Are Muslims "Lamanites?"
Samuel the Lamanite prays.
Hold it! Don’t go anywhere! It’s not what you think. Please keep reading. Enlightenment is sure to follow. :)
I frequently contribute to a Facebook fanpage about Mormon Missionaries. About a year ago, I posted a video with this quote from a talk by President Howard W. Hunter: “If a bridge is ever built between Christianity and Islam it must be built by the Mormon Church.”
I then posed this question: “Can Mormons build a bridge between Christianity and Muslims? Please submit your thoughts here.”
Now, I want to emphasize that most of the responses I received were positive. However, there were some responses (about 25% of them) that shocked me. Here are just a few:
i wont do it.. muslim are evil ppl.
Muslims are dangerous people. It is best just not to be around them. If they are willing to kill themselves or others, I would rather just stay away from them.
there is no such thing as moderate muslim. they don’t exisit.
THIS IS THE GREATEST MISTAKE THAT WILL EVER HAPPEN IN THE CHURCH. IF IT DOES HAPPEN THEN MY TESTIMONY WILL BE LOST.
As I read those comments, I couldn’t help but think about the Lamanites.
Who are the Lamanites?
Nephi and his brothers are fighting…again….
At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, we read of two brothers: Nephi and Laman. These two brothers did not get along. After many bitter arguments and fights, Nephi and Laman separated from each other and started what eventually evolved into two distinct civilizations: the Nephites and the Lamanites.
Although the terms “Nephite” and “Lamanite” are sometimes used to describe physical differences, the terms were primarily used to mark political or religious differences. “Now the people which were not Lamanites were Nephites; nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites. But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call Nephites, or the people of Nephi, according to the reigns of the kings” (Jacob 1:13-14).
Still don’t believe that the terms “Nephite” and “Lamanite” are political or religious distinctions? Ask yourself this: When Nephites defected from the Nephites, who did they join? The Lamanites. When Lamanites defected from Lamanites, who did they join? The Nephites. If these two cultures were prejudice against skin colors, then why did the Lamanites let Amalickiah (a Nephite) become their king? Or why did the Nephites embrace the Anti-Nephi-Lehis (former Lamanites) and give them land? Because they changed their beliefs.
Beliefs, not physical appearances, are what distinguished the Nephites and the Lamanites.
Violence and Falsehood
As time went on, these two civilizations continued to hate and fight with one another. As in all wars—whether they be wars abroad or wars in our hearts—their hatred of one another was perpetuated by false beliefs. As Russian author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once said, “let us not forget that violence does not live alone and is not capable of living alone: it is necessarily interwoven with falsehood.”
The Lamanite Queen cares for her husband.
Isolating themselves from each other, the Nephites and the Lamanites developed many false beliefs about each other. Consider this: The Nephites believed that the Lamanites “were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,” while the Lamanites believed “that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and…that [Laman and his people were] wronged while in the land of their first inheritance” (Mosiah 10:12-13).
So, while the Nephites considered the Lamanites to be a “wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,” (Enos 1:20) the Lamanites considered the Nephites to be liars and robbers (Alma 20:13).
Yet we know that these things are not true. The Book of Mormon is filled with examples of peaceful and loving Lamanites (King Lamoni, Abish, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, the 2,000 Stripling Warriors, Samuel, et cetera) and it is filled with examples of incredibly honest and self-sacrificing Nephites (Abinadi, King Benjamin, Mormon, Moroni, et cetera).
Rediscovering Family
When the Nephites and the Lamanites believed lies about one another they hated each other. But when they believed the gospel they loved each other. The gospel helped them rediscover that they were a family; a family linked together by two brothers, Nephi and Laman, and a family bound together through a Father—God. The love of God helps all to see the truth about each other.
Jesus Christ holds a Lamanite child.
