In one of my earlier posts, I referred to the end of an order with King Mosiah II setting up judges to rule the Nephites after his death. This post comments on another change in the evolution of the Nephite government. In this passage, Alma renounces the judgeship to focus upon his role as High Priest over the church. With few exceptions, the Nephite religious and political leaders are not the same person. The aristocratic nature of the society manifests it self in that all the leaders come from the same group of people.
He did this because of a crisis he faced: the general membership of the church was becoming more wicked than the larger society they lived within. It’s things like this which are, in my opinion, the hallmarks of an actual historical narrative. What author would have as part of his story, the “good guys” becoming more wicked than the other players? It’s a fairly sophisticated plot ploy. Ol’Joe doesn’t mention a peep about it tho’ which strengthens the case the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, the history of an ancient people.
This is a book full of the messiness we humans are prone to cause. The Nephites are on display for us to critique and comment on. It gives more weight to the ominous admonition at the end of the book where Moroni asks that we be more wise than they were. In short, it is a history of humans and of God’s dealings with them.
Showing posts with label Aristocracy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aristocracy. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Monday, July 27, 2015
3 Nephi 4-5 The Great Siege
These chapters finish one of the better known and interesting "battle" stories of the Book of Mormon. The one where the Nephites and Lamanites retreat to the center of their land, hunker down behind their fortress walls and outlast the Gadiantons. Since the story is well known, I wont spend a lot of time on retelling it, but I am going to comment on some of its "interesting" aspects.
First off is the letter from Giddianhi to Lachoneous. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon includes two letters from two different bad guys. The first is from Amoron where he agrees to swap prisoners with Captain Moroni. The other is this letter where Giddianhi demands the unconditional surrender of Nephites. What's common between the two is how they show the best way to get people to follow you is convince them they're victims. Once you do that, then you promise to redress their wrongs if they do what you say.
I've wondered why Mormon included these letters and stories. The best answer I can think of is this stratagem will be used on us. For us to recognize it and see it for the evil it is, he included these letters. Once you recognize the pattern, it's easy to spot it in just about any political movement. It goes like this: for your money, I will fix <fill in the blank for the fear du jour> for you. Gullible sheep that we are, enough fall for this that con men of all flavors continue doing it.
The other tidbit I find interesting is Mormon's comment about who he is: a "pure" descendant of Lehi. Imagine having a thousand year long bloodline where both mother and father come from the same person. I can only guess, but the number who could make that claim by Mormon's day was probably pretty limited and put him, so far as lineage is concerned in a very elite group. Remember the aristocracy of their culture? By birth, Mormon was an elite of the elite.
To his credit, it didn't go to his head, but it was probably his geneology as much as anything that got him the position of commander of all Nephite armies. It's something to think about. He sets a great example, one that is stressed over and over again: listen to and follow the spirit. That I would do as well.
First off is the letter from Giddianhi to Lachoneous. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon includes two letters from two different bad guys. The first is from Amoron where he agrees to swap prisoners with Captain Moroni. The other is this letter where Giddianhi demands the unconditional surrender of Nephites. What's common between the two is how they show the best way to get people to follow you is convince them they're victims. Once you do that, then you promise to redress their wrongs if they do what you say.
I've wondered why Mormon included these letters and stories. The best answer I can think of is this stratagem will be used on us. For us to recognize it and see it for the evil it is, he included these letters. Once you recognize the pattern, it's easy to spot it in just about any political movement. It goes like this: for your money, I will fix <fill in the blank for the fear du jour> for you. Gullible sheep that we are, enough fall for this that con men of all flavors continue doing it.
The other tidbit I find interesting is Mormon's comment about who he is: a "pure" descendant of Lehi. Imagine having a thousand year long bloodline where both mother and father come from the same person. I can only guess, but the number who could make that claim by Mormon's day was probably pretty limited and put him, so far as lineage is concerned in a very elite group. Remember the aristocracy of their culture? By birth, Mormon was an elite of the elite.
