Protestant Christians are big on the following
statement. As a Baptist minister, I’ve often said it myself:
"…Show it to me in the Word and I’ll believe it."
I intend to show that the Bible points to the Book of Mormon and to the New
World; that there are more than a few key biblical passages supporting the
"Stick of Joseph" (Book of Mormon). Ten biblical proofs, to be
exact. [There are far more than that.]
I’ve been preaching out of the Book of Mormon, as well as the Bible, now
for over fifteen years. (Been preaching for nearly forty years.) And I’m a
Baptist minister. I’ve discovered the Book of Mormon is full of those grand
Protestant themes—salvation by grace, faith & repentance, forgiveness
through His shed blood, the born again experience, and other cardinal
Protestant doctrines.
Like the Bible, the central theme of the Book of Mormon is the Lordship
of Jesus Christ. There are over 160 passages in the Book of Mormon that
speak of the Lord Jesus Christ. There were 22 men named in the Book of Mormon
who saw Christ. Some form of Christ’s name is mentioned on an average of
every 1.7 verses. The New Testament mentions a form of Christ’s name on an
average of every 2.1 verses. The name of the Savior appears nearly 25 percent
more frequently in the Book of Mormon than in the New Testament. When we
realize that a verse usually consists of one sentence, we cannot on the
average read two sentences in the Book of Mormon without seeing some form of
Christ’s name.
"He is Lord" rings loud and clear from its pages like a
London cathedral choir harmonizing on a Sunday morning. The sound is resonant
throughout the book’s pages. The Spirit’s witness is there. That same
Jesus I discovered in the Bible is also present in the pages of the Book of
Mormon. Praise be to His holy name!
To begin with, I’ve discovered—most Protestant Christians have never
read the Book of Mormon, yet are against it. That’s why we need to begin
with…
What’s the book about?
Bible history tells us that Zedekiah began his eleven-year reign over Judah
about 600 BC. For years the prophets of the Lord warned God’s people to
repent or surely the Lord would destroy Jerusalem.
Because of their failure to heed the warnings, Jerusalem was destroyed by
the Babylonians about 588 BC. The temple was destroyed, the walls torn down,
and the people were either killed or taken captive into Babylon.
The story in the Book of Mormon begins here—in Jerusalem during the first
year Zedekiah was king of Judah, about 600 BC.
The book is a collection [abridgement] of ancient sacred writings—telling
the accounts of three groups of people who came from the East to the New
World. It is named after the LAND of Mormon where Alma established the church
among his people. Or more specifically, where Alma re-established covenant
relationships by baptizing church members. That happened in the land of
Mormon. And these saints entered into a covenant with one another and with God
(RLDS Mos.9:41, 44, 174-179; Alma 5:27). To quote Ray Treat, "…The
land of Mormon to the Nephite believers meant the land where the covenant was
restored; therefore, "Mormon" means restoration of the
covenant. And spiritually speaking, the Book of Mormon means "Book
of the Restoration of the Covenants."
Mormon (310-385 AD) was the "chief editor" of the record.
The book begins its narrative by centering on the Prophet Lehi and his
family.
In Jerusalem, during the reign of King Zedekiah, there lived a man named
Lehi. Lehi, a prophet, took his family and left Jerusalem in 600 BC, just
prior to the fall of the city to the Babylonians. He had been warned of God to
flee. Traveling south, making their way eastward, the family eventually came
to the shores of the sea.
Lehi and his wife, Sariah, had four sons: Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi. God
had commanded Lehi to bring with him brass plates on which was written a
record of the Jews and their forefathers. The brass plates contained the
writings of Isaiah and much of what is now known as the Old Testament.
While leaving Jerusalem, Lehi and his family were joined by another family
whose father was named Ishmael. Ishmael had five daughters, besides two sons
who had families of their own. Both families were descendants of Joseph, the
son of Jacob [Israel]—that same Joseph who ended up in Egypt a slave. These
two families intermarried and gave birth to children, which eventually became
two great nations.
