Day 8: Pages 22-24

The reading today was really just a summary of the Book of Mormon and beyond to the discovery of the promised land by Christopher Columbus. I don't have much to say. I just want to bring to your attention two commonly held myths by members of the church found in these three pages.

1. The great and abominable church is the Catholic church (some even say specifically the Roman Catholic Church). You will hear this time and again from members of our church. This is FALSE! Historically, the Catholic church CANNOT be the great and abominable church because it was formed after the events described by Nephi. For more information on this Mormon myth, click here. It is a fairly meaty article, but well worth the read for more knowledge of the great and abominable church.

2. That Christopher Columbus was chosen by God to discover America and was, therefore, without fault. Or in other words, you will hear Mormons say that Christopher Columbus was justified in all his actions because he was directed by the Lord to come to the promised land (1 Nephi 13:12). This is FALSE! We do believe that Columbus was directed by God to discover the promised land. However, it is important to remember that ALL of his actions are not automatically justified. He was, at times, cruel, brutal and savage to the native peoples of the places he landed. We respect that he had the faith to follow the Lord's plan, but do not necessarily believe him to be without sin.