility and supreme faith to include twenty-three prophecies, many of them far reaching in their scope and others with detail that can be verified, and simply let them stand for others to evaluate and comment upon. Magnificent, Joseph!

Second, Joseph’s silence on this matter is a strong argument against his authorship of the book.  How so? Precisely because he never sought to capitalize on these statements.  No, he never used them to increase his influence over his followers. He did not try, using this material, to elevate his status among them either. If he were a self-seeking, money-grubbing, high-handed, power-hungry con man, then here is his golden opportunity is it not? If he is a genius-charlatan pawning himself off as a prophet why leave this set of gems untouched, unmined, unexploited?(5) It doesn't speak well of his skill as a fraud to leave a treasure as valuable as this is not cashed in!

Thank God for Joseph Smith!

Let's think together again, soon.

Notes:

1.  Unless otherwise noted, all emphasis is mine.

2.   Joseph Fielding Smith, comp., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1967, 275.

3.  Most commentators on verse 24 assume this is a summary statement about Joseph Smith.  However in 1947, Elder Spencer W. Kimball spoke of this as a future Lamanite leader.  See Conference Report, October 1947, 22.  More recently, Monte Nyman, retired BYU professor of religion, published a multi-volume commentary on the Book of Mormon in which he cites this reference by Elder Kimball, adds another, less clear, reference by Joseph Fielding Smith, then adds his own analysis favoring Elder Kimball’s interpretation.  See, Monte S. Nyman, I, Nephi, Wrote this Record: A Teaching Commentary on The First Book of Nephi and The Second Book of Nephi, Volume 1, Orem, UT: Granite Publishing and Distribution, 2003,  427-28.

4.  I do not mean this to sound boastful.  If there is something out there where the Prophet commented on or alluded to the prophecies about him in 2 Nephi 3, it is neither obvious or well known, and I know of no commentator on 2 Nephi 3 who calls attention to any such statement.

5.  I’m grateful to Dan Peterson for this perspective and argument, which an anonymous family member of his applied to other aspects of the Book of Mormon.  See, Daniel C. Peterson, “‘All Can Partake, Freely,’” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 42 (2021): xiii. 

 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

I Agree with Bob Costas's Assessment of Donald Trump

 I AGREE WITH BOB COSTA’S ASSESSMENT OF DONALD TRUMP

Today [Saturday 24 February 2024] legendary sports caster Bob Costas was interviewed on CNN and ask about his opinion of Donald Trump.  

Costas said... 

“He is by far the most disgraceful figure in modern presidential history. He's only become more disgraceful since 2016 and since 2020. He is a bubbling cauldron of loathsome traits....

You have to be in the throes of some sort of toxic delusion and in a toxic cult to believe that Donald Trump has ever been, in any sense, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, ethically, fit to be President of the United States.”

I could not agree more!

Let’s think together again, soon.

Source:

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/bob-costas-donald-trump-is-most-disgraceful-figure-in-modern-presidential-history/ar-BB1iPvqa?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=557e533ec2824f1498fb70131aaee9e5&ei=19

I listened to the excerpt and added the word “ethically” to the second paragraph, which the report missed.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Donald Trump the Epitome of “Projection”©

 Donald Trump the Epitome of “Projection”© 

At a political rally on 5 August 2023, presidential candidate Donald Trump lashed out at Special Counsel Jack Smith who is prosecuting cases against him. He used what has now become common language–Smith was “deranged,” “sick,” “maniac.”(1)  I noticed long ago that one of Trump’s habits, probably calculated, is to accuse his opponents of the same things of which he is guilty. In recent weeks, commentators, pundits, and now some of the press are calling attention to this phenomenon as “projection.” Projection in this context is a psychological term. On the Psychology Today website, projection is explained as:

...the process of displacing one’s feelings onto a different person, animal, or object. The term is most commonly used to describe defensive projection—attributing one’s own unacceptable urges to another. For example, if someone continuously bullies and ridicules a peer about his insecurities, the bully might be projecting his own struggle with self-esteem onto the other person.

