Dear Chatters, Tuesday, July 11, 2006

I thought it would be fun to Surf the Net to see what people are saying about the Mentinah Archives. I am the Chief over Publishing. As I read over what was written on this chat page I couldn't help but chuckle. The white man’s culture shone out and I thought it would be fun to respond to the points and hopefully it will clarify some of the confusion. Please forgive me for the length of my reply. Although, I do believe it is well worth reading.

First, as Kingbyu indicated, Hagoth's descendants did populate the Pacific Islands but it was through his first-born son Hag Tlouah (some called Hagothah – the ah at the end means “son of or came from”) and those who were blown off course with him. We know this for some returned to the mainland and reported what had happened. Hagoth himself never went to the Pacific Islands that we have any record of so far. In fact, he died before knowing the fait of his son. This information is found in these Archives. It is interesting, after the volume speaking of these things was released; I have been contacted from the islands and have been told these details match what they have. As more records come forth from the peoples of this earth such information will become more verified in greater details. Elder Oaks is right. The records are coming forth and they are going to come from all peoples. From what I gather, this Archive or library is not unique. Certain Native Americans have passed on the keeping of it since Hagoth (the same pattern seen in the Book of Mormon). It was not like the Dead Sea Scrolls. This library was not found and then the scholars came in to try to translate and peace it back together. No, this library, the Mentinah Archives, was intact. It even had a card catalog type system so one could quickly find whatever record they were looking for. This is not unusual among the Native Americans, there are many such libraries, which are intact and have been protected from the white man. Most of you should know of one of these libraries. Joseph Smith and others have testified of the library in the Hill Camorah. Whether it is in the hill we call Camorah or not, I don’t know. We also know that library exists for the Mentinah Archives speaks of it, for Samuel the Lamanite was in charge of it after he returned from preaching to the Nephites. Now, since the release of the first volume the Mentinah library has been moved to protect it since some of the artifacts had been stolen. The Native Americans have and are doing all they can to protect their records. It will not surprise me that the same has been done throughout the world. But those stuck in white man thinking will be looking for the scholars instead of who the Lord is raising up to bring forth the records. And they will most likely do as Elder Oaks hoped they wouldn’t and that is reject the records like the Book of Mormon was rejected.

Second, Kingbyu used the appearance of the website as evidence that the Archives are a prank. That’s funny. Kingbyu, we are not trying to impress anyone. The only reason these records are being released is the Lord said it is time. I doubt very seriously that the translators would have released them otherwise. These records are sacred to them and their families and the last thing they would want is to give it to the white man to be disrespected like the countless other sacred things of theirs in the past. They won’t release anything to please the white man, but they did for God. Although, I have heard Cloudpiler on many occasions tell people not to read the Archives. He knows the culture of the area he lives. Very few would respect and see value in these records, or respect those called to bring them forth. Who can blame him for giving such advice? As far as the website, it is sufficient to fulfill its purpose. It is easy to update, and easy to use. There are those who see a “rock” and dismiss it, while others who have taken the time to be educated recognize the treasure inside that “rock”. Likewise, these records: The Prophets and the Lord have been very clear the purpose of the records coming forth. Among those things is to bring forth the treasures of knowledge that have been lost or altered, to expose the truth. Many think that means to verify the belief system their culture has evolved into believing. Many thought that of the Book of Mormon and automatically rejected it because they had their interpretations of the Bible. Many today will reject the records coming forth (not just the Mentinah Archives) because they have their interpretation of the Book of Mormon and the things that were revealed in the commencement of the restoration. The fact is, if we took everything that has been revealed and compared it to a grain of sand. What is coming and what will come is like comparing that grain of sand to a mountain. Comparably, we don’t know anything yet. And every time the Lord has revealed something it has always clarified or completely altered the interpretations man had put on His words they already had. Thus, those who have ears to hear will hear and those who have eyes to see will see. Those who don’t won’t. Unlike Cloudpiler, I have always recommended people to read these records, but very few do for they reason why they should read the “Book of Mormon” when they have the “Bible” and they believe in philosophies which are simply not true. For example, today, many LDS people believe that prophets are only those called to the leadership of their church and that they are the only ones who have the right to reveal truths to the world. That is simply not true, if it was Samuel the Lamanite, Mormon, Moroni, Lehi, Abenidi, and countless other Book of Mormon and Bible prophets could not be considered as prophets. The fact is, anyone who has been warned has been commanded to warn his neighbor. That is a prophet and we live in a day where the Lord has sent countless prophets both inside and outside the LDS church to warn the people. Much of those warnings have been ignored because it does not go along with the lifestyles of those who were warned. Thus, we are in perilous times and all the destructions, which we have been warned against, is at our doors just like Jerusalem at the time of Lehi.

