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A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 9

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Part 9: Helaman 8 – Helaman 16

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the rest of the Book of Helaman. With respect to internal consistency, the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite are particularly impressive. The fulfillment of several of his prophecies are recorded in great detail later, just as they were foretold.

69. Helaman 8:22 and 1 Nephi 1:19-20, 2 Nephi 25:12 — “they have testified of the coming of Christ”

In Helaman 8, Nephi gives a bold speech about how prophets down through the ages have “spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah.” In the process, he says: [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 9

FAIR Voice Podcast #2 – Sunday Special: Overview of Historicity, and Come Follow Me with Alicia Settle

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Podcast: Download (40.6MB)

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On this first Sunday segment, we begin with a discussion of what historicity is as a preview for future interviews that will address Book of Abraham historicity. We talk about the methods of determining historical authenticity and how to respond to different claims. Then, we transition to our first Come Follow Me segment. This segment is done with Alicia Settle.

Alicia SettleAlicia Settle is a BYU graduate in Psychology. She plans on being a social worker and is passionate about helping people, particularly with respect to mental health.

 

Hanna SeariacHanna Seariac is a MA student in Greek and Latin at Brigham Young University. She is writing a book on the history of the priesthood and another one that responds systematically to anti-LDS literature. She works as a research assistant on a biblical commentary and as a producer on a news show. She values Jesus Christ, family, friends, hiking, baking, and really good ice cream.

 

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 8

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Part 8: Alma 61 – Helaman 6

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the end of Alma and the first part of Helaman.

60. Alma 61:3-4,8 and Alma 51:2-5 — Internally consistent politics

In Alma 61, Pahoran (the chief judge) responds to Moroni’s chastisement and threats with a remarkably calm request for help. He explains the problem: [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 8

Enduring in Faith to the End: “Take Heed That No Man Deceive You”

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What is Enduring to the End? 

Once we have entered into the covenant path that leads to eternal life, what more is there to do? We “must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men;” we must “endure to the end” (2 Nephi 31:20).

“Endure” can carry a negative connotation in our modern language. It sounds tedious, difficult, unbearable, or boring! “The end” sounds a bit ominous, too.

Thankfully several scriptures add the important and clarifying details that we are to endure in faith to the end, and that to “endure” means to “continue” (For examples, see Mosiah 4:6, 30; Alma 5:13; Alma 27:27; Moroni 3:3; 8:3; and Doctrine and Covenants 63:20).

In other words, “enduring to the end” is “to continue in faith.” Enduring to the end isn’t just an exercise in patient suffering, it is a conscientious effort to be a committed, faithful, life-long disciple of Jesus Christ.

Three Hazards to Enduring in Faith

 In order to do that, we need to be aware of the hazards that would prevent us from continuing as faithful disciples. To help us in this challenge, Jesus predicted three specific hazards we would face in the latter-days. Each of us have or will face these hazards to some degree or another.  [Read more…] about Enduring in Faith to the End: “Take Heed That No Man Deceive You”

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 7

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Part 7: Alma 43 – Alma 56

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the “war chapters” in Alma. They go into a lot of detail, especially concerning the geography. The examples shown in this part don’t do justice to the complexity of the Book of Mormon geography since there is more here than we can cover.

49. Alma 43:5 and Alma 31:3 — “the land of the Zoramites”

In Alma 43:5, Mormon informs us that an army of Lamanites arrived at…

…the land of Antionum, which is the land of the Zoramites

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 7

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 6

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Part 6: Alma 26-Alma 38

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers the Zoramite mission and Alma’s words to his sons.

39. Alma 26:27 and Alma 17:10-11 — “the Lord comforted us”

Ammon reflects on the early phase of their mission, saying

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. (Alma 26:27)

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 6

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 5

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Part 5: Alma 9 – Alma 25

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

This part covers Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah and a flashback to the mission of the sons of Mosiah. As usual there are many examples within these chapters of subtle details that are referenced elsewhere and therefore demonstrate the careful detail that went into producing the text.

29. Alma 9:18, 10:22-23 and Alma 16:2-3 — the destruction of Ammonihah

Alma prophecies of the destruction of Ammonihah while preaching there, first in Alma 9:18

But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord.

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 5

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 4

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Part 4: Mosiah 25-Alma 8

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

In this part, we will be covering the rest of Mosiah and the first part of Alma and the beginning of the reign of the judges. As usual, there are multiple internal references that display the complexity of the Book of Mormon. Eleven examples will be discussed.

18. Mosiah 25:2 and Helaman 6:10 — “Mulek”

In Mosiah 25:2, we read

Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who came with him into the wilderness.

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 4

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 3

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Part Three: Mosiah 11-24

The introduction to this series on internal consistency in the Book of Mormon is found in part 1 here.

In this part, we continue with examples from the Book of Mosiah.

11. Mosiah 11:12 and Mosiah 19:5-6 — a “tower” overlooking “the land of Shemlon”

We learn from Mosiah 11:12

And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of Shemlon

This tower is not mentioned again until Mosiah 19:5-6 [Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 3

A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 2

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Part Two: Mosiah 7-10

If you have not read Part 1 yet, find it here.

In Part 2, we will continue with the Book of Mosiah, which is arguably the most complex book in the entire Book of Mormon in terms of internal consistency.

We find various groups of people interacting in various ways over several generations, as well as several sudden shifts in perspective and even jumps in time between chapters. Many of these events are also referenced later in other books of the Book of Mormon.

We start out with several examples in Mosiah 7. This is an interesting chapter because it describes several details of a story that is later repeated. The second telling gives additional background and context.

5.     Mosiah 7:10 and Mosiah 21:19 — Detail about guards

[Read more…] about A Detailed Look at Internally Consistent References in the Book of Mormon Text, Part 2