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I recently watched a video of an evangelical minister preaching alone to a large crowd and taking questions from individuals in the audience. One man stepped to the microphone and introduced himself as a Catholic with a life long question about the salvation of non-Christians like Hindu’s, Muslims, Jews and Mormons. He wanted to know if all these peoples were destined to be sent to hell.

In answer the preacher quoted the Apostle John who says that we have eternal life only through the name of Jesus (John 4:14; 5:11; 5:24) and thus his conclusion was that anyone who doesn’t know about and accept Jesus are doomed to be sent to hell. The audience applauded.

I was astonished on several levels:

1. Who is this man who has elevated himself to be a judge and to abrogate the judgement which belongs to God?
2. Who is He to say that I do not believe in Jesus? – and that somehow I need His approval to label myself a Christian?
3. Does this preacher really believe that Gods plan is to condemn 99% of his children? He apparently doesn’t believe in a loving, merciful God who gives righteous judgement.
4. Personally I trust in God’s judgement but not the blasphemy of this man.

I was reminded of the story in the Book of Mormon about those preaching at the Rameumptom. Here is the story with a few of my own words added in brackets:

Alma 31:8-26

8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them.
9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God [e.g. to unreservedly love all mankind and to leave judgment to God], and his statutes, according to the law of Moses.
10 Neither would they observe the performances [covenant ordinances] of the church [like baptism], to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily [and not just the Sabbath only], that they might not enter into temptation.
11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his brethren went into the land to preach the word unto them.
12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld;
13 For they had a place built up in the center of their synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and the top thereof would only admit one person.
14 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying:hat thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our [fellow Christian and pagan] brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our [Mormon] brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us [completely arbitrarily by grace] to be thy holy children [whether we repent or not]; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ [who is a merciful judge of all].
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ [with an inclusive salvation], which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.
18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people [and the only ones who are saved]. Amen.
19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure.
20 For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers.
21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand.
22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him [randomly], and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come [by contemporary prophets], which they knew nothing about.
23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their [self righteous and elitist] manner.
24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
26 And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried, saying: O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?

Of course members of the Church of Jesus Christ totally and fully believe in Jesus Christ and also that salvation comes only in and through His name. In the latter-days God has revealed many details of the Plan of Salvation wherein we are informed that everyone, prior to God’s judgement day, will have a complete and unfiltered opportunity to accept Jesus Christ and His atonement for sins. Thus, do Latter-day Saints believe in the Merciful and Righteous Judgment that Christ shall render to each person.

Certainly the Apostle John would not be pleased to have his teaching of hope perverted into a doctrine of condemnation to hell for all eternity for the innocent ans willing who are waiting to hear about Jesus.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a true apostle of Jesus Christ, has often been my favorite speaker in LDS General Conference when it comes to explaining doctrine (exegesis). He is so clear, complete and precise about it. So when it comes to the Plan of Salvation, rather than explaining the judgement and mercy of Christ myself I refer you to an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. See Kingdoms of Glory.

… the Standard Works of the Church are the measuring rods the Lord has given us by which we are to measure every doctrine, every theory and teaching, and if there is anything that does not conform to that which is given to us in the revelations, we do not have to accept it. Whether I say it or anyone else says it, whether it comes through the philosophy of men, or whenever a statement is made, that is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, you know what course to take. So far as I am concerned, I will just put it aside. And I don’t care how many men may believe it. I don’t care how much backing it has in the world of so-called science or philosophy. If it does not harmonize with what the Lord has revealed, to me it is not worth anything. (Joseph Fielding Smith, 1942, The Signs of the Times, A Series of Discussions, pp 21-22)

There is a LOT of pseudo-science that conflicts with holy scripture that I do not believe in. I feel exactly the same way as Joseph Fielding Smith. To most that will seem incredulous, however much more scripture truth can now be backed up with empirical evidence than ever before. Joseph Fielding Smith was just ahead of his time. So, for example:
I don’t believe in macro-evolution (speciation). and I don’t believe in anthropogenic climate change. Actually I don’t believe really in any theory of man that has solidified by into a “fact” just because it has been repeated as such so many times. What I strive for is empirical data. Some proof. I always expect to begin by faith both in religion and in science, but each principle must eventually, via experiment, be put to the test. Each-and-every-one. This concept in and of itself is scriptural, as shown below:

Book of Mormon, Alma 32:27-36
27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves–It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.
32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.
33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?
36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

One of my great disappointments in life is seeing Brigham Young University failing to promote and support the teaching of the scriptures and the prophets. For example, BYU could have and should have led the way for the concept of Intelligent Design over Macro-Evolution. But instead, more intelligent scientists like David Galernter, Phillip Johnson, Stephen Meyer and others lead the revolution in evolution — while stodgy BYU still embraces the pseudo theories. Apparently there are way too many BYU academics with both feet in Babylon. Fools.

