Inquire of the Lord

[Carborendum]

Don Bradley:  Here is a brief history of this man for context.  But what he says about the 116 pages is quite interesting.

• He is a leading Church historian.  He feasted on Church history since he was a child.  He was active as a child.
• But as a young adult, he came across things that didn't square with him.  He wrote a scathing letter as he had his name removed from the records of the Church.
• As he went searching for meaning in the world, he learned that the x-Mormon world was filled with people who had it all wrong.  All their complaints were not fact-based.  So, he had to find his own way that made sense to him.
• Eventually, he found that the truths of life, the universe, and everything led him back to the CoJCoLDS.
• Now he is fully committed and much happier.

As a historian, he realized that we can pick up many pieces of data that "refer to" a piece of knowledge that is missing (historical reconstruction).  Example: The BoM refers to the Nephite Interpreters.  But it gives no explanation of what they are or where they came from.  It just expects us to know that.  It is mentioned during Mosiah's time.  But Nephi never mentions them.

Joseph referred to the 116 pages:

Quote

I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon;

  -- 1830 BoM Preface.

(Yes, I note that the pages covered a time after Lehi's death as well.  But overall, it was still considered Lehi's book.)

Since Joseph Smith and Martin Harris were the only ones who could give a first-hand account, we can only look at 2nd hand accounts.

One such account indicated that (I believe it was) Lehi used the Liahona to find the Nephite Interpreters.  But he had no idea what they were or how to use them.  Glasses hadn't been invented yet.  So, he had no idea what to do with these stones connected by thin strips of metal.  He went to a mountain to pray. 

God: What is that in thine hand?

Answer: I know not.  Thus, I've come to inquire of the Lord.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Edited January 14 by Carborendum

[zil2]

12 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

One such account

Do you have a source for this account?

[Carborendum]

7 minutes ago, zil2 said:

Do you have a source for this account?

Amazon.com: The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories: 9781589587601: Bradley, Don: Books