CRITIQUE OF 1 NEPHI - 1830 EDITION
Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: "I told the brethren
that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book 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." (Introduction)
Note: In the original 1830 edition of the book of Mormon, there are seven
chapters in the first book of Nephi. Modern Mormon scribes have expanded the
number of chapters to twenty two. Obviously, Joe Smith did not know how to correctly
assign chapters and verses to his book.
Chapter One - Inconsistencies and Errors
Nephi was highly favored of the Lord in all of his days.(1 Nephi 1:1) Since
Nephi lived in the days of Jeremiah, knowledge of him and his father's righteousness
would have been written in the Bible. Jeremiah prophesied during the reigns
of kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. The Bible says, "Run to and fro
through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places
if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the
truth, and I will pardon her." (Jeremiah 5:1)
Nephi declared that the language of his father Lehi consists of the learning
of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.(1 Nephi 1:2) Ancient Hebrew
was used by the Israelites/Jews until the third century BC. Hebrew in its earliest
form was almost identical to Phoenician not Egyptian. From the 3rd century BC
the Jews in Palestine came to use Aramaic in both speech and secular writings.
(Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 13, pages 19-20)
Nephi declared that in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, many prophets
came prophesying to the people declaring that Jerusalem must be destroyed unless
they repented.(1 Nephi 1:4) Jeremiah on the other hand said that all the other
prophets were false. Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets
say to them, 'You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but
I will give you assured peace in this place.'" And the LORD said to me,
"The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded
them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a
worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus says the LORD
concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send,
and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'; 'By sword and famine
those prophets shall be consumed'"! (Jeremiah 14:13-15)
Lehi was given a book to read and he prophesied after reading it.(1
Nephi 1:11) On the contrary, the Lord always gave His word to prophets through
divine inspiration. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying; (Jeremiah
1:4) Moreover the word of the Lord came to me saying, (Jeremiah 2:1) The word
that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, (Jeremiah 7:1) "Moreover you
shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord:'" (Jeremiah 8:4) The word that
came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, (Jeremiah 11:1) The word of the Lord
that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts. (Jeremiah 14:1) The word of the
Lord also came to me, saying, (Jeremiah 16:1) Here are just a few examples to
show that the Lord spoke directly through His prophet and not through a book.
An elder brother of Nephi was Sam.(1 Nephi 2:5) In Hebrew, the name
Samuel literally means 'name of God'. No Hebrew would have named his child in
a shortened manner by leaving off 'of God'. If the Book of Nephi is true, then
Lehi named one of his sons 'name'.
Nephi records his father traveled to the river Laman which emptied into the
Red Sea.(1 Nephi 2:8) Lehi told his son Laman (which was also the name of the
river) that he wished he would be like this river that continually runs into
the fountain of all righteousness.(1 Nephi 2:9)) Geography has shown that historically
no river or steam has ever existed that flows into the Red Sea.
Lehi prophesied of Nephi saying, "Blessed art thou, Nephi, because
of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.
And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be
led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea,
a land which is choice above all other lands."(1 Nephi 2:19-20) The word
faith is a New Testament term having only two appearances in the Old Testament.
The Bible says, "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ,
(Christ came six hundred years after Jeremiah) that we might be justified by
faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (Galatians
3:24-25)
Lehi commanded his son Nephi to get plates of brass which contained
the record of the Jews and the genealogy of his forefathers.(1 Nephi 3:3) Plates
of brass were never used to document any records in the ancient world. Scrolls
of parchment or stone tablets were used exclusively. The Bible says, "And
at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was
found, and in it a record was written thus: In the first year of King Cyrus,
King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: (Ezra 6:2-3)
Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written
of me. (Psalm 40:7) Moreover the LORD said to me, "Take a large scroll,
and write on it with a man's pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. (Isaiah
8:1) Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That
it may be for time to come, Forever and ever: (Isaiah 30:8) "Take a scroll
of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against
Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to
you, from the days of Josiah even to this day. (Jeremiah 36:2) Then Jeremiah
called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book,
at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the LORD which He had spoken
to him. (Jeremiah 36:4) "Take yet another scroll, and write on it
all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the
king of Judah has burned. (Jeremiah 36:28) Then Jeremiah took another scroll
and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at
the instruction of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of
Judah had burned in the fire. And besides, there were added to them many similar
words. (Jeremiah 36:32) These are just a few examples of scroll being used in
the Holy Bible.
