by Ethel Ashe-Frear

Created on: September 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 06, 2010

The Book of Mormon - What is it?

Archeology has always been one of my favorite subjects. Take for instance, Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. How many people know the story is based on some truth? Adolph Hitler was occult-obsessed looking for the Ark, he knew the Israelites placed it before them in many battles and were victorious. He actually thought in his mentally deficient brain, the righteous goodness of God would work evil for him. There are however many archeological findings creditable and can stand the test of scrutiny.

Several years ago, two missionaries from the Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church gave me a teaching tape. I listened to a message by Duane S. Crowther, author of books on religion, a well-known educator and Senior Editor of Horizon Publishers in Utah.

The archeological site was on the hill of Cumorah in Palmrya, New York. The location where the writings were actually found on metal plates as the Latter-day Saints have stated, the basis for their "Book of Mormon." Did this happen by chance or God's plan? I personally feel God uses people as He chooses and these tablets were to be found by the person God selected at this time. There have been archaeological findings of civilizations who did write on metal plates.

My door was always open to anyone who wanted to talk about the Bible. Didn't matter to me what their personal belief was, I was secure in mine and had many thoughts to impart to anyone who would listen. This article is written for perusal of those who have some Bible background as well as the curious. I have not explained all facets of certain words and I have not attempted an in-depth background study of the Latter-day Saints. Our concentration is on the 15 books written by the person called Mormon.

In all religions and beliefs, people in general have the tendency to include extra information, as though the true basic facts will not stand on their own merit. The writer of any document, article or book has a responsibility when adding "personal comments" to inform the reader.

The very first comment on the tape stated that the book of Mormon is to stand parallel with the Bible. Not sure where that belief originated. It is not written anywhere in the Old or New Testaments that the book of Mormon is to stand equal with the Bible.

Mormon history is discussed on this tape as three groups of people who came from the Middle East around the Old Testament times. It is said the family Lehi brought with them brass plates. As the

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