Words of a Prophet

[Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum]

October 20, 2015

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President Smith continues on with this quote and speaks about something that is very important. He says “The history of this American continent … gives evidence that the Lamanites have risen up in their anger and vexed the Gentiles. This warfare may not be over. It has been the fault of people in the United States to think that this prophetic saying has reference to the Indians in the United States, but we must remember that there are millions of the “remnant” in Mexico, Central and South America. It was during our Civil War that the Indians in Mexico rose up and gained their freedom from the tyranny which Napoleon endeavored to inflict upon them contrary to the prediction of Jacob in the Book of Mormon, that there should be no kings among the Gentiles on this land. The independence of Mexico and other nations to the south has been accomplished by the uprising of the “remnant” upon the land. However, let us not think that this prophecy has completely been fulfilled.’ (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:363.)” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2001], 195).

Prior to his calling as President of the Church, President Smith expressed his negative attitude toward efforts on the part of members to search for clues as to the lands where the Book of Mormon took place. (It was said that he predicted man will never walk on the moon) It was interesting to observe him when the mantle of the prophet descended on him.  His rhetoric changed toward things scientific and apologetic.

This month we have received a literal wealth of excellent articles for your reading pleasure.  We now have all three articles written by Matthew Roper in response to the latest from the Heartlander's Jonathan Neville.I These are thoroughly researched and easy reading:

• John Bernhisel’s Gift to a Prophet: Incidents of Travel in Central America and the Book of Mormon  by Roper, Matthew
• The Treason of the Geographers: Mythical “Mesoamerican” Conspiracy and the Book of Mormon  by Roper, Matthew
• Zarahemla Revisited: Neville’s Newest Novel  by  Roper, Matthew; Fields, Paul; Bassist, Larry

In addition to these, the following have just been published on the BMAF website plus a few "golden oldies":

• Geology of the Book of Mormon  by  Grover, Jerry D. ,
• Hebraisms and other ancient Peculiarities in the Book of Mormon  by  Parry, Donald W.
• Hebrew Names Book of Mormon "Hits"  by  Tvedtnes, John
• Implications of Eight Times and Seasons Articles  by  Stoddard, Ted Dee
• John Bernhisel’s Gift to a Prophet: Incidents of Travel in Central America and the Book of Mormon  by Roper, Matthew
• MAKE PLAIN THE OLD PATHS  by  Williams, Clyde J.
• Nephites among the Epi-Olmec in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, ca. 100 BC to AD 400  by  Andersen, Joe V.
• Stela 31 from Tikal  by  Wiliams, Ryan
• The King and the Tree of Life: Evidence of Pre-Columbian Contact  by  Wirth, Diane
• The Treason of the Geographers: Mythical “Mesoamerican” Conspiracy and the Book of Mormon  by Roper, Matthew 
• TRANSLATION OF THE “CARACTORS” DOCUMENT  by  Grover, Jerry D.