Part 9 (1981-1990)
References & Accompanying Content for 1981
1981-1: “Book of Mormon (Religion 121-122)” Student Manual, Prepared
by the Church Ed. System (Second Edition) Published by the COJCOLDS,
©1979, 1981 by Corporation of the President of the COJCOLDS
(12-10) 2 Nephi 30:4-7. Is This Prophecy Being Fulfilled?
“We now have some half million Indian or Lamanite members in the Church…
“...We already have 89 stakes that are entirely of Lamanites in them...”
(Spencer W. Kimball, “The Lamanite,” Reg. Representatives Seminar, 1 Apr. 77,
pp. 4, 8, 12.)
“This is a new day. There is a new ground swell. We now have Lamanite
stake presidents, mission presidents, bishops, high councilors, branch
presidents, presidents of auxiliary organizations, and even a General Authority
of the Lamanites.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Lamanite,” Regional
Representatives Seminar, 1 Apr. 1977, pp. 4, 8, 12.) p. 112 my emphasis
(38-11) Helaman 15:1-17. When Is the Time That the Lamanites Are to
Be Brought to a True Knowledge of the Lord?
“The Day of the Lamanite is here and the gospel brings opportunity.
Millions [of Lamanites] farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges….
Millions [of Lamanites] in Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia serve in menial labor,...
Millions [of Lamanites] through North America are deprived, untrained,...
“...May the Lord bless us all as we become nursing parents unto our
Lamanite brethren and hasten the fulfilment of the great promises made
to them.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Faith Precedes the Miracle,” p. 358.)
p. 376 my emphasis
(45-5) 3 Nephi 21:1-8. What Is the Great Sign of the Future
Fulfillment of the Lord’s Promises to the Nephites?
In December 1963, Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the
Quorum of the Twelve, dedicated the mission home for the Southwest
Indian Mission in Holbrook, Arizona. Speaking to the Lamanites
Present that day, he said:
“I hope our Indian boys will seek to get into the building profession…,
because the Lamanites and we,...will work together in the building of
the great temple in Jackson County.
“....We will then go forward with you Indian people by the thousands
and the
tens of thousands to work night and day in the holy temple of God to
see that your ancestors--all those that died from Christ up to now, all those
who were killed at the Hill Cumorah,...”
“I want to read another little bit from Wilford Woodruff. He said, “The
door has already been unlocked [eighty years ago] to the Lamanites in
these mountains,...they [Lamanites] are the seed of Abraham, and they
will be saved with the house of Israel…And it depends upon you, the
Indian folks, here. pp. 426-428 my emphasis
(49-12) “The Lamanites Must Rise in Majesty and Power”
The Lamanites must rise in majesty and power. We must look
forward to the day when they will be ‘white and delightsome’...they
[Lamanites] shall build and occupy and fill the temples, and serve in
them as the natives [Hawaiian natives] are now serving in the
Hawaiian Temple…” p. 474 my emphasis
1981-2: “D & C Student Manual (Religion 324-325)” Published by the
COJCOLDS, ©1981 by the Corp. of the Pres. of the COJCOLDS
Section 32: The First Mission among the Lamanites
“Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer had been called to go on a mission
to the Lamanites (Sec. 23:8; 30-5)...Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson
were called to join Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr., on that
important mission.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p. 169.)
“The Lamanite missionaries commenced their work with the
Catteraugus tribe near Buffalo, New York…
After introducing Sidney Rigdon and the others to the gospel, the missionaries
pursued their journey west toward more populous Lamanite tribes…
“The missionaries visited the Wyandot tribe at Sandusky, Ohio. From
here they commenced the most difficult part of their journey through the
wilderness, to the frontier village of Independence, Missouri…Here it
appeared they would have their greatest success among the Delaware
Indians... (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 1 -102 [Sunday School Gospel
Doctrine teacher’s supplement, 1978], pp. 69-70.) p. 66 my emphasis
D&C 32. The Day of the Lamanite
President Spencer W. Kimball spoke and wrote much of today as the
day of the Lamanite.