Lehi’s son, Nephi, was given instructions by the Lord on how to build a
ship—of which carried the two families to the Americas, a land "…choice
above all others." The families landed up and down the coasts of
Central and South America. By revelation they realized they had come to the
Land of Promise. The land called "Joseph’s Land." They arrived
about 589 BC and began establishing their culture and colonies.
The father, Lehi, died and his sons split into two factions: Laman and
Lemuel sided together and Sam went with Nephi. Followers of Laman became known
as Lamanites and followers of Nephi became known as Nephites. The Lamanites
were wicked warriors; prophets of God led the Nephites. They were the more
righteous group and their story is contained in 14 of 15 books making up the
Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon tells of the struggles, the wars, and the
interrelationships between these two groups.
Approximately 320 years later, the people of Zarahemla were discovered.
They were the Mulekites. Mulek was the son of King Zedekiah of Judah and left
Jerusalem for the New World around 586 BC. His people also journeyed in the
wilderness and were directed of the Lord across the ocean to the Americas. The
Mulekites, as a people, merged with the Nephites around 200 BC.
There are many prophecies in the Book of Mormon concerning the crucifixion,
death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. On the day of our Savior’s
death, the Nephites living in Central America experienced tremendous volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes.
One of the most moving portions of the Book of Mormon is the record known
as Third Nephi (the fifth gospel). Written by Nephi, one of the twelve
disciples chosen by the Lord during his visitation to the Land of Bountiful,
the book covers the time from the birth of Christ to 34 AD.
Jesus comes to the New World!
Twenty-five hundred people gather at the temple in the Land of Bountiful to
see Jesus descending from heaven. All people feel the wound in Jesus’ side
and the nail prints in his hands and feet. The place? The land Bountiful.
Today known as Mesoamerica. (The Land of Mormon, today known as Mesoamerica,
covered two-thirds of Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of El Salvador, Nicaragua
and Costa Rica.)
It’s a moving scene.
The Book of Mormon stands as a powerful witness of the Savior’s redeeming
love for mankind in both the old and new worlds.
Many "…plain and precious" truths lost throughout the
centuries via translations are captured within.
During the few years following Jesus’ visit to the people in the land
Bountiful, the disciples went among the people, baptizing and forming churches
in all the lands. There was peace and prosperity between the two nations
(Nephites and Lamanites) for more than 200 years.
However, wickedness returns. During the 200 years the people had become
very wealthy and proud. As the Book of Mormon draws to an end, great wars
broke out between the Nephites and Lamanites. The Nephites, who previously
were the more righteous of the two, became more wicked than their brothers.
The final battle occurs in 385 AD. Mormon, the great Nephite
warrior/leader, wrote a letter to the Lamanite king asking him to give them
time to gather all the Nephites together by a hill which was called Cumorah
where they would do battle. The results were more than dismal. Approximately
one million men, women and children were slaughtered in one day! Only
twenty-four Nephites survived the slaughter. Included were Mormon and his son,
Moroni.
The twenty-four surviving Nephites escaped into the land to the south, but
were hunted by the Lamanites until, one by one, they were killed—except
Moroni. To Moroni had been given the task of recording the conclusion of the
story of the once great Nephite nation, a branch of the House of Israel who
came from Jerusalem.
Mormon had given the brass plates to his son, who eventually buried them on
top of Hill Cumorah so that they could come forth in the last days.
And in 1827 Joseph Smith discovered them [directed there by the angel
Moroni]. It was destined in the plan of God. End of story.
To summarize…
- Mormon abridged a thousand years of history.
- He gave the abridgement to his son Moroni to finish (385 AD).
- Moroni, resurrected being, gave it to Joseph Smith in 1827 AD.
- Joseph translated it by the "gift and power of God."
- It was first published in March, 1830, by Egbert B. Grandin, a
printer and bookstore proprietor of Palmyra, New York. Five thousand
copies were printed for $3,000.
