Another board I frequent on occasion which is not exactly pro-mormon had a discussion on this subject. Supposedly, on one of Joseph's visits to the Hill Cumorrah, Moroni told him to return in exactly one year and to bring his brother Alvin with him. If he did this, he would get the plates. Well, Alvin died that year and when Joseph returned like he was told, Moroni asked him why he didn't bring Alvin with him. Well, since he was dead, it would be a little difficult. So, why didn't Moroni know that Alvin was dead? Or did he know? I propossed a few theories but would like to see some other opinions.
Doesn't this go in line with many of the occurences where Heavenly Messengers often asked the obvious such as in the Lord asking Cain where is Abel? At the same time how do we know Alvin was not there, just not physically and that Joseph forgot to ask that he be present?
I agree, one of my thoughts was in the Garden of Eden, God asked Adam and Eve who told them they were naked? God didn't ask this because he didn't know, but he asked this to give them the opportunity to respond and explain their actions.
QUOTE (gaucho @ 23-Sep 04, 10:34 PM) |
I agree, one of my thoughts was in the Garden of Eden, God asked Adam and Eve who told them they were naked? God didn't ask this because he didn't know, but he asked this to give them the opportunity to respond and explain their actions. |
D. Michael Quinn (now excommunicated I believe) but he wrote this while he was an active LDS historian, quoted several sources stating that Moroni's message to Joseph was in fact "Without your dead brother, Alvin, you cannot have the golden plates" Now, what he meant by that, is pure speculation. I think it is very important to mention that as there are so many 'versions' of the First Vision, so many incorrect dates cited by the early members about when Joseph Smith had his first vision and even the dates of the evangelist revivals at that time, then it is very possible that Moroni did not ask exactly that.