“The Lamanite people are increasing in numbers and influence. When the
Navajos returned from Fort Sumner after a shameful and devastating captivity,...
There are now more than 350,000 Lamanite members of the Church….They
are branch presidents, quorum leaders, bishops, stake presidents, high
councilors, mission presidents, and leaders in all phases of the work among
them. p. 67 [I believe part of this quote, “and one is even a General Authority”
has been edited out without mentioned] (“Our Paths Have Met Again,” Ensign,
Dec. 1975, pp. 5, 7.)
D&C 87:5. Who are the “Remnants Who Are Left of the Land”?
“In the scriptures, whenever the word remnant is used to refer to a people, it
always refers to a segment of the house of Israel…”
“...he [President Joseph Fielding Smith] cautioned against thinking of
Lamanites only as the American Indians...we must remember that there
are millions of the ‘remnant’ [Lamanites] in Mexico, Central and South
America.” p. 195 (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:363.) my emphasis
1981-3: “Maori Traditions and the Mormon Church,” by R. Lanier
Britsch, New Era June 1981
“...there was much more to the idea that the Maoris were of Israel than
merely shared persecutions. Far more important was the Mormon belief
that the Maoris, like their Polynesian brothers and sisters elsewhere,
were literally of Abraham through his posterity who immigrated to the
American continent, as is told in the Book of Mormon….Church leaders
have time and time again referred to the Polynesians as the Children
of Lehi…[Lamanites]”
After reading the foregoing, one might ask why the Lord would go to so much
trouble for the Maoris. Why were they warned of the coming of the restored
Church? Why did they find it so easy to accept the Church when it came?...The
only explanation I have found that answers these questions with authority is in a
letter from the First Presidency, (Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and John
Henry Smith), written to the question as to why the Polynesians seemed to be
more blessed and favored of the Lord than the Lamanites on the American
continent, they answered:
“The Lord...directed their course away from this continent (America) to their (the
Polynesian ancestors’) island homes, that they might not be left to be preyed
upon and destroyed by the more wicked part of the House of Israel whose
descendants still roam upon this continent in a fallen and degraded state...”
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References & Accompanying Content for 1982
1982-1: “What is the Book of Mormon?,” Church Pamphlet, 8/82
the ancestors of the American Indians [Lamanites]. The Book of Mormon is
the ancient history of this people, telling of their wars, movements, kings, and
their religion—which was the religion of Israel, for these people were
Israelites and practiced the law of Moses. p. 3 my emphasis
1982-2: “Old Testament Student Manual (1 KINGS-MALACHI),” Published
by the COJCOLDS, © 1982 by Corp. of the Pres. of the COJCOLDS
Millions farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges...
Millions (2) serve in menial labor,…
Millions (3) are tied to reservations, deprived, untrained,….
“The Brighter day has dawned. The scattering has been accomplished; the
gathering is in process.
May the Lord bless us all as we become nursing (4) fathers and mothers...unto
our Lamanite brethren and hasten the fulfillment of the great promises made
to them.” p. 194 (In Conference Report, Oct. 1965, p. 72.)
[It’s interesting to note what has been omitted and/or inserted in the above
manual, without comment, from President Kimball’s original statement below:
“The day of the Lamanite (1) is here and the gospel brings opportunity.
Millions farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges….
Millions (2) in Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia serve in menial labor,...
Millions (3) through North America are deprived, untrained,...
(B of M Student Manual, p. 376, 1981, Religion 121-122)]
1982-3: “No Ordinary Man,” by D. Arthur Haycock, December 1982 New Era
“As you know, President Kimball has always had a great love for the
Lamanites. I remember...when...President George Albert Smith, whose
secretary I was, called him down to his office. There President Smith asked
Elder Kimball to carry on the work among the Indians [Lamanites].
