haleray wrote:We know very little about Native Americans, where they came from, how many groups came, if they all are from one family source, or many. The Book of Mormon never really says whether or not there was people already here when Lehi's family came. Dakotah When you say that you were always have been called a Lamanite, the reasons that I stated above are why. It was, and is, natural that you talk about some of the race, you think that all of the race would be included. That is just human nature.
Well of course haleray, you know very little about Native Americans, you are relying upon a fictitious story the Book of Mormon. Try reading some science books for the layman and you may then know where N.Amer Ind came from, how many groups etc. "Journey of Man" based upon genetic data, written by Spencer Wells will give you answers to these questions.
From Joseph Smith on we have consistent teaching of "The Lamanites" as the Indians of North America. All the Indian tribes. All inclusive of those in The Americas and the Islands of the Seas, populated with the descendants of Lehi. The brown skin being the mark put on them because of their idleness and rebellious nature. A neat, tidy explanation that was taught for over a century, from Joseph Smith on.
Now things have apparently changed. Where the Book of Mormon says no other people ever were we are not told that maybe some were actually there but not in plain sight, or something to that effect.
Kind of like Polygamy in the Book of Mormon. Or the three degrees of Glory, man becoming Gods and the great metal smelting going on.
Lamanites are apparently now a phantom group, hidden away from the world and even the LDS church, maybe even somewhere past Panguitch, Utah where we can't find them these days.
The Lamanite Generation. "Go My Son", the record used to tell their story. The Lamanite missions. Lamanites turning whiter then their parents as they embrace the gospel. Indian Placement Program.
Maybe there is a reason we don't see any of this these days? Could it be a turn to honesty in backhanded admission that there aren't really any Lamanites after all?
haleray wrote:...Book of Mormon never really says whether or not there was people already here when Lehi's family came.
A straightforward reading of 2 Nephi 1 seems clear enough that there were no pre-existing civilizations when Lehi's family obtained their land of promise:
5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. 6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. 7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever. 8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance. 9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.
It is important to bear in mind that these verses also mesh nicely with Nephi's Columbus/Pilgrim prophesy in 1 Nephi 13.