How could Joseph have Known?
If you were ask to write a book about Tibet covering the history from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. what
would it look like?
When he reached 21 he received the small plates of Nephi and the plates of Mormon. That very
night far away in a distant country the following was recoreded in the journal of Heber C Kimball.
"It was an eventful night of September 22nd, 1827. Says Heber C Kimball: "I had
retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a hundred steps of my
house, came and waked me up, calling upon me to come out and behold the
scenery in the heavens, I woke up and called my wife and sister fanny Young
(Brigham Youngs sister),who was living with us, and we went out-of-doors.
"It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we could see
too pick up a pin. We looked to the eastern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arise
toward the heavens; as it ascended it formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like
the sound of a mighty wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow
dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out
and grow clear and transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to contain
twelve men abreast.
"In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to
the west; they continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They
moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their
file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers. We could
distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of men, who wore caps and
feathers like those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and
also saw their officers with their swords and equipage, and the clashing and
jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of
the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the
foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps.
When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could
distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush.
"No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men. as
plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of
my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to
disappear.
"After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place
the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon
from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his possession.
Also present that night were John Young, Senior, John P Greene' s wife
Rhoda.
"My wife, being frightened at what she saw, said 'Father Young, what
does all this mean?'
"'Why, it's one of the signs of the coming of the son of Man,' he replied,
in a lively manner.
"The next night similar scenery was beheld in the west by the neighbors,
representing armies of men who were engaged in battle."
On the same night in America the Angel Moroni delivered the plates to Joseph Smith. At
this time he gave him this charge: that he would be responsible for them; that if they should
through neglect get into evil hands that he would be cut off and that if he would use all his
endeavors to preserve them they should be protected.
Joseph soon found out the reason why he had received such strict charges to keep them
safe. For no sooner was it known that Joseph received plates, than the most strenuous exertions
were used to get them. In Josephs words "Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to
for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were
on the alert continually to get them from me if possible."
This continued until they were delivered back to the Angel Moroni,on the second day of
May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Joseph Smith had been tarred and feathered, beaten, spit upon, called all manner of
despicable names, and yet despite all this persecution Joseph continued to translate the Book of
Mormon. How do you suppose that Joseph was able to gain the courage to continue to translate?
Was it because as he translated from the plates his testimony would grow each and every day? He
could see each day the benefits to mankind of having the Book of Mormon available. Joseph
was slowly beginning to see why the powers of the evil were out to foil the purposes of heaven,
the armies of Satan knew the power that the Book of Mormon would have in the lives of those that
would later read from its pages.
As Joseph Smith began to translate he learned of what a great gift he had in his possession.
Joseph had in his possession 2 sets of plates; the small plates of Nephi and the plates of Mormon,
from which he translated. These two sets of plates in Josephs hands came from earlier
abridgements of 5 plates. Those plates in chronological order are the plates of Either, the brass
plates of Laban, the large plates of Nephi, the small plates of Nephi and the plates of Mormon.
The plates of Ether in our current Book of Mormon refers to 24 plates of Either; but it most
likely is 24 sets of plates that cover nearly 2000 years. All that we have of these plates is the
abridgement that was done by . These plates primarily contain the story of the people that
we know of as the Jaridites. 31 pages long from pagexx to page xx in the current version of the
Book of Mormon. As far as we know Joseph Smith never had the plates of Either in his
possession.
The second set of plates are referenced as the Plates of Brass of Laban. Interesting to note
that this is not how they would have said it in New York in 1820's we would say it "the brass
plates" or "the plates of Laban" Joseph Smith demonstrates that he would have to possessed
knowledge of how they spoke in those days to be consistent with their speaking.
The plates of brass were written in Egyptian and lehi could as he had been taught to read as
the book of Mormon says to read Egyptian. These plates primarily deal with the descendants of that
Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Therefore in a sense the plates of brass might be considered as
part of stick of Joseph or the stick of Ephriam mentioned in the old testament Ezekiel 37. These
plates were obtain by Nephi and his brothers from Laban, as commanded by their father. These
plates contain the 5 books of Moses, and many other books found in our present day old
testament including Isaiah. the plates of brass are more complete than the translation of our current
day old testament.
