Thursday, January 05, 2006

"Irony, Parallelism, and Imagery in the Book of Mormon--Some Examples, Part 3"


(part 3)


Amalickiah & Ammoron

**Lehonti is the man appointed by the rebellious Lamanites to be their king and leader. These Lamanites were:
Alma 47:6
"...fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites."

They didn't want to fight the Nephites anymore; they were tired of fighting. Hopefully, they could scare off the king's army or defeat them, then set up their own kingdom that didn't fight the Lamanites. What a great plan! They had gathered together to fight for their beliefs.

However, Amalickiah didn't want to fight them; he had other plans. So:
Alma 47:10
"...when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him."
Alma 47:11
"And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time."
Alma 47:12
"And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti's camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him."
Alma 47:13
"And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army."

Lehonti finally gives in. According to Amalickiah's plan, he becomes king over all the armies. However, it doesn't last long:
Alma 47:17
"Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader."
Alma 47:18
"And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died."

Thus, Amalickiah kills Lehonti physically the same way he kills him morally/ spiritually--by degrees!

And, shortly after that, the Lamanites become involved in the biggest military campaign up to that time. Double irony!!

**The Lamanite king wants to compel his peaceful men to fight against and kill the Nephites:
Alma 47:1
"...the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites."
Alma 47:2
"And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; ...and it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king."
Alma 47:3
"And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms."

Later, this happens:
Alma 47:23
"...the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites."
Alma 47:24
"And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth."

The Lamanite king that wanted to compel his peaceful subjects to kill the Nephites, is killed by his allies as he shows a Nephite token of peace to the Nephite rebels.

**Continuing the war that his brother started, Ammoron, in a letter to Moroni, states that the reason for his fighting this war against the Nephites is
Alma 54:24
"...to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain their rights to the government..."

He explains:
Alma 54:17
"...your fathers (Nephi, Sam, etc.) did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them."
Alma 54:18
"And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong, then will I cause that my people shall lay down their weapons and shall be at war no more."

So, which Lamanite is at the head of the government? Why, it's Ammoron--except he's no Lamanite! His father was Zoram (Alma 54:23)--some might say he has the least claim to the throne of all! Before him, it was his brother Amalickiah, another Nephite who became a "Lamanite".

Later, we see an even stranger situation: Ammoron's son is king!
Helaman 1:16
"Therefore, the king of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubaloth, who was the son of Ammoron..."

Yeah, Amalickiah, Ammoron--it's all for the Lamanites and THEIR right to the government, right?

**In Ammoron's letter, he also says:
Alma 54:21
"And as concerning that God whom ye say we have rejected, behold, we know not such a being; neither do ye; but if it so be that there is such a being, we know not but that he hath made us as well as you."
Alma 54:22
"And if it so be that there is a devil and a hell, behold will he not send you there to dwell with my brother whom ye have murdered, whom ye have hinted that he hath gone to such a place? But behold these things matter not."

Actually, they were the things that mattered--Amalickiah and Ammoron rejected the gospel and its teachings and started a war, all for the opportunity of becoming kings.


The Big War
The war starts in Moroni, ends in Moroni, and is finished by Moroni:
Alma 51:22-23:
"...the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore."
"And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took possession of the city, yea, possession of all their fortifications."
Alma 62:34, 38
"And it came to pass that Moroni and Lehi and Teancum did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness on the east."
...
"Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites."
Moroni (Alma 48-62)


Helaman & Stripling Warriors

**In a letter to Moroni, Helaman writes about the miraculous stripling warriors. Their faith in Christ makes them invincible, which is proved in at least two main battles:
Alma 56:46
"[Helaman], behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall..."
Alma 56:47
"...yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them."
Alma 56:48
"And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."
Alma 56:55
"(After a battle)... I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain."
Alma 56:56
"But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war."

Then, later again:
Alma 57:24
"And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed."
Alma 57:25
"And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish..."
Alma 57:26
"And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe--that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power."
Alma 58:39
"And those sons of the people of Ammon...and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain."