We see this “rediscovery of family” happen over and over again in the Book of Mormon. The Nephite prophet Enos prays for himself, his people and then his “brethren the Lamanites” (Enos 1:11). After their powerful conversions, Ammon and the sons of Mosiah go on life-long missions to their brethren the Lamanites. For a time, even Nephi and Laman forgive one another (1 Nephi 7:19-21).
So the term “Nephite” does not mean “good” and the term “Lamanite” does not mean “bad.” The terms were temporal, political distinctions. In the end, they were still a family.
As people draw nearer to God, they will throw away the labels of the world as they rediscover that all the people of the earth are their brothers and sisters and that we are all part of a divine family.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men, causes ‘His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.’ He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but, ‘according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil,’ or whether these deeds were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India.” (History of the Church, 4:595–96.)
The Symbolic Lamanite
So back to my original question: Who are the Lamanites? That is to say, who do they represent? If we are to “liken all scriptures unto us” (1 Nephi 19:23) then we must ask ourselves, who are the “Lamanites” of our world? Who are the “Lamanites” of our own lives?
Who do we view as different from us? Who do we view as “bloodthirsty?” Who do we fight with? Who do we habitually misunderstand?
Are Muslims modern-day “Lamanites?”
The symbolic “Lamanites” of our world could be the Muslim people. Like those who commented on my post about Muslims, there are many who think that the Muslim people are a “wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people.” When the truth is: they are not. Remember that we are all part of a divine family. We are not as different from each other as lies would have us believe.
One person wrote this on the post I mentioned above: “Our stake center is next to the Muslim center and the people there are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Better than some members I know. People that say otherwise sound ignorant and have no foundation to the belief that Muslim people would not be genuinely kind and good people. No member of our church should feel otherwise (or people in general). Because that is not at all what our Christ would want us to feel.”
Another wrote this: “I lived in a Muslim country for 2 years. It was the best time ever. The most honest out of the lot were the Muslim people. The most respectful were the Muslim people. Heck they even allowed some amazing LDS missionaries into the country to preach the gospel!”
But let’s take this a step further. The “Lamanites” of our lives could be people we habitually misunderstand: members of different faiths, people who fight against us, or even family members. We ourselves can be “Lamanites” in the eyes of another.
Yeah…but!
Yeah, but what if a particular group of people really is evil? What if someone really is bad? What if someone won’t stop hating you or other people? Aren’t we justified then?
Frankly, no, we are not. God will never justify our hatred of another person. It is not God-like to hate others. God requires that we love others (John 13:34-35). The nearer we draw to Jesus Christ and learn more of His atonement, the more we will love our fellow man.
Drawing upon this principle, the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “All the religious world is boasting of righteousness; it is the doctrine of the devil to retard the human mind, and hinder our progress, by filling us with self-righteousness. The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.”
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life by Jon McNaughton
In closing, I would have you remember the symbolic dream of Lehi—the father of Nephi and Laman.
Lehi eats the fruit of the Tree of Life. This fruit represents the love of God and as he eats it he is filled with “exceedingly great joy.” He then beckons to his whole family to come and partake.
He even beckons to his sons Laman and Lemuel—sons that had once plotted to kill him (1 Nephi 16:37).
Lehi’s dream is symbolic for all of us. God stands at the Tree of Life, and beckons to His whole family, regardless of their nationality, or their political or religious beliefs. God beckons to all mankind.
Additional Resources:
A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Muhammed
“The Gospel—A Global Faith” by Howard W. Hunter
Ishmael, Our Brother
53 Comments on “Are Muslims "Lamanites?"”
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This is a great article and I like it.
Famous Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl classifies people in the world into two groups: the Decent and the Indecent which would be a good modern description of how a person today would describe the Nephites and the Lamenites. Dennis Prager would argue that this classification is based on values and beliefs and that the Decent and the Indecent have a very different set of values.