Nephi was personally acquainted with the plates of brass and saw our present old
testament in vision he said "many plain and precious truths had been taken from the records that
now appear as our present day bible". Also the words of many others prophets are contained on
the plates of brass which including the prophet Zenos, Zenock, and Ezias. Joseph Smith did not
translate directly from the plates of brass and we have no evidence that he ever had them. We have
in our present book of mormon only those portions that are quoted by the engravers of the two sets
of plates received by Joseph Smith the Small plates of Nephi and the Plates of Mormon.
The third set of Plates are the Large plates of Nephi. These plates were started just after
Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. They are both a religious and a secular history of Lehi and his
descendants. They contain a series of books that were named after the authors who wrote on these
plates originally. These plates cover the people that are descendants of Lehi and his group (
Ishmeal and Labans servant who also went with them) from the time 600 years before the time of
Christ to 400 years after the time of Christ. These plates were abridged by mormon around 400
AD. We have parts of Mormons abridgement in our present Book of Mormon. However the
unabridged Large plates of Nephi contain many things not contained in our present day Book of
Mormon. Including "a full account of the history of Nephis people" "the genealogy of Lehi" and
"the morepart of the Teachings of the resurrected Christ to the Nephite nation". Again we have no
indication the Joseph Smith ever had the large plates of Nephi in his possession or that he ever
translated from them.
The fourth set of plates and the first set that Joseph Smith had in his possession and from
which he translated was the small plates of Nephi. These plates were started about 570 before
christ and primarily contain the religious history of the Lehite colony for the 470 years of its
existence. some of the religious teaching of the brass plates were copied onto these plates. The
translation of these plates comprise the first 143 pages of the current book of mormon. Included in
this translation are the books 1 st Nephi, 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom and Omni. They are
written in the first person account in other words these plates have not been abridged by any
person at any time. The prophet Joseph Smith had the Small plates of Nephi in his possession and
translated directly from them.
The other set of plates that Joseph had in his possession were the plates of Mormon.
Essentially these plates are an abridgement by mormon of that initially recorded on the large plates
of Nephi. Together with some first person accounts by mormon in the Words of Mormon, some
first person accounts of Moroni and Moroni's abridgement of the plates of Ether. A portion of the
plates of Mormon were sealed and have not been translated. We are not certain what they contain
but Moroni was the writer and therefore may have been the major engraver of the plates of
Mormon. The books that were contained in this set of plates are as follows the words of mormon,
Mormons abridgment of the Large plates of Nephi which includes Mosiah, Alma, Heleman, 3rd
Nephi 4th Nephi and the 1st 7 chapters of the small book of mormon. Out of 530 pages in the
current Book of Mormon, 340 pages came from the Mormon himself as he abridged them from the
large plates of Nephi. Also from the plates of Mormon we have the abridgements and writings of
Moroni which contain chapters 8 and 9 in the small book of Mormon, Moroni' s abridgement of
the book of Ether, and book of moroni.
There were many other plates but these are the only four plates that deal either directly or
indirectly with the book of mormon and the latter 2 plates the only ones from which joseph smith
translated. and make up the present day book of mormon.
The engravers of the small plates of Nephi which contain the 1 st person accounts or those
engravers, and the portions of plates of Mormon that contain the abridgements of mormon and
moroni. Only 11 engravers for the entire present day book of mormon. There are 9 engravers for
the small plates of Nephi and they are as follows:Nephi writing the 1st and 2nd books of Nephi,
Jacob book of jacob, Enos the son of jacob writing the book of Enos, Jarom the book of jarom,
Omni the 1 st 3 verses of book of Omni, Amoron vs 4- 8 of book of Omni, Chemish vs 9 of the
book of Omni, Abinadim son of Chemish book of Omni vs 10- 11, and Abinadi son of
Abinadum vs 12-30 of book of Omni.