Fortunately there are some really good dedicated truth seekers. I recently met Dean Sessions, the author of the Universal Model. I had read just a very little about the Universal Model beforehand and what I read was negative. However I was intrigued and I like to be an open minded and a seeker of truth, so I pursued a discussion with him. I found he had what sounded like solid answers. I was quickly persuaded to read the books.

Volume 1 and 2 of the Universal Model are big and heavy. Too heavy to hold comfortably for reading and too large for my book stand as well. I solved the weight problem by reading on my iPad instead. It turns out that’s the book size was the only problem I ever had with these books — because the content is amazing.

Dean Sessions calls the Universal Model the start of a New Millennial Science. I believe that is true. The Universal Model introduces a new scientific paradigm of thinking about our physical world that is revolutionary and that finally provides great answers to long time unanswered questions, especially in the field of geology.

Based on empirical evidence and reproducible experiments, some of which Dean Sessions shares in the books. I found the Universal Model geology to be consistent with physical evidence, holy scripture, and the historical records of many cultures around the world. Below are just a few examples which contrast Pseudo Science vs Millennial Science vs Scripture.

The Zarahemla Centric Heartland Model (ZCHM) of Book of Mormon geography is based first and foremost directly upon the text of the Book of Mormon — and as close to the original text as possible for technical accuracy. This is made possible by Royal Skousen’s study of the original manuscripts which has resulted in the publication of The Book of Mormon – The Earliest Text. Understanding the Book of Mormon translation process reveals that it was a “tight” translation, which is technically important to know when analyzing the text for geography. A “tight” translation means there should be great respect for the accuracy and the sacred nature of each and every word of the Book of Mormon.

There is much of controversy and conflicting testimony when it comes to the actual translation process. Most of the conflicting information comes from disaffected former members of the Church with a personal agenda to push (like Emma Smith) and with accounts that vary widely from one telling to the next, depending on the audience (like David Whitmer). In truth, only Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had direct experience with the translation process. Fortunately their testimony is consistent, clear and concise, as in the Wentworth letter⁵ and other authoritative statements¹. Therefore the testimony of Joseph and Oliver must be paramount. They testified the translation was: 1) Done by the power of God; 2) Included reading the golden plates; and 3) Involved the use of the Urim and Thummim — also called the Holy Interpreters. The only real question in my mind is the role of the Urim and Thummim had in the translation process.

One fact we do know based on testimony and examination of the original manuscripts is that the translation was a one-time dictation^1a,1b,1c. Some have argued that a young Joseph Smith had the necessary biblical vocabulary to dictate the Book of Mormon. However, I don’t believe this is correct — and almost no one does.

It is also argued, for good reason, that the young Joseph Smith studied^2a the language^2b of the plates for at least three months^2c, was tutored by angelic messengers³ and could actually understand the language on the plates^2b based on his own study^2d. I do believe this is true based on the historical record and also Section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants⁴. However, the idea that Joseph Smith could understand the Reformed Egyptian characters on the plates does not explain a one-time dictation into a complex Biblical style English with no revisions. This is where, in my opinion, the role of the Urim and Thummim⁵ comes in. I believe that Joseph Smith had a gift of translating the written meaning from the plates into his own mind and then the role of the Urim and Thummim (also called “Interpreters”⁶) was to interpret (consecutive interpreting) those thoughts into the precise Hebrew-like language constructs and Bible-like vocabulary that is now found in the Book of Mormon.

This concept also explains why it was a one-time dictation instead of the normal multiple attempts required “to get the words right”. Multiple attempts and revisions would be needed (double interpretation) for interpreting such a complex text without the aid of the Urim and Thummim. Nobody but nobody, on their own, would get the wording exactly right the very first time with no revision. Only God could do that⁷ and I believe God did do this via the Urim and Thummim. This was a blessing not only to Joseph Smith but also fulfilled prophecy given by the Lord to the ancient Nephite prophets⁸.

Thus, I believe the original text of the Book of Mormon to be the ultimate “tight” translation. Every word and every spelling is significant and precise as it came from the lips of Joseph Smith. That is also my experience and testimony as I have studied the text in regard to the geography of the Book of Mormon.

