Our Journey of Faith- Authors intent & Throne Theophany

Our Journey of Faith- Authors intent & Throne TheophanyDoctrines and Evidences of the Book of Mormon

I told the brethren, [the twelve Apostles] that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book of any on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." JSHC 7 Vol., 4:461

Different belief systems this book is important3

Witness and Purpose of the Authors1 Nephi 6:41 Nephi 1:9Words of Mormon 1:42 Nephi 11:2Mormon 1:152 Nephi 2:42 Nephi 25:22-302 Nephi 11:3;33:10Ether 12:39-40D&C 17:6; 20:8-12Mormon 8: 31-41D&C 84:56-57Jacob 1:4Moroni 10:3-5; 1 Nephi 1:20

Elder DavidA. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the tender mercies of the Lord:

I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often the Lords timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.

Elder DavidA. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the tender mercies of the Lord:

The Lords tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly the Lord suits his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men (D&C 46:15).

Elder DavidA. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the tender mercies of the Lord:

One of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord (in Conference Report, Apr. 2005,105; or Ensign, May 2005, 99100).

D&C 88:118"As all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."

The Brethren have taught the importance of study by Faith President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: "There is incumbent upon each of us ... the responsibility to observe the commandment to study and to learn. ... None of us can assume that we have learned enough."2 Elder Neal A. Maxwell has affirmed: "If there is sometimes too little respect for the life of the mind, it is a localized condition and is not institutional in character."3 "The Lord sees no conflict between faith and learning in a broad curriculum. ... The scriptures see faith and learning as mutually facilitating, not separate processes."4 Elder Boyd K. Packer has said: "Each of us must accommodate the mixture of reason and revelation in our lives. The gospel not only permits but requires it."5

Circumstantial evidence, in experiments...An 1842 editorial announcing some archaeological discoveries in Central America that was published in the Times and Seasons when Joseph Smith was editor boldly asserts: "We can not but think the Lord has a hand in bringing to pass his strange act, and proving the Book of Mormon true in the eyes of all the people. ... It will be as it ever has been, the world will prove Joseph Smith a true prophet by circumstantial evidence, in experiments, as they did Moses and Elijah."9

Evidence can remove honest doubtElder John A. Widtsoe taught that evidence can remove honest doubt and give assurances that build faith. "After proper inquiries, using all the powers at our command," he said, "the weight of evidence is on one side or the other. Doubt is removed."10 "Doubt of the right kindthat is, honest questioningleads to faith" and "opens the door to truth,"11 for where there is doubt, faith cannot thrive. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith likewise affirmed that evidence, as convincing as in any court in the land, proves "beyond the possibility of doubt that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery spoke the truth."12

Evidence also makes the truth plain and plausibleIn 1976 Elder Maxwell predicted:

"There will be a convergence of discoveries (never enough, mind you, to remove the need for faith) to make plain and plausible what the modern prophets have been saying all along."15

Evidence also makes the truth plain and plausibleI believe that this prophecy has been amply fulfilled in the last twenty years. Literally hundreds of newly discovered insights converge on the same supporting conclusion. Certain things that might at first have appeared outrageous, on closer inspection have turned out to be right on target.

Evidence also makes the truth plain and plausibleThe ancient Jaredite transoceanic migration that lasted 344 days (see Ether 6:11) ceases to seem so fantastic when that turns out to be exactly the length of time it takes the Pacific current to go from Asia to Mexico.16 The oddity of Nephi's making new arrows when only his bow had broken suddenly becomes plausible when one realizes that arrows and bows must match each other in weight, length, and stiffness,17 again making "plain and plausible" what the Book of Mormon has said all along

Austin Farrar in speaking about C. S. Lewis and quoted by Elder Maxwell on several occasions:"Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows that ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish."18(see D&C 46:1314; Alma 32:16)

...to quote Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

The historical facts in support of Joseph's testimony, leave one "speechless absolutely, totally, and bewilderingly incredulous," at the bald suggestion that Joseph Smith simply wrote the Book of Mormon. "A Standard unto My People," address delivered at CES Symposium, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 9 August 1994 (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1994), 7.

Book of Mormon Evidences

Lehis Throne TheophanyJerusalem at the time of LehiNephis Theme-Deliverer and MessiahLehis FamilyThe Exodus Patterns & PromisesDeath of the Natural Man (Laban)The Making of an Israelite New world KingTree of Life SymbolismMetallurgy

The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel. It testifies of his divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint.

Lehis Throne Theophany- 1 Nephi 1:5-16Modern scholarship has identified a motif called a "throne vision" or "throne theophany" the word "theophany" simply means a "manifestation of God" that repeatedly occurs in ancient stories of prophetic calls.

The Prophetic CallThrone TheophanyThe prophetic call narrative consists of several parts, some of which may be absent or in a different order in individual cases. The general outline, formed from combining Blake T. Ostlers summary of the throne theophany and Stephen D. Ricks outline of the narrative form is as follows:Historical Introduction: A brief introductory remark providing circumstantial details such as time, place, and historical setting.Divine Confrontation: Either deity or an angel appears in glory to the individual.Reaction: The individual reacts to the presence of the deity or his angel by way of an action expressive of fear, unworthiness, or having been overpowered (Ostler 69).Throne-Theophany: A theophany is a vision of God, and a throne-theophany is a vision where the individual sees the council of God and God seated upon his throne. This element distinguishes the throne-theophany commission from the narrative call form (Ostler 70).