Concerning that event, President Kimball recorded the following in his journal:
I went down to the office of President George Albert Smith at his request...relative
to the Indians [Lamanites]. We talked about the Navajos [Lamanites] in the
mission, he then said, “...I want you to have charge and look after all the Indians
[Lamanites] in all the world and this includes those in the Islands also.”
[Lamanites] in all the world and this includes those in the Islands also.”
my emphasis
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References & Accompanying Content for 1983
Published by the COJCOLDS, 1983
Lesson 32, “Men of Truth and Soberness,” Alma 53-63...
Other insights
The Book of Mormon records that the Nephite civilization expanded into the
land northward. A man named Hagoth constructed a ship to transport men,
women, children, and provisions by way of the west sea to the land northward.
While this ship was gone, Hagoth built other ships. On a subsequent trip, the
first ship was lost. One other ship also sailed and was lost.
Latter-day Saints believe that groups such as these became the ancestors
of the Polynesian peoples of the Pacific. This belief is substantiated by
statements made by several General Authorities.
Elder Mark E. Petersen has explained:
“The Polynesian Saints are characterized by a tremendous faith…
“Why do they have this great faith? It is because these people
[Polynesian Saints] are of the blood of Israel. They are heirs to the
promises of the Book of Mormon. God is now awakening them to
their great desti[ny]…” p. 109 my emphasis
“As Latter-day Saints we have always believed that the Polynesians
are descendants of Lehi and blood relatives of the American Indians,
despite the contrary theories of other men.” (in CR, Apr. 1962, p. 112)
p.110 my emphasis
Stuart Meha, a Maori, sent a telegram to President Joseph F. Smith asking
if his people perhaps were descended from Hagoth’s people. President Smith
replied, “I would like to say to you brethren and sisters from New
Zealand, you are some of Hagoth’s people [Nephites/Lamanites], and
there is NO PERHAPS about it!” (William E. Cole and Elwin W. Jensen,
Israel in the Pacific, p. 388.) p. 110 my emphasis
President David O. McKay bore testimony that the Polynesian peoples
are descendants of Lehi [Nephites/Lamanites], of the house of Israel,
“We express gratitude that to these fertile Islands Thou didst guide
descendants of Father Lehi, and hast enabled them to prosper.”
(“Dedicatory Prayer Delivered by President McKay at New Zealand
Temple,” Church News, 10 May 1958, p. 2.) p. 110 my emphasis
1983-2: “Doctrine and Covenants Stories,” Published by the COJCOLDS,
©1983 by the Corporation of the President of the COJCOLDS.
A Mission to the Lamanites:
Chapter 15 (September 1830)
Jesus...wanted some of the Saints to go on missions...to the Indians.
The Indians are called Lamanites in the Book of Mormon...
First the missionaries went to some Indians in New York…
Then the missionaries went to preach to some Indians in Ohio….
They went to...Jackson County, Missouri. There were many Indians in
Missouri. The missionaries preached the gospel to them… pp. 58-59
People to Know
Indians: Indians lived in all parts of the United States. Sometimes
Indians are called Lamanites.
Lamanite: Indians are called Lamanites in the Book of Mormon. p. 245
of Mormon,” by Truman G. Madsen, December 1983 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1983/12/b-h-roberts-after-fifty-years-still-witnessing-for-
the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng
the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng
“...Ethan Smith contended that the American Indians descended from the Lost
Tribes. That is not what the Book of Mormon claims….While assigning to them
[American Indians] Israelitish origin it nowhere claims that they are the Lost Tribes,
[American Indians] Israelitish origin it nowhere claims that they are the Lost Tribes,
but instead in the main are derived from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh
with a slight infusion of the tribe of Judah [all Hebrews]…” my emphasis
Lamanite to Lamanite—that was the medium for the message of peace and
brotherhood that Brigham Young University’s Lamanite Generation carried
to South America during a six-week tour in May and June.
From Lima, Peru, to Mexico City, from Ecuador to Bolivia to Brazil, local
Latter-day Saint organizations recorded a dramatic boost in interest and
attendance levels whenever and wherever the group performed.
