Book of Mormon change prompts reflection among Native American members

[Ahimsa]

Mormon scholars may not have believed that all American Indians descended from Book of Mormon figures known as “Lamanites,” but scores of Indian members do.

Many joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints precisely because they felt the church's sacred text was telling their history. Being a "Lamanite" (pronounced Lay-man-ite) was part of their new identity in the church. They enjoyed their privileged status among white Mormons, flocking to Utah to live among "their people" and in their "homeland." They joined Brigham Young University's song-and-dance troupe, the Lamanite Generation, and attended the Lamanite ward in Provo.

Now the term, “Lamanite,” is declining among Mormons. The Lamanite Generation has become “Living Legends” and Indians worship at Provo’s Franklin Second Ward (it has some services in Navajo).

Though not LDS, Forrest Cuch says the Mormon Indians he knows resent the change. He worries that it may accelerate the church’s shifting emphasis from American Indians to Guatemalans and Mexicans.

There is already enough tension between Latinos and Indians, says Cuch, director of Utah Division of Indian Affairs. “Saying the only true Lamanites are in Central America is an insult to all of us.”

Others, though, welcomed the change.

What was the change?

The book’s current introduction, added by the late LDS apostle, Bruce R. McConkie in 1981, includes this statement: “After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.”

The new version, seen first in Doubleday's revised edition, reads, "After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are *among* the ancestors of the American Indians."

[Italics added]

Not a major change, actually, in the big picture.

 

[Jerusha]

I disagree. On the surface, a minor change, but the beginning of the end. Now that they have conceded that point, they will begin “to be swept off the land as the dew before the sun.” :coffeeread: Yesterday’s “Hagar the Horrible” was so subtle.

There is some truth to the Book of Mormon, but not as the LDS have taught it.

 

[PaulDupre]

Jerusha,
Are you saying that the Book of Mormon is truly an ancient document? translated by Joseph Smith?

I have visited your website and must confess I can’t make heads or tails of it.

What is your thesis in 20 words or less?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Jerusha]

The Book of Mormon was written by a conspiracy of plagirists, using the Bible, and published and stolen manuscripts. One of those manuscripts was a compilation of Indian legends of the Viking invasion of pre-Columbian times, probably with Buck Watie (the Cherokee Elias Boudinot, editor of the Cherokee Phoenix) as the editor, and his Native school-mates (missionary boarding school) of various tribes, as contributors. This was written as a refutation of the Jewish theory, but white folk, dedicated to the Jewish theory, twisted it into an affirmation of that theory.

Sorry, but what I have written so far is a work in progress. I will get back to it soon, but the composition happening in my mind will make things much clearer. My initial direction was to try to gently lead TBM’s into “apostasy”, but my intended audience has changed (TBM’s only react with anger). :bigyikes: uch: One reason why I don’t post the link anymore. My new direction is with doubters-- particularly of the RCIA kind, and the Native kind. :newidea: New Order Mormons and others should also learn from it. It is certainly a lesson in the consequences of rigid white thought patterns.

That quote probably came from the original Native manuscript.

 

[PaulDupre]

Thanks, Jerusha. I see now.
Paul

 

[Paul_G]

The Book of Mormon was written by a conspiracy of plagirists, using the Bible, and published and stolen manuscripts. One of those manuscripts was a compilation of Indian legends of the Viking invasion of pre-Columbian times, probably with Buck Watie (the Cherokee Elias Boudinot, editor of the Cherokee Phoenix) as the editor, and his Native school-mates (missionary boarding school) of various tribes, as contributors. This was written as a refutation of the Jewish theory, but white folk, dedicated to the Jewish theory, twisted it into an affirmation of that theory.

Sorry, but what I have written so far is a work in progress. I will get back to it soon, but the composition happening in my mind will make things much clearer. My initial direction was to try to gently lead TBM’s into “apostasy”, but my intended audience has changed (TBM’s only react with anger). :bigyikes: uch: One reason why I don’t post the link anymore. My new direction is with doubters-- particularly of the RCIA kind, and the Native kind. :newidea: New Order Mormons and others should also learn from it. It is certainly a lesson in the consequences of rigid white thought patterns.

That quote probably came from the original Native manuscript.

Jerusha

I have often enjoyed your colourful posts, and it would be interesting if you would cite some of the sources from which you draw on. I would like to read some of these legends, and here from you why you think they are the basis of the Book of Mormon.

Paul

 

[Jerusha]

It is not just necessarily Indian Legends. There is other documentation. Given how whites tend to discount Indian Legends (“There is NO pre-Columbian American history, because nothing was written.”), that is only part of the documentation. However, there is plenty of material in legends.

The copy and paste function is disabled from this computer, so I can’t post the link for my article.

However, anyone interested in what I have written so far can PM me their e-mail, and I will send them the link or the work as an attachment. I would appreciate feedback, so that I can make changes when I get busy on it again.

“Colourful” Thank you for that word. Given what I have been through, sometimes my anger shows? The move has done me a world of good.

 

[Socrates4Jesus]

Are there any LDS members here who will explain why the Book of Mormon is a reliable historical document?

 

[Paul_G]

It is not just necessarily Indian Legends. There is other documentation. Given how whites tend to discount Indian Legends (“There is NO pre-Columbian American history, because nothing was written.”), that is only part of the documentation. However, there is plenty of material in legends.

The copy and paste function is disabled from this computer, so I can’t post the link for my article.

However, anyone interested in what I have written so far can PM me their e-mail, and I will send them the link or the work as an attachment. I would appreciate feedback, so that I can make changes when I get busy on it again.

“Colourful” Thank you for that word. Given what I have been through, sometimes my anger shows? The move has done me a world of good.

Jerusha

Although I have not had first hand experience, and do not know your experience, I can appreciate your feelings. One of my best friends is of the Cree nation, with a residential school background, so I am well acquainted with the issues. I could not possible give you advice, however I do pray your writings will bring you healing

Paul

 

[Jerusha]

They have, and that is my motivation. The healing is not yet complete, so I continue, although no longer obsessed by the subject.

I am sure your Cree friend can give you more insight. Many Great Lakes tribes have their own stories on the subject, seen from different perspectives. Boarding schools were an abomination, but setting up intertribal exchange among young people was a positive result.

 

[BartBurk]

The Book of Mormon was written by a conspiracy of plagirists, using the Bible, and published and stolen manuscripts. One of those manuscripts was a compilation of Indian legends of the Viking invasion of pre-Columbian times, probably with Buck Watie (the Cherokee Elias Boudinot, editor of the Cherokee Phoenix) as the editor, and his Native school-mates (missionary boarding school) of various tribes, as contributors. This was written as a refutation of the Jewish theory, but white folk, dedicated to the Jewish theory, twisted it into an affirmation of that theory.

Sorry, but what I have written so far is a work in progress. I will get back to it soon, but the composition happening in my mind will make things much clearer. My initial direction was to try to gently lead TBM’s into “apostasy”, but my intended audience has changed (TBM’s only react with anger). :bigyikes: uch: One reason why I don’t post the link anymore. My new direction is with doubters-- particularly of the RCIA kind, and the Native kind. :newidea: New Order Mormons and others should also learn from it. It is certainly a lesson in the consequences of rigid white thought patterns.

That quote probably came from the original Native manuscript.

Is this the link you need:

solomonspalding.com/SRP/saga2/sagawt0i.htm

 

[Jerusha]

Thanks, Bart. Remember that it is a work in progress.