And yet, even though this letter is being written after everything has happened, it seems as if Helaman still doesn't believe it, as he says:
Alma 56:18
"... they (the Lamanites) were compelled...to not come against ...us, to battle."
Alma 56:19
"And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we preserved."
Alma 56:39
"... the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness."
Alma 56:40
"... neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark."
Alma 57:17
"But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions and also a numerous army of men."
Alma 57:18
"And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were about to overpower us."
Alma 57:22
"And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti."

**It is also ironic that, of all people they could choose to lead them, the stripling warriors choose Helaman. Why? Describing them to Moroni, Helaman says that the stripling warriors, who he calls his young sons, are courageous, fight with exceeding vigor, are firm and undaunted against the strongest opposition, diligent in obeying with exactness; trust in God continually; are steadfast, strict, ultra-obedient; and faithful (see Alma 56:52, Alma 57:19-21, Alma 57:27, Alma 58:40).

In contrast, Alma, when talking to (and about) his young son Helaman, mentions very different things (listed in the order they appear): remember God, trust God, listen to me, obey, obey, obey, trust me and God that we are not foolish; remember that the commandments are strict, and if you don't obey them you will not prosper, but die; uphold God's trust in you; obey or be rejected and turned over to Satan; ask God for help and direction; God will fulfill his promises; be diligent in doing what I say; be diligent in keeping the commandments as they are written; learn to keep the commandments in they youth; cry unto God for help; counsel with the Lord; don't be slothful; don't forget to exercise faith and diligence; heed the words of Christ; take care of the sacred artifacts; and look to God and live (Alma 36:2, 3, Alma 37:1, 2, 6-20, 35-37, 41-47).

Right after this talk, Alma gives kudos to his other son Shiblon for steadiness and faithfulness to God, for trusting in God, and for being diligent (Alma 38:2, Alma 38:3, Alma 39:1); and, he holds up Shiblon, but not Helaman, as an example of these things to Corianton. (Alma 39:1, 2).

Also, we read that the reason Alma gave Helaman the plates is because someone else first refused them:
Alma 50:37
"And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment-seat with perfect uprightness before God."
Alma 50:38
"Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and his fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon his son, Helaman."

Quite a contrast in character between the young sons of converted Lamanites and the young lifetime son of a prophet!


Conversion of Lamanites

**When the Lamanites are in the prison and are about to kill Nephi and Lehi, they are overshadowed with a cloud of darkness. Great fear comes upon them, and they fall to the earth, stuck. Then,
Helaman 5:40
"...the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?"

They just want to darkness to go away--that's all. They are given the solution, and apply it. But wait, there's more! It's not just that the cloud of darkness is removed; they are then baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost, hear the voice of God, and see angels!
Helaman 5:41
"And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you."
Helaman 5:42
"And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed."
Helaman 5:43
"And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire."
Helaman 5:44
"And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory."
Helaman 5:45
"And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words."
Helaman 5:46
"And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:"
Helaman 5:47
"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world."
Helaman 5:48
"And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them."


Samuel the Lamanite

**Samuel says that the Nephites in Zarahemla:
Helaman 13:26
"...are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil."
We see much of this fulfilled in a great example: Samuel!
Helaman 13:2
"...Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did CAST HIM OUT, and he was about to return to his own land."
Helaman 16:2
"But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were ANGRY with him; and they CAST STONES at him upon the wall, and also many SHOT ARROWS at him as he stood upon the wall..."
Helaman 16:6
"...when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: TAKE THIS FELLOW and bind him, for behold he HATH A DEVIL; and BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF THE DEVIL which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.


Gandianton Robbers

**Nephi says,
Helaman 11:10
"O Lord, behold this people repenteth; and they have swept away the band of Gadianton from amongst them insomuch that they have become extinct, and they have concealed their secret plans in the earth."

Then, later, talking about the Gandianton Robbers themselves, the Book of Mormon says:
Helaman 11:25
"And they did commit murder and plunder; and then they would retreat back into the mountains, and into the wilderness and secret places, hiding themselves that they could not be discovered, receiving daily an addition to their numbers, inasmuch as there were dissenters that went forth unto them."

Having earlier repented and concealed their secret plans in the earth, they later become wicked and take this same stratagem to rise in power--hiding themselves in the mountains, wilderness, and secret places, so they could not be discovered.

