1 Nephi 13:12

[pam]

1 Nephi 13

12 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.

Quote for Discussion

It was Christopher Columbus whom he saw, and he observed further that the discoverer was guided by divine power on his journey.

Go to any public library, read almost any detailed biography of the discoverer, and it becomes immediately clear that he felt himself an inspired man, sent of heaven to make the voyage. For example, Christopher, Don Quixote of the Seas, written in German by Jacob Wassermann and translated into English by Eric Sutton, tells the story very well:

“From my first youth onward, I was a seaman and have so continued until this day….Wherever on the earth a ship has been, I have been. I have spoken and treated with learned men, priests, and laymen, Latins and Greeks, Jews and Moors, and with many men of other faiths. The Lord was well disposed to my desire, and He bestowed upon me courage and understanding; knowledge of seafaring He gave me in abundance, of astrology as much as was needed, and of geometry and astronomy likewise. Further, He gave me joy and cunning in drawing maps and thereon cities, mountains, rivers, islands, and harbors, each one in its place. I have seen and truly I have studied all books—cosmographies, which our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt that the Holy Ghost inspired me?”

Mark E. Peterson, The Great Prologue, pp. 3, 26

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>Elder Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on">Moroni</st1:City>'s grand ministry involves watching over <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He referred to <st1:City w:st="on">Moroni</st1:City> as the "Prince of America" and said that he "presides over the destinies of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and feels a lively interest in all our doings" (JD, 6:368). Elder Hyde further stated that Moroni helped guide Christopher Columbus through dreams and visions, was in the camp of George Washington directing affairs by an invisible hand, and led our founding fathers on to victory, "and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world" (JD, 6:368). </o:p>

<o:p>

Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-Day Saint History, “<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Moroni</st1:place></st1:City>”<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones, and remains of towns, cities, and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.

This same angel was with <st1:City w:st="on">Columbus</st1:City>, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this <st1:place w:st="on">New World</st1:place>. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him—was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased and flourished like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.

Orson Hyde, “Celebration of the Fourth of July,” 07/04/1854, Journal of Discourses, p. 367-371<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

</o:p>

Edited February 8, 2009 by pam

[Maxel]

I have always loved the prophecy about Christopher Columbus. I heard it argued in my youth that Columbus was not inspired of God, nor did he believe he was doing God's will when he discovered America. However, with the English publication of Columbus' Libro de las profecías ('Book of Prophecies') it is now common knowledge that Columbus was a very God-centered man, and believed he was inspired of the Holy Ghost in his voyages, and especially in the discovery of America.

If I may, I'd like to post some information from a FARMS article.

[Columbus'] son Ferdinand was convinced, as, apparently, was the explorer himself, that the name Christopher Columbus (Italian Cristoforo Colombo) carried significant and divine meaning... Columbus means "dove," and Ferdinand was not hesitant to link it with the dove that symbolized the Holy Ghost at the Savior's baptism by John. Even more remarkably, perhaps, Christopher signifies "Christ-bearer," a perfectly appropriate title for the role that Columbus saw himself as playing, and that history did, in fact, assign to him as he opened up the New World for Christian evangelization.

Christ-Bearer; paragraph 10

I am amazed at the symbolic meaning of names of people who have furthered the Lord's causes. The Lord often gave new names to His servants to designate new roles (Abram -> Abraham; Jacob -> Israel), or babies were blessed with names that bespoke their unique mission in life (the most prominent being 'Jesus Christ', with Jesus (or 'Joshua') meaning 'the Lord is salvation' and Christ meaning 'anointed one').

I am amazed and gratified that even from one little verse, we can see the patterns of God manifest even today- as Jacob Wassermann quoted, 'who can doubt the Holy Ghost inspired [him]?'

Edited February 8, 2009 by Maxel
Clarifying

[prospectmom]

Thaks for this usefull post I appreciate it