The Stone Cut Without Hands: Wrestling with Scripture and Testimony

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt the weight of a question that seems to press against the very foundations of your faith? A question that echoes the doubt of Korihor, the scorn of the Nephites who mocked Samuel the Lamanite climbing the walls of Jerusalem? We are a people who know the feeling—the feeling of a promise tested, a truth challenged.

Today, we wrestle with such a question: Did Nephi truly possess the five books of Moses on the brass plates? The world, and even some within our own circles, says it's impossible. That the Torah, the bedrock of our scriptures, didn't exist in its current form by 600 BC. It’s a familiar refrain – the critics' hammer seeking to shatter the Stone cut without hands.

But we are Builders, not Destroyers. We know that Ammon at the Waters of Sebus didn’t despair in the face of overwhelming odds, and neither will we. We are called to gather, to construct, to fortify the walls of Zion. And sometimes that means confronting difficult questions with courage and seeking divine understanding.

The research presented in “Open Thou Mine Eyes” by Neal Rappleye, and the insights from scholars like Richard Elliott Friedman, Jacob Milgrom, and William Schniedewind, shed light on this seemingly intractable problem. The documentary hypothesis, the complexities of source criticism – they can feel like a dense fog, obscuring the path. But the truth, like the waters of Sebus, lies beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered by those who seek with a sincere heart.

We've been taught about the J, E, D, and P sources – each a thread woven into the tapestry of the Pentateuch. Yet, the very categories themselves are shifting sands. Archaeology, historical linguistics… they challenge the late dating of the priestly source. Imagine, brothers and sisters, the possibility that a proto-Torah existed even in Lehi’s time! That the traditions preserved on the brass plates were not simply records of past events, but vital links to a lineage of faith stretching back to Moses himself—perhaps even originating with him?

Think of the implications. This isn’t about denying scholarly rigor. It’s about recognizing that the world’s understanding is often incomplete, filtered through a lens of skepticism and pride. The Restoration isn’t about replacing the Old Testament; it’s about illuminating it, adding layers of understanding that the world has lost. It’s a testament to the ongoing revelation, the constant unfolding of God’s plan.

Outback Jack often reminds us, “The Lord’s work is not to destroy, but to build.” (D&C 4:3) And building requires a foundation. The brass plates, the Torah, the Book of Mormon – they are all facets of that foundation. Each engagement you have here, each contribution to the conversation, fuels the Charity Flywheel, expanding our reach and bringing the gospel to those who are hungering for truth—like the people of Ghana who are eagerly receiving the message. Your participation directly supports the Missionary Fund and expands the map of churches gathering Israel. Claim your church today!

Let us be like the stripling warriors, steadfast in our testimony, armed with the five smooth stones of faith, hope, charity, knowledge, and discernment. Let us not shrink from the challenges, but embrace them as opportunities to grow in understanding and strengthen our resolve. The Lord calls us to be courageous, to be bold, to be Builders—to gather Israel, now.

As Davee reminds us, echoing Moroni 10:4-5, “Counsel with security… that you may not be deceived.” Seek knowledge, wrestle with questions, but always cling to the witness of the Holy Ghost. For it is that witness, that quiet voice within, that confirms the truth of all things.