The concept emerged from Sigmund Freud’s work on defense mechanisms and was further refined by his daughter, Anna Freud, and other prominent figures in psychology.(2)

It is interesting that “projection” is often a defensive mechanism growing out of insecurities and fears. Given Trump’s constant projection on to others his own egregious thinking and behavior, this may tell us even more about Trump than the projection itself. It suggests insecurities and fears may drive this behavior at the deepest levels of his infantile-juvenile mind.  

But, I think there is more to it because projection is one of the favorite techniques of autocrats, demagogues, tyrants, and dictators. Just this week Trump accused Joe Biden of trying to destroy American democracy.  We have been warned for years, and in recent years and months, a plethora of books mostly from Republicans, many former members of the Trump administration, are being published to “warn” America of Donald Trump’s intent to cast aside the Constitution and destroy American democracy. Liz Cheney’s book which came out today, Oath and Honor: A Memoir and Warning, is the most recent example. Equally interesting is this month’s The Atlantic magazine is given over entirely to two dozen essays about “If Trump Wins.”

Jack Smith may be one of the least “deranged” attorneys Donald Trump has ever encountered, especially when compared to Rudi Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and John Eastman. And if you hear those around Smith in the legal profession, he also may be one of the most dedicated, thoughtful, clear eyed, and under control prosecutors Mr. Trump has had to deal with. Smith is anything but “sick” physically or emotionally. He is not obsessed, but he is tenacious, dedicated, and thorough, which may well spark DT’s fears and insecurities.  As for “maniac,” which Webster’s online dictionary defines as “someone who is or acts mentally unsound, especially: a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, reckless, or dangerous manner,” well, none of these things fit Jack Smith, but each one is a bull’s-eye accurate description of the former President himself!

Pay close attention to Mr. Trump’s words and how often he “projects” his own thinking, desires, wishes, and actions on to his opponents and enemies. It is quite uncanny. But, please believe him when he says the Constitution should be terminated, and when, though he believes without any evidence but his own fears and insecurities, that Biden has weaponized the DOJ against him, therefore he will do the same if he becomes President again. I agree with Liz Cheney and many others who warn that he is the greatest threat to our democracy since World War II, and he will make every effort to set himself up as our dictator. I’ve believed this about him from the time he entered the political arena, and everything I have seen from him since confirms that original impression. I’m glad that so many of his former associates and others, are raising the warning trumpet. Though the MAGA base may be hardening against all of this, I believe they must also be shrinking in size, because it is so obvious that he is the one obsessed, sick, and maniacal–in his quest for power.

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:  

1.  David McAfee, “‘This guy is a maniac’: Donald Trump lashes out at Jack Smith at event,” Raw World Daily, available online at: https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-jack-smith-2662816861/?utm_source=msn

2.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/projection

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Evidence Seventy-Four: Joseph Smith and the “Lamb of God.”©

 101 Reasons Why I Believe Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

Evidence Seventy-Four:

“Joseph Smith and the ‘Lamb of God’”© 

If you keep studying the Book of Mormon and trying to keep up on current literature on this amazing volume you inevitably run into new things that set you back in your chair. That happened to me this week.  It involved an interesting set of circumstances. For many years I have met with several friends (now on Zoom) to discuss the temple. We read and discuss books and articles, and currently we are reading Margaret Barker’s book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ Which God Gave to Him to Show to His Servants What Must Soon Take Place (Revelation 1:1). It is basically her commentary about the temple as found in the Book of Revelation.

