WARD RADIO Archaeological Evidence Book of Mormon Skin Curses Weren't Racial and were SELF-APPLIED!
Jan 21, 2025
Cardon Ellis, an insightful guest speaker and expert on archaeological evidence, joins hosts Josh Gehly and Jerry Grover to unravel the true meaning of skin curses in the Book of Mormon. They argue these markings were self-applied cultural identifiers, not racial stigmas, drawing parallels with Old Testament practices. The discussion also touches on the complexities of racism within Mormonism, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of understanding genealogy versus genetics. Cultural humor from their travels adds a light-hearted touch to the deep conversations.
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Cultural Marking, Not Skin Color
- The "skin of blackness" curse in the Book of Mormon wasn't about skin color, but a self-applied cultural marking.
- The Nephites viewed this marking as "dirty, filthy, and repulsive" due to ethnocentrism.
Biblical Hebrew and Skin Color
- Hebrew words for "black" skin in the Bible often refer to sun exposure and being overworked, not race.
- Words like "white" symbolize purity and cleanliness, as seen in descriptions of Mary.
Circumcision: A Self-Applied Mark
- God commanded Abraham and his descendants to be circumcised as a self-applied mark of their covenant.
- This act, though spiritual, became a cultural phenomenon, demonstrating a physical manifestation of a spiritual commitment.