People can be from all different walks of life in terms of economics, gender, ethnicity, religion, and politics and still be grouped together based on shared values and beliefs. Thus, you could have a “Nephite” and a Lamanite within the same identify group. For example, are there Nephites and Lamenites among the Mormons? Yes there are. Could there be Nephites and Lamenites among the Muslims? Yes.
So, its not just one group versus another as the Book of Mormon portray it to be. If you dig a little deeper into the Book of Mormon, you’ll find that even within a group such as the Nephites, you will find Decent and Indecent people.
Thank you Jared. By the way Corrie ten Boom another survivor of the Holocaust is a grand aunt of mine. Though I never got to meet her. But in all decency let us remember that it is in the Lords hands to judge and not ours, only he knows whats going on in the heart. But let us esteem our brother man as we would have him esteem ourselves and let us serve him as we would serve our master.
I managed a small work team in New York with devout Muslims, Jews, and Catholics. Religion was never an issue and we made life-long friends. Some of the ignorant only get their news from TV. Fear builds walls. Thank you for this post.
Who are you to say that Enos was a liar? He testifies that they “did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God. But our labors were vain…”
Wonderful article. When people tell me all Muslims are violent because a few terrorists claimed to be Muslim, I point out that this is the same as saying all Mormons are like Warren Jeffs. People will tell me that since he says he’s Mormon, he is, so if we thought he was wrong, we’d make him stop. People can give themselves any title they like–it doesn’t make it so. To be a real Muslim, you need to practice your faith. To be a real Mormon, you need to practice your faith–not an apostate version of it.
Are Muslims Lamanites? that’s are very interesting question but Muslim is a religion. Besides that it may very well be interesting to note that when Lehi came out of Jerusalem he was told by the Lord to retrerieve the daughters of Ishmael for his sons to take to wife. That Ishmael is a decendant of the son of Abraham and Hagar. His forefather being that ishmael that became the father of all the middle east, the muslims. Those daughters blood intermingled with those of Lehi’s sons. The same Lehi that is of Manasseh, Joseph, Isaac who is israel and Jocob, descendants of Abraham and Sarah. Either way all those that are from Lehi are brothers to those that are from the first Ishmael. We are all sons of Abraham, we are family. Our blood line is reconcentrated. Isaac and Ishmael run through my veins. I am Isreal, I am lamanite, I am gentile. I am Mormon. I love my African, Egyptian, Arabic, middle eastern muslim brothers. And a reminder to all. The Lord has a place for every single one of us in his kingdom.
You are getting a bit to literal. He is not saying they are Laminites, but like unto the Laminites as we would be like unto the Nephites. This is more like a parible and not complete facts.
Well in that case if you are not Mormon than you are like unto the lamanite. That does not go down well with me.
But don’t forget it was the lamanite remnants that were spared according to nephi’s plea with the Lord. And a number of those laminites who are counted beyond the sands of the seashore are literelly and spiritually inclined to LDS. Jesus spoke in parables for those who are not spiritually inclined to understand for example; where much is given much is required. He never gave sacred knowledge to those who were not able to recieve it, But he gave it as milk before the meat. In many cultures and religions there are heatheness practices, does that make them like unto the lamanites? i say no it is the individual or group that pactice the vulgar arts as did the lamanites of that time did. Truth is those lamanites referred to, had the gospel and foresoke the Lord. Muslims are taught from birth and thier religion is handed down the generations. By way of gospel princepals… everything pertains to a wholistic approach and that means literal also. Everything is factuall. Everything is matter.
I am a para educator. I have worked with children 5 years to 12 years old. One goal I have had to be able to influence or teach as many children I can. I have worked with many children. To me each child is unique in his or her way. It doesn’t matter what race, culture or creed of a child. I love every child I have come in contact. They are all children of Our Heavenly Father. They are all special. And they know it, because I make them feel special. I point out their qualities and not their errors. I hope one day each child I have helped that they know there was at least one person in their lives that cared enough to help them learn believe in themselves.
