Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: wcsa@iwtdr.att.com (Willard C Smith) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Why Joseph Smith? Message-ID: Date: 15 Nov 89 08:19:25 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 32 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [In article , barry1@ihlpa.att.com (Barry O Olson) asked why a white man (Joseph Smith) was needed in order to bring to light God's revelation to the Indians? Were the Indians somehow "tainted"? --clh] Well Barry, I frankly do not believe that God, in all His wisdom, decided to reveal the BoM to Joseph Smith because the Indians were "tainted," etc. In fact, I've given a great deal of thought over how I should respond since some of the phrases you selected to pose the question are mighty close to baiting (Let's keep the firefights in talk.religion.misc where they belong, OK?). The correct answer is "We don't know why, since we are not privy to God's mind." But in the spirit of speculation may I provide two possible answers: 1 - The "Time of the Gentiles" response used by many Mormons during the Nineteenth century and more than reasonably summed up in 1 Nephi 13:42. 2 - The "Seed of Joseph of Egypt" response which is used quite frequently today. This response is also reasonable summed up in 2 Nephi 3:6-21. Since you have apparently given this much thought and consideration, you shouldn't mind actually aquiring a _Book of Mormon_ and looking up the stated references. I wouldn't want you to lose any sleep. :-) -- 1100 E. Warrenville Rd., Naperville, IL Willard C. Smith (708) 979-0024 att!iwtdr!wcsa "It's life, Captain, but not as we know it."