Lehis Throne TheophanyIn these accounts, a "historical prologue" typically provides the background for the theophany, and place, time and surrounding events play a significant role. "Despite the overwhelming glory of the sacred locale," one scholar writes about Isaiah 6, "the historical moment is just as important to the prophet's proclamation. The year was a year of transition, crisis and import; it was the year of the king's death."

Lehis Throne TheophanyNephi describes the religious turmoil in Jerusalem that preceded Lehi's throne theophany: "For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed" (1 Nephi 1:4; 2 Chronicles 36:11-21; Jer. 35:25; 2 Kings 25: 1-4; 2 Chron. 15:19).

The Prophetic CallThrone TheophanyThe Introductory Word: The introductory word serves to both arouse the attention [of the prophet] and to spell out the specific basis or grounds for the commission (cited in Ricks 99). Often, the reasons for why the one called upon will serve as a prophet is explained.Commission: The individual recipient is commanded to perform a given task and assume the role of prophet to the people.Protest or Objection: The prophet responds to the commission by claiming that he is unable or unworthy to accomplish the task. This element is usually absent when the reaction element is present.Reassurance: The deity reassures the prophet that he will be protected and able to carry out the commission. In many occasions a miraculous sign is given to the prophet.Conclusion: The commission form usually concludes in a formal way, most often with a statement that the prophet has begun to carry out his commission (Ostler 69-70; see also Ricks 97).There are many great examples of the prophetic commission. To illustrate the different parts of the call, we will look at Mosess experience with the burning bush, Jeremiahs call, Lehis throne-theophany in the Book of Mormon and Enochs vision in the Book of Moses. Joseph Smith...

Moses Ex.3:3-14; Ex. 34:28-35 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

1 kings 22:19- 21 Micaiah

19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

20 And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him

Isaiah 6:1-2,81 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:1-2,8 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Daniel sees the Lord and others in a glorious visionHe is shown what is to be in the latter days(Old Testament | Daniel 10:Heading)

16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength(Old Testament | Daniel 10:16)

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth(Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:9)

Did The LordTouch Jeremiah's mouth?

Ezekiel 1:1, 26, 28The throne-theophany is an ascension narrative where the prophet is taken into or shown the heavens with God sitting upon His throne, surrounded by the heavenly council. This element is specific to the throne-theophany narratives and is not present in the basic narrative calls. Ezekiel states that:

I saw visions of God. And above the firmament that was over [the seraphims] heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 1:1, 26, 28).

Lehis Throne TheophanySuch visions, which are recorded in Isaiah 6, the apocryphal "Ascension of Isaiah," 4 Ezra, Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4, the Ethiopic and Slavonic books of Enoch, and many other texts, take their name from their description of God sitting upon his throne (sometimes, technically, in a "throne chariot").

ezekiel 1:26- 28; 1 enoch 14:18 -241 enoch 2 enoch the testament of levi 4 ezra 3 baruch the ascension of isaiah and the apocalypse of abraham among others the theophany prophetic commission pattern is readily discernible in pseudepigigraphric literature such as the ethiopic enoch when compared with ezekiel s throne chariot vision

Enoch Literature...above the vault over their heads and I observed and saw a there appeared a throne lofty throne its appearance was and upon the throne a form in like crystal and from beneath human likeness ...the throne were issuing streams when I saw this I heard of flaming fire and the a voice speaking to me ...man ...great glory was sitting upon...said stand up and let me talk it and the lord called with you new english bible me and said to me come near to me enoch and to my holy

Lehis Theophany...In 1 nephi 1 compares very favorably with the genre apocalypse in general see app 1 and with the literary pattern and the developing history of the call form found in pseudepigraphic and old testament works in particular as the following chart demonstrates

8 conclusion Throne Theophany or Ascension Prophet call PatternIsaiahJeremiahEzekielLehiJoseph Daniel Moses1 Historical introduction 6:1a1:1-31:1-31 Nephi 1:4JSH 1:1-5 Daniel 1 Ex.1-22 Divine confrontation 6:1b-41:41:4-26b1 Nephi 1:6JSH 1:9-15 Daniel 2:19-22 Ex. 3:5-63 Reaction 6:51:28b1 Nephi 1:7JSH 1:17 Ex.3:114 Throne theophany 6:2-41:20-26a1 Nephi 1:8, 11-13JSH 1:15-20 Daniel 10:16 Ex. 3:1-7John Alger Account5 Commission & a Book6:1b,13b1:5-72:3-52:1JSH 1:33-35+ Ex. 3:15-20 Ex.34:28-356 Protest 6:111:61 Nephi 1:15,18 Ex. 3:117 Reassurance

8. Conclusion6:6-7

6:11b-3b1:8-9

1:102:1-2

3:11-141:10-12

1:20, 2:1 JSH 1:20 Ex.3:12-15

JSH 1:24-26

Lehis Throne TheophanyThe motif features: "a righteous individual who, concerned for the wickedness of his people, prays and weeps on their behalf until physically overcome by the spirit of revelation" and who is thereupon "carried away in a vision." There, he sees "God on his throne attended by the heavenly council." He also "receives a heavenly book which explains the secrets of the universe and the impending disaster of his people. The vision is completed with a call or commission extended from the heavenly council to warn his people about their inevitable destruction; however, he is also forewarned that his people will reject him."