Then three days ago I started reading Joseph Spencer’s wonderful little volume 1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction. Last night and this morning the two came together in an amazing “ah ha!”  I learned from Joseph Spencer a remarkable series of little facts. Here is my summary of his discussion of Nephi’s use of the title “The Lamb of God” in First Nephi. Spencer calls the title  “theologically fraught,” which is central to Nephi’s visions in 1 Nephi. The title does not appear in the Old Testament, but 30 times in the New Testament–twice in John 1 and 28 times in the book of Revelation! Here is its distribution in Restoration scriptures. Once in the Pearl of Great Price, 14 times in the D&C, and 70 times in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon distribution is very interesting.  It is used 57 times in 1 Nephi 10-14–Nephi’s account of his visions, 4 times in 2 Nephi 31-33, 4 times in Mormon’s writings, and 5 times in Moroni’s writings.(1)

Here is Spenser’s analysis of the meaning and importance of all of this:

...the Messiah’s baptism introduces readers to a key theological title for the Messiah.  Lehi prophesies not only that the Messiah’s prophetic forerunner would baptize him but also that this forerunner would “behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God” (1 Ne. 10:10).The preparatory prophet would thus do more than administer a necessary ordinance.  He would see something others wouldn’t, and he would bear public witness to it: that the Messiah is God’s Lamb. This theologically fraught title–”the Lamb of God”–proves central to Nephi’s vision. We’ll see that it’s the Lamb that lies at the heart of the presentation of Israel’s God in 1 Nephi.(2)

He goes on to tell us that the title first appears in the New Testament testimony of John the Baptist in John 1:29, and 36. Interestingly, its use in the scriptures of the Restoration are almost exclusively used in reference to 1) John the Baptist’s testimony, 2) Nephi’s “apocalyptic” vision , or 3) John’s Revelation!.  Spencer writes, 

In the Book of Mormon, the title is almost entirely restricted to Nephi’s vision. Lehi introduces it in 1 Nephi 10, and then it appears fifty-six times in the course of Nephi’s vision, which is explicitly related to John’s Revelation (see 1 Ne. 14:18-27). After that, the title mostly disappears. Nephi uses it late in 2 Nephi, referring back to his vision. And then it appears a few times in the remainder of the volume, but always mirroring the book of Revelation or the Baptist’s words in John.

Thus, references to God’s Lamb throughout scripture derive either from the Baptist’s testimony or from the apocalyptic visions of John and Nephi. (3)

It only requires a little reflection to see that this information uncovers some remarkable evidence for the Prophet Joseph’s inspired translation of the Book of Mormon.  For one, the bulk of the uses of the title “Lamb of God” appear in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, in the recounting of apocalyptic visions of Lehi/Nephi and John the Revelator. Nephi knew of John’s future work and was told not to encroach upon it, but we do not know whether John knew of Nephi’s visions. (See 1 Nephi 14:19-27.) Indeed, Nephi is told, “behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold the remainder shalt thou see.”(4)

My simple faith leads me to ask myself, isn’t it amazing that the very first thing in the Book of Mormon, the thing that becomes one of the core themes of the entire book, is a series of visions given to Nephi that are exactly the same things John saw? And... both speak of Jesus Christ using the same title! Since Nephi was restricted from relating what John would see and he is careful not to do so, one cannot accuse the Prophet of plagiarizing John. If one is inclined to attribute the origin of the Book of Mormon to the Prophet Joseph, the worst one could say is that his genius, creativity, and unbridled hubris led him to mimic the Book of Revelation in 1st Nephi.  

However, there are some things that make this theory more than a little suspect in this case. First, as Spencer discusses his analysis of First Nephi he repeatedly argues that LDS are so familiar with its story that they often overlook and miss such subtleties as these. Second, the theory presupposes that Joseph Smith had a thorough knowledge of the Book of Revelation, yet family members and others who knew him, confirm his account of the First Vision, that his religions inclinations were aroused about the age 12 to 14, and there is virtually no evidence this author knows of that he pursued an understanding of the book of Revelation between 1819-20 and 1829-30 when the Book of Mormon was translated. Third, Spencer also discusses the relationship of the Lamb to the Old Testament temple sacrifices, and observes;

Although there is disagreement among scholars about exactly which form of Israelite sacrifice ... the image derives from, numerous Book of Mormon passages show that it’s the blood of the Lamb that’s most essential to the Nephite prophets.(5)

This is interesting, because again Nephi and John are one on this, but only quietly so.  The word “blood” shows up seventeen times in the Book of Revelation. The same emphasis on Christ’s blood is found only in the following: Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 7:14, 12:11, and 19:13(?)  