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There is one other group mentioned in the Book of Mormon that came from the
East to the Americas—the Jaredites. This group came from the tower of Babel
at the time of the confounding of languages around 2,300 BC. Their
civilization lasted over 2,000 years, and their story is highly condensed in
the Book of Ether.
The Book of Mormon then tells of three civilizations or cultures—all
branches from the House of Israel—which were led by God to the Americas:
1) the Jaredites, 2) Nephites, and 3) Mulekites.
- To tell the seed of Lehi about their heritage as part of the House of
Israel.
- To witness that Jesus is indeed the Christ.
- To give testimony of Joseph’s blessing to his descendants—a
"land choice above all others." Joseph’s land, the Land of
Promise.
- To reveal that a New Jerusalem is to be built in the Land of Promise,
the New World, the Americas.
And now, let’s turn our attention to…
The Bible points to the Book of Mormon and to the New World. What a
wonderful story of hope and promise for these last days!
Biblical Proof Number One
The New World
Plainly, the Bible points to the New World. The golden text for
Protestantism says,
"…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life" (John 3:16).
Sometimes we read a thing and really never get to the bottom of it. The
above verse says that God loves the whole world—both old and new! I
really never thought about that.
I like what Roy Weldon says:
"…It is estimated that at the time of Christ the civilization of
ancient America was in full bloom with a culture as great in some respects
superior to the civilizations of Rome, Greece, Babylon, and Egypt. Estimates
of the population in Mexico, Central America, and the Andean region at the
time of Christ run as high as three hundred million people."
--Other Sheep, p.18
Three hundred million people?!
I must confess, as a Protestant Christian, the thought had never crossed my
mind—a highly cultured civilization in the New World during the time of
Christ?! Superior to the civilizations of Rome, Greece, Babylon and Egypt?!
It staggers the imagination. It does mine.
All my upbringing and teaching in our small Baptist Church back in those
Missouri hills had always drawn my attention to the Old World. I had heard
more than one sermon on the significance of Israel becoming a nation in 1948.
Never once did I hear about the significance of the New World, that land set
aside for Latter-day Israel in these last days. I had no idea that a Branch of
the House of Israel had migrated to the New World, to the Americas, and would
become an Ensign to the nations during these last days.
I remember sitting in church as a young lad and dreaming, "…it
sure would be neat to visit the Holy Land some day. To walk where Jesus
walked."
Protestants are taught from day one that all the "good stuff happens
over there." We’re, generally speaking, totally ignorant of the Golden
Age of Ancient America. For instance, during the time of Christ in America
there was fine workmanship displayed in buildings, metallurgy was prominent,
astronomy was evident, staircase farms were numerous, therapeutics were
practiced, the lost art of coloring was discovered, and fine twined linen was
available.
Yes, "…For God so loved the world…" the whole world.
That’s why it doesn’t sound so strange anymore when someone says "…the
Lord visited America."
Why wouldn’t He? It’s part of His world.
The question arises, "…If Jesus visited America, then were the
ancient Biblical prophets aware of the existence of the New World?"
And the answer is yes.
Isaiah, for one, speaks of the land shadowing with wings.
"…Woe to the land shadowing with wings which is beyond the rivers
of Ethiopia [Africa]; that sendeth ambassadors by the sea…" (Isa.18:1,2).
That’s America.
Only America is beyond Africa. And she has certainly sent more missionaries
"by the sea" than any other nation. Her emblem is the eagle, and the
two Americas are shaped like a bird with wings.
Biblocal Proof Number Two
Other Sheep Shall Hear My Voice
"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold…they
shall hear my voice…" --Jesus
I must confess, for the better part of my life I was not
satisfied with the explanations given regarding the above verse. Who are the
other sheep that will hear His voice?
There are indeed many fascinating scripture verses, but to me three stand
out:
"…I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel." --Jesus
"…Other sheep have which are not of this fold…they shall hear my
voice." --Jesus
"…And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which,
if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself
could not contain the books that should be written." --John
Two are sayings by Jesus and one is a saying about him.
