BOOK OF MORMON
1 Nephi - Chapter 9 Critique
Setting: This portion of 1 Nephi supposedly ocurred between 600 and 592 B.C. during the last years of the kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.
Verse 1: AND all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.
Note: The valley of Lemuel doesn't exist in the Sinai desert.
Verse 2: And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.
Note: Jewish records were kept on scrolls of parchment not plates of brass.
Isaiah 8:1-2 Moreover the LORD said to me, "Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man's pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. And I will take for Myself faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."
Verse 3: Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.
Note: God never intended for records to be kept on people living in America.
Psalm 87:1-6 His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: 'This one was born there.'" And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her." The LORD will record, when He registers the peoples: "This one was born there."
Verse 4: Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.
Note: The battle belongs to the Lord and Sidney Rigdon forgot about that fact.
Numbers 21:14-15 Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: "Waheb in Suphah, the brooks of the Arnon, and the slope of the brooks that reaches to the dwelling of Ar, and lies on the border of Moab."
Verse 5: Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.
Note: God's revelation is written on a scroll.
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Verse 6: But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.
Note: God's revelation is written on a scroll.
Revelation 5:2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"