The Mormon Missionaries: An Inside Look at Their Real Message and Methods (Second Edition) Paperback by Janis Hutchinson

Author:Janis Hutchinson [Hutchinson, Janis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cults, Joseph Smith, Latter Day Saints, Mormon, Mormon missionaries, LDS, Mormonism
ISBN: 9780615613062
Publisher: Janis Hutchinson
Published: 2011-12-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Archaeological Ruins of the Americas

So-called proof for the Book of Mormon

The door of the classroom burst open. A man in a brightly striped serape of yellow and green stood in the entrance, his swarthy face grinning from beneath a wide-brimmed, silver-studded sombrero. He adjusted the straps to his accordion, and pumping the bellows with gusto deftly ran his fingers over the keyboard in an explosion of arpeggios, filling the room with music.

Startled, but delighted, the class quickly joined in with whistles, gritos and stomps. With a thunderous chord that rattled the windows, he ended with an artistic flourish.

“Bobbycito, please come in!” I laughed.

“Class, I asked our ambassador from Mexico, Pastor Bob, to share his concern about Mormon missionaries south of the border.”

Quickly slipping the straps from his shoulders, Bobbycito set the accordion down and walked to the front of the room.

“I am muy feliz to be here . . .” The class interrupted with laughter. He grinned, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “I don’t know how many of you are planning on being missionaries, but I would like to tell you what’s happening in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

“Mormon influence is growing. In 1980, there were only seven hundred thousand Mormons in Latin America. By 1993, membership had grown to 2.7 million, an increase in thirteen years of two million!1 As of 2010, over four million.

“While the Mormon missionaries have great appeal because of their church’s family values, there is another attraction—the Book of Mormon. When Mormon Elders present it as a record of the Indian’s ancestors, it naturally invites interest.”

Robert raised his hand. “What do the missionaries actually say?”

“It varies. They may call attention to the great pyramid-like structures, stating that the Book of Mormon people built them. Or,they will say, ‘No one has been able to discover the origin of the Indians until the Book of Mormon was translated.’

“They may further tell of carbon dating and Mayan calendars that correspond closely to the time of the Jaredites and Nephites.

“They also bring up the Indian legend of Quetzalcoatl—the bearded white god who once ruled their ancestors.

“They may also call attention to the Tree of Life stone found in Mexico, claiming it was carved in memory of Lehi’s dream recorded in the Book of Mormon.

“These are just a few of the claims they make. While I firmly believe that the Book of Mormon is an invention of Joseph Smith’s, I’m still at a loss as how to refute their statements. Maybe my good friend,” he said turning and smiling at me, “can provide some insights.”

Anxious to address one of my favorite subjects, I quickly joined him at the front of the class.

“Years ago, as a Mormon,” I began, “I constantly devoured Mormon publications about archaeological finds. I was convinced beyond a doubt that South American ruins validated the Book of Mormon.

“I even helped perpetuate the myth that the Smithsonian Institute used the Book of Mormon as a scientific guide.”

Bobbycito interrupted.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.