Verse 20:
"Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cu off from his presence."
This is a funny/interesting verse because the way the story is described it seems like the ones that are doing the "cutting off" are the Lamanites. Although it seems that way to the Lamanites, this verse explains that it was the Lamanites who were cut off from the Lord... as they cut off the Nephites from their presence.
Verse 21: "And he had caused the curing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them."
I am familiar with the bad rap that Mormons get because of the things that their book says about "black skin". Some of them decide to interpret it differently saying that "skin" means something other than the flesh we wear. I have also read what Jacob says, "O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall reprent of your sins that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers." (Jacob 3:8-9) This verse in Jacob is encouraging people to not revile against others because of the black skin, so it seems like it is a little more accepting and less racist. But I am not sure if Jews were that fair in the first place. Which is another reason why I think that this was probably written not by Jacob but by a Joseph Smith, this issue with the fairness of skin is something that he would be exposed to.
This also reminds me of the issue of slavery in America and how people used to use scripture to justify slavery; not only to say that slavery was okay, but that God created blacks to be slaves. People used Genesis 9:20-27 to say that the descendants of Ham, as they were cursed into slavery, they were also cursed with black skin. But the Bible says nothing about black skin; though the Book of Mormon may. Still the Book of Mormon does not say (as far as I have read) that the descendants of Ham (the slaves) were black, only the Lamanites. So thus far, there is nothing saying that blackness of skin necessitates a life of slavery.
But finally, I do believe that although Joseph Smith was exposed to this custom, his approach was a more accepting one. I believe this because of what I read in 2 Nephi 26:33 "For noe of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of me; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33)
Written 9-4-2014
"Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cu off from his presence."
This is a funny/interesting verse because the way the story is described it seems like the ones that are doing the "cutting off" are the Lamanites. Although it seems that way to the Lamanites, this verse explains that it was the Lamanites who were cut off from the Lord... as they cut off the Nephites from their presence.
Verse 21: "And he had caused the curing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them."
I am familiar with the bad rap that Mormons get because of the things that their book says about "black skin". Some of them decide to interpret it differently saying that "skin" means something other than the flesh we wear. I have also read what Jacob says, "O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall reprent of your sins that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers." (Jacob 3:8-9) This verse in Jacob is encouraging people to not revile against others because of the black skin, so it seems like it is a little more accepting and less racist. But I am not sure if Jews were that fair in the first place. Which is another reason why I think that this was probably written not by Jacob but by a Joseph Smith, this issue with the fairness of skin is something that he would be exposed to.
This also reminds me of the issue of slavery in America and how people used to use scripture to justify slavery; not only to say that slavery was okay, but that God created blacks to be slaves. People used Genesis 9:20-27 to say that the descendants of Ham, as they were cursed into slavery, they were also cursed with black skin. But the Bible says nothing about black skin; though the Book of Mormon may. Still the Book of Mormon does not say (as far as I have read) that the descendants of Ham (the slaves) were black, only the Lamanites. So thus far, there is nothing saying that blackness of skin necessitates a life of slavery.
But finally, I do believe that although Joseph Smith was exposed to this custom, his approach was a more accepting one. I believe this because of what I read in 2 Nephi 26:33 "For noe of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of me; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33)
Written 9-4-2014
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