AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question I have several questions I want to ask, so I will ask one at a time.
First, are there any Biblical texts for supporting the idea of Israelites moving to the "New World"
Answer Hi Gordon,
I will be happy to answer your question. Please note that I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon.
Yes, there are some references from the Bible that can be interpreted as supporting the belief of some Israelites coming to the new world.
Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
Nahum 3:8 Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea?
In Biblical prophecy the term wall is referring to an ocean. Joseph was given a choice land better than that of his brothers. In Bible maps there is no references to any inheretance for Joseph, only for his 11 brothers. This is because Joseph was given a better land, which according to Book of Mormon prophecies would be a choice land above all other lands.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Evangelicals believe this passage is referring to other nations such as Europe or Asian nations, however these is no recorded history of Jesus himself ever visiting the Gentiles. Jesus specifically states he was sent only to the tribes of Israel, and that only through the preaching of His Apostles and Missionaries would Gentile nations hear the word. Since the tribe of Joseph was not in Israel, and according to the Book of Mormon they went to the new world, then it matches the Book of Mormon account of Jesus visit to them in the New world. Remember Jesus said "they shall hear my voice", not the voice of his apostles. Almost every Native American tribe has legends of a bearded white God visiting them teaching them the gospel of peace, healing their sick, and promising to return again. The Aztecs thought Cortez was this bearded white God according to their legend which gave Cortez much military advantage over them.
All of Isaiah 29 prophecies of a buried book which will "come from the dust" and that a "learned man will say he cannot read a sealed book" (which was literally fulfilled by Professor Anthon) which will confound the wise and teach sound doctrine. This particular prophecy does not much mention Israelites coming to the new world but is a powerful prophecy of the Book of Mormon.
I hope this helps answer your question, feel free to ask other questions as you wish.
