Doctrine and Covenants 10

 
1 NOW, behold, I say unto you, that because you delivered up those writings which you had power given unto you to translate by the means of the Urim and Thummim, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them.
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2 And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened.
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3 Nevertheless, it is now restored unto you again; therefore see that you are faithful and continue on unto the finishing of the remainder of the work of translation as you have begun.
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4 Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end.
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5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.
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6 Behold, they have sought to destroy you; yea, even the man in whom you have trusted has sought to destroy you.
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7 And for this cause I said that he is a wicked man, for he has sought to take away the things wherewith you have been entrusted; and he has also sought to destroy your gift.
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8 And because you have delivered the writings into his hands, behold, wicked men have taken them from you.
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9 Therefore, you have delivered them up, yea, that which was sacred, unto wickedness.
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10 And, behold, Satan hath put it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be written, or which you have translated, which have gone out of your hands.
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1

Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript.

The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription.

If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators.

Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?

-a-bom
11 And behold, I say unto you, that because they have altered the words, they read contrary from that which you translated and caused to be written;
11
1
Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript. The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription. If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators. Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?
12 And, on this wise, the devil has sought to lay a cunning plan, that he may destroy this work;
12
1
Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript. The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription. If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators. Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?
13 For he hath put into their hearts to do this, that by lying they may say they have caught you in the words which you have pretended to translate.
13
1
Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript. The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription. If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators. Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?
14 Verily, I say unto you, that I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing.
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15 For behold, he has put it into their hearts to get thee to tempt the Lord thy God, in asking to translate it over again.
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16 And then, behold, they say and think in their hearts--We will see if God has given him power to translate; if so, he will also give him power again;
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17 And if God giveth him power again, or if he translates again, or, in other words, if he bringeth forth the same words, behold, we have the same with us, and we have altered them;
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1
Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript. The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription. If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators. Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?
18 Therefore they will not agree, and we will say that he has lied in his words, and that he has no gift, and that he has no power;
18
1
Joseph allowed Martin Harris to take the first 116 Book of Mormon manuscript pages to show Martin's wife, Lucy. They were subsequently lost (presumably destroyed by Lucy). These verses indicate that the manuscript was obtained by wicked men who were going to fool people by altering the words on the manuscript. The problem is that this was written by the Hand of Martin Harris and apparently in ink. Alterations of such a manuscript would have been easily detected. The writing could not be erased without leaving a trace of erasure. New words inserted would have been obvious, and would have to copy Martin's penmanship well or be detected as fraudulent alteration even without the fact of being obvious insertions. Any differences in the penmanship of the altered items would stand out even more if only present where certain words were rubbed out or inserted above the original transcription. If there really had been an attempt to alter the manuscript to try to thwart the work of God, the situation could have been used to expose the would-be perpetrators. Furthermore, verses 17-18 explain that God provided a way for the content of the lost 116 pages to be provided by translation from the plates of Nephi. However, if the wicked men could alter the words to disagree with an exact duplicate of the translation of the Book of Lehi, then they could have changed the words to contradict the asserted facts in the translation Joseph produced from the Book of Nephi instead. These wicked men could have made the 116-page manuscript disagree with the manuscript Joseph replaced it with, yet the manuscript never turned up again, altered or otherwise. Some hypothesize that what actually happened is that Lucy Harris or someone else merely destroyed the manuscript and that there was no conspiracy to alter the pages. Isn't that a more parsimonious explanation?
19 Therefore we will destroy him, and also the work; and we will do this that we may not be ashamed in the end, and that we may get glory of the world.
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20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that Satan has great hold upon their hearts; he stirreth them up to iniquity against that which is good;
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21 And their hearts are corrupt, and full of wickedness and abominations; and they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil; therefore they will not ask of me.
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22 Satan stirreth them up, that he may lead their souls to destruction.
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23 And thus he has laid a cunning plan, thinking to destroy the work of God; but I will require this at their hands, and it shall turn to their shame and condemnation in the day of judgment.
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24 Yea, he stirreth up their hearts to anger against this work.
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25 Yea, he saith unto them: Deceive and lie in wait to catch, that ye may destroy; behold, this is no harm. And thus he flattereth them, and telleth them that it is no sin to lie that they may catch a man in a lie, that they may destroy him.
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26 And thus he flattereth them, and leadeth them along until he draggeth their souls down to hell; and thus he causeth them to catch themselves in their own snare.
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27 And thus he goeth up and down, to and fro in the earth, seeking to destroy the souls of men.
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28 Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God.
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1

This verse tells us that even if you lie because you suppose someone else lies, your lying is not justified. Let's use this to measure some of the actions of the Church and its leaders.

“Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband” (1835 Doctrine and Covenants denies polygamy—D&C 101). This was published in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants in spite of the fact that Joseph Smith and others were practicing polygamy under Joseph’s direction at the time.

When asked by Time Magazine whether the Church still stands by the teaching that God the Father was once a man, President Hinckley said, “I don’t know that we teach it” (Time article, “Kingdom Come” by David Van Biema), in spite of the fact that it was being taught in classes and published in manuals current at the time.

Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland got caught in a fib starting about 1:21 into this video

“I think in the past there was a tendency to keep a lot of the [Church historical] records closed or at least not give access to information. But the world has changed in the last generation—with the access to information on the Internet, we can’t continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to be more open” (Elder Steven E. Snow, Church Historian and Recorder at Q&A with Elder Steven Snow).

