Hello. When I read the BoM I get the impression that most people in it were apostates, and that the nephite Christian chruch was relatively small and not so well-known among everyday people back then?
So when Christ appeared before them in 3 Nephi and started talking to them – did really everyone Immediately understand who he was? Jesus told them to come an see his wounds, etc, but did everyone really know what he was talking about, what a crucifiction was, etc? Everything that happened to Jesus in Jerusalem must have seemed very alien to them, it all happened in a totally different culture and land that most of them have never heard of- their ancestors left that land centuries ago?
They cant have had the same references and expectations about a coming saviour as people in Israel back then had, where “everyone” was jewish and this had been preached in synagogues for centuries?
And still it seems that everyone immediately understands everything Jesus says to them and that the Churh Jesus organizes functions perfectly right away? Even though they lack the “basic skills” in Abrahamic religion? (as I get the impression most of them do? )
Daniel,
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One Response to “Hello. When I read the BoM I get the impression that…”
John
2013-06-23 12:05:32
Since it was first published in English in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been fully translated into 72 languages.
Hi, Daniel, these are some excellent and thoughtful questions! In the Book of Mormon, the knowledge of the Church certainly varies across different times and different groups of people. For example, when Ammon in the Book of Mormon went as a missionary to a group of Lamanites (about 90 BC), they had almost no spiritual knowledge. In Alma 18:24-25, we read, "And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth." Later, though, city after city of Lamanites were converted to the Church. For the most part, people had at least some awareness of the Church, though with much variation in understanding of the doctrines.
I have also had questions about whether the people were expecting it when Christ came to them. In 3 Nephi 11:12, just after Christ first appears to the Nephites, it states, "And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven." It had long been known by the prophets and taught to the people that Christ would one day come among them (see also 1 Nephi 12:4-6 and Alma 16:20). Those that He came to were the righteous disciples who had tried to follow the teachings of the prophets. They were well-aware of who Christ was and of His crucifixion, Atonement, etc.
For members of the church, Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer through whom salvation is made possible. (Reflections of Christ)
You are right that they did not have the same expectations about a Savior as those in Israel. Many Jews in the Holy Land looked for a Messiah who would be somewhat of a political hero for them, and many did not understand His true role as a spiritual healer and redeemer, and as the only path to return to live with God. It appears that the Book of Mormon peoples, while they shared the same Jewish heritage and religious foundation, had a better understanding of Christ. For example, we learn about Church followers in Alma 25:15 who share Jewish practices. It says, "Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them."
Other scriptures show that an understanding of Christ was taught at all times in the Book of Mormon. The people were very familiar with the same religious background as the Jews in the Jerusalem region. They kept the Law of Moses, and learned from the five books of Moses. They were also taught to follow Christ as their Savior and had an understanding of His role as the Redeemer and Son of God, and of how to follow Him.
The stories and teachings of the Book of Mormon have helped me, too, to follow Christ. It has given me direction at times of confusion and difficulty. Acting on the principles it teaches has been one of the most important factors in helping me as I try to know and follow Jesus Christ.
I have also had questions about whether the people were expecting it when Christ came to them. In 3 Nephi 11:12, just after Christ first appears to the Nephites, it states, "And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven." It had long been known by the prophets and taught to the people that Christ would one day come among them (see also 1 Nephi 12:4-6 and Alma 16:20). Those that He came to were the righteous disciples who had tried to follow the teachings of the prophets. They were well-aware of who Christ was and of His crucifixion, Atonement, etc.
Other scriptures show that an understanding of Christ was taught at all times in the Book of Mormon. The people were very familiar with the same religious background as the Jews in the Jerusalem region. They kept the Law of Moses, and learned from the five books of Moses. They were also taught to follow Christ as their Savior and had an understanding of His role as the Redeemer and Son of God, and of how to follow Him.
The stories and teachings of the Book of Mormon have helped me, too, to follow Christ. It has given me direction at times of confusion and difficulty. Acting on the principles it teaches has been one of the most important factors in helping me as I try to know and follow Jesus Christ.