The last verse of the four gospels quoted above (Jn.21:25) informs
us, there are many things which Jesus did which are not contained in the
Bible. Some of those "…things which Jesus did" are recorded
in the Book of Mormon.
Roy Weldon has a point:
"…If the Book of Mormon is true, there is a fifth gospel—Nephi’s
eyewitness account and record of Christ’s ministry among the ancient
Americans. Is it possible that one of the ‘many other things which Jesus did’
that is not written the Four Gospels was a visitation to the New World?" --Other
Sheep, p.18
A fifth gospel.
Just a few months before his crucifixion, Jesus came to attend the Feast of
Tabernacles in Jerusalem. It was then that he made his famous "sheep
statement" recorded n John’s gospel.
Again, I must confess, this particular passage has been a mystery to Bible
scholars for years, if not centuries. Who could those other sheep possibly be?
Gentiles perhaps? No. For the Master plainly declares, "…I am sent
but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel."
In the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi) Christ tells he people that their
forefathers had been separated from the house of Judah. He also spoke of the
other tribes of the house of Israel, which had been taken away from the house
of Judah. Christ continues explaining whom the "other sheep" in John
chapter 10 were:
"…Verily I say unto you, that ye are they whom I said: Other sheep I
have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear
my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood
me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not
that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. And they
understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice…But behold, ye have
both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered
among those whom the Father hath given me." --3 Nephi 15:21-24
The Book of Mormon has an explanation for that puzzling passage in John 10.
The "other sheep" are Joseph’s descendants who were separated from
the House of Israel, that branch that migrated to the New World.
Biblical Proof Number Three
A Hebrew Nation in America
"…For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that
escape out of mount Zion; the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this." --Isaiah
37:32
The prophecy is plain—a remnant was to escape from Jerusalem. That
occurred around 588 BC, the time of the Babylonian captivity.
Jeremiah, living in Jerusalem at the time, delivered a precious prophecy:
"…Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazar,
saith the Lord; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against
you, and hath conceived a purpose against you. Arise, get you up unto the
wealthy nation, that dwelleth without gate, saith the Lord, which have neither
gates nor bars, which dwell alone."
--Jer.49: 30, 31
Notice the details…
They were to go "far off." It is to be a "wealthy nation
which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone." There’s no place
in the old world like that. All cities of the Old World had walls; they had
gates and bars, and they certainly did not dwell alone. The prophecy no doubt
refers to the New World, specifically the Americas. The Americas were wealthy
and they dwelt alone.
Another prophet, Zephaniah, also saw the New World.
"…From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my supplicants [Israelites
who pray to the God of Israel], even the daughter of my dispersed [Israelites
who were dispersed beyond the rivers of Ethiopia], shall bring mine
offering." --Zeph.3:10
Ethiopia in Zephaniah’s time included the entire known continent of
Africa. America is the only nation that lies "beyond the rivers of
Ethiopia," beyond Africa.
In a nutshell, the Bible contains the history of God’s dealing with a
colony of Hebrews who came out of Egypt. This colony migrates to the New World
and becomes a key "prophetic ensign" to the nations during the end
of this present church age.
Remember, though the Book of Mormon is basically an account of the ancient
inhabitants of the Americas, it also contains the Lord’s word concerning
Latter-day Israel and thus is an ensign to the people of every nation in these
latter days.
Question: Could you be a Latter-day Israelite in Joseph’s Land, and
not know it except by revelation?! Could you be appointed to the kingdom
"…for such a time as this?" Could you be a descendant of God’s
elect nation, Israel?
How exciting to ponder the above questions.
Biblical Proof Number Four
Joseph’s Descendants to Come to the Everlasting Hills
There is a passage in Genesis chapter 49 that has strong ties to the Book
of Mormon. Jacob, the old patriarch, is dying. We’re reading his last words
as he pronounces prophetic blessings upon his sons and upon his two grandsons,
words concerning the descendants of Joseph.