The Lamanite Generation consists of talented young Native Americans,
Latin Americans, and Polynesians who perform traditional and modern
arrangements of music and dance native to their cultures.
“Our students felt they were coming home to the lands of their
forefathers,” she explained.
Elouise Curley, a Navajo member of BYU’s Lamanite Generation,
meets a Bolivian child at a La Paz rehabilitation center.
[The above description was probably next to a photo in this Ensign]
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References & Accompanying Content for 1984
by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7/84
The Indian Mission
“Two of our number now commenced work as tailors in the village of
Independence, while the others crossed the frontier line and commenced
a mission among the Lamanites, or Indians…”
“Thus ended our first Indian Mission,...and distributed the record [Book of
Mormon] of their forefathers among three tribes, viz: the Catteraugus
Indians,near Buffalo, N.Y., the Wyandots of Ohio, and the Delawares west of
Missouri.” (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, pp. 53-57.)
Missouri.” (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, pp. 53-57.)
Handout 17
1984-2: “The Doctrine and Covenants and Church History,” (Gospel
Doctrine Teacher’s Supplement) Published by the COJCOLDS, ©1984
Corporation of the President of the COJCOLDS
Mission to the Children of Lehi
In 1946, Elder Kimball was called to head the Church’s work among the
descendants of Lehi.
What modern-day groups can be called “Lehi’s children”? (The native
peoples of North, Central, and South America, and the Polynesians.)
Read “Work with the Lamanites,” Kingdom, page 145, third column, the
paragraph beginning “We have about a half-million….”
In remarks made at a special Lamanite conference in november 1947,
Elder Kimball set forth the past and prophetic destiny of the descendants
of the Book of Mormon people (see “Work with the Lamanites”). As
President of the Church almost thirty years later, he again spoke of his
vision of their glorious future.
“Glorious Destiny” (Resource Material).
*Elder Kimball declared that only through the Lord’s Church [Mormon
Church] can Lehi’s descendants realize their destiny. p. 208
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References & Accompanying Content for 1985
1 Indians in the Western Hemisphere are often called Lamanites by
Church members because these Indians are descendants of the
2 First the missionaries went to the Catteraugus Indians in New York...
3 Near the Ohio border the missionaries preached to the Wyandot Indians,
who were happy to learn about their ancestors in the Book of Mormon.
4 In Missouri the missionaries preached the gospel to the Delaware Indians...
7 One of the missionaries, Parley P. Pratt, went to tell the Prophet Joseph
about their mission to the Lamanites. The mission had been a good one;
the gospel had been taken to three great Indian tribes.
Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Dec. 1985 Ensign
He [Spencer W. Kimball] watched over the Lamanite work, was responsible for
the [Indian] placement program, and prophesied of their progress. While he
was President, the Church prospered greatly in the lands of Lehi--Mexico,
Central and South America, the islands of the sea, and the lands of many
Indian tribes of North America. Multitudes have since come into the Church
in fulfillment of President Woodruff’s prophecy, “A nation [was] born in a day.”
1985-3: “Rejoice in This Great Era of Temple Building,” by Pres. Gordon B.
Hinckley, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, Oct. 1985 General Conf.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/10/rejoice-in-this-great-era-of-
temple-building?lang=eng
temple-building?lang=eng
Nov. 1985 Ensign
Now, recently, when the Mexico City Temple was dedicated, they came by the
thousands. . . . Most of them have the blood of Lehi in their veins [Making
them literal descendants of Lehi, an Israelite and Hebrew].. The shackles of
darkness have fallen from their eyes, as promised by the prophets of the Book
of Mormon. They have become "a pure and a delightsome people" (2 Ne. 30:6)
1985-4: Spencer, the Beloved: Leader-Servant,” by Mormon Elder Neal
A. Maxwell, Dec. 1985 Ensign
Years earlier, he [Mormon Apostle Spencer W. Kimball, later to become Prophet
of the Mormon Church] saw the day of the Lamanite dawning: “Surely the day
of the Lamanite is about to dawn.” (Church News, 20 Dec. 1947, p. 9.) At a
Lamanite Conference in 1947, he said:
“I see you Lamanites and your posterity from the ‘islands of the sea’
and from the Americas rising to your great destiny…. I see you sons
of Lehi grazing your own large flocks and herds on a thousand hills as
owners not merely as herdsmen. …”
Right: Elder Kimball prized his assignment
to work with his Lamanite brothers and sisters.
