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Chapter 33: "That's a Wrap"

 

Chapter Summary:

Nephi’s words are true--They testify of Christ--Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi’s words, which will stand as a witness before the judgment bar. About 559–545 B.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever I want to persuade a "negative Nancy" of a supernatural claim, I emphasize how right I am and how impactful and helpful my position is--especially for my descendants thousands of years in the future. I find this to be most effective. And it seems that Nephi agrees with this methodology as he does this same thing throughout this chapter.

 

Nephi leaves us with assertion after assertion. He claims that his words are totally true and will be valued greatly by future Native Americans. Again, this feeds in to the idea that Joseph may have been setting himself up for a political power-play by using the Book of Mormon to assemble a Native American militia with himself at the god-appointed head. But, much to the assumed dismay of the centuries-dead Nephi, Natives didn't care for Joseph's proposition.

 

In recent decades, Mormonism has seen some success in the economically stifled Latin American countries in Central and South America. Mormons are the first to jump to the conclusion that this success is due to Nephi's "prophecies." This could be the case. But keep in mind that these impoverished areas are less educated than many countries. Add to this the flattering notion that god wrote a book especially for them and its a hard bargain for superstitious people to say "no" to.

 

Ultimately, it doesn't seem to be doing much good for the Mormon Church. Worldwide, records show that only half of Mormons on the books go to church once a month. But in Central and South America a mere quarter of members attend regular services. Coincidentally, this is also the percentage of people in recent years who stay in the Mormon Church after their first year of membership--worldwide.

 

Mormons are leaving in record numbers, in large part due to increased access to information via the internet. Mormon leaders are attempting to curb this trend by getting ahead of unfavorable aspects of their religion, such as polygamy, racism, sexism, homophobia, and historical facts which show that Joseph Smith lied about his divinely-bestowed translation powers. They do this by presenting slightly less whitewashed versions of their history. But adding snippets of truth to a foundational lie is not the same thing as being honest.

 

Nephi assures readers that he has written the words of Christ. If you don't believe him, then believe in Christ. This works out for Nephi either way, as he explains that anyone who believes in Christ will believe his words, as is evident by the fact that all mainstream Christians have joined Mormonism! Slippery circular reasoning.

 

Amid all of Nephi's pleading for Natives of Joseph's day to convert to Mormonism, he adds a veiled threat to those who doubt the Book of Mormon:

 

"11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye--for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness."

 

So, those who question whether Christ existed or who doubt the Book of Mormon's supernatural claims will have all questions answered by Jesus personally and all doubts will be shattered. All you need to do is wait until the "last day" when you are judged eternally for your disbelief and it is too late to save yourself from god's wrath. Sounds fair.

 

To these people--those who demand evidence before believing supernatural claims--Nephi bids an everlasting farewell:

 

"14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day."

 

Right back at Joseph Smith, you condescending polished turd; you arrogant sociopathic sycophant. I won't be spoken to in that tone of voice, you psychologically manipulative, morally bankrupt, self-righteous, self-aggrandizing, charlatan rat-bastard. Shame on you for preying on the weak, the desperate, the poor, the uneducated, the young and the gullible. It's a pity there isn't a Hell for you to go to. 

 

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