To his credit, it didn't go to his head, but it was probably his geneology as much as anything that got him the position of commander of all Nephite armies. It's something to think about. He sets a great example, one that is stressed over and over again: listen to and follow the spirit. That I would do as well.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
3 Nephi 2-3 Gidgidoni
In these two chapters we have the run up to what I call, "The Great Siege." In it the Nephites and righteous Lamanites gather into the center of their lands to outlast the Gadiantions. I'll talk about that in my next post, for now there are a few interesting tidbits I want to mention.
One that jumped out at me is Mormon's commentary on the Nephite Chief Captain, Gidgidoni. Did you know it's only recently that this name has been found by archeologists in the Old World? It's recently been seen inscribed on Neo-Assyrian cuneiform tablets. These were the people who carried the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. The empire ceased to exist about 607 BCE. Do you think maybe refugees from its collapse may have ended up in the Southern Kingdom by or about the time Mulek and company left? And do you think, maybe, just maybe the name came to the New World that way?
It makes me wonder how Joseph Smith knew nearly two hundred years ago it was an authentic, time period appropriate name? Then again, the critics will tell you it was probably Sidney Rigdon who knew it, since he was after all a "much smarter person." Whatever... My point is: NO ONE in Upstate New York in 1829 knew of it. So was it just a lucky guess? I think not.
The other interesting thing about him is his resume, he was a prophet before he was made commander of the Nephite armies. What strikes me about this is it shows Alma the Elder and his progeny weren't the Nephites' only religious voices. While they were part of the Nephite aristocracy, they weren't all of it. I think it's interesting Mormon had to point this out to the reader. It indicates that in his day, that was not the case. It's another evidence that in the Nephite and Lamanite culture, there was an aristocracy wherein religious, political and military power were often combined in one person and that it was "normal" for them.
Not once, does Mormon ever comment on how odd that was according to our way of thinking. In fact, in an essay Orson Scott Card wrote about the challenges of writing a fictional "history" that claims to be authentic, Card observes most authors will point out the differences from what is normal to explain it to the reader to prove to the reader, "these people are different." Mormon did it with the comment about prophets being appointed military commanders when the people were righteous. To him, that was a significant enough difference from the norm that he needed to explain it. The BIG difference for us is the aristocratic nature of their society, yet on that sense, Mormon is silent. If Joseph had made it up, he would have commented on that, but you NEVER see anything about that in the book.
It's another subtle evidence the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, the abridged history of an ancient culture that existed here in the Americas.
NOTE: Sorry about the earlier mix up on the book's name. This should have been, and now is about 3 Nephi, not Helaman.
One that jumped out at me is Mormon's commentary on the Nephite Chief Captain, Gidgidoni. Did you know it's only recently that this name has been found by archeologists in the Old World? It's recently been seen inscribed on Neo-Assyrian cuneiform tablets. These were the people who carried the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. The empire ceased to exist about 607 BCE. Do you think maybe refugees from its collapse may have ended up in the Southern Kingdom by or about the time Mulek and company left? And do you think, maybe, just maybe the name came to the New World that way?
It makes me wonder how Joseph Smith knew nearly two hundred years ago it was an authentic, time period appropriate name? Then again, the critics will tell you it was probably Sidney Rigdon who knew it, since he was after all a "much smarter person." Whatever... My point is: NO ONE in Upstate New York in 1829 knew of it. So was it just a lucky guess? I think not.
The other interesting thing about him is his resume, he was a prophet before he was made commander of the Nephite armies. What strikes me about this is it shows Alma the Elder and his progeny weren't the Nephites' only religious voices. While they were part of the Nephite aristocracy, they weren't all of it. I think it's interesting Mormon had to point this out to the reader. It indicates that in his day, that was not the case. It's another evidence that in the Nephite and Lamanite culture, there was an aristocracy wherein religious, political and military power were often combined in one person and that it was "normal" for them.