[The above description was probably next to a photo in this Ensign]
January 1985 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1985/01/news-of-the-church/temple-will-bless-saints-
in-guatemala?lang=eng
in-guatemala?lang=eng
The Central American Mission, with headquarters in Guatemala City, was
organized 16 November 1952...The mission included Guatemala, Honduras,
El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
In prayer as the mission presidency was installed, Elder Spencer W. Kimball
of the Council of the Twelve asked a “special blessing upon the Lamanite
cause and... that the seed of Lehi in these Central American countries…
have the courage and fortitude to accept and to live the exalting program of
thy divine gospel.”
-----
In the mid-1960s, missionaries began teaching Guatemalan Indians...many
of them have accepted the gospel readily after receiving spiritual witnesses
that the Book of Mormon is a record of their ancestors and that the
gospel is true.
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References & Accompanying Content for 1986
Verlan Andersen, October 1986 General Conference
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/10/missionary-work-is-the-lifeblood-
of-the-church?lang=eng
of-the-church?lang=eng
November 1986 Ensign
American countries...It has been deeply satisfying to work with those lovable
and believing people and to see the prophecies of the Book of Mormon being
fulfilled as hundreds of thousands of the descendants of Lehi join the
Church. The day of the Lamanites has truly arrived. my emphasis
1986-2: “The Things of My Soul,” by Elder Boyd K. Packer,
April 1986 General Conference
May 1986 Ensign
is sometimes introduced as “a history of the ancient inhabitants of the
American continent, the ancestors [Nephites and Lamanites] of the
American Indians.” my emphasis
[It’s interesting to note that Elder Packer says “...a history of the ancient
inhabitants of the American continent…” as if there were no other
inhabitants of the American continent at that time.] my emphasis
*********************************************
References & Accompanying Content for 1987
B. Hinckley (FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE) March 1987 Ensign
Liahona August 1987
“He [A Mormon missionary in Guatemala]...I [President Hinckley] met him
in the Guatemala City Temple. He grasped my hand warmly. I asked, “Are
you happy?” “Oh yes, so very happy,” he responded. I asked where he was
laboring. He said, “Out among the Lamanites, the native people of
Guatemala…As I have thought of that tall and handsome young man,...working
among the Indians of Guatemala in a jungle village, the words of Samuel the
Lamanite have come to mind:
“Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been
1987-2: “Priesthood Blessings,” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks,
In the spring of 1866,...our pioneers were struggling to beat back deadly
Indian attacks...in southern Utah. Two of President Heber C. Kimball’s sons
were called into military service for a three-month expedition against the
Indians. Before they left he gave them a priesthood blessing. Apparently
concerned that his sons might shed the blood of their Lamanite brothers,...
He then blessed his sons and promised them they would not see a single
Indian on their campaign. my emphasis
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References & Accompanying Content for 1988
winter. The young people read histories and studied pioneer journals. They
learned how their ancestors had answered a mission call by President John
Taylor to come to this wild corner of the world and establish a peace mission
among the Indians...
