Elder McConkie wrote that Eve really wasn't created from the rib of Adam, that it was symbolic of their equality. I guess that means it isn't a secular history, eh? There is history in the Bible and BoM. However, they weren't written to be secular histories. They were written primarily to be books of holy writings, with history intermingled. A secular history concentrates on the historical side. Had the Bible and BoM been secular histories, we would have very little on the religious information except as it fit into the regular history. Instead, Nephi tells us that his book of secular history was contained on the large plates (history of kings, wars, etc), and the small plates (BoM) were to concentrate primarily on spiritual issues. Is Isaiah a secular history? No. Are there historical issues in it? Yes. But it concentrates on spiritual themes, not on secular history. Same with most of the writings in the Bible, with few exceptions (like Esther or Chronicles).
Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Jesus are all historical people. However, how to know if every story in the Bible is historical concerning them is another thing. Just looking at the many extra-Biblical writings there are telling stories on Abraham, Seth, Noah, Melchizedek, and others, show us that these ancient stories may or may not be true. Many ancient stories about Jesus' childhood are obviously faith-promoting, but false stories. Yet thousands of early Christians believed these stories. Does that make them historical? No. And in this same vein, we are not sure just which specific stories are totally accurate in the Bible. We already know that the Songs of Solomon is uninspired, according to Joseph Smith. But how do we know other issues? King David was historical, however archaeology suggests that his kingdom wasn't as great as it is described in the Bible. Did David's scribes "enhance" his victories to establish him as a great regional king? Archaeology also shows that Jericho didn't have the "walls tumbling down" when Joshua fought it. Joshua is historical, but the Bible isn't a secular history. It was written for two things: to make Jehovah as great (or greater) than the other regional gods, and to show the Israelites conquering everyone. But today's evidence shows there was little conquest, and mostly just integration with other Semites/Canaanites in the area. In fact, the Bible also suggests this as we see many nations dwelt in their midst. Dan seems to disappear from the Bible, probably being absorbed among the Sea Peoples (according to Trude Dothan, Philistine and Sea People expert). So, Marc is right. There is history, and these are historical people. But since the Bible wasn't written as a secular history, we don't know how much is actual history and how much is propaganda to make Israel look bigger and more important than it originally was among the other nations. The BoM also isn't a secular history, as I said above. There are hundreds of years covered in just a few pages (Omni, Jarom), which isn't usually done in a secular history. A secular history also wouldn't cover so much preaching. Also, it would concentrate on the kings' activities, rather than the chief priests. It is a spiritual history with historical events included. BTW, had it been a secular history, it would probably be easier to find where the Nephites and Lamanites really were on the American continent, because it would have described their cities, rivers, and events better. K'aya K'ama, Gerald/gary Smith gszion1 @juno.com http://www .geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html "No one is as hopelessly enslaved as the person who thinks he's free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Paul: If this was so, the apostles and prophets from Joseph Smith on would have told us so. everything I have ever heard from modern prophets teaches that the old history of the world is true and historical unless you choose to believe that our religion is based upon lies, fairy tales, and faith promoting nonsense. I suppose you might also think Moses was a myth because there is not one scrap of credible evidence of Moses or the Israelites in Egypt and I hope you don't choose to argue this point with me because you will loose big time. So beware! ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