Lehis Throne Theophany1 Nephi 1 ...provides an unusually good example of the phenomenon:Lehi "was carried away in a vision, even that he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God" (1 Nephi 1:8).

John Alger

John Alger [February 2, 1893] Brother John Alger said while speaking of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that when he, John, was a small boy he heard the Prophet Joseph relate his vision of seeing the Father and the Son, [and] that God touched his eyes with his finger and said "Joseph, this is my Beloved Son, hear Him." As soon as the Lord had touched his eyes with his finger he immediately saw the Savior.

John Alger as recorded by Charles Walker in 1893

After meeting, a few of us questioned him about the matter and he told us at the bottom of the meeting house steps that he was in the house of Father Smith in Kirtland when Joseph made this declaration, and that Joseph while speaking of it put his finger to his right eye, suiting the action with the words so as to illustrate and at the same time impress the occurrence on the minds of those unto whom he was speaking. We enjoyed the conversation very much, as it was something that we had never seen in church history or heard of before. Heard Joseph testify of the First Vision, saying God the Father appeared first and touched his eye, enabling him to see the Son. (A. Karl Larson and Katharine Miles Larson, Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, 2 vols. (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1980), 2:540.

As tangible as mans

22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:22)

Visions of the Father and the SonZebedee Coltrin shared the following sacred experience:

At one of these meetings after the organization of the school, (the school being organized on the 23rd of January, 1833), when we were all together, Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did and Joseph answered that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother. Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; he was surrounded as with a flame of fire. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I saw Him. (Minutes, Salt Lake City School of Prophets, 3 Oct. 1883, pp. 5657.)

In one of these meetings the prophet told us if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver grey, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white and he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely. And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet it slipped from me, and the vision was closed up. But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months, that I never felt before to that degree. (John Murdock Journal, typescript, Brigham Young University archives, p. 13.)

Lehis Throne Theophany- Divine ConfrontationThe recipient of the vision is typically described as overcome with awe (or perplexity) at what he has witnessed. Isaiah was overpowered by the glory of his heavenly vision, exclaiming, "Woe is me! For I am undone" (Isaiah 6:5). Ezekiel fell upon his face after his experience with God (see Ezekiel 1:28). Enoch, who beheld lightning and saw flaming cherubim who spoke with fiery tongues, reported,

Lehis Throne TheophanyEnoch- "I quaked and trembled, I fell upon my face." So also in the "Apocalypse of Abraham": Following an encounter with the glorious angel Jaoel, Abraham said, "There was no breath of man, and my spirit was affrighted, and my soul fled me, and I became like a stone, and I fell upon the earth, for I had no more strength to stand." Likewise, Lehi "did quake and tremble exceedingly. And he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen" (1 Nephi 1:6-7).

Lehis Throne TheophanyIn the "throne theophany" described in Isaiah 6, a divine commission to "go and say to this people, hear " completes Isaiah's vision. Nephi's account relates that "After the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard and also the things which he read in the book" (1 Nephi 1:18-19).

Lehis Throne TheophanyIn this small but significant regard, as in others,... the Book of Mormon fits its claimed place and time of origin.

(For more details and further references on this subject, see Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, "The Throne Theophany/Prophetic Call of Muhammad.")Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic at BYU, where he also serves as editor in chief of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative and as director of advancement for the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. He is the founder of MormonScholarsTestify.org

Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.

What Doctrinal themes have you found in the Book of Mormon that testify of its truthfulness?!

Answers the Great Question: Alma 34:5-6,8All things Typify of Him 2 Ne. 11:4; Moses 6:63

The Doctrine of Christ is plainly set forth. 2 Nephi 31-33

The Atonement/Resurrection And His Tender Mercies1 Ne. 19; 2 Ne. 2,9; Alma 12, 34; Helaman 5

These doctrines are a great evidence that the Book of Mormon is true!!!! And I dont think Jospeh could have fleshed out all of this doctrine in 1830 God is no respecter of persons and he is the same yesterday today and forever53

The Great Plan of Happiness Alma 12, 42

Covenant Israel. The gathering, Scattering, and Family. Isaiah chapters and Nephi and Jacobs commentary

6. God favors the righteous--Mighty change of Heart/hard hearts, stiff necks

7. God delivers the righteous

8. Satans tactics revealed flattery, lies,--wickedness reacts with anger and mocking

9. Agency defined/opposition in all things/obey and prosper/disobey cut off from the Lord10. What God is like/what man is like/How we reconcile.