-----
Many of the descendants of the early pioneers still feel under obligation of
that original call from President Taylor. In his campfire remarks to the youth,
Stan Bronson explained, “We are here to help bring about the fulfillment of
the prophecies relative to the restoration of Israel. We have never been
released from that first call. I believe the end result of this ‘peace’ mission
will be to have the fulness of the gospel operating among the Lamanites
here...” my emphasis
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References & Accompanying Content for 1989
by the COJCOLDS, ©1988 by Corp. of the Pres. of the COJCOLD
4. The Lamanites [Indians] will “blossom as the rose” (D&C 49:24). This
sign is coming to pass as great numbers of Lamanites in Central and South
America, the South Pacific, and the United States receive the gospel. p. 11
1989-2: “The Book of Mormon Student Manual (Religion 121 and 122),”
Prepared by the Church Ed. System, Published by the COJCOLDS,
©1989 by the Corporation of the President of the COJCOLDS
2 Nephi 30:4-6. “The Remnant of Our Seed”
“We now have some half million Indian or Lamanite members in the Church….
“...We already have 89 stakes that are entirely Lamanite,... (Spencer W.
Kimball, “The Lamanite” [address delivered at Regional Representatives
Seminar, 1 Apr. 1977], pp. 4, 8, 12) p. 41
Helaman 15. “The Day of the Lamanite”
“The day of the Lamanite is here and the gospel brings opportunity.
Millions [of Lamanites] farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges ….
Millions [of Lamanites] in Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia serve in menial labor,...
Millions [of Lamanites] through North America are deprived, untrained,
and achieving less than their potential…
May the Lord bless us all as we become nursing parents unto our Lamanite
brethren and hasten the fulfillment of the great promises made to them.”
(Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 358) p. 111
Mormon 7:1-2. Descendants of Great Book of Mormon Leaders
Mormon, knowing that his words would come forth in the last days, gave
a special message to the Lamanites of our day. He called these people “the
remnant of this people who are spared,...yea,...[a] remnant of the house of
Israel” (Mormon 7:1).
The Lamanites of today are descendants of great Book of Mormon
Leaders [Nephites and Lamanites]. They are, therefore, of the house of
Israel. The following chart illustrates this point:
[The chart below, the above excerpt, forks into two horizontal branches facing
right. The top branch represents the Lamanites and says, “The Lamanites
today are descendants of the people who lived after the appearance of Christ.
The bottom horizontal branch represents the Nephites and says, “Destroyed
in approximately A.D. 400.“] p. 133 my emphasis
1989-3: “Book Of Mormon, Seminary Student Manual,” Published by
the COJCOLDS, ©1986, 1989 by the President of the COJCOLDS
An Introduction and Overview
House of Israel. All the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, whom
the Lord called Israel. p. 5
Samuel’s Prophecies
Helaman 15 The Day of the Lamanites
Samuel spoke of the promises of the Lord to his people, the Lamanites.
They will someday be brought to a true knowledge of their Redeemer (see
Helaman 15:13).
President Spencer W. Kimball wrote of the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecy:
“The day of the Lamanite is here and the gospel brings opportunity.
Millions [of Lamanites] farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges…..
Millions [of Lamanites] in Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia serve in menial labor,...
Millions [of Lamanites]through North America are deprived, untrained,
and achieving less than their potential…
“The brighter day has dawned. The scattering has been accomplished--the
gathering is in process. May the Lord bless us all as we become nursing
parents unto our Lamanite brethren and hasten the fulfillment of the great
promises made to them.” (“Faith Precedes the Miracle” [Salt Lake City;
Deseret Book Co., 1972], p. 358.) pp. 197-98 my emphasis
3 Nephi 5:21-26 Gathering of Israel
Here Mormon took up an oft-repeated theme of the Book of Mormon--the
gathering of Israel. The remnant of the seed of Joseph, spoken of in
3 Nephi 5:23, refers to the descendants of Lehi living in the Americas today.
Their collective name is Lamanites, yet they consist of numerous Indian
tribes, Hispanics, and Polynesian nationalities. p. 204 my emphasis
3 Nephi 20:10 Fulfilling God’s Commandments
Verse 10 of 3 Nephi 20...shows that what Christ was doing related directly to
the fact that the fact that the Book of Mormon people belonged to the house
of Israel and were included in the covenant with Abraham.
