Circle Squared

Chapter 1: "Too Good To Be True"

 

Chapter Summary:

Lehi prophesies of a land of liberty--His seed will be scattered and smitten if they reject the Holy One of Israel--He exhorts his sons to put on the armor of righteousness. About 588–570 B.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember when Nephi took the time to tell us, the dear readers of the distant distopic future, that the first book he wrote would be a repeat of Lehi's book, but with a focus on spiritual matters and that his second book would be a more secular take on Nephi's reign as king of America? Just keep this in mind as you go through this next book, and ask yourself if such a distinction of spiritual and secular matters is apparent between the two books.

 

Right off the bat, Nephi tells us of Lehi's latest dream in which he has seen that Jerusalem has been destroyed and isn't it marvelous that god helped them escape just in the knick of time by wandering around the Red Sea for eight years and then making a boat of curious workmanship so they could cross a vast, heretofore uncrossed ocean to an uninhabited land of milk and honey? Isn't it marvelous, guys?!? Do you believe it now?!?!!!1!!!?

 

I should probably apologize for my cynicism, but the whole proposal of the Book of Mormon is just so preposterous. It amazes me that I believed these stories as a child and defended them as a young adult. But that's perhaps the point, isn't it? To believe these stories takes either the indoctrination of children or the gullibility of adults on the level of impressionable children. It all seems so transparent now. I digress...

 

Verse 5 holds a very interesting clue to the possible frontiersman origins of the Book of Mormon: "...we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord."

 

In Joseph's day people left other countries for America all the time. This was just a few decades after the Revolutionary War and America was a budding haven for those seeking a special kind of freedom.

 

It was also a time when Native American populations, although dwindling in numbers overall, were still a formidable presence to the colonists. It is hypothesized by some that Joseph intended to use the Book of Mormon to inspire a revolution among the Natives. Being the prophet who brought about the Book of Mormon and revolution would make Joseph a prime candidate to be made king of America should the revolution occur.

 

Additionally, Joseph built a Mormon militia hundreds strong and he even ran for president of the United States. Clearly he had ambitions for power and control. These facts, although not conclusive, make the hypothesis of a Native Revolution a plausible possibility consistent with Joseph's character and behavior.

 

The next several verses contain more bolstering of America as a choice god-given land and a long admonition by Lehi to believe everything he says with the warning that not taking him seriously and/or not believing in Jesus will lead to the destruction of America in like manner to the destruction of Jerusalem. Why would god be such a fan of this modus operandi? Believe the ramblings of seemingly hysterical hallucinating old men, or suffer a fate worse than death. I will not be spoken to in this tone of voice.

 

Lehi continues in this tone as he tells Laman and Lemuel to obey their more righteous younger brother, Nephi. He recaps several themes from the last book: Nephi was chosen by god to be a leader; Nephi speaks with sharpness because he speaks the truth; Laman and Lemuel harden their hearts to rebel.

 

The implication of all of this is that those who reject Mormonism are being stubborn and because they don't like the difficult teachings of Mormonism they must be true. It is all very circular and nonsensical. This is the philosophical equivalent of "I know you are, but what am I?"

 

Disagreeing with a religion's tenets is not the same thing as denial. It is possible to disagree with Mormonism on intellectual and moral grounds. I know I do.

 

Verse 27 offers ammunition for any believers who feel a sense of righteous indignation when chastising heathens: "But behold, it was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it."

 

You see, self-righteous pricks are just spokespeople for god! What does this say about god?

 

Lehi then gives Laman, Lemuel and Sam (remember Sam?) a blessing that if they obey Nephi good things will happen, etc. But if they don't do this, then the blessing (which will go into effect after Lehi's death, mind you) will instead be given to Nephi. You read that right: Conditional blessings from a benevolent invisible god.

 

Lastly, at least for this chapter, Lehi offers a similar bargain for Laban's old servant, Zoram. Lehi calls Zoram a true friend to Nephi and congratulates him for choosing to leave Jerusalem with Nephi. But, as I pointed out several chapters ago, Nephi told Zoram that if he did not "choose" to come with Nephi's family then he would kill Zoram. Not much of a choice if you ask me.

 

Lehi is such a condescending self-righteous prick that he must be a spokesman for god!

 

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