Nice post. My family and I have lived in the Middle East for the last two years and have been the recipients/witnesses of generosity, hospitality, tolerance, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence that is increasingly uncommon in the Christian world. Many, if not most, Muslims here are very diligent in honoring their relatively demanding religious commitments. Faith is everyday, not just Sundays (or Fridays). Secular leaders even pray for rain. Not surprisingly, a simple google search will show that we have many similar and unique beliefs – including Jesus Christ. Your readers might be interested to know that the first Church-built and -owned chapel in the Middle East was just completed and will be dedicated in Feb 2013. The land was generously donated by the local government.
Thank you so much for writing this. I have been struggling so much for more than a year now with forgiving others who have judged me harshly and still continue to do so. I have forgotten how to turn the other cheek and let the Lord take my burdens. I have many people in my life who try to show and remined me that I do belong. I pray continually that
I can see with my heart again. Your article is that answere. My heart is full. Thank you.
Whenever I see anything about “All Muslims are violent”, I sigh and think “you mean Arab… and you’re still wrong.”
Beautiful. I’ve been reading about the Middle East for a college class and I agree with you, there is a great misunderstanding in Western culture about Islam. They are our brothers and sisters too.
Thank you for ALL of your work. You bring perspective to a dim view of many whom are lacking a sound foundation. I work with those who could be described by some as the dregs of society. Due to the poor choices they have made (through resorting to crime and/or drugs) most have given up their agency. Unfortunately, because of those choices, it is easy for the prideful to target them with haughtily leveled accusations. I recall something President Hinckley once said, “Those who refuse to forgive burn the bridge over which they themselves must cross.” Iguess my point
Thank you for ALL of your work. You bring perspective to a dim view of many whom are lacking a sound foundation. I work with those who could be described by some as the dregs of society. Due to the poor choices they have made (through resorting to crime and/or drugs) most have given up their agency. Unfortunately, because of those choices, it is easy for the prideful to target them with haughtily leveled accusations. I recall something President Hinckley once said, “Those who refuse to forgive burn the bridge
over which they themselves must cross.” I guess my point is this, some of the most loving, caring, and charitable individuals I have ever met have been those willing to give away all their sins to know the Savior.
Excellent article. While I was in graduate school, in 1999 I had a highly positive religious discussion with a Muslim friend about religious beliefs. I’d intended it as one of our classic “LDS every-member-a-missionary moments,” though it quickly became apparent she was strong in her faith and had no interest whatsoever in abandoning it. Instead, our discussion turned to what we *both* believed. Although not what I’d intended, it became a profound spiritual experience for us both as we found common ground in the Word of Wisdom, the value of family, and several other areas of doctrine and practice. When 9/11 hit, I had another interesting conversation with her, as she expressed her sorrow over what had happened, offered sympathy for the victims, and related various experiences with persecution at the hands of people who didn’t truly understand Islam’s true nature and intent. I have since defended Islam to others who do not understand that al-Qaida and the terrorists have co-opted and twisted Islam as the vast majority of its adherents understand and practice its various subsects. I hope and pray that most of my fellow Saints can understand the truth of the words President Hunter spoke–which, I seem to recall, may have actually been first said by a Muslim scholar, though I’m trying to locate the original reference. We have more in common with *mainstream* Islam than we know, and we can build the bridge instead of perpetuating the religious misunderstandings common in our modern world.
Thank you for that informative article. Years ago, I worked with a Muslim on an ambulance. At the time, I had a long commute and with our schedule, I stayed in a hotel. When he and his wife found out, they opened their home to me for almost 6 months until I found a better job closer to home. They were some of the nicest people I know. Like you said, we are told to love all our brothers and sisters. Not just those it is ” correct” to love. Keep up the good work, Seth.
Thank you seth. Good job, I loved it
Thank YOU! Please help me share the message!
