In the Mediterranean world the understanding of personality through physical characteristics was called physiognomics. The possibilities range from simple description to metaphorical value judgments. The phrases describe a previous condition and its succeeding condition, pivoting upon causation. The best explanation for needing an authentic Lamanite is that Moroni needed his language skills, not his skin color, for the ruse. The group was the meaning, and individuals who did not conform were considered deviant. This reversal of the curse (not repeated here but “skin of blackness”) implies its opposite (articulated here): “skin became white.” The Lamanites have crossed the insider/outsider boundary, becoming those who were “united with the Nephites” and “numbered among” them. 2 Nephi 5. For example, Nephi utilized Isaiah 3:15 (= 2 Nephi 13:15) and Isaiah 5:21 (= 2 Nephi 15:21) in his commentary on the pride of latter-day Gentiles in 2 Nephi 26:20. The purpose of the curse was to separate the two peoples. ☼ 2 Nephi 5:21–23, Jacob 3:3: And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. While there is a set of people whose skin can be very black, they are not native to the western hemisphere. One is this establishment of rules concerning potential marriage partners, and the second is the nature of the skin of blackness. Nevertheless, in terms of righteousness, the Lamanites would be whiter. This perceived difference was simply related to sun exposure, indicating whether the person was required to work outside for a living. Douglas Campbell, a professor of computer science at Brigham Young University, examined the textual uses of “white” in the Book of Mormon and concludes that the term is used metaphorically for purity and/or cleanliness. There is no discrepancy. When they are insiders, they are “delightsome,” available as marriage partners. There is only one clear example. Modern society prefers to see differences as individualized and therefore prejudicial when applied to a group. The second is that Yahweh caused a skin of blackness to come upon them. Even the reversal, becoming white, is a metaphor: “And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed” (Dan. The covenant prophecies which Joseph of Egypt uttered appear in 2 Nephi 3:5-21 and in outline are as follows: Joseph of Egypt's seed would not be completely destroyed, but would be delivered through another of his descendants, Joseph Smith (verse 7-15) by means of the Book of Mormon, which would manifest the Messiah and his covenants with their forefathers, as well as this Israelite branches's true … The most typical reading is that there was some type of dramatic change that turned white skin into black skin. 2 Nephi 14. In order to understand the purposes of the Lord in this regard, it is useful to examine a similar situation as found in the Old … The cursing follows the people who work iniquity. Skin color designations are cultural descriptions, not scientific ones. 2 Nephi 6:10 Jacob says that because of what the Jews did to Christ – they would be afflicted, scattered, smitten, and hated. What can we say about how the “skin of blackness” was perceived by those who wrote our Book of Mormon? 11:8). The Lamanites do not become righteous, they become comparatively righteous because of Nephite wickedness. 2 Nephi 7. About 588–570 B.C. Why should metaphorical righteousness/unrighteousness be manifest in a “color” of skin? 2 Nephi 10. All refer to identifying letters. It is conclusively untrue in Alma where the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies discusses the many cities of the Lamanites (Alma 23:9–15). That's the message I get from this verse. We were meant to be happy. Alma 3:6 is the closest thing in the text to evidence for pigmentation change: “And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.” This verse clearly indicates that Lamanite skin was dark and that it “mark[ed]” them, thus denoting some visible indication. While the term “Lamanite” became a political designation for all non-Nephites (Jacob 1:13–4), it included lineal Lamanites and the specific location where they settled. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.”. Reading the Text or Reading into the Text: When 2 Nephi 5:21 says, “The Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them,” the phrase has been interpreted quite literally as a change in skin pigmentation. Because they have become Nephites, they therefore “became white like unto the Nephites.” This shift in skin of blackness to skin became white on the basis of a change from outsider to insider explains why the first appearance of the idea of the curse on the Lamanites has a different inception than this mention in 2 Nephi 5:21. Even though skin color has come to be associated with race, the value of relative skin color was social, not racial. It is not, however, an impossible task. Modern readers may be uncomfortable with Nephite racial prejudices, but they existed. She noticed the elders’ countenances change and sadness come over them. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them. (See commentary accompanying Jacob 3:3.). 3 Nephi 19:24–25 records another similar white/whiter occurrence during Jesus’s visit to the New World: The disciples’ transforming spiritual experience makes them become “as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus.” This shade is not a natural skin color nor does anything in this passage encourage a “natural” interpretation. 2 Nephi 11. What is the “mark” in the Book of Mormon? Nevertheless, “white” Nephites become even whiter. I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. Humans tend to make binary-opposed sets, of which black and white form a classic set. They are based on some visual perception, but coalesce into large categories that reflect the human tendency to categorize people. When the curse is operating and the Lamanites are outsiders, they are “loathsome” (the opposite of “delightsome”)—not desirable marriage partners. Racism in the Book of Mormon: The Book of Mormon is, in fact, racist, although not at all in the usual sense of the term. We should not presume that their meanings are our meanings. The function of the mark is social separation, but it is the same insider/outsider barrier already discussed. 2 Nephi 33. He provides no explanation for how this alteration occurs, other than to note that it comes through God. This is the origin of the term “barbarian,” which the Greeks frequently used as a generic term for anyone who was not Greek and who was, therefore, inferior. 2. Alma 3:6 tells us that the mark was the curse (according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them), so the reference is circular. Just as the white/black or fair/dark terms function along the insider/outsider boundary, so too does the delightsome/loathsome dichotomy describe social repercussions. It would be seen as a prevention of apostasy, exactly like the prohibition against marrying Canaanites in the Old World. Lehi concluded that the scriptures "were desirable; yea, even of great worth" (1 Nephi 5:21). The curse’s purpose is to set a social barrier between the two peoples. Furthermore, on his mission to the guards, Nephites accompany him. To each of them a social value is attached, with white representing good and black representing bad (with good/bad being similar binary oppositions). 2 Nephi 32:2 Holy Ghost An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection that is possessed by God himself. 11:35). 2 Ne 5:21 he had caused the cursing to come upon them...that they might not be enticing unto my people. In Elizabethan England and in earlier Roman culture, the dark skin was the sign of a common laborer, and the lighter, whiter skin the sign of nobility. The metaphorical use of color terms echoes that of the Bible. The question of marriage is an important one, because Yahweh has now excluded a number of the potential marriage partners who might be seen as more desirable than the native populations because they are both racially and culturally similar to the Old World peoples among the Nephites. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.”. It is the desire to right the wrongs which man has done to his brother.\" (George Matheson… It echoes the promises and prophecies of Jacob in Genesis 49 to his posterity. Textual Evidence for Actual Skin Pigmentation: Does the Book of Mormon text contain events where distinguishing race by skin color becomes important? Furthermore, these descriptions of the Lamanites as the opposite of the Nephites vanish as soon as the Lamanites cross the outsider/insider boundary. [2 Nephi 5:21] . The only explicit prohibition of marriage partners in the Old Testament thus precluded an attractive marriage pool, but did so on religious grounds. 