If I could ask them one question about
the Church’s Book of Mormon, Come Follow Me, Lesson 35
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For Aug 31 - Sep 6, 2020
Helaman 13-16
If I wanted to encourage thought and try to understand devout believers better, I might ask:
“Doesn’t it seem like folklore that treasures slipped away?”
Things to consider:
- Because of Nephite wickedness and abominations, the God of the Book of Mormon cursed the people, their treasures, and the land so that, “whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord” (Helaman 13:18-20, 31-36).
- Is it just me, or does this seem like folklore, folk magic, and superstition?
- Consider this account of treasure hunting folklore:
The treasure itself was not some ordinary inanimate object; it had, indeed, a life of its own. According to early modern sources, treasure could move on its own. … As treasure could move, it could actively escape treasure hunters and foil their plans.
(J. Dillinger, Magical Treasure Hunting in Europe and North America, p. 58).
- Remember, Joseph Smith was well acquainted with treasure hunting myths. According to documents apparently from a court hearing about Joseph Smith’s treasure seeking with a seer stone, Jonathan Thompson testified that during one treasure hunt led by Joseph, “on account of an enchantment, the trunk kept settling away from under them while digging; that, notwithstanding they continued constantly removing the dirt, yet the trunk kept about the same distance from them” (Fair Mormon, The 1826 Trial of Joseph Smith).
- There seems to be some controversy regarding the authenticity of this documented testimony, but it is uncontested that Joseph was hired on more than one occasion to seek treasure with his seer stone, and it was common folk lore of the time that buried treasure could slip away through the earth. “Getting the treasure was always difficult and harrowing. If not recovered quickly the trove sank into the earth’s depths” (Ronald W. Walker, The Persisting Idea of American Treasure Hunting, BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 24 | Issue 4 Article 4, 1 Oct 1984, p. 432).
- Applying Occam’s razor, which is more likely—that there were ancient Native Americans that were descendants of Hebrews that really experienced such a treasure curse, or that this reflects a 19th century superstition of the author(s) of the book?
Other observations about this lesson’s reading:
- Swords seem anachronistic (Helaman 13:5, 9, 34 Helaman 15:9).
- I wonder at the similarity between the demand for Human sacrifice in the Book of Mormon gospel and the human sacrifice demanded by other gods (Helaman 14:15-16).
- Another example of the miracle preceding the faith, and notice that the miraculous signs are given “to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved” (Helaman 14:28-29).
- A classic Problem of Evil philosophical dilemma (Helaman 15:2).
- I notice an improbable time frame (at least 71 years) between Lamanites burying weapons and then considering taking them up again (Helaman 15:9).
If you could ask believers questions about the scriptures for this lesson, what would you ask?
Have fun studying!
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If I could ask them one question, Lesson 35
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