3 Nephi 20:11-21 You and Covenant Israel
...the European nations, such as Spain, France, and England scattered the
Indians, who were descendants of the Book of Mormon peoples, otherwise
called the remnant of the house of Jacob
Gentiles. This includes any nation or individual that is not of the covenant
[of Abraham]. In the Book of Mormon it has more specific reference to the
European colonies established o the North and South American continents that
would scatter the Indians. In today’s reading gentile refers to the nation in
which the plates of Mormon were translated and the gospel restored.
1989-4 (Part 1 of 2): “Church History in the Fullness of Times (Religion
341-43)” Prepared by the Church Ed. System, Published by the COJCOLDS,
©1989 by the Corp. of the Pres. of the COJCOLDS,
As of 4/19/18 this manual can be found on lds.org (with no disclaimers)
“...Nephi foresaw many other events in America. He saw that the Lamanites
(the Indians in North and South America) would be scattered throughout
the land by the Gentiles,...(see 1 Nephi 13:14–19) p. 9
Chapter Seven: The Infant Church Expands
SINCE EARLY 1830 the Latter-day Saints have acknowledged the
American Indian as a remnant of the house of Israel,...Referring to
these people as “Lamanites,” a Book of Mormon prophet declared,...”
Call To Teach The Lamanites
The Church was barely six months old when Oliver Cowdery was called
by revelation to go to the Lamanites and preach the gospel (See D&C 28:8).*
Contrary to this 2018 current position of the Mormon Church, we learn
Subsequently Peter Whitmer, Jr., Ziba Peterson, and Parley P. Pratt were
[If you recall, in the Mormon Church’s “Lamanite Identity” Essay (see second
“blue lettering” paragraph in this work’s “Introduction.”) the Mormon Church
declares that it does not take a position on who the Lamanites were after the
close of the Book of Mormon record, it is a matter of speculation.
Contrary to this 2018 current position of the Mormon Church, we learn
from the preceding excerpts above, that
1) the Lamanites are the Indians in North and South America, that
2) the American Indians are a remnant of the house of Israel, and
3) it was by revelation, not speculation, that the Lamanites were identified
as the Indians in North and South America (i.e. Shawnee, Delaware Indian
tribes, etc.)]Subsequently Peter Whitmer, Jr., Ziba Peterson, and Parley P. Pratt were
called to assist him (See D&C 30:5; 32:1-3). The destination of the
missionaries was “the borders by the Lamanites” (D&C 28:9). This phrase
was understood to refer to the line between Missouri and the Indian territory
to the west. p. 79 my emphasis
*[The D&C (or Doctrine and Covenants),” is one of the four standard works of
the Mormon Church. In other words, Holy Scripture from God.]
missionary journey began in earnest...They [Cowdery, Whitmer, Jr.,
Peterson and Pratt] pledged to proclaim the “fullness of the Gospel” to
their brethren, the Lamanites. On 18 October they began their
fifteen-hundred-mile westward trek.
Early Success on the Western Reserve
The missionaries visited a friendly tribe of Seneca Indians of the
Cattaraugus Reservation near Buffalo, New York, where they paused just
long enough to introduce the Book of Mormon as a record of their
forgotten ancestors….So far as is known, these were the first American
Indians [called by revelation to go to the Lamanites] to hear the
message of the Restoration in this dispensation. p. 80 my emphasis
Journey to Missouri
The missionaries had not forgotten their charge to teach the gospel
to Native Americans [called by revelation to go to the Lamanites].
At Sandusky, Ohio, they stopped for several days among the Wyandot
Indians, Parley wrote, “They rejoiced in the tidings, bid us God speed,
and desired us to write to them in relation to our success among the
tribes further west...” p. 84 my emphasis
-----
On 13 January 1831 the missionaries arrived in Independence, Missouri,
the extreme western frontier of the United States.