"…Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose
branches run over the wall…The blessings of thy father have prevailed
above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the
everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the
crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren."
--Gen.49:22,26
An interesting passage, indeed. Joseph and his descendants have been
separated "from his brethren."
Here are a couple points to consider: 1) Joseph is a fruitful bough by a
well. What’s a "bough" and what’s a "well?" Let
scripture answer scripture. The Psalmist said,
"…O Shepherd of Israel, thou what leadest Joseph like a flock…Thou
hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted
it…She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river…"
--Psalm 80: 1,8,11
The "bough" is Joseph’s lineage and the "well" is the
sea. The remnant escaping Jerusalem is the flock of Joseph. And where did the
Shepherd of Israel lead the flock of Joseph "…whose branches
[lineage] run over the wall [sea]?" Over the seas unto the New World.
To be separate from his brethren.
Isaiah says,
"…they [Israel] wandered through the wilderness; her branches are
stretched out, they are gone over the sea." --Isa.16:8
Second point to consider: where are the "everlasting hills?"
Biblical Proof Number Five
The Everlasting Hills
Wherever they are, the "everlasting hills" are in Joseph’s
Land. And that’s where his descendants went.
Try this…
If you look at a map of the world and find the longest chain of mountains
on it, according to Duane Crowther, you’ll discover the everlasting hills.
They are the mountains which come up out of the sea, way up in the north at
the very western tip of Alaska. The mountains rise out of the sea, they curve
down through Alaska and Canada and the United States and Central America, and
continue all the way down to the tip of South America, where they disappear
back into the Sea.
--Doctrinal Dimensions, pp.55, 56
Those mountains truly seem to be "everlasting." They’re the
longest mountain range on earth.
"…It’s clear," says Crowther, "that Jacob knew
what would happen to the Book of Mormon colony when he predicted that some of
Joseph’s branches—not all—but some of Joseph’s branches—would run
over the wall; that his descendants would be greatly blessed and that those
blessings would prevail above the blessings of all his brothers because they
would extend to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills as they came to the
Americas. He prophesied that those blessings would be on the head of him that
was separate from his brethren. That’s Lehi, we believe, who came with his
people and settled in the Americas." --Doctrinal Dimensions, p.56
I have found no better interpretation of Genesis 49.
Biblical Proof Number Six
America is Joseph’s Land
Thank God for the Bible. We need not "second guess" where the
"everlasting hills" are. Moses gives us a detailed description of
Joseph’s Land in Deuteronomy 33:13-16. America is Joseph’s Land and the
choice pasture to which the Shepherd of Israel led his flock. There can be no
other. No other land fits the description; not Africa, not Europe, not Asia,
not Australia, not former Russia.
Let me say a brief word about the destiny of two lads, then make mention of
some historical earmarks that bear out our claim—America is Joseph’s
inheritance. First,…
Judah and Joseph
Though Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons, two were set apart. Destined for
prophetic greatness: Judah & Joseph.
"…The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah…but the Birthright is
Joseph’s."
--Gen.49:10, I Chron.5:2
Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright: two prophetic promises
earmarked for the endtime. Two distinctive promises most Protestant
Christians, generally speaking, know little about. All the sceptre’s
blessings, privileges, and promises pertain to Judah, from whom comes the
royal family of Israel’s race. Jesus, our blessed Messiah, is from the tribe
of Judah.
Protestant Christians know about the messianic promise; it’s God’s
birthright promise to Joseph we’re unfamiliar with.
The Messianic covenant was separated from the birthright, and given to
Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, while the birthright fell to Joseph.
This individual separation of the Septre and the Birthright took
place previous to the death of Jacob.
Joseph was promised the Birthright! And what was that? Land! Joseph,
through his two sons, Ephraim and Manassah, was to become the father of many
nations which were promised to the fathers of Israel. Nations and land were
promised to Joseph and his descendants.
And out of all the nations, there was one set aside to be "…choice
above all others…" The Americas. Saved for the endtime. And Joseph’s
descendants were to settle in Joseph’s Land and become an Ensign to
all other nations.
