Questions to ask concerning the Mormon religion

Questions to ask about the Mormon Religion (Are you being given the facts by those who profess to know?):

1. Who is the Book of Mormon most specifically written for?

Although the expected answer given will be “everyone”, the second line of the Title Page clearly mentions the Lamanites (American Indian People) before any other group for a reason, the writers of the Book of Mormon were naturally most concerned about their descendants of these days, as is natural for any parent to be concerned for their children’s future:
“Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile.”
It is curiously specific in its intent, as the fathers of the American Indians pleaded with God on behalf of their people, their children of these last days, the American Indians. While it is natural to hope that righteous people will be saved whoever and wherever they are, the bond between parents and their children and their children’s children is naturally strongest. This is an important distinction made, as the people of Book of Mormon were naturally most concerned about their descendants and had a covenant with the Lord that their people would return to God in these last days; they would be the primary recipients of the blessings of the House of Israel on this continent, along with those few Gentiles who had sufficiently repented to be numbered among the House of Israel - the American Indian People.

2. Which of the groups of people listed on the Title Page comprises the largest percentage of the current LDS church?

Again, the title page specifically categorizes the people of the world into three categories, the Lamanites (American Indians), Jews, and Gentiles. Although Joseph Smith and others who established the church are members of the House of Israel, and the church has members of that lineage today, known as the descendants of Ephraim, the present LDS church is referred to in the scriptures as the Gentiles, as gentiles make up the primary membership of the church today. Joseph Smith also affirmed ths distinction in his dedicatory prayer (Doctrine and Covenants 109, verse 60) of the Kirtland Temple: “...us, who are identified with the Gentiles.” This is a very important delineation necessary for interpreting the Book of Mormon prophecies such as 3 Nephi, Chapter 16.

3. Who is the “House of Israel” referring to in the Book of Mormon?

As mentioned before, although there are various members of the House of Israel within the traditional make-up of the LDS Church, the term “House of Israel” as used in the context of the Book of Mormon refers to the descendants of the writers of the Book of Mormon, namely, the American Indians, referred to as “Lamanites” in the Book of Mormon. There are great blessings promised to the House of Israel in the Book of Mormon, meaning those Lamanites who have been and will be converted to the Mormon religion.

4. What role was given to present members of the LDS church in relation the the
American Indians?

There is some confusion abounding on the interpretation on that primary role the LDS Church plays in the latter days on this subject. 3 Nephi Chapter 21, pertains to these last days, verse 5 states “Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed...” and verse 4 states “these things shall be might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed”; (verse 6) For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel (the American Indians).”
The LDS Gentile people have been blessed so that they might assist in bringing these works to the American Indians, in hopes to be numbered with them when that covenant is fulfilled (verse 4).

5. (D & C Section 113:7-10) "...What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52nd chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion - and what people had Isaiah reference to?

"He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of the priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.

"What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck; 2nd verse?

"We are to understand that the scattered remnants (the house of Israel) are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation."

"Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion."

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