I am tackling the Book of Mormon in 60 days. My plan is to have the Book of Mormon studied by the end of 2011. During my challenge, I will post a daily blog of my reading, in this blog I will share with you... my thoughts, feelings, opinions and knowledge about the Book of Mormon. Do you have questions? Comments? Please... lets start a discussion. I would be more than happy to answer your questions, comments or concerns!
Request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon: http://mormon.org/free-book-of
How the Book of Mormon came about: http://youtu.be/FMQEb9A9L2g
Scripture Thought (What I Learned):
Chapter 1: 600 years have passes since the first part of the Book of Mormon where we read about Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem. The Chief Judge of the Land is "Lachoneus". The people who believed on the words of Samuel continue in patience for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Remember that these events are happening simultaneously with the events that happen in the Bible. The difference is the record of the events that happened with the people of Jerusalem (middle east area) and the events that happened with the people of ancient America (North America to South America). All around 1 b.c.
The people that disagree with Samuel and chose to not listen to his words, start to rise up against the believers. They set a deadline for the things that Samuel had preached about. If the signs he spoke of do not happen by a certain day, then all the believers would be put to death.
Nephi, the son of Helaman, for fear that death might come upon the believers prays fervently to God. He beheld a voice from heaven;
"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show the world that I will fulfill all that which I have spoken by the mouths of my holy prophets" (Third Nephi 1:13)
A New Star arises, and despite the gradual fulfillment of the signs spoken of by Samuel the Lamanite... lying, deceit and murder abounds.
Chapter 2: Wickedness and all manner of Abominations increase throughout the land. The Nephites and the Lamanites that believe unite themselves to defend against the Gadianton Robbers who seek to destroy them. The converted Lamanites become white and are called the "Nephites"
Chapter 3: Giddianhi writes a letter to Lachoneus. In the letter Giddianhi demands that Lachoneus and his people give up their lands, cities and possesions, and if they don't they will be destroyed and the survivors will become slaves. He tells Lachoneus that if they give up all their possessions they can be part of the secret society known as the "Gadianton Robbers" and become their brothers.
Lachoneus is not threated by his letter, but counsels his people to be prepared for when Giddianhi and his people come to attack them. Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni to become a chief of the captains to prepare his people, should they go into battle.
Chapter 4: The Nephites take all of their possessions, cattle, grain, food...etc. and fortify one area heavily. They leave behind almost no provisions for the Gadianton Robbers. The Nephites essentially wait it out, until the Gadianton Robbers give up because of the want of food. The Gadianton Robbers are defeated, Giddianhi is slain and his successor "Zemmarihah", who led the attack on the Nephites is hanged.
Interesting thought here; Zemmarihah is hanged from a tree and it says "...when they had hanged him until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth..." (Third Nephi 4:28); the reason that this is interesting, is because... this is a custom in the middle east (as far as history goes) to cut the tree down, after you hang someone. As morbid as that might be, it is one evidence that can be used to prove that the Book of Mormon is in fact the word of God. How would have Joseph Smith known that? He didn't. Because the Book of Mormon was true and God called him to be a prophet. Pretty simple.
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