I loved this article. I worked with some Muslims at a job in a mall and we actually often talked about religion. We noticed how although not exactly the same there were many little similarities between the two religions and we respectfully listened to each. Working at the mall I learned so many things about how people in ignorance make the wrong kind of judgments about one another. This was a wonderful way to inform others about how we should view Muslims especially in a time of such turmoil.
This has become one of my favorite articles. I have had nothing but positive feedback. It’s been great to see people receive it so well. I hope that it will help Mormons in building a bridge between Muslims and Christianity.
Seth, Good job bro! Keep it up!
Thanks, Lee!
This was amazing and truly inspiring. You have taught me and gave me inspiration as I prepare my elders quorum lesson. May we all strive to live and as Christ would have us live.
Thank you very much! I’m glad that you appreciated the article. I hope that you will share it with others!
A fascinating entry and one of particular interest to me, as one having a blog dedicated to the very subject.
I like the title of your blog. Very cool.
I am reaally impressed by this article Seth! I have seen both ends of Muslims and even our Church members so, the best is, let us all live our religion’(s) teachings the best we can. It is a personal choice to be good and nice to others around us. A good Latter-Day Saints can also be a good Muslim. The foundation word is; we are all Heavenly Father’s children.
I agree. We are all children of God.
A good Latter-day Saint can be loving toward Muslims, but you can’t be a good Latter-day Saint and a Muslim, too. That’s like being a Latter-day Saint and a Jehovah’s Witness, Baptist or whatever. A good Latter-day Saint can only be a good Latter-day Saint, and a brother in God’s love to the rest of the world.
He’s suggesting that the principles that make us good are the same principles that make Muslims good. I know a lot of non-members that make better latter-day saints than some church members.
Yes! While your point is taken, Uneva, when looked at from a different perspective, there should be a lot of truth in Uduak’s statement. In a religious context “Islam” means “voluntary submission to God”. The word “Muslim” means “one who voluntary submits to God.” A definition that should apply to all of us.
Having been a Mormon Missionary and having been a Prison Officer for the past 15 years in good Great Britain I have often had interesting conversations with Imam chaplains within the Prison Service system and have found them to be as horrified by the terrorist attacks. I have found them to be gentle and loving people, many of them educated and enlightened. Having read an english translation of the Quran I find that many people in the Western World are very unenlightened about Islam. We need to love people and build bridges.
Wow. Thank you for sharing this! Fascinating!! I hope we can all build bridges.
I’ve been teaching the Gospel Doctrine class this year, and when I came upon this article today, I was struck by not only the beauty of what you’ve written but also how it applies to the story of Captain Moroni, which is what we’re studying right now. The idea that we have to protect our families if necessary but have love and compassion towards the people always is something that is so true today as well, and your article dovetails into that perfectly.
So very true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
The spark of divinity that is inherent in the human condition has only one flavor. It’s the human wrapped around that spark that makes the difference. Would sure like to see the day when that spark is the central point in every human life.
Thank you for these beautiful thought! Well done!
great..just great!very-very true…
Beautifully said!
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We shared this on our site!http://mormonwoman.org/2012/08/14/mormons-and-muslims/
Hello my friends. I am a Muslim and the article is well written. I must admit that I have a Quran verse as a major rule in my life: Quote: CALL THOU (all mankind] unto thy Sustainer's path with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue withthem in the most kindly manner- [149] for, behold, thy Sustainer knows best as to who strays from His path, and best knows He as to who are the right-guided. Unquote. Anybody's relation with God is a very special relationship. I also recall the Prophet Joseph Smith say: “All the religious world is boasting of righteousness…." which I believe this means that there is no religion will direct its believers to evil. It will be rejected by instinct. However, in many groups, religious ones, you will find extremists, that their own groups really "expel" them. By the way, I had been to Salt Lake City once, I visited the temple during Christmas two years ago, and I really felt the kindness and the special character of this City…. people were very kind and I liked them so much. By the way, this was the first time where I heard about Mormons, and practiced that they are good people inside out.
