Note for this week: Given that the next two weeks involve the war chapters and include almost 20 chapters total, I've decided to focus on two themes: I Title of Liberty and and why it's significant for us; II. Standing Up for Righteousness
Chapter 46
The Title of Liberty
In Alma 46, we learn that one of the Nephites, Amalickiah, conspires to be king. And he does this so that he can destroy the church and the liberty of the people
4 And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power....10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.
Amalickiah's objective was to "destroy the foundation of liberty", which God had given to the Nephites. Amalickiah's influences the lower judges to side with him. He also influenced the church.
7 And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church;
This resulted in a "precarious and dangerous" situation for the Nephites
7 ... and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord.
As a result of Amalickiah's influence, Captain Moroni does the following:
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land....
16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.
In light of erecting the Title of Liberty, those who were Christians joined him.
15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
Besides serving as a reminder to the Christians of their cause, it also served as a covenant:
22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression.23 Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain.24 Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said—Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment.
Tucked away in Moroni's statement and recitation of the Lord's promise to Jacob is the fact that those who descend from Joseph of Egypt are given liberty.
Moreover, Moroni in his prayer states that the land of Nephi is to be a land of liberty:
17 And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south—A chosen land, and the land of liberty.18 And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions.
In Ether we learn that the land that the Nephites and Jaredites occupied (which was the same land) was a land of promise.
5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind....12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them. (Ether 6)
In Ether 2, we learn that the land the Jaredites were led to was a choice land
7 And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.
Additionally, we learn that there is a condition to possessing this land:
8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. (Ether 2)
Those who possess the promised land can only possess it if they serve God. Those who do not honor this agreement will be destroyed when they are ripe in iniquity. This is why the Jaredites were killed off and this is why the Nephites and Lamanites were destroyed before Christ's coming, and why the Nephites were killed off as a nation.
Moreover, because God does not rule by compulsion or force, the promised land is a land of liberty.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.
The idea that the promised land was a land that could be obtained by covenant is what Captain Moroni was tapping into. He understood the significance of the land and the conditions for possessing it. He raised the Title of Liberty to remind the Nephites.
But the account of Captain Moroni is one piece to the larger puzzle. Turning back to verse 12 (immediately above) Moroni (Mormon's son) who is translating the 24 Gold Plates into the Book of Ether states that "whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land..." The phrase "whatsoever nation" indicates that other nations that are not the Jaredites or Nephites can possess the land.
Moreover, in verse 11 of Ether 2, Moroni speaks to the Gentiles warning them:
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
Here, Moroni is speaking to the Gentiles who possess the promise land, warning them that if they don't repent and instead continue in their iniquities, then they will be destroyed also.
Although it may not be apparent, Moroni's warning is to us--specifically those in live in the United States. In short, the Gentiles refer to the inhabitants of the United States except for those who are Latinos or Native American. The United States is the land of promise.
Who are the Gentiles?
The meaning of Gentiles is a loaded term, as it's used differently in the scriptures. However, in the Book of Mormon, the meaning of Gentiles refers to those who are not Jews or Lamanites. This is most evident from the title page, which was not written but translated by Joseph Smith. The title page tells us who the Book of Mormon was written for
"... it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile."
Here, we learn that the Book of Mormon was written by the Nephites and Lamanites. And it was written for the Lamanite, as well as the Jew and Gentile. This statement reveals that the writers of the Book of Mormon had three categories of people. Either a person was a Lamanite, Jew, or Gentile. The majority of the US population is Gentile. Moreover, a person, according to Book of Mormon terms is either a Lamanite, Jew or Gentile.
In addition to looking at the title page, we can look in 1 Nephi, where Nephi describes his vision of the latter days.
12 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.13 And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.14 And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.15 And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.17 And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.18 And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.19 And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations. (1 Nephi 13)
Here, Nephi sees a Gentile travel to the Americas, where the Lamanites are. He sees many Gentiles coming from "captivity" to the land where the Lamanites are. Simply put, Nephi sees Europeans immigrating to America. He also sees the revolutionary war (mother Gentiles against the immigrating Gentiles)
To further clarify the meaning of the Gentiles, it helpful to look at the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland temple. There, the prayer identifies the early church as the Gentiles.
60 Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us, who are identified with the Gentiles.61 But thou knowest that thou hast a great love for the children of Jacob, who have been scattered upon the mountains for a long time, in a cloudy and dark day. (D&C 89:60-61)
Thus in short:
1. According the Book of Mormon there are only three groups of people: Jew, Lamanite, and Gentile2. Gentiles refer to Europeans3. The LDS church is included with the Gentiles.