Yes, two lads and their inheritances—Joseph and Judah—play key
prophetic roles in the endtime.
For one, the Lord promised Joseph that a righteous branch would come from
his seed (II Nephi 2:7).
Saints, prepare for the harvesting of that seed.
Seed that has been planted from Liberty jail to Susquehanna River, from
Alabama to Africa, from Birmingham to Bermuda, from Carthage to Calcutta, from
Detroit to Denmark. Seed planted and destined to rise to prominence during the
endtime. Perhaps in our day.
Biblical Proof Number Seven
America is "Precious," Choice Above All Others
Again, thank God for the Bible. Listen to what Moses says about Joseph’s
Land, America:
"…And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the
precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth
beneath. And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the
precious things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the
lasting hills, and for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof,
and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush; let the blessing come
upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was
separated from his brethren. The first born of his blood is adorned with
glory, and his hors are the horn of the unicorns; with them he shall push the
nations together to the ends of the earth; and they are the myriads of
Ephraim. And they are the thousands of Manasseh."
--Deut.33:13-17
You say, how can you be so sure Moses is talking about America? Notice, he
makes a list of those things in the land that are "…precious…"
- "…precious things of heaven…"
- "…precious fruits…"
- ‘…precious things of the lasting hills…"
- "…precious things of the earth…"
And then he lists other characteristics:
- "…blessed…be his [Joseph’s] land…for the dew and for the deep
that coucheth beneath…"
- "…for the chief things of the ancient mountains…"
- and for the good will…"
Seven characteristics.
Let’s make application.
- "…precious things of heaven…"
America, like on other nation, fits. With the divine purpose of freedom
of religion in mind, our founding fathers came to these New England shores.
Our constitution was built upon the Law of Moses, and the law of our land
finds its root in the Old Testament. The very inscription that appeared upon
the bell that rang out the birth of this nation is found in the Word of God:
"…proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the
inhabitants thereof…"
--Lev.25:10
America has accepted as he King and Ruler the God of Israel, for we sing
in our anthem, "…Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s
holy light, protect us by thy might, great God and King…"
In our "Pledge of Allegiance" to our nation’s flag we declare
this nation to be "…under God…"
Yes, from its very inception, America has enjoyed "…precious
things from heaven…"
- "…precious fruits…"
America has always been the breadbasket of the world. Our nation is a
land that looks to no other people to supply our needs. We are the
"feeders of the world." This is one of the earmarks that would
identify Joseph’s heritage. Like Joseph of old, America too feeds a
starving world—spiritually and physically.
- "…precious things of the lasting hills…"
What precious things come out of our hills! Metals. Gold. Copper. Silver.
Approximately every ore upon the face of the earth can be found in our land.
Our precious metals’ supply has been one of the foundations for America’s
wealth.
- "…precious things of the earth…"
Fruits, vegetables, and oil! How blessed America is. No other country
compares.
- "…the dew and the deep that couches beneath…"
The Lord is using a bit of colorful language. He’s talking about our
great rivers, fountains, and lakes. America surpasses any other country in
the world when it comes to great rivers and great lakes.
- "…chief things of the ancient mountains…"
In the forests of the United States are found some of the biggest,
oldest, and highest trees in the world. Especially in the national forests
of California.
- "…and for the good will…"
Americans are a forgiving people, filled with good will. We win our wars
and then help rebuild our enemy’s shorelines. Our shores are constantly open
to immigrants. Lady Liberty is our trademark.
There you have it—seven characteristics of our great nation. Yes, Moses
was talking about America!
Biblical Proof Number Eight
The Bible Prophesies of the Book of Mormon
"…And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book
that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I
pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed. And learned, saying, Read
this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned."
--Isa.29:11, 12
Isaiah prophesied of the sealed book that was to become "the vision
of all." In late February, 1828, Joseph Smith sent Martin
Harris to New York with a copy of the Book of Mormon characters. He was to
meet with Professor Charles Anthon, "a gentleman celebrated for his
literary attainments." The professor asked Mr. Harris if he would
bring the plates so he could translate them.