I lived in the Holy Land for half a year and absolutely fell in love with the people there…ALL of them. We lived next to the most hostile Arab village in Jerusalem and often saw many fights between both nationalities. Unfortunately, we saw the worst sides of both but I will never forget the day I saw an amazing miracle of peace come to them in the strangest form.After a long day of fighting between the Arabic children & the Israeli soldiers, it turned quiet. There was wisps of tear gas slowing blowing away in the air, tires burning themselves out in the street and children hiding in the shadows and soldiers leaning against building walls while they took a much needed break. Slowly we heard a faint melody in the air getting louder and louder. It was the songs you hear from an ice-cream truck in the States but rather than ice-cream, the truck contained candy. A candy-man's truck came down the street and parked next to the soldiers. The men walked over to the truck and after purchasing and eating their treats, they began laughing and talking with each other, holstering their weapons and having fun. After a few minutes of continued gayity, the children, one by one, came out of their hiding places and approached the truck as well. Sensing no danger from the military, they too bought some treats and soon, began running around, in full view of the soldiers, playing their own childhood games, as children their age should do.Both groups were subtly but powerfully influenced to "lay down their weapons of war" by something as simple as a candy man; something which reminded them of the child-like pleasures of life and brought out the basic desire in all of us to find joy. From that day, I became convinced that no legislation, no governmental change and no enforcement of them will change centuries of war between these people. Nor any African tribes, Irish religious parties,etc. Nor will our own hatred towards any of mankind be changed but through our willingness to feel the soft, but all powerful influence of God's spirit Only then will we have become a new creature in Christ. And whether deserved or not, we will love ALL of God's children, for we will see as we are seen and know as we are known.
One thing we can learn from Muslim women is just how modest they are in dress/fashion even when its super hot and humid outside… that is something I have always admired.
Seth, I loved this. I taught a Muslim girl from Thailand in Bountiful. She was sweet, loving, modest, and full of love. We have many values in common. Thanks for helping me and others see our brothers and sisters through God's eyes.
excellent article, very well done
That was beautiful, well written, and very thought provoking. Just because some people in a culture or religion do something bad, it does not mean that that entire culture or religion is evil. If that were true, then even our own religion could be counted as evil, because not all of the members are perfect. For that matter, nobody is perfect. Thank you very much for writting this and leaving is for us to read!
Seth, THANK YOU! I am saddened every time I hear a remark about Muslims and their beliefs. On my mission in Brazil I had an opportunity to teach a Muslim family once. They brought me in, treated me exceedingly well, even gave me ice cream. Of course there were differences between our beliefs but there was more than enough similarity to get me thinking about the scripture that God will give to all man light and knowledge as He sees fit. I loved them as much and if not more than all of my other investigators for I felt that they were just like the Lamanites in how they had faith and belief but were merely confused or misinformed. I thank you for this eye-opening article and hope every member can read and come to understand more fully of what I did during my two years of service to our Father. We are all God's children!
Nice job Seth. Beautiful as always.
Very thought provoking. I have heard some within the Church who have had horrible things about Muslims, but I have know some Muslims that were kind and honest people. There are groups and factions that do awful things, but there are many like you and me just trying to live our faith.
Well done, Seth. I've never considered applying the scriptures to my life like that. "Lamanites" around me… Wow. Thanks for such a thought provoking piece.And as far as Muslims go, one of my parent's neighbors is Muslim. They are such a nice family. Once, the mother came to a mutual activity I arranged at church (I'm a Mormon. At the time I was 14-17-ish years old) to tell us about some Islamic beliefs and traditions. I think we called the mutual activity "International Religions" or something like that. It was a great chance to learn from each other and have an open dialog. Neither of us tried to "convert" the other, we were merely curious to understand each other's beliefs and traditions. She was so nice to do that. My parent's neighbors are some of the kindest people I know.