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¹ See the Wentworth Letter, also Doctrine and Covenants 3:19, 5:4, 10:38-45

^1a The work of translation proceeded haltingly through 1828. Joseph’s wife, Emma, and others served as scribes until the spring of 1829, when Oliver Cowdery took over, recording the bulk of the 275,000-word text from Joseph’s dictation, concluding near the end of June 1829, a period of about 60 to 90 days. (see Church History, ChurchOfJesusChrist.org)

^1b These were days never to be forgotten-to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth as he translated” (Messenger and Advocate 1 [Oct. 1834]:14)

^1c All witnesses of the translation stated that Joseph Smith dictated the text of the Book of Mormon. This claim is supported by certain errors in the original manuscript which clearly resulted from the scribe mishearing what Joseph had dictated. … Evidence from the original manuscript supports the traditional belief that Joseph Smith received a revealed text by means of the interpreters. … In fact, the occurrence of non-English Hebraisms such as the if-and construction strongly suggests that the text was tightly controlled down to the level of the word at least. This tight control is also supported by the consistent phraseology in the original text. And the spelling of names such as Coriantumr suggests that control could be imposed down to the very letter. (How Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon, Royal Skousen, pp 25,30)

^2a …Joseph began to make arrangements to accomplish the translation of the Record; And the first step which he was instructed to take in regard to this matter, was, to take a Fac-Simile of the characters composing the alphabet: which characters were called reformed Egyptian… (Lucy Mack Smith History, 1845, pp 117,122, Joseph Smith Papers)

^2b for truth is a matter of fact — and the fact is, by the power of God I translated the book of Mormon from hieroglyphics; the knowledge of which was lost to the world. In which wonderful event, I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries. (James Arlington Bennet letter, Joseph Smith Papers)

^2c I commenced copying the characters of all the plates. I copyed a considerable number of them and by means of the Urim and Thummin I translated some of them which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife’s father in the month of December, and the February following. (Lucy Mack Smith History, 1845, pp 117,122, Joseph Smith Papers)

^2d With “true alphabet” languages, like English, one needs to generally speak the language in order to read it. However, for Pictographic and Logographic writing systems, this is not the case. See below. The “Reformed Egyptian” (Mormon 9:32) of the plates was likely a altered/customized form of the Egyptian Hieratic. The beautiful Egyptian Hieroglyphic’s was used for monuments and Hieratic was the everyday “cursive” form, much simpler to write – and designed for parchment. Mormon explains that he used “Reformed Eyptian” that had been altered by the Nephites. One reason it had to be altered is that it was designed to be engraven on metal plates rather than parchment. That it also had to be logographic is clear when Mormon explains it was shorter than the Hebrew (Mormon 9:33).

In context of the Book of Mormon it is useful to understand the basics of the following writing systems

Pictographic/ideographic writing systems:

• • There is no single way to read them, because there is no one-to-one correspondence between symbol and language.
  • Only the author of a text can read it with any certainty, and it may be said that they are interpreted rather than read.
  • Such scripts often work best as mnemonic aids for oral texts, or as outlines that will be fleshed out in speech.
  • – Examples: Aztec, Mixtec, other Mesoamerican writing systems with the exception of Maya Hieroglyphs.

Logographic writing systems

• • Glyphs (A symbol, such as a stylized figure or arrow on a public sign, that imparts information nonverbally) represent words or morphemes (meaningful components of words, as in mean-ing-ful), rather than phonetic elements.
  • No logographic script is composed solely of logograms (A written symbol representing an entire spoken word without expressing its pronunciation; for example, for 4 read “four” in English, “quattro” in Italian.). All contain graphemes that represent phonetic (sound-based) elements as well.
  • Many glyphs are purely phonetic, whereas others function as either logograms or phonetic elements, depending on context.
  • Consonant-based logographies
  • – Examples: Hieroglyphic, Hieratic, and Demotic – the writing systems of Ancient Egypt.
  • Syllable-based logographies
  • – Examples: Cuneiform, Chinese, Japanese, Mayan.

Abjad writing systems

• • Script containing symbols for consonants only, or where vowels are optionally written with diacritics.
  • – Examples: Arabian, Aramaic, Hebrew.

True Alphabets writing systems

• • A true alphabet contains separate letters (not diacritic marks) for both consonants and vowels..
  • – Examples: Coptic Egyptian, Cyrillic – Eastern Slavic languages, Greek, Latin-Roman (current western and central European languages).

³ And when Joseph Smith was raised up a a Prophet of God, Mormon, Moroni, Nephi and others of the ancient Prophets who formerly lived on this Continent, and Peter and John and others who lived on the Asiatic Continent, came to him and communicated to him certain principles pertaining to the Gospel of the Son of God. (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, April 8 1875, Vol 17, p 374)

⁴ (revelation given through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery)
Doctrine and Covenants 9
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
10 Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now. (Doctrine and Covenants, 9:7-10).

⁵ “With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called ‘Urim and Thummim’, which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast plate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God” (Joseph Smith, Wentworth Letter, History of the Church, 4:537).

⁶ 5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord. (Book of Mormon, Ether 4:5).

⁷ 2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel; (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 29:2).

⁸ Ether 12:
23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;
24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.
25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; (Book of Mormon, Ether 12:23-26).