**Giddianhi, the leader of the Gandianton Robbers, writes a letter to Lachoneus, the leader of the Nephites. He says:
3 Nephi 3:4
"And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction."

Then, later, he suggests the master plan--if the Nephites unite with the Gandianton Robbers, no one will have to die, and everyone will be happy!:
3 Nephi 3:7
"Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us--not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance."

So, how will the Gandianton Robbers change their feelings of "everlasting hatred" towards the Nephites to feelings of "brethren and partners of all our substance?"

Then, there is another question to resolve with this issue: what will they, as a group, subsist on after joining them? Giddianhi writes:
3 Nephi 3:6
"Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions..."
3 Nephi 3:7
"Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us--not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance."

In other words, everyone will survive on what the Nephites yield up, and what the Gandianton Robbers have already stolen from them!

And then what? As we see here:
3 Nephi 4:19
"...for behold, they had nothing save it were meat for their subsistence, which meat they did obtain in the wilderness;"
3 Nephi 4:20
"And it came to pass that the wild game became scarce in the wilderness insomuch that the robbers were about to perish with hunger."
3 Nephi 4:5
"...Giddianhi found that it was expedient that he should go up to battle against the Nephites, for there was no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder."
3 Nephi 4:6
"And they durst not spread themselves upon the face of the land insomuch that they could raise grain, lest the Nephites should come upon them and slay them; therefore Giddianhi gave commandment unto his armies that in this year they should go up to battle against the Nephites."

The Gandianton Robbers live by hunting--and stealing from others; and farming, if absolutely necessary. So, here's the question: If all the Nephites and Lamanites and Gandianton Robbers are Gandianton Robbers, who will they, the Gandianton Robbers, steal from?

**What type of warfare did the Gandianton Robbers use? In Helaman 11:25, it says:
"And they did commit murder and plunder; and then they would retreat back into the mountains, and into the wilderness and secret places, hiding themselves that they could not be discovered, receiving daily an addition to their numbers, inasmuch as there were dissenters that went forth unto them."
3 Nephi 1:27
"And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass away in peace, save it were for the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the mountains, who did infest the land; for so strong were their holds and their secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people."

The Gandianton Robbers attack, then retreat to a stronghold.

To resist the Gandianton Robbers, the rest of the people in the land gather together and make a single strong fortification:
3 Nephi 3:13
"Yea, he (Lachoneus) sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place."
3 Nephi 3:14
"And he (Lachoneus) caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night."
3 Nephi 3:22
"...the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their horses, and their chariots, and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands, until they had all gone forth to the place which had been appointed that they should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their enemies."

Then,
3 Nephi 4:1
"...those armies of robbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down and to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness, and their strongholds, and their secret places, and began to take possession of the lands, both which were in the land south and which were in the land north, and began to take possession of all the lands which had been deserted by the Nephites, and the cities which had been left desolate."

Because the lands are desolate, the Gandianton Robbers must attack the Nephites to survive. So, they attack, there's a battle, and the Gandianton Robbers run away, then later come again to lay siege; they don't have food, and are very hungry, and in these circumstances,
3 Nephi 4:21
"...the Nephites were continually marching out by day and by night, and falling upon their armies, and cutting them off by thousands and by tens of thousands."
3 Nephi 4:22
"And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnarihah to withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which came upon them by night and by day."
3 Nephi 4:23
"...Zemnarihah did give command unto his people that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the furthermost parts of the land northward."
3 Nephi 4:24
"And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat."
3 Nephi 4:25
"And this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in their rear."
3 Nephi 4:26
"And the robbers who were on the south were also cut off in their places of retreat..."
3 Nephi 4:27
"And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain."

After all is said and done, the Nephites and Gandianton Robbers switch roles, and the Gandianton Robbers are finally defeated by the same style they used to perfection--guerilla warfare directed from strong fortification!

**The following occurs after this last battle:
3 Nephi 4:28
"And their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof until he was dead. And when they had hanged him until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying" (a few things), and then
3 Nephi 4:32
"...they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God."

After they hang Zemnarihah upon the top of a tree, and he crashes to the earth, they cry hosanna to the Most High God..." and "Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God."

