3 Nephi 8 | |
1 And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record--for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity-- | 1 |
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6 2 3 Ne 8:6-19 Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it. In reference to these verses, the Book of Mormon Student Manual for Religion 121-122, copyrighted 2009, says, “Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296). Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes. “According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” (United States Geological Survey). Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
7 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
8 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
9 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
10 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
11 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
12 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
13 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
14 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
15 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
16 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
17 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
18 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? | |
19 And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease--for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours--and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land. | 19 2 3 Ne 8:6-19
Great cities being sunk into the sea (verse 9) and covered or buried in earth (verse 10), and a mountain appeared where there had been a city (verse 10) would all be expected to leave massive and undeniable geological evidence, yet there is no such evidence for such a large cataclysmic event in that time frame as I understand it.
In reference to these verses, the [_Book of Mormon Student Manual_ for Religion 121-122](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32506%5Feng.pdf), copyrighted 2009, says,
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited the increase of major earthquakes as one of the signs of the Second Coming: ‘Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. For example, the list of major earthquakes in The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as many earthquakes in the decades of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two preceding decades (see pages 189–90). It also shows further sharp increases in the first several years of this century … Increases by comparison with 50 years ago can be dismissed as changes in reporting criteria, but the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous’” (p. 296).
Yet, “The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
“According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year, which includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times” ([United States Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been?qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts=0#qt-news%5Fscience%5Fproducts)).
Given the facts, why would the Book of Mormon student manual cite this and why would an apostle say what Elder Oaks said? |
20 | |
Anachronism 211 The only candle I can find that was used by Native Americans is the "Eulachon, an oily fish, has been known as “candlefish” because First Nations cultures used the dried fish as a torch at night" (Eulachon | Traditional Animal Foods of Indigenous Peoples of Northern North America - Animals - Fish - Searun Fish). However, candlefish are only found from northern California to southwest Alaska (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/eulachon), so it seems "candle" would be an anachronism, unless the Book of Mormon takes place on that coast. | |
22 | |
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them. | 23 |
24 | |
25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible. | 25 |