Fourth, as our understanding of the complexity of the Book of Mormon grows through ongoing studies such as Spencer’s, the more difficult it is to attribute the multitudes of such subtle details with so many combinations and permutations to plagiarism.

Fifth, although I have no question that Joseph Smith had an ego which tended to surface when he faced opposition, I am also aware of an amazing humility before God that flows through his life.  That is another topic for another time, but it is easier to attribute the boldness of the Book of Mormon to the idea that Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and power of God as to it is to ascribe it to Joseph’s ego. Here it is a choice.  I choose to believe the evidence suggests ego was not Joseph’s impetus for producing the Book of Mormon. That doesn’t explain much that follows.

Sixth, Spencer’s summary of the pervasiveness of the Lamb in Nephi’s story, suggests it is  possibly a broader view of the Lamb than found in Revelation.

What Nephi sees in vision regarding the destiny of Lehi’s children is principally the story of the Lamb.  Christ is the Lamb when Nephi first sees him in the arms of the Virgin (see 1 Ne. 11:21), and he is the Lamb again when Nephi sees him baptized (see verse 27).  He’s the Lamb in his mortal ministry (see verse 31), and he’s the Lamb when he’s “judged of the world” and killed (verse 32). He’s the Lamb when he descends from heaven to visit Lehi’s children (see 12:6), and he’s the Lamb when the Nephites write and seal up his teachings (see 13:35). The pure gospel corrupted by the abominable church belongs to the Lamb (see verse 26), as does the pure book that goes from Jews to Gentiles before its corruption (see verse 28). It’s also the Lamb who reaches out in mercy in the last days (see verse 33), brings forth the Book of Mormon (see verse 39), and destroys the abominable church (see 14:3). And, of course, it’s to the Lamb that “all men must come” in the end, “or they cannot be saved” (13:40).  In the vision that forms the theological heart of 1 Nephi, it’s the Lamb of God who requires our worship.(6)

Finally, once again I point out that all of this is consistent with and reinforcing to the central purpose of the Book of Mormon. If Joseph Smith was a dupe of Satan when he produced the Book of Mormon and organized the Church of Jesus Christ, Satan sure had an odd way of trying to draw us to his side buy making one of the central visions of the book and doctrine of the Church about the Lamb of God!

I finish as I began. I’m in my 81st year of life and I still get a buzz when I encounter this kind of wonderful information, and I almost always sense the whisperings of the Spirit saying something like, “See, Dan, here is another piece of evidence to add to the mountain you already have, that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is of  divine origin, and the Church Joseph Smith organized is the restored Church of Jesus Christ.”

Thank God for Joseph Smith!

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1.  Joseph Spencer, 1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction, Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, Neal A. Maxwell Institute, 2020, 48.

 Ibid.

3.  Spencer, 1st Nephi, 49.

4.  1 Nephi 14:24.

5.  Spencer, 1st Nephi, 49.

6.  Ibid, 49-50.  Barker emphasizes several things about the Lamb in the Book of Revelation that are not strong motifs in Nephi’s vision. A particular one is her view that the Lamb goes through “apotheosis”–become a God, (“the vision of Revelation 5 is a scene of apotheosis, corresponding to temple ritual underlying Psalm 2 and Psalm 110") and is enthroned (Rev. 7:17).  See Margaret Barker, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, London: T&T Clark, 2000, 139-41.


Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Donald Trump and Bilking the MAGA Base©

Donald Trump and Bilking the MAGA Base© 

Twenty minutes after court was dismissed last Monday in the first day Donald Trump attended the civil lawsuit against him for fraud and other associated crimes in New York, his campaign team sent out a fund-raising email.(1) I’m not telling anyone who is paying attention anything new when I call attention to the fact that every time the former president has been in court in recent months he immediately uses the opportunity to raise funds. We already know he is a con man, he has been found liable for business fraud in New York. So would-be donors must consider the high degree of probability that they are being suckered. Trump’s constant pleas for money are perverse. To begin with, he claims he is very wealthy man. He never tires of boasting about his wealth. If he is so wealthy, why does he come with open hand every time he comes out of court?  Here are a couple of possible answers to this question. First, maybe he is lying about how wealthy he really is. Given his innate mendacity, that is also a distinct probability. Second, he doesn’t want to use his own money and knows he can bilk his MAGA base. In either case, as always, Trump constructs his fantasy world to have it both ways to his benefit. In the Good Book, the Apostle Paul teaches Timothy “the love of money is the root of all evil.”(2) Donald Trump is Exhibit A in the evidence for Paul’s case; meanwhile the dupes in the MAGA base pay his bills.

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1.  Many commentators and pundits note that Trump’s non-mandatory appearance at this trial is indicative of where his values really are. He is most concerned, they say, about his pocketbook and the superiority, fame, status, and power he believes wealth gives him.  He sees his court appearances as an opportunity to bilk–or maybe more accurate–filch the MAGA folks.

2.  1 Timothy 6:10.

Monday, October 2, 2023

“Breaking News! Former Chief of Staff Says Trump Has No Idea what America is About and Has Contempt for the Constitution.”©

 “Breaking News!  Former Chief of Staff Says Trump Has No Idea what America is About and Has Contempt for the Constitution.”© 

Just this afternoon (2 October 2023), CNN’s Jake Tapper disclosed an on-the-record-statement from John Kelly, Donald Trump’s longest serving Chief of Staff, critical of his former boss. This is noteworthy not only for the length of time Kelly served Trump and therefore knows whereof he speaks, but heretofore Kelly has been somewhat reticent to speak out against the former president.  Kelly had many scathing things to say about Trump, but I am concerned with and will only publish one brief excerpt.  He said Donald Trump is:

A person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior [General Milley] who has served his country for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason – in expectation that someone will take action. A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.”(1)

On 21 June 2023, I wrote a blog here titled “Donald Trump: An ‘Enemy to the Constitution” in which I quoted Trump’s own words on Truth Social that he felt that the circumstances of an alleged stolen election “allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” I also cited Liz Cheney’s statement at the end of the House Investigation of Trump that “No honest person can now deny that Trump is an enemy of the Constitution.” [My emphasis in both quotations.] And General Milley referred to the former president as a “wanna be dictator” in his exit remarks as Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

The point I’m making here is that Kelly’s remarks very strongly sustain and confirm what I wrote three months ago. I’m not crowing here. I’m simply trying to keep my eye and your eye on the ball. Tapper appeared to be more offended by Kelly’s revelations that Trump dissed dead or wounded veterans than of his “contempt” for our institutions and the Constitution. On January 6 the man broke his oath to sustain the Constitution, and probably many other times previous to that. Those who know him by serving with him or closely investigating him keep warning us that he does not uphold the Constitution nor the institutions, rights, and freedoms it provides for, that he does want to be a dictator.  

Tapper is right in one other statement he made: “No other presidential candidate in history has had so many detractors from his inner circle.” [My emphasis.]  The “tell all” and books warning us about Trump by former members of his administration has no equal in our history and the list continues to grow.  Yet, apparently 20 to 25 million of the so-called Trump base, ostrich-like, hide from, simply ignore, or believe Trump contra these assertions. They are like the proverbial guy who says, “Don’t confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up!” It is inexplicable, but sane voices need to keep resisting the totalitarianism Trump and the MAGA base would impose upon this country.

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1.  Jake Tapper, “Exclusive: John Kelly goes on the record to confirm several disturbing stories about Trump,” CNN, 2 October 2023.  See it online @:  

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/exclusive-john-kelly-goes-on-the-record-to-confirm-several-disturbing-stories-about-trump/ar-AA1hBaQp?cvid=47d629c459ba46d1a808a22e922200b8&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=17#image=AAUU2x4|1