Further notes from John W . Welch, et al., eds., Knowing Why: 137 Evidences That the Book of Mormon Is True (American Fork: Covenant Communications, 2017), 47-50:
“What Are the ‘Fiery Darts of the Adversary’?” (47-48)
Some critics of the Book of Mormon have argued that Nephi’s reference to “the fiery darts of the adversary” in 1 Nephi 15:24 is simply copied — anachronistically — from Paul’s language at Ephesians 6:16.
But flaming projectiles and fiery arrows were used by ancient warriors both before and after the time of Lehi and Nephi, and they are referred to in the Hebrew text of Psalm 7:13 (which, in the Hebrew version, is Psalm 7:14):
The King James Bible familiar to Joseph Smith mistranslates the Hebrew, as follows:
“He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.”
As a convenience to you, I offer the rendition given by the Common English Bible:
“God has deadly weapons in store for those who won’t change; he gets his flaming arrows ready!”
Compare, too, the way the New English Translation and the Orthodox Jewish Bible put the Hebrew into English:
“He prepares to use deadly weapons against him; he gets ready to shoot flaming arrows.”
“He hath also prepared for Him the instruments of mavet; He ordaineth His flaming khitzim (arrows).”
Interestingly, the Greek term (τὰ βέλη) rendered as “fiery darts” in the King James version of Ephesians 6:16 is the same word that’s used in the Greek Septuagint version of Psalm 7:13.
In other words, Nephi would have been familiar with “fiery arrows” or “fiery darts,” whether from his reading or from personal experience. And the English Book of Mormon’s use of the phrase is entirely appropriate.
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“Who Called Ishmael’s Burial Place ‘Nahom’?” (49-50)
Very often, Lehi and his party gave names to the places through or by which they passed. In the case of Nahom, though, 1 Nephi 16:34 uses the passive voice: “the place which was called Nahom.” This seems to suggest that the name had already been given to the place, by others. Which seems to suggest that it might be possible for it to be found.
And, in fact, it does indeed seem to have been found. In the right place and dating to the right time. And it seems to be associated with a major burial ground, which fits the Book of Mormon perfectly.
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Don’t miss the Interpreter Radio Show, which will broadcast its second program between 7 PM and 8 PM on Sunday night via K-Talk (1640 AM) and the internet:
I’m pleased to say that I listened in via my laptop computer from Phoenix, Arizona, last Sunday evening — and that the program came through loud and clear.
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John Gee and Taylor Halverson have begun a new weekly series in Meridian Magazine. Unless I’m mistaken, this is the first installment:
“The Creation and Its Relation to God’s Covenants”
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An excellent 3.5-minute video from President Dallin H. Oaks:
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It seems that the Mormons’ weird, uptight, repressive, and puritanical teachings about sexual morality and standards of chastity may not be the worst behavioral model on offer, after all:
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Many of you, I think, will find this new article, by Wade Miller and Matthew Roper, both helpful and of interest:
“Animals in the Book of Mormon: Challenges and Perspectives”
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It appears that a television series may be beating up on the Latter-day Saints:
“Netflix’s ‘Godless’ replays old battle between Mormons and Americans”
Quelle surprise!
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