Ultimately then, when Moroni speaks to the Gentiles in Ether 2:11, he is speaking not only to European descendants and Europeans, but also to the church -- which is identified/included with the Gentiles. Moroni, therefore, is warning us. He is telling us to read and study the Book of Mormon so we don't get destroyed like his people did.
America (Specifically the United States) is the Promised Land
Now that we see the term Gentiles includes us (members of the LDS church), the next step is understanding the "land" referred to in the Book of Mormon as Nephite and Jaredite land is the United States. It is not Central America, which is the predominant view.
Although there are many evidences which indicate that the land in the Book of Mormon is the United States, I will look at just a few.
The Early Church Understanding
Joseph Smith along with others understood that the Book of Mormon took place in United States. During Zion's Camp Joseph Smith stated that the camp
"passed through Huntsville, in Randolph County, which has been appointed as one of the stakes of Zion and is the ancient site of the City of Manti, and pitched tents at Dark Creek, Salt Licks, seventeen miles." -- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3: 239
In a letter to Emma during Zion's Camp Expedition, Joseph Smith wrote:
"The whole of our journey, in the midst of so large a company of social honest and sincere men, wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls & their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity… During our travels we visited several of the mounds which had been thrown up by the ancient inhabitants of this country-Nephites, Lamanites, etc." -- Joseph Smith Papers, Letter from Joseph to Emma. June 4, 1834
Joseph Smith also said that
“the Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians . . . By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph that was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them [the Indians]. --- Joseph Smith’s Letter to The American Revivalist Feb 2, 1833 (Quoted in Dean C. Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984), p. 273) (Annotations Added)
In the Wentworth letter he stated,
In this important and interesting book the history of ancient America is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the Tower of Babel at the confusion of languages to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era. We are informed by these records that America in ancient times has been inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites and came directly from the Tower of Babel. The second race came directly from the city of Jerusalem about six hundred years before Christ. They were principally Israelites of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the second race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country…
In addition to comments made by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, in is letter the WW Phelps, indicated that final Nephite and Jaredite battle occurred at the Hill Cumorah
Here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed. By turning to the 529th and 530th pages of the Book of Mormon, you will read Mormon’s account of the last great struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah. In this valley fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites—once so highly favored of the Lord, but at that time in darkness, doomed to suffer extermination by the hand of their barbarous and uncivilized brethren. From the top of this hill, Mormon, with a few others, after the battle, gazed with horror upon the mangled remains of those who, the day before, were filled with anxiety, hope, or doubt.” Oliver Cowdery’s Letter VII Joseph Smith Papers “Letter VII,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, July 1835, 1:155–159 .
As a note, Joseph Smith later published Oliver Cowdery's letter in the Time and Seasons without making any corrections.
From these statements, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery understood that the Book of Mormon took place in the United States.
Archeological
Hopewell. Archeological evidence shows that the middle region of the United States was the site for a massive civilization known as the Hopewell, which civilization ended suddenly. The Hopewell Civilization is also known for being mound builders, many which have been excavated in Ohio. Archaeologists believe that many of these mounds were places of burial and rest.
In addition to the mounds, archeological evidence indicates that the Hopewell was not a "single culture or society, but a widely dispersed set of related populations." They were connected by a "network of trade routes, known as the Hopewell Exchange System."
"At its greatest extent, the Hopewell Exchange System ran from the Southeastern United States as far south as the Crystal River Indian Mounds into the southeastern Canadian shores of Lake Ontario up north. Within this area societies participated in a high degree of exchange with the highest amount of activity along waterways. The Hopewell Exchange System included copper from the Great Lakes, mica from the Carolinas, obsidian from the Rocky Mountains, and shells from the Gulf Coast. These people then converted the materials into products and exported them through local and regional exchange networks." -- The Book of Mormon in America’s Heartland page 102 by Rodney Meldrum
Although James E Talmage in the book Jesus the Christ indicates that the Book of Mormon took place in Central America, he changes (or at least is open to changing) his opinion afterwards. His journal entry from May 20, 1917, notes his thoughts.
This evening . . . I had a long and profitable consultation with Professor Wm. C. Mills, State Archeologist of Ohio...He has reached the following conclusions:(1) The area now included within the political boundaries defining the State of Ohio was once inhabited by two distinct peoples, representing two cultures, a higher and a lower.(2) These two classes were contemporaries; in other words, the higher and the lower culture represented distinct phases of development existing at one time and in contiguous sections, and furnish in no sense an instance of evolution by which the lower culture was developed into the higher.(3) These two cultural types or distinct peoples were generally in a state of hostility one toward the other, the lower culture being more commonly the aggressor and the higher the defender.(4) During limited periods, however, the two types, classes, or cultures, lived in a state of neutrality, amounting in fact to friendly intercourse.(5) The numerous exhumations of human bones demonstrate that the people of the lower type, if not indeed both cultures, were very generally affected by syphilis, indicating a prevalent condition of lasciviousness.