"…I informed him," said Mr. Harris, "that part of
the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied,
‘I cannot read a sealed book.’"
Obviously, an apparent fulfillment of Isaiah 29. The book is delivered to
two men, one learned and one unlearned. One a professor and the other a farmer’s
lad with a third grade education. Joseph recognized throughout his lifetime
that his education and knowledge were limited. He must depend upon the Lord
for understanding.
As a side note, though the theme of our essay is: the Bible witnesses to
the Book of Mormon, the Book of Mormon also witnesses to the Bible. For
instance,
"…And the angel spake unto me saying, These last records [Book of
Mormon]…shall establish the truth of the first [Bible]…and shall make
known to all kindreds, tongues and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of
the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come
unto him or they can not be saved…"
--I Nephi 3:192,193
Biblical Proof Number Nine
Ezekiel’s Prophecy of the Two Sticks
The prophet Ezekiel looked into the future and foresaw two nations and two
records would some day be joined into one. The so-called "parable of the
two sticks" deals with Israel’s division into two kingdoms.
"…The word of the Lord came again unto me saying, Moreover, thou son
of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it. For Judah and for the children
of Israel his companions; then take another stick, and write upon it. For
Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions;
and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in
thine hand." --Ezekiel 37:15-17
Ezekiel is prophesying the restoration of Israel in these last days.
The Hebrew prophets deplore Israel’s separation, which occurred because
of wickedness (compare Zech.11:24). The day Ephraim (with nine other
tribes) broke away from Judah became a turning point in Israel’s history (Isa.7:17).
Since that day, Israel has remained divided into two "houses," or
kingdoms (Isa.8:14). Isaiah calls the division of his people an
"open wound" that the Lord will heal as his coming to the earth
draws nigh (Isa.30:26,27). –The Last Days, p.126
The two sticks coming together in the endtime is a wonderful Biblical
pronouncement. The Lord says, "…When…two nations shall run
together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also" (2
Nephi 29:8). Of course, the sticks are really books and nations "…running
together…" The Smith Bible Dictionary states:
"…A book in ancient times consisted of a single long strip of paper
or parchment, which was usually kept rolled upon a stick, and was unrolled
when a person wished to read it."
Back to the testimony of the two nations "running together."
In his prophesy, Ezekiel saw that each of the two kingdoms was to have a
record, or stick. The record of Judah is easily identified as the Bible
"…for Judah [the Jews], and for the children of Israel his companions…"
The record of Joseph [records of the Lost Tribes of Israel] is connected with
the prophesied Book of Mormon "…the stick of Joseph, which is in the
hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows…"
The prophet Lehi, with whom the Book of Mormon begins, was among those
originally from the northern kingdom who had come, or whose forefathers had
come, to live in the kingdom of Judah, for he was a resident of Jerusalem. His
family came to the American continents and the record they kept is a record of
the descendants of Joseph in this hemisphere. Through the instrumentality
of the prophet Joseph Smith, the record of Joseph—the Book of Mormon—has
joined the Bible to serve as a dual witness of the divinity of Christ. –Prophecies
of Joseph Smith, p.170
These two books [the Book of Mormon and the Bible] become one in the
endtime. A dual witness.
Hosea prophesied a marvelous thing:
"…I have written to him [Ephraim] the great things of my law, but
they were counted as a strange thing." --Hosea 8:12
God wrote some wonderful and great things to Ephraim in the Bible, but he
wrote even more wonderful (strange) things to him in the Stick of Joseph.
For example…
Ezekiel describes the stick of Joseph as being of a dual nature: 1) the
record is to be "the stick of Ephraim," and 2) it must also be
"…for all the house of Israel his companions." Then Ezekiel adds
that the stick of Joseph is to be "…in the hands of Ephraim, and the
tribes of Israel his fellows." Ephraim, of course, was the leading tribe
among the tribes which were carried away captive by Assyria and which are now
known as the Ten Lost Tribes. –Prophecies of Joseph Smith, p.171
Ephraim’s descendants will lead the way in the last days.