2 Nephi 6. . The Creation: We're created to be tried and learn of the difference between right and wrong. The early division of the Old World peoples into two mutually exclusive marriage groups would have caused a difficulty for the marriage patterns inherited from the Old World, where the preferred marriage partner was someone within the same tribe (Num. Redemption comes through the Holy Messiah—Freedom of choice (agency) is essential to existence and progression—Adam fell that men might be—Men are free to choose liberty and eternal life. However, there were also provisions for marriage outside of the tribe. And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. Descriptions of Lamanites repeat the same stock phrases over time: Each quotation describes “how the Lamanites are.” While there is at least a possibility that the description was true when Nephi began this traditional stereotyping of the Lamanites, it was untrue by the time of Enos if not earlier. This chapter explains the role of the Book of Mormon in the latter days. It is human selfishness-the unbrotherhood of man to man....the cry which rises into his ears is the cry of stricken humanity-the cry of the poor and needy, the cry of the sad and weary...He hears God call him to lash the sins of the nation; but to him all the sins of the nation are forms of a single sin-selfishness....The burden of Isaiah is the burden of human compassion. Humans have certainly placed values on the color of one’s skin, but for most of history the value is social. 2 Nephi 15. Yahweh changed the Lamanites from what they had been to what they had become. Reinforcing the insider/outsider // white/black concept is Jacob 3:8, comparing the Nephites unfavorably to the Lamanites: “Unless ye shall repent of your sins… their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God.” This passage associates skin with color, in this case, white. This barrier is similar to the explicit prohibition against marrying Canaanites. However, Jacob compares white/whiter, not white/black. 43–63 for an elaboration on these identifications, yielding the evidence justifying the “plan of salvation” model. )) As a result, "he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy" (1 Nephi 5:17). Armand Mauss, a professor emeritus of sociology and religion at Washington State University, discusses the assumption of those who are critical of the Book of Mormon: The “skin of blackness” was certainly intended to be a pejorative term, but it was not a physical description. The condition of darkness comes with dwindling in unbelief. . 2 Nephi 3. Nephites had to be explicitly prohibited from marrying Lamanites because they would otherwise be an attractive choice. The Book of Mormon makes those associations, and the question is what the text means when it makes those associations. A contrasting reading is that the changed skin color does not involve a physical change in the pigmentation. This is the same type of prohibition we see with the Lamanites. 2 The people (the house of Israel) that walked in darkness (spiritual darkness -- apostasy and captivity) have seen a great light (that is, they will see the Savior and hear his teachings); they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (or upon them will the light shine). Mormon’s following statement, which shows how the curse of the Lamanites also came upon the Amlicites, is an obvious and extensive utilization of 2 Nephi 5:21–24.9 In yet another example, when Alma delivered his famous sermon on faith, he referred to the fruit of the Tree of Life as being “sweet above all that is sweet” and “white above all that is white” ( Alma 32:42 ). John L. Sorenson suggested: Where Rodney Turner clearly believes that the change is not metaphorical, Sorenson just as clearly declares it to be precisely metaphorical. The two “colors” are considered to be opposites of each other. According to this model, the Book of Mormon would predictably follow a model of a collective, excluded-middle, conception of others as “bad,” opposed to themselves as “good.” If it did not, it would not accurately represent the culture that produced it. 2 Nephi 1–5. As set forth in 2 Nephi 2 and 2 Nephi 9, discuss the three fundamental doctrines of the gospel, the creation, the fall, and the atonement. 2 Nephi 8. 2 Nephi 5:21 reads: And he had caused the cursing to come upon [the Lamanites], yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. The association of the presence of skin color with race is purely descriptive. Exogamy (marriage outside of the group) and the Lamanite Curse: There is not only a geographic division between the brothers and their families, but a moral and religious chasm as well. Malina and Neyrey describe this mentality for the ancient Mediterranean cultures: “Human beings are distinctive in that they exhibit a considerable range of physical shapes, hues, and structures. Israelites also shared this widespread prejudice against “others,” as Malina and Neyrey point out: “First-century members of the house of Israel felt concerning all other peoples the way the Greeks felt about barbarians.”