Lifting The Veil

The claims made by some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) regarding their persecution, both historically and in modern times, warrant careful analysis. While it is historically accurate that early Latter-day Saints faced real hardship and hostility, particularly in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, some contemporary claims of persecution are often exaggerated or misrepresented. Historically, the 1838 Missouri Extermination Order did indeed declare that Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state,” and it was not formally rescinded until 1976 (Church History Topics: Extermination Order). This decree arose in the context of violent conflicts between settlers and Mormon communities in Missouri. Hostilities escalated due to economic, political, and religious tensions, including the fear of Mormon political consolidation and armed militias. The forced exodus of Mormons from Missouri and Illinois, culminating in the migration to Utah, was tragic but must...

The Book of Mormon’s 3 Nephi 11 presents a dramatic and reverent scene: Jesus Christ descending from heaven and appearing to the Nephites in the Americas shortly after His resurrection. According to the narrative, He invites individuals to feel the wounds in His hands and feet, declares His divinity, and teaches foundational doctrines such as baptism and unity. To a Latter-day Saint, this is a cornerstone chapter. To a biblical Christian or a historian, however, it poses significant theological and historical problems. First, there is no historical or archaeological evidence whatsoever that ancient Jews (the Nephites) ever existed in the Americas. No reputable non-Mormon scholar has ever confirmed the presence of such a civilization with Hebrew roots or Christian theology prior to European contact. This puts the entire backdrop of 3 Nephi in serious doubt. Second, theologically, this scene contradicts the Bible’s view of final revelation. Hebrews 1:1–2 teaches that in these last days, ...