Contributor, v2 1880-1881 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion

Vol. II. April, 1881. No. 7.

Divine Origin of the Book of Mormon.

HISTORICAL EVIDENCES CONSIDERED.

I.

IN considering this part of our subject, we shall quote largely from such original Indian historical information as has fortunately survived the wreck of Vandalism, and escaped the destruction of the religious fanaticism of the early Papal clergy; under whose influence and promptings the records of the Indians were piled up by the cord and burned, in the presence of their owners; who wept bitterly at the wanton destruction of books, which had cost them and their forefathers so much time and patience to write and preserve. In quoting from copies and abridgments of original records still remaining, and from the writings of early Spanish historians, we shall endeavor to carefully compare them with facts, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, bearing upon the subject under consideration. In this manner we hope to be able to advance sufficient historical evidence to establish, in the mind of every thoughtful and unprejudiced reader, the divine origin of the Book of Mormon, which has been preserved, brought forth and translated by the gift and power of God. In treating this subject we hope to be able, also, to throw light upon many important points of interest, which have and do still puzzle the minds of the thoughtful and inquiring of our enlightened age.

From whence came the ancient inhabitants of America? From whom did they descend? Whence their religious knowledge and civilization? These are questions which scientists, as yet, have been utterly unable to solve. Very many conflicting but ingenious theories regarding these interesting and important subjects have been advanced. Some of these are attesting monuments of the wonderful imagination with which the writers were gifted; others show remarkable tenacity in following preconceived ideas; others again manifest real bias induced by prejudice against well authenticated facts, in the vain endeavor to refute which some writers have expended their efforts; while still others are written logically, expressing views strongly supported by judicious citations and well sustained by sound reasoning.

The researches of distinguished antiquarians, while challenging the admiration and receiving the encouragement of the civilized world, have, unfortunately, like the religious teachings of modern divines, only resulted in inducing greater diversity of opinion. Thus the Christian world rivals the antiquarian field of America, as a stage upon which to manufacture doubt, by man made doubly doubtful. In each we find teachers "ever learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth."

That the Indians, before and at the time of the Spanish conquest, had very clear knowledge as to who they were; and that they came, at a very early date, over the great waters, from a far distant country, wandering many years in the wilderness, suffering deprivations and untold hardships in their migrations, are matters so well established by the early historians that we can rest reasonably satisfied with their testimony, if we had no more, on these points. That they had a knowledge, we shall hereafter see, of

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