Third, Rockboy indicated a sign the Archives is a hoax is that the translators would have sought to have it published in a peer review journal, to have it independently checked for correctness, to verify original record date and show the records. Under his analysis the Book of Mormon must not be true. How many of you believe Rockboy is right? I don’t and I don’t think he does either if he really thought about what he is saying. Most of you know the pattern to find the truth of all things. You used it to find the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and my guess many of you went on missions and have taught it to others. We have been commanded not to rely on the arm of flesh, but on God’s arm. As stated before, the translators have no interest in what the white man views as proof. They know the only way anyone can know if these records are authentic and most of all if their translations are correct is by the proper witness of the Holy Ghost. They know they translated the best they could; that they are confident that 60-65% is accurate. It is not to say 35-40% is totally wrong, it is just that there were no words in our language to accurately describe what they were translating, so they had to use the best words they could, knowing it was not completely accurate. Anyone who has translated from one language to another knows this problem exists and they have to do the same thing. If you read these records with the same attitude, etc. as you did the Book of Mormon, the Lord will likewise witness the truthfulness of them. There are many, like myself, who have received that witness and more. If you don’t do that you will forever conjecture and never come to the knowledge of the truth. Now, is it appropriate to force these records on churches or groups? No, it is not. The Lord is giving these records to those who want them. Most people are perfectly happy with what they have and the Lord is working with them to the degree they will allow Him. On the other hand, there are countless others who have been begging the Lord for more and the Lord is not a liar. Those who ask will receive. I suspect history will repeat itself where those who don’t want more will ignore the principles of the Gospel they already have and seek to force their beliefs on those who do want more. Maybe that will be the great split that has been prophesied of the people in our day. Time will tell. We have been told that revelation and guidance of the Holy Ghost will be required to make it through whatever it is that is coming. It seems the two sides are clearly visible. There are those who are humble and turn to God and then there are the others who seek the proof from man, even men they consider holy because of their titles, for they view their words higher than getting it for themselves directly from God. It is a sad day when God’s word has been so altered that instead of trusting no one (even the prophet) unless one receives a proper confirmation from the Holy Ghost, most believe the opposite. That is scary, but it is also a fulfillment of prophecy.

Fourth, it is good to be skeptical, but not to the point where one becomes unteachable. What Steez909 said is absolutely true. There are many who are bringing forth records, which are not true. Satan always has his counterfeits. But God has not left us without a way to know what is true and what is not. Again, follow the same patter you used to get a witness of the Book of Mormon. If you alter the pattern, all bets are off that you will receive a proper witness. I don’t know about you, but I have seen people who absolutely do not believe the Book of Mormon could possibly be true and they do receive some kind of witness supporting their viewpoint. I don’t know if it is the Holy Ghost is verifying the truth that altering God’s words is wrong and since they believe that is what the Book of Mormon is doing, then it is proof to them it is incorrect, or if an evil spirit was able to deceive them. I don’t know. All I know is I have received the sweet peace from reading the Book of Mormon and I believe it is a witness that it is authentic. I have also received the same with these Archives with the clear understanding it needs to be read as apocrypha like any other record. Those of us who have been called to bring them forth are not scholars. But we are doing the best we can to fulfill what the Lord has asked us to do.

To end, I wanted to say there is still a lot more to come with the Mentinah Archives. Four of he five translators have completed the translations; they have each have translated the same records. As the fifth one completes they compare their translations to be released in English. It is then my responsibility to see it is put up on the website and publish the volumes. None of the translators receive any financial benefit for what they have done. The Archives are slowly coming out because the translators have other responsibilities besides translating, like feeding their families. Also, the reason so few people know about these records is because we simply do not have the means to let the people know any faster. If we had the money we would put up billboards, etc. The best we have been able to do is hand out flyers and word of mouth. Hopefully more people will realize the critical value of these records and donate whatever means they have to help get them out. I don’t really expect that from the culture here for most wait until the Church makes a move instead of being anxiously engaged in a good cause. I doubt very seriously that the Church will ever make a move, for there are many prophecies that seem to sustain that doubt. But I would be thrilled to find myself wrong. Those who want a better idea of what the Lord is doing to bring forth these translations can go back and study how the Lord did it with Joseph Smith. It is very similar. The heavens are opened. The original writers and God are very much involved in helping the translators. This should not be a surprise to anyone, yet it is a great stumbling block for many because of the condition the prophets and Christ said the Church and the world would be in in our day. For example, there are those who simply do not believe that God will allow anyone to be a translator unless he is one of the General Authorities of the Church. They don’t recognize that Joseph Smith was a translator before he was called to be the head of the Church. The fact is, God can call anyone He wants to be a translator, even an ignorant farm boy. Heck, there are many who are called on missions and have to translate from one language to another. The idea that God is only allowed to use certain people to translate from one language to another is ridiculous. Those who have ears to hear will hear and those who are so caught up in the world and the doctrines of man mingled with scripture will be limited in what they hear. In fact, we will all be limited in our hearing based on the limits we individually set. It should not be a surprise that the records coming forth are doing exactly what they are suppose to be doing, even revealing hidden knowledge and understandings. There are great things in the future. The many different records coming forth are like opening the floodgates for what is to come. Jesus is the Christ and all the prophecies of our day are and will be fulfilled.

Sincerely,
Ea-lea Powitz Peopeo