1989-4 (Part 2 of 2): “Church History in the Fulness of Times (Religion
341-43)” Prepared by the Church Ed. System, Published by the COJCOLDS,
©1989 by the Corp. of the Pres. of the COJCOLDS.
As of 4/19/18 this manual can be found on lds.org (with no disclaimers)
https://www.lds.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times-student-manual?laTeaching the Gospel
About 1 February...Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and Frederick G. Williams
entered Indian lands to preach and introduce the Book of Mormon.
They found a listener in William Anderson the aged chief of the
Delawares...With about forty tribal leaders comfortably seated in the
chief’s lodge, Oliver Cowdery was invited to speak. p. 85 my emphasis
Assessment of the Missionary Journey
Although the “Lamanite mission” was not very successful in
proselytizing native Americans, it did have a significant impact on the
subsequent history of the Church. It not only introduced the gospel for
the first time to this remnant of the house of Israel, but it created an
awareness of how important these people were in the eyes of the Lord.
p. 87 my emphasis
Chapter Forty-One: Postwar Recovery
Concern for the Lamanites
American Indians and related groups identified as descendants of the
Book of Mormon peoples. Twentieth century missionary work among
the native American began in 1936, when the First Presidency directed
the Snowflake Stake in northeastern Arizona to open formal missionary
work among the Navajos, Hopis, and Zunis.
-----
Beginning in 1945 another group of Lamanites was blessed in quite a
different way. Many Spanish-speaking members did not understand the full
meaning of the temple ceremonies as presented in English. To assist these
members, the Arizona Temple presented the ordinances Spanish for the
first time. At a special Lamanite conference in Mesa early in November
1945…During succeeding years the Lamanite conference and Spanish-
speaking temple sessions at the Arizona Temple became eagerly
anticipated annual events.
In 1946, President George Albert Smith called Elder Spencer W. Kimball
to give special attention and leadership to the Lamanite people. Elder
Kimball reflected:
“I do not know when I began to love the children of Lehi...It may have
come from my patriarchal blessing...One line of the blessing reads:
“‘You will preach the gospel to many people, but more especially to the
Lamanites…’
“...and now, forty-two years after the promise, President George Albert
Smith called me to this mission, and my blessing was fulfilled.”
While touring the Mexican Mission in 1947, Elder Kimball envisioned a
glorious future for the Lamanite people, which he spoke of at the
Lamanite conference in Mesa during November of that year.
-----
One of the Indians’ most critical needs was for education… During the
autumn of 1947 he [Golden R. Buchanan, a member of the Sevier Stake
presidency in Richfield, Utah] observed the deplorable condition of some
migrant Indian agricultural workers in the area. Speaking at a stake
conference he admonished the Saints to take better care of their Lamanite
brethren. p. 545-46 my emphasis1989-5: “Research and Perspectives: Recent Studies on the Book of Mormon,”
June 1989 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/06/research-and-perspectives-recent-studies-
on-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng
on-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng
The Church’s increasing focus on the Book of Mormon has resulted in a flood
of new information and ideas: articles and notices on research concerning that
scripture have increased dramatically. The reviews that follow report on topics
currently under study. Of course, the research is not definitive; viewpoints
change as new information becomes available...
American Indian Origins
The idea that all American Indians trace their origin to northeast Asia
via the Bering Strait is slowly being abandoned…*
[Although the above includes the disclaimer, “the research is not definitive,”
this is an example of the Mormon Church, in its official magazine, “The
Ensign,” attempting to undermine the idea that Native American Indians
are descended from northeast asian inhabitants. Why? Because if it was
true, which the Mormon Church later admitted it was true, it would annihilate
the Mormon Church’s 170 plus year narrative, that they taught as truth
and a historical fact, that the Native American Indians (and Polynesians)
are Lamanites, the familial descendants of the Israelites in the Book
of Mormon. A once “official narrative” that the Mormon Church has now
abandoned.]
*(Newsletter, Religious Studies Center, BYUI, January 1987; George F. Carter,
“Before Columbus”....)
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