December 20 – “A voice was heard in Ramah”. Jeremiah 31:15 “Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah Lamentation, and bitter weeping Rachel weeping for her children Refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.”
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This prophecy has a dual meaning. Check out what it says in Matthew 2:16-18 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”
The origin of Jeremiah’s prophecy can be attributed to the time mothers saw their sons being marched out of Jerusalem into Babylonian captivity, c. BC 586.
At the time it was reminiscent of Rachel whose sons Joseph and Benjamin were threatened with being ‘no more’ (i.e., carried away into Egypt; cf. Gen. 42:36). Also noteworthy: Ramah was a town close to Jerusalem and associated with Rachel’s tomb (1 Samuel 10:2–3).
Another fulfillment of the prophecy took place at what is known as the ‘Slaughter of the Innocents’, shortly after the birth of the Christ. When Herod discovered the magi left without reporting back to him after giving gifts to the Lord, he went into a murderous rampage. Fearful of losing his place as ruler, he ordered all male children under the age of two.
These things are vitally important to share with a Mormon because they give historical context, showing the chronological events throughout time, which in turn builds the Bible’s credibility. The Mormon version of their messiah is random in every sense of the word, and seems as if it’s happened in a vacuum with conflicting doctrines. Moreover, we also have the problem of the Church believing Smith’s story when he wrote himself into scripture.
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Ensign, ‘Prophecies in the Bible about Joseph Smith,’ January 1989 ““If a person thinks the name of Joseph Smith ought to be found in the Bible spelled out in so many letters, he will search in vain.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:6.) That is true; the Prophet Joseph’s name is not found—at least not in the King James Version. Nevertheless, if we search the scriptures with an eye of faith, we will discover that the Lord truly did foretell the coming of his great latter-day prophet, Joseph Smith.” – George A. Horton, Jr. (1927-2011)
The Mormon church only discusses the Bible in a way that is deemed proper for the church. The Mormons do read the Bible, however, typically they are given a study guide, which they are directed to follow when reading the Bible Any reading of the Bible apart from the study guide is not typically done, The average Mormon is ignorant of the Bible and what it contains. Because Mormons are always so encouraged to read the BOM, very few have the time to study and ponder Biblical verses. Mormon kids are rewarded for reading the Book of Mormon, especially after they report having read the entire text. Not so with the Bible. They might be required to learn and memorize certain Bible verses, but these verses are chosen by church authorities, as being fit for the LD church and it’s members. Any Bible verses that might draw questions or doubts about Mormonism, are never encouraged to be read or memorized.