What a great scene of Zemnarihah's being high a fake emulation of God, and a beautiful final contrast where God remains high, but Zemnarihah is brought low to the earth.


The Land Where Christ Would Appear

**First, when the people are righteous, they are told that:
Alma 16:20
"And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness."

By implication, he would not appear to them during his mortal life, but afterwards. Their reaction to this news?: great joy and gladness.

Then, when they are mostly evil, they are told that:
Helaman 16:18
"That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so... why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?"
Helaman 16:19
"Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?"
Helaman 16:20

But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.

Their reaction to this news?: what a rotten deal!


Moroni and Faith

**Moroni describes all the great things that happened through faith:
Ether 12:4
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
...
Ether 12:7
For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.
...
Ether 12:10
Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God.
...
Ether 12:11
Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.
....
Ether 12:13
Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.
Ether 12:14
Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
Ether 12:15
Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.
Ether 12:16
Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.
Ether 12:17
And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.
Ether 12:21
And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.
Ether 12:22
And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.

This is not great preaching from an unlearned student--we see in the short record we have on Moroni that he himself has obtained, through his faith, almost all the things that he mentions in the lives of these other people (many with specific scriptures are shown below):

he hopes for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God:
"And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen" (Moroni 10:34).
See also Ether 12:38.

he has an anchor for his soul, is sure and steadfast, abounds in good works, and glorifies God:
Moroni 9:6, 22, 25.

he has been delivered from his enemies:
"And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst; and they passed by me that they did not put an end to my life."
"And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni)..." (Mormon 6:10-11).
See also Moroni 9:22, 1:1, 3.

he has seen Christ, after He had risen from the dead;
"And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things..." (Ether 12:39).

he was called after the holy order of God;
"An epistle of my father Mormon, written to me, Moroni; and it was written unto me soon after my calling to the ministry..."
"My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work" (Moroni 8:1, 2).
See also Moroni 9:6, Alma 45:14.

he has seen the three disciples:
"And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth."
"But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us" (Mormon 8:10-11).

he first wonders about his future, but then he knows that he will die:
"Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen" (Ether 15:34).
"Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished..." (Moroni 1:1).
"...I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite..." (Moroni 10:34)

whether he saw what the brother of Jared saw, or not, at least by writing the things that the brother of Jared saw, he knows them, too:
"Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared" (Ether 4:4).
See also Ether 12:24.

and he knows the plates will make it to the people:
"And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth."
"And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead" (Mormon 8:25, 26).
See also: Mormon 8:14-16, Moroni 10:27-28.


From Rees' article:
Irony in the Bible
An example of dramatic and verbal irony in the New Testament is the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. Just before they go to Gethsemane, Christ tells Peter, "This night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." Peter swears to Christ, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. . . . Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee" (Matthew 26:33-35). The ironic ending of the drama is established first by Christ's predicting that before this very night is over, Peter will deny him not once but three times, and second by Peter's avowing that even though everyone in the world should deny Christ, he would never deny the Savior, even if it costs him his life.
A few short hours later, on three successive occasions, the last spoken with curses and swearing, Peter denies any knowledge of Christ and disavows any association with him ("I know not the man," Matthew 26:74). Immediately thereafter Peter hears the crowing of the cock (a symbol of vigilance, illumination, and resurrection) and is stunned by the dramatic discrepancy between his boasting of complete fidelity to Christ and his betrayal of him. It is ironic that this same inconstant, impetuous fisherman, who in this moment of danger chooses self-preservation over loyalty to his Lord, becomes Christ's chief apostle, stands in Christ's stead as the head of the church, and, according to Christian tradition, is crucified upside down in Rome when things fall apart and anarchy is unloosed upon the kingdom. Ironically, Peter's last act is indeed a fulfillment of his promise not to deny Christ, though it cost him his life."

This author:
Actually, the true irony is when Christ asks Peter, "Lovest thou me?" three times, and Peter says yes--thus creating a foil to his denying Christ three times. This time, instead of saying, an animal will do something to show that denial (the cock will crow), Jesus says that Peter will do something to an animal (feed the sheep) to show that acceptance and love.

THE END

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home