Not once, does Mormon ever comment on how odd that was according to our way of thinking. In fact, in an essay Orson Scott Card wrote about the challenges of writing a fictional "history" that claims to be authentic, Card observes most authors will point out the differences from what is normal to explain it to the reader to prove to the reader, "these people are different." Mormon did it with the comment about prophets being appointed military commanders when the people were righteous. To him, that was a significant enough difference from the norm that he needed to explain it. The BIG difference for us is the aristocratic nature of their society, yet on that sense, Mormon is silent. If Joseph had made it up, he would have commented on that, but you NEVER see anything about that in the book.
It's another subtle evidence the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, the abridged history of an ancient culture that existed here in the Americas.
NOTE: Sorry about the earlier mix up on the book's name. This should have been, and now is about 3 Nephi, not Helaman.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Helaman Chapter 5 - The Voice of God
Helaman Chapter five is so loaded with information you will miss if you aren't paying attention when you read it. The casual reader will typically notice the promise in verse 12 and the impressive feat where the converted Lamanites and Nephite dissenters give back to the Nephites the lands they'd taken from them in v52. Those are impressive in their own right, but how many notice the detailed description of God's voice? Or the geography lesson? How many see the great power of listening to the Spirit, and how that gives one the ability to speak with God's power and authority even to the convincing of those with murderous intent? How many notice they traveled freely through the Lamanite controlled Nephite lands including Zarahemla and surrounding areas? How many noticed they travelled into a far north country to preach to both Nephites and Lamanites? (Heartlanders rejoice?!)
These hints show the culture of the Lamanites and Nephites is far more extensive and complicated than we typically think. It is another evidence to me that it is not the fabrication of a farm boy or even one assisted by a school teacher and a preacher.
Many critics allege the Book of Mormon was the brain child of more than one person, but consider this thought experiement: The television show, I Love Lucy, was the result of many talented and smart people. It was a popular show in its day. The cultural comments it makes however place it in 1950's America. It could exist at no other time because the values it holds up as humorous are insulting today. It reeks of the culture of the day in which it was created. Virtually every work of fiction is similarly "fingerprinted" by the prevailing culture known to the authors.
In this light, the Nephite and Lamanite cultures in the Book of Mormon, should show fingerprints of 1820 America. But where was the aristocracy that held both political and religious power in Joseph's day? Where did people freely travel into even enemy held lands? While I'll grant there are common values such as the love of liberty in the book but those are by design. In my opinion, inspiriation guided Mormon to reveal those aspects of his society which we would understand as he compiled the stories that became our Book of Mormon. But the things he leaves in the footnotes and sidebars reveal a culture that is alien to ours. Had he put those elements in, we would not have recognized it nor identify with it as we do today. It truly was, written for our day.
Well, I'm rambling, but such are the adventures contained in Helaman Chapter five.
These hints show the culture of the Lamanites and Nephites is far more extensive and complicated than we typically think. It is another evidence to me that it is not the fabrication of a farm boy or even one assisted by a school teacher and a preacher.
Many critics allege the Book of Mormon was the brain child of more than one person, but consider this thought experiement: The television show, I Love Lucy, was the result of many talented and smart people. It was a popular show in its day. The cultural comments it makes however place it in 1950's America. It could exist at no other time because the values it holds up as humorous are insulting today. It reeks of the culture of the day in which it was created. Virtually every work of fiction is similarly "fingerprinted" by the prevailing culture known to the authors.
In this light, the Nephite and Lamanite cultures in the Book of Mormon, should show fingerprints of 1820 America. But where was the aristocracy that held both political and religious power in Joseph's day? Where did people freely travel into even enemy held lands? While I'll grant there are common values such as the love of liberty in the book but those are by design. In my opinion, inspiriation guided Mormon to reveal those aspects of his society which we would understand as he compiled the stories that became our Book of Mormon. But the things he leaves in the footnotes and sidebars reveal a culture that is alien to ours. Had he put those elements in, we would not have recognized it nor identify with it as we do today. It truly was, written for our day.