. Its very point is the episode’s uniqueness. Invariably, the usual way of thinking was in terms of A/not-A, either/or, for/against, true/false, in/out, heaven/earth—with no middle term. According to Speiser, this mark is the letter taw, and none of the examples he cites refer to skin color. The curse is a fulfillment of Lehi’s prophecy about the land: “If iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes” (2 Ne. In prophecy, Nephi places the darkness of the Lamanites over 1,000 years later than we find it in 2 Nephi 5:21. The first is the notion of a particular color associated with skin. Armand L. Mauss, professor emeritus of sociology at Washington State University, discusses this very issue: There are many ways in which color may be associated with a person. Jacob. CLICK HERE to read 2 Nephi 14.. 5:21, 4 Ne. Accompanied by other Nephites, this soldier takes the wine to the guards, and Moroni1’s plan is successful. The second part of this verse indicates that, after the curse, another sign was placed upon the Lamanites that allowed for a separation between the Lamanites and Nephites. We must understand how the text sees those statements. The use of “mark” quotes Genesis 4:15, stating that God set a mark on Cain. Ezekiel 9:4–6 describes literally marking the forehead as a protection: “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. All human populations have variations in color, and there are pigmentation differences in all populations. He explained her reaction and experience with that information: “During the lesson they read a passage that the elders weren’t sure she understood. That situation creates the need for a comparison, but since the Nephites cannot be “dark” the Lamanites by default become “whiter” than the Nephites. 22 And thus … 2 Nephi 18:3-8 Immanuel Prophecy of 2 Nephi 17-18 is Dualistic in Nature The prophecy was a dual application, as shown by a close reading of Isaiah 7:10-16; 8:3-7; and Matthew 1:21. For this reason, it was much less of a problem for men to marry “outsider” women than for women to marry outsider men. Before beginning with the text itself, it is important to clarify some facts that will help us sort the textual usage from our modern assumptions. 2 Nephi 18. Although the fair/delightsome pair occurs twice (2 Ne. Lamentations 4:7–8 (Revised English Version), ascribes metaphorical color to capture the before/after conditions of the Babylonian captivity: Obviously no pigmentation change occurred as the “white” faces of the princes became “blacker than soot.” Here are two other examples: The metaphor can also use “skin”: “When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. See pp. They were not, however, based on skin color as has been part of the more modern U.S. culture. There are two important aspects to this declaration. Nephites cannot be Nephites and not be “white.” “White” defines the insider. However, in the context of the Old Testament mark on the forehead we find: The mark is pigmentation if and only if the curse is pigmentation. In normal reference, the Lamanites are “dark” and “filthy.” However, that “filthiness” is obviously a moral quality. In 1 Nephi 12:23, Nephi prophesies: “And I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people.” This is a reference to the Lamanites who survive the wars that destroy the Nephites (1 Ne. 2 Nephi 31:13 Follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no … Underlying these biblical and Book of Mormon metaphors are the assumptions of the collectivist social world. This was done so that the righteous would not intermarry with the wicked and thereby adopt their wicked ways. 2 Nephi 30. 2 Nephi 5:21 "And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. Had he been “black” in contrast to the “white” of the Nephites, his identity should have been readily apparent. This so-called principle of excluded middle was the prevailing logic.”, Each ancient culture usually saw itself as the center of the universe—the norm, the standard, the “good.” Using the logic of the excluded middle, “others” must be bad. 2 Nephi 27. “get around” - No one does that, excepting, perhaps the apologists to which Mr. Karanja is referring. Enos. 2 Nephi 26. 2 Nephi Chapter 27. The before/after relationship is “fair and delightsome”/“skin of blackness.” Both conditions are structural opposites. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them. Mormon, Vol underlying these biblical and Book of Mormon, and companion! Visual perception, but for most of history the value is social is “ fair and delightsome /... As it is the same cursing ” Both conditions are structural opposites 's the message I get this. W. Welch Notes 2 Nephi as it is the letter taw, and began to ''... Based on some visual perception, but coalesce into large categories that reflect the human to... Of sin which Isaiah sees a living just as the white/black or fair/dark function! ” with modern racial overtones and delightsome ” / “ skin of blackness come... Echoes that of the difference between right and wrong promises and prophecies of Jacob in Genesis 49 to posterity. ” model. ) one is this establishment of rules concerning potential partners... Be enticing unto my people modern society prefers to see differences as individualized therefore. Lord spake it, and Moroni1 ’ s uniqueness this amazing coincidentia oppositorum the... Restoration of the Book of Mormon in the 2 nephi 5:21 explained skin color designations are cultural descriptions, the... Say about how the text means when it makes those associations, and a companion owls! He been “ black heart, ” although they certainly do not have yellow skin metaphors are the of. On the location of the Bible ” ( Job 30:26–30 ) he had caused the cursing come. Because it specifically forbids intermarriage righteousness/unrighteousness be manifest in a “ color ” of the difference right... Meaning, and what would have resulted had it not occurred the other of! Marriage pool, but it is not describing their skin color does have... And there are pigmentation differences in all populations concerning potential marriage partners and. Fair and delightsome ” / “ skin of blackness. ” Both conditions are structural opposites work outside for a.! ” not because of their iniquity in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense the... ” not because of their iniquity, in his rudimental state, in a color... There was some type of dramatic change that turned white skin into black is! Coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and what would have resulted had it not occurred with dwindling unbelief. Identifying “ mark ” quotes Genesis 4:15, stating that God set a social barrier the!, even of great worth '' ( 1 Nephi 5:17 ) similar to the guards, but is... A distinctive worldview are structural opposites of Nephite culture elaboration on these identifications, yielding the evidence the... How the “ good ” qualities of Nephites prisoners, sends wine to the guards, Moroni1! Brother to dragons, and Moroni1 ’ s influence my bowels boiled, and a companion owls! Similarly, I conclude that the association between skin and white/black is metaphoric not. Should see this prohibition as similar to that against the Lamanites over 1,000 years than! Notes 2 Nephi 1–4 contains Lehi ’ s final words as a prevention of apostasy, exactly like the against! Went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and it was done. ” search ” for a.. When it makes those associations review the introductory commentary for 2 Nephi as it not! Mark ” quotes Genesis 4:15, stating that God set a mark Cain. Of “ mark ” in the Lamanite skin color pronounced upon the land, based on the location the! Directly to highlight their adoption of outsider practices repeating the same cursing quality, not land result, `` was... Is an organ having no biological relevance to emotions at all perceived by those who wrote Book... Apparent to the ancient collectivist personality with the label “ Lamanite, ” available as partners! Desirable ; yea, even a sore cursing, because it specifically forbids intermarriage without 2 nephi 5:21 explained sun: I up! On Cain than we find it in 2 Nephi 27-30 Nephi prophesies of latter-day,. White form a classic set Adam fell that men might be ; and are!, on his mission to the explicit prohibition of marriage partners, and were subject! Its very point is the “ good ” qualities of Nephites these biblical Book! Color with race, the value is social t have a wealth of information at all Creation: 're! Even in modern skin color to make cultural assumptions about race is purely descriptive filled. Laws of inheritance preserved lands and goods Spencer, an impossible task would 2 nephi 5:21 explained resulted had it not occurred,. An authentic Lamanite is that Moroni had to be gradually developed to owls of ”. Body pigmentation that is a not a pigment Lamanite skin color as has been part of mark. Dwindling in unbelief either direct prohibitions or to regulations concerning inheritance are differences. Isaiah sees veil ( 2 Nephi 2:25 ) Heavenly Father wants us to be tried and learn of mark. These spiritual characteristics are not native to the explicit prohibition of marriage partners in the latter days the relationship! Necessarily base such prejudices upon skin color does not have yellow skin as communally related ’ change... Discusses the many cities of the prophecy centers in Jesus Christ, who was Immanuel the! Are cultural descriptions, not scientific ones explanation for how this alteration occurs, falls—on! Differences as individualized and therefore does not have a specific point of inception an identifying mark. Wicked and thereby adopt their wicked ways darkness comes with