The rest of the engraving of the book of mormon was part of the father and son
combination of Mormon and his son moroni. Mormon engraves Words of Mormon, Mosiah,
Alma, Helamam, 3rd Nephi, 4th Nephi 1st 7 chapters of the smaller book of mormon with-in the
greater book of mormon. Mormon abridged his own extensive record of the book of mormon
which is the smaller book of mormon. 2nd engraver was moroni 8 and 9th chapters of smaller
book of mormon, book of either which is an abridgement of the plates of ether, and also the book
of moroni.
Except then, for the relatively brief contributions of Enos, Jarom, Omni, Chemish,
Abinidum and amalichi which comprise only about 7 pages. The rest was engraved by one of only
four prophets namely Nephi, Jacob, Mormon and Moroni.
It is interesting to note the experiences of these four prophets and the remarkable things that
they all shared in common. Their shared experiences include:
1) Each was a personal witness of Jesus Christ. Nephi and his brother jacob saw the
that:
premortal christ and were visited by and talked with him. Mormon and his son moroni who lived
after christs death; saw the resurrected christ and were visited by and talked with him.
2) Each was personal tutored by christ as to what they should write. indeed Jesus christ is
the author.
3) Each were visited by angels and or translated beings & were instructed by these beings.
Nephi and jacob were tutored ~ 1st Nephi 11 and 2nd Nephi chapter 10. Mormon
and moroni were taught by translated beings including the three Nephi disciples. 3 Nephi 28 vs 26
and mormon 8 vs 11.
4) All bore strong testimonies of Jesus christ that Jesus christ is the Christ and the divine
son of God.
5) All engravers warn that we will be accountable for what has been written 2 Nephi
33"face to face"... "i must obey amen". Jacob chapter 6"be wise"..."amen".
mormon" all stand before judgment seat". moroni 10 "all ends of the earth".
moroni and all the other authors and prophets who recorded the word will be there at the final
judgment.
And in my opinion perhaps the most significant share experience of these four prophets are
6) Each saw our days and challenges and they wrote for us not the people of their time. not
even published during the lifetime of the writers.
Mormon chapter 8 "Behold the lord hath shown...I know of your doing" them the
chapters that follow prove that he saw our day. He took from all the volumes that he had and sifted
through it and gave to us what he taught was most important. a thrill read the 50 pages that moroni
wrote then close book and ask what did moroni see in our day that prompted moroni to write this
down?
Mormon only wrote one hundredth part he said and that would equal 57000 pages
available.
We know that even Joseph Smith saw additional records when he and Went into the Hill
Cummorah.
And finally:
7) All of these prophets were faithful to the lord as they abridged the records. They knew
more than the Lord allowed them to record. 3rd Nephi.believe these things then the
greater things shall be revealed. I write those things commanded by the lord.
Write the lesser thing first sealed portion of book of mormon still left as we don't
have it yet.
Mormon who was the major abridger of the Book of Mormon, explains as he ends his
writing in the last chapter of the last book that Mormon wrote chapter 7. Remember that chapter 8
is written by moroni, But in the last chapter that Mormon wrote he tells us why he wrote what he
wrote. In verses 8 and 9 of that chapter these are his words.
8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon
the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also
in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall
come from the Gentiles unto you.
9 For behold, this is written (the Book of Mormon) for the intent
that ye may believe that; (the Bible) and if ye b believe that; (the Bible)
ye will believe this (the Book of Mormon) also; and if ye believe this
(the Book of Mormon) ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the
marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.
Not only did Mormon expound on the fact that we should read the scriptures, but so did his
son, Moroni. Moroni also encourages us to read the scriptures.In Moroni 10:2-5 we find some of
the most often quoted verses in the Book of Mormon.
