Archive for July, 2006

Jaredites

Wednesday, July 12th, 2006

The Jaredite People of The Book of Mormon

The Jaredites were a people whose history is given in the Book of Mormon, an ancient record kept by the people of the Americas and then later translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Jaredites were descendants of Jared, his brother, and other righteous people of their family. They were led to the Americas, by God, at the time of the Tower of Babel. Their history is found in the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon.

A group of Nephites eventuall found the Jaredite record and their were kept with the records of the Nephite people. Later, the last Nephite prophet, Moroni, abridged the record of the Jaredite people and included it in his record. Hundreds of years later, the ProphetJoseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni and told where to find these records. Joseph found the records and translated them. These records are now known as the Book of Mormon.

The Jaredites and the Olmecs

There are shocking similarities between the Jaredite civilizations and the civilization called the Olmecs by archeologists.

Until about 2000 B.C. the Jaredites struggled to establish survival. Archeological findings support that the Olmec people until this point were unsophisticated.

From 2000 to 1500 B.C. the Jaredites made significant advances, built many cities, and a highland capital called Moron. A site with similar characteristics exists in the valley of Oaxaca and archeology has found such things as pottery, farming areas, and settled villages from this time period.

In 1500 the Jaredites built up a city called Lib. Olmec archeological finds have discovered a city near San Lorenzo beginning at the same time with the same social organization and the makings of monuments that coincide with the account in the Book of Mormon.

In 1070 there was a civil war in the time of Com mentioned in the Book of Mormon. This coincides exactly with a civil war that archeologists say destroy the city at San Lorenzo.

The following years of the Jaredite culture were decadent and wicked. The Olmecs during this time period developed a culture focused on riches and wealth. They enslaved many people to build massive monuments.

By 600 B.C. the Jaredite culture was destroyed in one last battle. Archeologists put the destruction of the Olmec people at 601 B.C.

The last battle of the Jaredite people is described as being on a hill. The last battle of the Olmecs was at Cerro Vigia and is consistent with the description of the site given in the Book of Mormon.

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Why Do Mormons Keep Journals?

Friday, July 7th, 2006

Members of the Mormon Church are constantly asked by the leaders of the Church to keep a journal. President Spencer W. Kimball once said, “We urge our young people to begin today to write and keep records of all the important things in their own lives.” This urging extends beyond just the youth to all members of the Church. But why is this Mormon belief so important?

A few scriptures give some of the reasons why members of the Church are asked to keep journals. In the Book of Mormon it says, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). This scripture illustrates one reason why members are encouraged to keep journals and records; because they can be an inspiration to your children, grandchildren and others. Keeping a journal also helps those who will come in later generations feel a link to their ancestors, thus fulfilling the scripture, “and the hearts of the children will turn to the fathers” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:16).

Another reason to keep a journal is that it can be a personal inspiration. Numerous Church leaders have explained that those who keep journals are more likely to remember God in their daily lives, and that a journal can be a source of strength when things are not going well.

Another main reason is that a journal can provide historical insight and be a historical source for future generations. One example of this in the Mormon Church is Wilford Woodruff. He faithfully kept a journal for 63 years and the information found in his journals provides a detailed record of the history of the Church during that time. If President Woodruff had not kept a journal many of the things known about the Church and life in Utah during that time would be lost. Journals also help maintain family history knowledge and may help future generations who are doing genealogical work for your family. 

Get answers to your questions about Mormonism at: www.askgramps.org

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Alma The Younger Prophet in the Book of Mormon

Friday, July 7th, 2006

The Book of Mormon is an ancient text that was recorded and then hidden by the prophet Moroni. Later Moroni, as a heavenly messenger visited the Prophet Joseph Smith and told him where to find the records. Joseph Smith then translated the Book of Mormon with divine help. Alma the Younger is one prophet whose story is related in the Book of Mormon.

Alma the Younger, lived in the lands of the Book of Mormon. The history of Alma begins when he is a youth sometime between 100 and 92 B.C. Alma and his friends including the four sons of King Mosiah, were working to destroy the Church of Christ. Alma the Younger’s father, Alma the Elder, was the leader of the Church and he was very worried about his son and prayed that the Lord would somehow help his son change. Alma and the four sons of Mosiah were traveling when an angel appeared to them. They were scared and fell to the ground.

The angel then spoke to Alma, “Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: ‘This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.’ Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God. Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.” (Mosiah 27:14-16)

The angel left, and Alma was so overcome with the spirit that he could not speak, or move. The sons of Mosiah carried him to his father’s house. When Alma the Elder heard what had happened he knew that his prayers had been answered. He asked members of the Church to fast and pray for Alma so that he could again move and speak. They fasted for two days and nights. During this time, Alma was repenting of his many sins. Afterwards Alma recorded, “Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God. My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.” (Mosiah 27:28-29)

After being unable to move for three days and nights Alma got up and told the people what he had learned and that he knew that Christ was the Redeemer and that the Church he had been trying to destroy was Christ’s Church. After this Alma and the sons of Mosiah changed, they went throughout the land teaching the people about the gospel and trying to undo the damage they had done.

The account of Alma’s conversion is found in two places in the Book of Mormon; Mosiah 26-28 and Alma 36, where Alma the Younger recounts his conversion to his son. For a long time Alma taught the people, he converted many to the truth. The sons of Mosiah were so devoted to teaching the gospel that none wanted to take his place as King, so a judging system was set up, and Alma the Younger was voted in as the first chief judge. He was also the prophet and leader of the Church. Later, Alma gave up the position of chief judge to go out and preach again to the people.

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