Jacob, the patriarch, lay dying and gave the following blessing concerning
the last days:
"…And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, ‘Gather yourselves
together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last
days." --Gen.49:1
Jacob was speaking of our day, the "…last days."
In the last days a book will come forth "out of the dust" that
will speak of the regathering of the ten lost tribes of Israel preceding the
Lord’s return. The Lord will choose the tribe of Ephraim as his evangelists
to begin the gathering. The Book of Mormon will be "in the hand of
Ephraim" first, then flow to "all the house of Israel his
companions." To the other nine tribes.
There’s a great possibility, if you’ve embraced the Stick of Joseph in
these last days, you’re an Ephraimite—one of God’s endtime evangelists
chosen to proclaim the endtime message.
Biblical Proof Number Ten
The Two Sticks will become One in our Day
"…The Lord says,…’they [the two sticks] shall be one in mine
hand." --Ezek.37:19
Think of it!
Can you imagine a world where there are no Jews or Gentiles?! No Israelites
or Christians?! But a world united, full of God’s people—moving together
in one accord, coming against the armies of Satan, destroying strongholds,
tearing down principalities, while the glory of the Lord begins covering the
earth as the waters cover the sea.
When the two sticks become one in the Lord’s hand, the Jews and Gentiles
will join together. The two houses, Israel and Judah, will become one. What
glory awaits us.
Listen to the Word of the Lord:
"…And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of
the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews, and the
Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and
the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the
Jews."
What joyous news!
"…And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the
house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions;
and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that
fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel,
that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his
seed forever." --2 Nephi 29:10-14
What prophetic news we share.
Each nation knows its writings best and each nation embraces each other’s
scriptures. Jews and Gentiles will embrace the Book of Mormon while Israel
embraces the Bible.
Herein lies the power and beauty of the joining together of the two sticks:
Their coming together will "Christianize" the Jews while the Church
becomes "Jewish." Both become united, moving under that same godly
anointing, accomplishing what the politicians have longed for but have failed
to produce—peace in the middle east.
God’s Army at last conquers the earth—the Old and New World. Soldiers
of the Cross spread the fullness of the gospel to the Four Corners of the
earth, and bring home to Zion the spoils.
One last thought…
Sectarianism Destroyed
As the Lord combines the two sticks and they become one in his hand, they
who embrace the two sticks will perform the saving mission of Joseph of Old—who
befriended his brethren and delivered them from a famine. Joseph of Old is a
type of the power of God destroying sectarianism, that awful spirit in
our land.
Sadly, sectarianism has created a famine of love and forgiveness among God’s
people, especially in America. America is the most sectarian nation in the
world. The world, however, will not believe the gospel totally, will not
believe God sent Jesus, until the saints demonstrate unity and love in
Joseph’s Land (Jn.17). The Spirit of revival will crush
denominations. The two sticks coming together will destroy the famine, the
isolation among the saints, thereby ushering in the fullness of the Gentiles
on this continent.
What wonders lie ahead.
There we have it—ten biblical proofs of the Book of Mormon.
- The Bible points to the New World
- Other sheep shall hear his voice
- A Hebrew nation here in America
- Joseph’s descendants come to the everlasting hills
- The everlasting hills
- America is Joseph’s Land
- America is "choice above all others"
- The Bible prophesies of the Book of Mormon
- Ezekiel’s prophecy of the two sticks
- The two sticks become one in our day
Summary
I return to my original statement, "…Show it to me in the Word
and I’ll believe it." I have done that. The Bible indeed points to
the Book of Mormon.
I have taken scriptures from the Bible that point to the Book of Mormon and
its message—God’s regathering of the Lost House of Israel in these last
days.
It’s my prayer, you will ask the Spirit of God if these things be so.