“There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.” (Gospel Principles Chapter 31: Honesty)

-a-bom
29 Now, behold, they have altered these words, because Satan saith unto them: He hath deceived you--and thus he flattereth them away to do iniquity, to get thee to tempt the Lord thy God.
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30 Behold, I say unto you, that you shall not translate again those words which have gone forth out of your hands;
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31 For, behold, they shall not accomplish their evil designs in lying against those words. For, behold, if you should bring forth the same words they will say that you have lied and that you have pretended to translate, but that you have contradicted yourself.
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32 And, behold, they will publish this, and Satan will harden the hearts of the people to stir them up to anger against you, that they will not believe my words.
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1

Imagine if a criminal said that anyone who does not believe their side of the story is under the influence of Satan. Imagine if an authoritarian dictator said that anyone who did not believe their propaganda was deceived by Satan. This is a fearmongering tactic to prevent people from deciding things for themselves in a rational manner.

-auricularis_posterior
33 Thus Satan thinketh to overpower your testimony in this generation, that the work may not come forth in this generation.
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34 But behold, here is wisdom, and because I show unto you wisdom, and give you commandments concerning these things, what you shall do, show it not unto the world until you have accomplished the work of translation.
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35 Marvel not that I said unto you: Here is wisdom, show it not unto the world--for I said, show it not unto the world, that you may be preserved.
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36 Behold, I do not say that you shall not show it unto the righteous;
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37 But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter.
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38 And now, verily I say unto you, that an account of those things that you have written, which have gone out of your hands, is engraven upon the plates of Nephi;
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1

God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time?

As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"(Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient.

cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question:

"This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?

-a-bom
39 Yea, and you remember it was said in those writings that a more particular account was given of these things upon the plates of Nephi.
39
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
40 And now, because the account which is engraven upon the plates of Nephi is more particular concerning the things which, in my wisdom, I would bring to the knowledge of the people in this account--
40
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
41 Therefore, you shall translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi, down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin, or until you come to that which you have translated, which you have retained;
41
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
42 And behold, you shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words.
42
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
43 I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
43
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
44 Behold, they have only got a part, or an abridgment of the account of Nephi.
44
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
45 Behold, there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel; therefore, it is wisdom in me that you should translate this first part of the engravings of Nephi, and send forth in this work.
45
1
God explains that He anticipated the lost 116 pages and provided other plates with the relevant events so Joseph could provide the necessary elements to begin with. So, in spite of the plates being difficult to engrave (see Jacob 4:1), God has his prophets create redundant information on the plates so Joseph could translate the events and information God wanted in the Book of Mormon. Remember that Joseph didn't even use the plates to perform his translation, that sometimes the plates were not even present in the room. Instead, he placed a rock in a hat and words appeared on the rock that Joseph dictated to his scribes (www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng). Couldn't Joseph have just received the relevant information through the rock without God having his prophets create redundant information on the plates at a huge investment of time? As Redditor HeberGayGrant observes, "Makes me wonder why God didn't send an angel with a sword to stop Lucy Harris"([Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng)). Laban was slaughtered for less." This is of course sarcastically making the contrast to Joseph's account that an angel with a drawn sword threatened his life more than once when he claims he did not want to participate in polygamy. God's intervention or lack of intervention seems amazingly convenient. cronos844Confucian in the same thread has another good rhetorical question: "This brings up another question: why didn't god just instruct Joseph to create a copy of the translation already done?" As I asked above, why would God require such a time-consuming solution of having prophets engrave redundant records on metal plates when He could have commanded a modern prophet to have a scribe pen an extra 116 pages in a fraction of the time?
46 And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
46
47 And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers;
47
1

This explains that God would bring the gospel as taught in the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites. Past LDS leaders and various references in the Doctrine and Covenants make it clear that the Lamanites Moroni is writing to were the Native Americans (as well as Pacific Islanders according to the leaders). Now, LDS leaders won't tell us who the Lamanites are. Just who did these ancient prophets hope the Book of Mormon might come unto? (see also “Who is Moroni writing to?” )

-a-bom
48 Yea, and this was their faith--that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions.
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This explains that God would bring the gospel as taught in the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites. Past LDS leaders and various references in the Doctrine and Covenants make it clear that the Lamanites Moroni is writing to were the Native Americans (as well as Pacific Islanders according to the leaders). Now, LDS leaders won't tell us who the Lamanites are. Just who did these ancient prophets hope the Book of Mormon might come unto? (see also [“Who is Moroni writing to?”](https://a-bom.github.io/comefollowme47.html) )
49 Now, this is not all--their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land;
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50 And thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life;
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51 Yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be.
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52 And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up.
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53 And for this cause have I said: If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them.
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54 Now I do not say this to destroy my church, but I say this to build up my church;
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55 Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.
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56 But it is they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom of the devil--yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that it is they that I will disturb, and cause to tremble and shake to the center.
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57 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not.
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58 I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
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59 I am he who said--Other sheep have I which are not of this fold--unto my disciples, and many there were that understood me not.
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60 And I will show unto this people that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob;
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61 And I will bring to light their marvelous works, which they did in my name;
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62 Yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them, and, behold, they shall not deny that which you have received, but they shall build it up, and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me.
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63 And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them.
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64 Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery;
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65 For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts;
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66 Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely.
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67 Behold, this is my doctrine--whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
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68 Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.
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69 And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
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70 And now, remember the words of him who is the life and light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Amen.
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