Moroni 10:2-5
2 And I seal up these records (the Book Of Mormon), after I have
spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things. (the
Book of Mormon) if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye
would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from
the creation of Adam even down unto the time (The Book of Mormon does
not start until @ 600 BC already a few thousand years of history of
dealings with the Lord that are not recorded in the Book of Mormon.
so obviously Moroni is talking here about the bible.) that ye shall
receive these things, and ponder it (all the events that have taken place) in
your hearts.
3 things he is asking us to do 1 Read the Book of Mormon, 2) Read the account of the
creation of the earth from Adam and all things that have transpired since that time by the hand of
God 3)Ponder it, the way god deals with men the same yesterday today and forever, ponder that in
your heart (This is essentially verse 3)
Then in verse 4 Moroni says:
4 And when ye shall receive these things (Accept them, believe them
to be true, this is how the Lord Answers prayers we must make the
decision first then ask if it is correct), I would exhort you that ye would
ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things (everything
that Moroni has said we need to read not only the Book of Mormon
but the Bible too) are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real
intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you. (the Book
of Mormon but how do we get our testimony of the truth of the Book
of Mormon through our belief in the Bible they stand as one, they
testify of each other.) by the power of the Holy Ghost.
S And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
And in modern days, latter-day prophets have instructed us that "we can get closer to the
lord by reading the Book of Mormon than by reading any other book"
A modern day blessing is given to those that read the Book of Mormon from President
Benson "Now, in the authority of the sacred priesthood in me vested, I invoke my blessing upon
the latter-day Saints and upon good people everywhere.
I bless you with increased discernment to judge between Christ and anti-Christ. I bless you
with increased power to do good and to resist evil. I bless you with increased understanding of the
Book of Mormon. I promise you that from this moment forward, if we will daily sup from its
pages and abide its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the church a blessing
hitherto unknown- and we will plead to the Lord that He will begin to lift the condemnation --the
scourge and judgment. Of this I bear solemn witness."
At the age of 23 Joseph Smith completed the inspired work of the translation the Book of Mormon.
Accomplishing the translation at the phenomenal rate of 4500 words per day. Isiah said that he
would do it as an unlearned man by the power of God, and that the book would be taken to learned
men and they would say that they could not read the book.
The very incident that happened with Martin Harris.
He had only three years of formal education.
The Book of Mormon contains a broad view of the ancient civilizations of the Americas 54
chapters on war, 21 about history, 55 about prophecy, 71 about doctrine, 17 about missionaries 21
about the life and mission of Jesus christ.
The Book of Mormon contains describes the religious, economic, social and political cultures of
two separate nations while weaving in the religion taught by Jesus Christ
When Joseph would begin translation again he never would ask were did we leave off but would
simply start the dictation never asking what had been said before. Upon finishing the Book of
Mormon Joseph did not change the text.
The text of the Book of Mormon contains adds 180 proper nouns to the English language. William
Shakespeare added 30 .
The Book of Mormon was announced to the world as this was not fictional but a true sacred
history.
The very coming forth of the Book of Mormon fulfills bible prophecy in the way it came forth, to
whom it would be given and its purpose.
Over the next 100 years since its translation millions of people have read the Book of Mormon and
attest to the testimony that they have received from reading this sacred book.
For hundreds of years after its writing thousand try to disprove its validity but none is ever
successful. With as many facts and ... introduced in the Book of Mormon the fact that not one can
be disproved is a testimony in itself
The fact that the Americas were populated to the level that we are beginning to understand today
was not even known until some hundred years later. The through investigations of the next
hundred years have proven that even the most minute details of the book are true.
The internal prophecies of the Book continue to be proven ...
The voice of the three witnesses who saw the angel and held the plates and all testified of that to
which they had seen to be true, all became estranged with the prophet Joseph had yet not one
would deny what they claimed to have seen and heard. This was all done by the three and the
group of eight witnesses not for profit or gain and at severe persecution of self.
The prophet died and in his death sealed his testimony of the truth fullness of the Book.
The Book of Mormon today remains the second largest distributed book in the world second to the
bible.
This book is the only book in the world that contains this promise...