Metallurgy
The Book of Mormon states multiple times that the Nephites wore armor -- particularly breastplates and helmets.
16 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle. (Mosiah 9)
We also learn from Ether that the Jaredites smelted gold, silver, and copper
…they did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper.” (Ether 10:23)
Archeological evidence of America, especially around the Midwest region has substantiated these statements made in the Book of Mormon. Archaeologists have discovered copper in the Michigan area. Additional archeological discoveries of the Hopewell civilization (a people who lived in the Midwest region) show evidence of smelting furnaces to smelt metal.
Each of these evidences support the idea that the Book of Mormon occurred in the United States. Although this map is theory, it gives an idea of what the Nephite civilization would've looked like.
However, these are just a few pieces of the evidences. There are many more. For those interested, I recommend the website: bookofmormonevidence.org, where you can find numerous articles discussing evidence for the Book of Mormon taking place in North America.
Why This Matters
Because the United States is the chosen land, this means that those who possess the land are bound by a covenant. This covenant entails serving God and standing up for liberty. The Declaration of Independence embodies these covenantal terms -- i.e., all men are endowed with inalienable rights, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Although I have not read the book yet, Timothy Ballard, in his book "The American Covenant: One Nation Under God V1 and VII" details how the Founding Fathers understood that America was a covenant land. This was especially true for George Washington. In fact, during the army's stay at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, George Washington received a vision about the destiny of America.
America then is the choice land. And those who possess this land must abide by the covenant or else they will be wiped off when they are ripe in iniquity. Captain Moroni understood this, which is why he raised the title of liberty. We are to proclaim liberty as well. If we don't we'll also be swept off.
II. Standing Up For Righteousness
Another theme in the war chapters is standing up for what is right. Captain Moroni's actions to erect the Title of Liberty would have only been symbolic if it were not for those who supported his cause. After praying to the Lord for a blessing of liberty, the Moroni carried the title calling others to enter into a covenant of liberty.
21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments....28 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.
Although Moroni was not able to avert a war with Amalickiah, the support he received from the Nephites caused Amalickiah and his people to leave the land.
29 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and he also saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi. (Alma 46)
The exile of the Amalickiahites lead to peace in the land
35 And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom.
36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.
37 And they began to have peace again in the land; and thus they did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges. (Alma 46)
If the majority of the Nephites would not have stood for liberty, then Amalickiah would've had more power and influence. And with this influence may have been able to achieve his goal of becoming king, seeing that he had sway over the hearts and minds of the Nephites.
This principle of standing for righteousness is also seen later on in Helaman 6, where Nephi (Helaman's son) preaches to the wicked Nephites. At this time, we learn the secret combination of the Gadianton Robber's had infiltrated the government. Furthermore, Moroni (not to be confused with Captain Moroni) tells that the laws had become corrupted (see Helaman 6-7)
As Nephi tells the people of the corruption of their laws and their wickedness, some of the judges who were members of the Gadianton Robbers speak out against Nephi, saying that he has "reviled" against the people and the laws. The judges did this to "stir" the people to anger, so that they would reject Nephi. The judges would have succeeded in being able to silence Nephi if it were not for a few who spoke out in Nephi's favor
7 ... there were some who did cry out: Let this man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he saith will surely come to pass except we repent..10 And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephi were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on him; therefore he began again to speak unto them, seeing that he had gained favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear. (Helaman 8)
Nephi, seeing that he had "gained favor in the eyes of some" of the people, was able to speak more (verse 11 "therefore, [Nephi] was constrained to speak more unto them...).
Just as Captain Moroni was able to drive the Amalickiahites out of town because he had support of the people, so too was Nephi able to teach and preach because he had support. But although these two accounts are similar, they are also different. Namely, Nephi did not have majority support. Those who stood up for him were in the minority. This fact tells us that our voices can change the tone even if we are in the minority.
This principle is all the more relevant today. As I write this post, a great number of American cities are dealing with violent protests, who have injured people and caused much property damage. In addition, there is a growing movement to redefine the nature of this country -- a movement that seeks a revolutionary change. Although his change (at least for now) may not be violent, as change can occur with political will (e.g., Congress), it is still a radical change. If left unchecked, this movement will destroy the liberty of the people for the pursuit of an idealistic idea of equality.
As Christians, we are responsible, wherever we are, to stand up for what is right. No matter how unpopular it is. By so doing, we give righteousness a change to come through. We give a chance for truth and light to be heard. Otherwise, if we remain silent, then righteousness loses its power.
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