And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of Jerusalem,
I and my brethren did consult one with another; and we cast lots which of us
should go in unto the house of Laban.(1 Nephi 3:9) When the terms 'land of'
is used in the Bible to describe literal places, they always refer to territories
or countries. For example the phase 'land of Egypt' occurs 32 times in the Book
of Jeremiah.
And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again, slay him,
for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Behold the Lord slayeth the
wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes: It is better that one man should
perish, than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.(1 Nephi
4:12-13) Being directed to do something as the result of the spirit telling
you does not exist in the Old Testament. Four times in the New Testament the
Holy Spirit said to do something. This section in Nephi was written about Laban
who was a evil man. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was referred to in
the same manner. The Bible says, And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest
that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider
that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not
that the whole nation should perish." (John 11:49-50) Obviously, a demon
was directing Joe Smith to equate Jesus Christ with a evil man named Laban through
plagiarism.
And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church, and
that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me.(1
Nephi 4:26) The word 'church' is strictly a New Testament term which is derived
from a Greek word. Just another example of Joe Smith erroneously adapting New
Testament terminology to a Old Testament setting.
Wherefore he said that these plates of brass should never perish;
neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things
concerning his seed.(1 Nephi 5:19) Since the plates of brass never perished,
where are they? The prophesies about his seed are out of character with the
Old Testament whose prophets foretold of the Messiah, not their personal descendants.
Chapter Two - Inconsistencies and Errors
And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of
my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates (of brass)
which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my
father; wherefore I do not write it in this work.(1 Nephi 6:1) Formerly any
alloy of copper, especially one with tin, was called brass, and it is probable
that the "brass" of ancient times was of copper and tin. (Bronze)
The modern alloy came into use about the 16th century.(Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia,
Volumn 4, page 307) Bronze age, the time in the development of any human culture,
before the introduction of iron, when most tools and weapons are made
of bronze.(Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volumn 4, page 395) Bronze or ancient
brass was used for tools, weapons, and for decorative purposes. Writing on plates
of brass was never practiced in the ancient world.
For it sufficeth me to say, that we are a descendant of Joseph.(1 Nephi 6:2)
According to the Bible, all Hebrews identified themselves with one of the twelve
tribes of Israel. Descendants of Joseph always identified themselves as being
from the tribes of Ephraim or Manasseh. As a matter of note, these two tribes
were carried away captive by Assyrians about the year 722 B.C. which was approximately
140 years before the time of Nephi.
For, behold, the spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for,
behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast
into prison.(1 Nephi 7:14) The Bible says that the prophets at the time of Jeremiah
were not thrown into prison. They were among the people prophesing lies and
stealing from the people. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy
lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' (Jeremiah 23:25)
The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the
prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things;
they have made many widows in her midst. (Ezekiel 22:25)
But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according
to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my
brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which
I am bound.(1 Nephi 7:17) Again, the word faith is a New Testament word associated
with the true church of Jesus Christ. If Joe Smith had known the Holy Bible,
he would have written "according to Your mercy". (see Psalm 25:7)
And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable
to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the
fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before
tasted.(1 Nephi 8:10-11) Lehi's vision of the tree of life ironically is very
similar to that of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So when the woman
saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. (Genesis
3:6)
And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the
river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the
air, high above the earth; and it was filled with people, both old and young,
both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceeding fine; and they
were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those which
had come at, and were partaking of the fruit.(1 Nephi 8:26-27) And great was
the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after that they
did enter into that building, they did point the finger of scorn at me, and
those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.(1 Nephi
8:33) Obviously, Joe Smith did not think much of the New Jerusalem as described
in the book of Revelation. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and
high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending
out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.(Revelation 21:10-11) But there
shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or
a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.(Revelation
21:27)
Chapter Three - Inconsistencies and Errors
And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates, of
my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to proceed
with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my
father, and also of my brethren.(1 Nephi 10:1) Here is a good example
of the self centeredness of Joe Smith showing up in his fictional book.
Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem,
a Prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews; yea, even a Messiah; or,
in other words, a Saviour of the world.(1 Nephi 10:4) Zedekiah became king of
Judah in 597 B.C. and shortly thereafter, Lehi left Jerusalem. Thus, Jesus should
have started His public ministry in roughly the year 4 A.D. according to this
false prophecy. We know that Jesus did not start His ministry until 28 or 29
A.D. Another reading of Deuteronomy 18:22 would be appropiate.
And he also spake concerning the prophets: How great a number had testified
of these things, concerning this Messiah, of which he had spoken, or this Redeemer
of the world.(1 Nephi 10:5) The other prophets at the time of Jeremiah were
false. Then you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will
fill all the inhabitants of this land-even the kings who sit on David's throne,
the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem-with drunkenness!"(Jeremiah
13:13)
And he spake also, concerning a prophet, which should come before the Messiah,
to prepare the way of the Lord; yea, even he should go forth and cry in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for
there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose
shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.(1 Nephi 10:8) Again, Joe Smith
resorts to plagiarism in order validate his book. On the other hand, John the
disciple of Jesus gives credit when quoting others. He said: "I am 'The
voice of one crying in the wilderness: make straight the way of the Lord,' as
the prophet Isaiah said."(John 1:23) It is He who, coming after me, is
preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.(John
1:27)
Wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.(1 Nephi 10:19) Obviously,
Joe Smith did not know of the omni-present attribute of God. Where can I go
from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven,
You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.(Psalm 139:7-8)
"Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?"
says the Lord; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord.(Jeremiah
23:24) And lo, I am with you aways, even to the end of the age.(Matthew 28:20)
The following is a list of New Testament words in the Old Testament setting
of first Nephi, chapter three. Chapter three was expanded by modern Mormon scribes
to include chapters ten through fourteen.
wGospel (10:14, 13:24, 13:26, 13:29, 13:32, 13:34, 13:36)
wSon of God (10:17, 11:7, 11:18, 11:24)
wHoly Ghost (10:11, 10:17, 10:19, 10:22, 11:27, 12:7, 12:18, 13:37)
wNazareth (11:13)
wWord of God (11:25)
wLamb of God (10:10, 11:21, 11:27, 11:31, 11:32, 12:6, 12:10, 12:11, 12:18,
13:24, 13:28, 13:29, 13:33, 13:34, 13:38, 13:40, 14:1, 14:2, 14:3, 14:6, 14:7,
14:10, 14:12, 14:13, 14:14, 14:25)
wcross (11:33)
wapostles (11:34, 11:35, 11:36, 12:9, 13:24, 13:26, 13:39, 13:40, 13:41,
14:20, 14:24, 14:27)
wdisciples (12:8)
wfaith (10:17)
wchurch/churches (13:4, 13:5, 13:6, 13:8, 13:26, 13:32, 14:3, 14:9, 14:10,
14:12, 14:14, 14:15, 14:17)
wJohn (14:27)
wwars and rumors of wars (12:2, 12:21, 14:15, 14:16)
--and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come--(1 Nephi 10:17)
Here is clear evidence that this book was written after the time of Jesus. Joe
Smith uses the past tense word "was" instead of the future tense word
"is". Even Mormon scribes failed to change this contradiction.
