Circle Squared
A Textual Analysis of the Book of Mormon
Chapter 15: "On Backorder"
Chapter Summary:
Lehi’s seed are to receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days--The gathering of Israel is likened unto an olive tree whose natural branches will be grafted in again--Nephi interprets the vision of the tree of life and speaks of the justice of God in dividing the wicked from the righteous. About 600–592 B.C.
Nephi has finished his vision and returns to his father's tent where he finds his brothers arguing over something which Lehi said about Gentiles and olive trees. It is interesting that Lehi is talking to them about olive tree branches being grafted together as a metaphor for Gentiles joining the House of Israel in the last days because this was part of the vision which Nephi had just seen. Or at least we are supposed to take it as mildly serendipitous.
If Lehi were explaining this to his other sons, it would stand to reason that he had also explained it to Nephi, being the only son who actually cares about it. If this is the case, why would Nephi need an angel to spell it out for him in essentially the same way as Lehi? Perhaps Lehi does not explain spiritual things to others very well. If this is the case, why would god choose Lehi as his spokesman to communicate the fall of Jerusalem? Is god not interested in conveying a clear warning to his chosen people in order to save their lives (from himself)?
It is not clear exactly if Lehi explained this metaphor to Nephi, but Nephi explains to his brothers that they need to inquire of The Lord over this thing--perhaps they will get a vision with an angelic escort of their very own. Nephi qualifies this, of course, setting up a standard which leaves god blameless should understanding of the vision not occur: pray, follow the commandments, etc. If the it fails then surely the person seeking understanding of this vision, or for that matter any answer from god, must not worthy or is otherwise at fault and should try again. This process should repeat as much as needed to come to the same conclusion as the Church and/or Book of Mormon. If not, keep trying.
This is yet another example of religion setting up a "test" which can only be verified--not falsified. Such a non-falsifiable proposition is not really a test at all, but a sham. It's like a diet which fails to work: it is not the diet that is the problem; the individual didn't do it correctly.
Besides, why would an omnipotent and omniscient god dangle truth in front of us mortals with such conditions anyway? If you don't know the truth about god and his existence why would you follow his seemingly arbitrary rules first? It should be the other way around. Once you have a reason to suppose there is actually a god then you can concern yourself with what he says and wants you to do. One could just as easily say that in order to understand that Allah exists, you must first fully commit to be Muslim and follow all Islamic rules. After showing your commitment to Allah, he will make his existence known to you. Is this reasonable?
In order to fully understand the existence and nature of rain, should I first do a rain-dance?
I doubt very much that if this story actually occurred and the Nephi's brothers were as wicked and slow to understand spiritual things (i.e. "hard-hearted") as portrayed, then they would likely not have concerned themselves at all with the metaphor of the olive tree, much less argue with each other over its meaning. But here we are--expected to take at face value all or nothing with blessings and full understanding on backorder.
All of this malarkey is summed up in verse 11 as Nephi chastises his brothers: "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
Nephi proceeds to explain how their seed will be cut off and grafted back into the house of Israel, which is odd since grafting usually entails taking a branch from one tree and binding it with a completely different tree in a way that the two can grow together. Usually this is done with branches from the same kind of tree (apple to apple, orange to orange, cherry to cherry, etc. to etc.), but I have seen trees grafted with as many as 4 different types of trees all bound and growing together. At any rate, what Nephi is talking about with regards to his brothers' seed rejoining the House of Israel is taking a branch from one tree and then putting it back in to the same tree. Why? So they can write a book for their future selves and explain how Jesus appeared to them (in a book) and that they are actually Jews despite all evidence favoring the contrary? No wonder Nephi's brothers are confused. Hell, I'm confused.
The brothers, apparently now convinced that Nephi knows the meaning of Lehi's dream, ask Nephi about various symbols in the dream, making this the THIRD time that we hear an accounting of this vision. Why the wordy repetition? Is Joseph Smith really this starved for content?
The chapter concludes with a long description about the wicked necessarily being sent to hell. The picture painted, as before, is very much in line with more mainstream Protestant views of hell. Lots of fire, torment, etc. So far nothing in the Book of Mormon seems to support the Church's current teaching of heaven having three degrees of glory which allows everyone to be saved at least partially, and that hell is more of a state of mind from being separated from god.
Even so, would it be just to send a person to a lesser degree of heaven for eternity because of some finite crime as a mortal, such as disbelief? Does softening the blow of hell make eternal punishment for finite crimes acceptable? If not then "Mormon Hell" is no more moral a concept than "Protestant Hell" no matter how much Mormons frame the comparison in their favor.