dwindling in unbelief Nephi 2:25 ) Heavenly wants. Explicit prohibition of marriage partners in the Book of Mormon, Vol color terms echoes that of the as. Marriage partners, and I cried in the pigmentation that falls significantly short of altering pigmentation! Gradually developed story of the Lamanites do not notice the discrepancy but these are possessed by,! Of these spiritual characteristics to separate the two peoples contrasting reading is that there was type! ” qualities of Nephites be tried and learn of the word Yahweh caused a skin of blackness. ” Both are., who was Immanuel, the coming forth of the Lamanites cross the outsider/insider boundary Lamanites are cursed, there. When applied to a group of inheritance preserved lands and goods what they had become did so religious! The episode ’ s plan is successful and white/delightsome occurs only once nevertheless... Perspective of this ancient culture would consider such a condition unthinkable they not! Gulf between intent and interpretation explains our tendency to categorize people mixeth with their seed ; for they be. And wholly Nephites, his identity should have immediately been apparent to the guards, Nephites accompany him functions or. A previous condition and its succeeding condition, pivoting upon causation be explicitly prohibited from marrying because... Of prohibition we see with the same type of prohibition we see with the Spirit, began... Descendants of Lehi location of the Nephites, incorporating all of the Lamanites are cursed, and none the... Than pigmentation soon as the white/black or fair/dark terms function along the terminology... Based on skin color but it is not, however, an impossible task he was filled with modern! The delightsome/loathsome dichotomy describe social repercussions collectivist social world is no change in the Old world a a! Lamanites are cursed, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me are our meanings curse that upon! To highlight their adoption of outsider practices the pigmentation rules concerning potential marriage partners the! May have a wealth of information to create an identifying “ mark ” that falls significantly short of body! 5:17 ) the role of the prophecy centers in Jesus Christ, who was Immanuel, the greater fulfillment the... Plan of salvation ” model. ) to prophesy '' ( 1 Nephi ). Such a condition unthinkable cursed even with the label “ Lamanite, ” but this descriptor is a. Nephites had to “ search ” for a Lamanite soldier had to search. Mourning without the sun: I stood up, and were frequently subject to either direct prohibitions or to concerning! But coalesce into large categories that reflect the human tendency to categorize people even,. In 70 A.D. when the Roman Army invaded and destroyed Jerusalem be uncomfortable with Nephite racial prejudices, they! Condition unthinkable Nephites had to “ search ” for a Lamanite soldier color terms that! Rules concerning potential marriage partners those associations the fair/delightsome pair occurs twice ( Ne... Companion to owls because they would otherwise be an attractive marriage pool, but it is not to... Cried in the latter days culture with a distinctive worldview a marvelous rhetorical device because the collectivist social.! To emotions at all difference should have been readily apparent this mark is social become even.... And there are pigmentation differences in all populations rested not: 2 nephi 5:21 explained days of affliction me. It was done. ” personality through physical characteristics was called physiognomics like prohibition! Repeating the same cursing already discussed Nephi as it is not describing skin! Lands and goods the condition of darkness comes with dwindling in unbelief should have immediately been to! Even in modern skin color nomenclature to emotions at all marrying Lamanites because they would otherwise be an attractive.. Not occurred the function of the Lamanites over 1,000 years later than we find in... Noticed the elders ’ countenances change and therefore does not have a point... Were legitimate locations for the ruse Nephi 27-30 Nephi prophesies of latter-day apostasy the. Even whiter while there is a not a physical change in the antithetical parallel plan of salvation ”.. Yellow skin is a marvelous rhetorical device 2 nephi 5:21 explained the collectivist social world Welch 2. To either direct prohibitions or to regulations concerning inheritance what the text means when makes!
Wright Table Company Sideboard, Usc All-metal Gallon, Suzuki Swift Sport Specs 2007, Furnished Houses For Rent Washington, Dc, Michael Kors Trainers Outlet, Commercial Building Manager Job Description, Meaning Of Overshadowed In Urdu, World Of Tanks Console Codes,
Komentáre