Here are more examples of plagiarism in the 1830 edition of first Nephi,
chapter three.
wsame yesterday, today, and forever (1 Nephi 10:18) Hebrews 13:8
winto an exceeding high mountain (1 Nephi 11:1) Revelation 21:10
whe was in the form of a man (1 Nephi 11:11) Philippians 2:7
wthe Heavens open (1 Nephi 11:14) Matthew 3:16
wbehold the Lamb of God (1 Nephi 11:21) John 1:29 & 36
wshall judge the twelve tribes of Israel (1 Nephi 12:9) Matthew 19:28
And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and
deny them not.(1 Nephi 10:22) According to the Holy Bible, the Holy Spirit does
not give authority. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority,
but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."(John
16:13)
And it came to pass that the spirit saith unto me, look! and I looked and
beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the
beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness
thereof, did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.(1 Nephi 11:8) And
I beheld a virgin, and she was exceeding fair and white.(1 Nephi 11:13)
Here is obvious evidence of the racism of Joe Smith. Hebrews are dark skinned
people while those who have white skin are of European orgin.
And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest, is the mother of
God, after the manner of the flesh.(1 Nephi 11:18) Joe Smith makes the same
mistake that the Catholics do in declaring Mary is the mother of God. Mary is
not the mother of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Modern Mormon scribes
have rewritten the verse to read "mother of the Son of God".
And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal
Father!(1 Nephi 11:21) Again, Joe Smith shows his ignorance of who God is. He
is saying that the Son is the Father. Again, modern Mormon scribes came to Joe's
rescue and changed the verse to read "Son of the Eternal Father".
And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people;
yea, the Everlasting God, was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.(1
Nephi 11:32) Again, the modern Mormon scribes have changed the verse to read
"the Son of the everlasting God".
And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the
justice of the Eternal God, and Jesus Christ, which is the Lamb of God, of whom
the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time,
and from this time henceforth and forever.(1 Nephi 12:11) Joe Smith again shows
his ignorance of Hebrew by inserting Greek words into a "Hebrew" text.
But, modern Mormon scribes came to his rescue again by rewriting the verse to
read "and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God".
And it came to pass that I beheld that after they had dwindled in unbelief,
they became a dark, and loathsome, and a fithy people, full of idleness and
all manner of abominations.(1 Nephi 12:23) Another example of the racist nature
of Joe Smith. He says that dark skinned people are unbelievers, ugly, fithy,
lazy, and perverts.(see Alma 3:6)
And I beheld the spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles; that
they did prosper, and obtain the land of their inheritance; and I beheld that
they were white, and exceeding fair and beautiful, like unto my people, before
that they were slain.(1 Nephi 13:15) Another example of the racist nature of
Joe Smith. He says that white skinned people are prosperous, beautiful, and
gained the land Nephi's descendants inheritance.
And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from
the Jews unto the Gentiles; behold, after this, thou seest the formation of
that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches;
for behold, they have taken away from the Gospel of the Lamb, many parts which
are plain and most precious; and also, many Covenants of the Lord have they
taken away; and all this have they done, that they might pervert the right ways
of the Lord; that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children
of men.(1 Nephi 13:26-27) Obviously, Joe Smith did not know of the Dead Sea
Scrolls reflecting the accuracy of the Old Testament. In addition, he did not
know of the over five thousand Greek manuscripts testifying to the accuracy
of the New Testament.
And blessed are they which shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day,
for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure
unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in
the Everlasting Kingdom of the Lamb; yea, whoso shall publish peace, that shall
publish tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
(1 Nephi 13:37) Joe Smith is now trying to give legitimacy to his movement by
saying that people in his church will have the Holy Spirit and be in God's eternal
kingdom.
And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records which thou hast seen
among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first.(1 Nephi 13:40) If
the Book of Mormon establishes the Holy Bible, why are there so many contradictions?
And shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of
God is the Eternal Father and the Saviour of the world.(1 Nephi 13:40) He again,
Joe Smith confuses the Son as the Father. For My Father is greater than I.(John
14:28) Once again, the modern Mormon scribes changed the rendering to read "the
Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father."
And the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed.(1
Nephi 13:41) The gospel was given to those who loved Jesus to be preached throughout
the world. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our
common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
(Jude vs.3)
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Webster defines the
another as meaning not the same or different. As we have said before, so now
I say again, if anyone preaches any OTHER gospel to you than what you
have received, let him be ACCURSED. (Galatians 1:9)
|