Questions I Would Like to Ask – Part XX-A

Using strictly the scriptures, I would like to ask the following questions in this three-part series of Hugh B. Nibley (far left) and John L. Sorenson (left), both of which have written extensively about other people in the Land of Promise along with those main lines mentioned in the scriptural record.
    The question to ask is quite simple and strictly scripturally based:
    20. “Where did the other people come from and why is there absolutely no mention, suggestion or even hint of them in the scriptural record you claim co-existed in the Land of Promise along with the Jaredites, Nephites, Mulekites and Lamanites?”
    First, Nibley and Sorenson, as well as John Clark and numerous other Mesoamerican Theorists have for several years been claiming that other people occupied the Land of Promise, despite the fact that none are mentioned at any time over a 2500 year period from the Jaredites to the Lamanites.
    Second, without a single mention or any scriptural evidence whatever, these theorists are rock solid in their belief and promotion of other peoples in the Land of Promise other than the Jaredites, Nephites, Mulekites and Lamanites.

The Flood of Noah as recorded in Genesis and the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. Both records bear witness that the Flood occurred and date it to 2344 B.C.
    Third, who these "other" people were is not known, other than through sketchy and questionable Mesoamerican history and archaeological claims, many stretching back before the Flood as though the Flood never occurred.
    Fourth, yet, despite all this effort to convince us that others existed, Mormon, who had all the records of the Nephites, as evidenced by his comment: “And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi” (Words of Mormon 1:3, emphasis mine), not one word is written or implied that there were any other people in the Land of Promise.
    Fifth, the Nephites spread through the entire land of promise, from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea east to the sea west (Helaman 3:8), yet not one word of encountering any other people in the entire Land of Promise, which they filled from sea to sea.

Sixth, in addition, the Nephites were involved in building of ships and in shipping (Helaman 3:14), obviously they would have been involved in such areas as trade and shipping of goods (Helaman 3:10), and would have encountered anyone else in the land. Yet, not one word is mentioned in any way to even hint at such a possibility.
    Seventh, there is simply no way for anyone to claim such a monumental event as having untold numbers of other people in the land and around the Nephites that went unmentioned.
    Eighth, the Jaredites were driven back and forth upon the entire Land Northward, fighting battles of extermination, leaving bodies of men, women and children strewn across the entire land (Ether 14:22), yet not a word is mentioned about any other people in their land northward.
    Ninth, Mormon, himself, was involved in fighting battles and gathering everyone into his army from the Land of Zarahemla to the Land of Many Waters in the far north, yet not one word about any other people.
    Tenth, Sorenson, in his book An American Setting for the Book of Mormon, and subsequent writings, disparages the Nephite prophets, calling them scribes and record keepers, and claiming they had no interest in anyone else other than their Nephite nation, and ignored all the other people in the land, etc.; however, in speaking of the prophets of the Nephite period, the Lord said: “Yes, and this was their faith—that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions. Now this is not all—their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possesses this land; and thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life; yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be” (D&C 10:48-51). Prophets, after all, are called of God, are inspired in their writing, sometimes constrained from writing more than the Lord wants, and have been remarkable and spiritual men down through the ages. To think that they would ignore any other people in the land is without merit.

Eleventh, these Nephite prophets did not mention any other people living in the Land of Promise during their period, and, in fact, the Lord makes it clear that they prayed that, “if it were possible that other nations should possesses this land…” obviously, not knowing if other people would be involved in this land and if they would be a nation, a people, a kindred, or a tongue, for the Lord said “of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be…” and that the concern of these prophets was for their enemies, the Lamanites, and surely, if they prayed for God to bless their enemies who wanted to kill and annihilate them, would they not also have extended their request to the Lord to bless all those Nibley and Sorenson claimed were upon the land that were not Nephites or Lamanites?
    So the questions is asked again, “Where did the other people come from and why is there absolutely no mention, suggestion or even hint of them in the scriptural record you claim co-existed in the Land of Promise along with the Jaredites, Nephites, Mulekites and Lamanites?”
(See the next post, Questions I Would Like to Ask – Part XX-B, for more on this question)