4/15/2023 0 Comments Lds scriptures case![]() The footnote reads ‘darkness spiritual spiritual blindness.’”īecause of these clarifications-as well as other spiritual clues such as the Nephites being able to infiltrate Lamanite camps without being detected (see Alma 55:1-9)-Perkins says we can understand “the Lamanites did not have their skin color changed the passages are referring to spiritual darkness” and “the idioms in the Book of Mormon are consistent with the idioms in the Bible. When you follow the footnote added in the 1981 edition of the Book of Mormon, one finds clarity in the understanding. “This too is an indication of something mental, emotional, or spiritual and not physical. There they find skin being tied to ‘scales of darkness’ over the eyes,” Perkins says. “Upon examining, readers are directed to 2 Nephi 30. “If the word black is not dealing with race or actual skin color, then the feasting mind is opened to many possibilities to explore, such as maybe the same is the case in the Book of Mormon passages that describe a skin of blackness or whiteness (See 2 Nephi 5:21 and 3 Nephi 2:15),” Perkins says.Ĭonsidering that Lehi and his family were Jewish descendants, it makes sense that they would be familiar with and even utilize Hebrew idioms similar to those in the Bible. ![]() He continues, “We see in Jeremiah 8:21, the LDS version of the King James Bible footnotes the word ‘black’ where it is defined as a Hebrew idiom, dealing with the mental, emotional, or spiritual state of the individual.” He further notes that the scripture reference guide can accelerate our learning on this topic and that other passages of scripture connect to or contain similar footnotes as the one found in Jeremiah 8:21, placing the use of the word “black” in the context of its common meaning in Hebrew as indicating a spiritual not a physical state. Though we have this clarity in the scriptures that we carry with us daily, few members are aware that this insight is there.” The LDS version of the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon help us to understand that the word black is actually a Hebrew idiom, meaning gloomy, dejected, or spiritual darkness, and has nothing to do with skin tone. The Saints, and those of other faiths as well, instinctually assume that this word is in reference to race, nationality, or color of skin. “So it’s understandable that many would read the scriptures and associate the word ‘black’ in all of its forms, relating to man, in the same way they believe it to be fact in our society. “Like most, I grew up using the term black in reference to people of African descent, because it was widely accepted by all cultures,” Perkins says. Much of the misunderstanding Perkins finds among Latter-day Saints stems from reading the scriptures using modern definitions of words and idioms instead of understanding them in their ancient context. Since that time, Perkins has been able to reach Latter-day Saints throughout the world with uplifting truths from the scriptures and break down misconceptions concerning race and the priesthood through presentations, firesides, Church-sponsored events, the African American Outreach Program, , and. With that reminder, I joined in faith that He would help me to find the answers that I could then share in helping to build His kingdom.” ![]() “No sin, fault, or unkind word, no matter how long perpetuated, could change that from being true, because God had told me. “It really started to dampen the desire I had to join the Church, but God reminded me of the powerful spiritual witness He had given me in answer to my prayer asking Him if this was truly His restored gospel,” Perkins says. ![]() Perkins had no doubt these teachings didn’t resonate with what he already knew about God and what he learned about the gospel. “I knew that Jesus Christ died for all in the human family and that God was no respecter of persons.” When Perkins began investigating the Church in 1988, he says members “were lovingly telling me that I was cursed, was less valiant in the pre-existence, and could not inherit the celestial kingdom but should join anyway because there were some blessings for me.” “I had a definite advantage when I investigated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in that I knew who God was,” Perkin says.
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