Well, I'm rambling, but such are the adventures contained in Helaman Chapter five.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Helaman 1: Cultural Observations
Helaman chapter one at first glance is the rather unremarkable telling of yet another war precipitated by dissident Nephites who stir up the Lamanites and persuade them to go kill those nasty, evil Nephites. In fact, the main event in this chapter is the rise of THE secret combination which becomes the Gadiantons and one Kishkumen who murders the legally elected governor, Pahoran.
But tucked into the narrative is one of the little comments Mormon inserts which show, the Nephite and Lamanite cultures are nothing like 1820 United States. (Yes, there will be a touch of apologist in this blog: deal with it.)
In particular is a little nugget I've never noticed before which is hidden in verse 13:
"And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right...."
He had a right to be chief governor? Really? That's amazing! Back in Mosiah 26, when King Mosiah sets up judges to rule the country who are appointed by the voice of the people you get the idea these are elections like we have today where "anyone" with the money and backing can run for the office. A closer read of the scriptures, show this isn't really the case with the Nephites and this little verse, hammers the idea home that there was a ruling class, an aristocracy if you will, which controlled not only the government but the religion too.
Think about it. There was no "Quorum of Apostles" in which leadership was based upon a seniority system as we have today. Instead the role of High Priest went from father to son for many generations, right down to the coming of Christ in fact. I'm not discounting the personal righteousness of these leaders, merely making the observation that they lived in a different culture and time and God, in His matchless wisdom and grace, worked within it to lead, bless and teach His children.
But, I digress...
Can you imagine anyone in Upstate New York shortly after the War of 1812, with grandparents who fought in the War for Independence and steeped in the tradition of unalienable rights and a democratically elected Republic to come up with a culture where it's okay to have the political and religious leadership be a right belonging to an aristocracy? I can't. Nevertheless, there it is, hiding all these years in plain sight.
The point of all this is the Lamanite and Nephite cultures were far different from ours and presented with a richness of detail an uneducated farm boy would likely think of or even consider including in a story.
There's more in this chapter to talk about, but that's for another time.
Enjoy the day!
But tucked into the narrative is one of the little comments Mormon inserts which show, the Nephite and Lamanite cultures are nothing like 1820 United States. (Yes, there will be a touch of apologist in this blog: deal with it.)
In particular is a little nugget I've never noticed before which is hidden in verse 13:
"And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right...."
He had a right to be chief governor? Really? That's amazing! Back in Mosiah 26, when King Mosiah sets up judges to rule the country who are appointed by the voice of the people you get the idea these are elections like we have today where "anyone" with the money and backing can run for the office. A closer read of the scriptures, show this isn't really the case with the Nephites and this little verse, hammers the idea home that there was a ruling class, an aristocracy if you will, which controlled not only the government but the religion too.
Think about it. There was no "Quorum of Apostles" in which leadership was based upon a seniority system as we have today. Instead the role of High Priest went from father to son for many generations, right down to the coming of Christ in fact. I'm not discounting the personal righteousness of these leaders, merely making the observation that they lived in a different culture and time and God, in His matchless wisdom and grace, worked within it to lead, bless and teach His children.
But, I digress...
Can you imagine anyone in Upstate New York shortly after the War of 1812, with grandparents who fought in the War for Independence and steeped in the tradition of unalienable rights and a democratically elected Republic to come up with a culture where it's okay to have the political and religious leadership be a right belonging to an aristocracy? I can't. Nevertheless, there it is, hiding all these years in plain sight.
The point of all this is the Lamanite and Nephite cultures were far different from ours and presented with a richness of detail an uneducated farm boy would likely think of or even consider including in a story.
There's more in this chapter to talk about, but that's for another time.
Enjoy the day!
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