Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: hall@vice.ico.tek.com (Hal Lillywhite) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Why Joseph Smith? Message-ID: Date: 13 Nov 89 17:32:56 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR. Lines: 46 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article barry1@ihlpa.att.com (Barry O Olson) writes: >Concerning Joseph Smith on his revelation to the indians. Not a flame >but something i have prayed about and pondered, for what it's worth. (I assume you're refering to the Book of Mormon which is written not only to Native Americans but "also to the Jew and Gentile." (Title page).) >The American Indian always gets the shaft from the white man right? > >Now, why would God in all His wisdom meed a white man to come along >for Him to reveal His revelation to the Indians. Are the indians that >tainted that God cannot show or lead one of their own to find some >buried plates, btw, buried by another indian at God's command, to >reveal their own history? I'm not surprized that one who is just starting to learn of these things would not know this although from my background the answer is pretty straightforward. It has to do with the 12 Tribes of Israel and the restoration thereof: 1. The Book of Mormon writers (and therefore the Native Americans) are descendents primarily of Manasseh, one of the sons of Joseph who was sold into Egypt (See B of M, Alma10:3) 2. One purpose of the Book of Mormon is to aid in the restoration of the House of Israel. 3. Israel was split by the actions of the tribe of Ephraim which ruled over the northern kingdom and lead them into such wickedness that they were taken away captive and lost. 4. We believe that in a sort of poetic justice, Ephraim must also provide the primary force for the gathering of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh will also play an important part in this. (cf Deut 33:17, Doctrine and Covenants 58:44-45). 5. Joseph Smith is believed to be primarily a descendent of Ephraim. In the Book of Mormon we have a book written by Manasseh and then brought forth by Ephraim. It will eventually aid in the restoration of Israel as described in chapter 37 of Ezekial.