1
Ne 19:7 For the things which some men esteem to be
of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample
under their feet.
King
Benjamin explained that the natural man is an enemy
to God (Mosiah 3:19). Since all things with God are spiritual, a man who
knows nothing of the Spirit cannot correctly judge the things of God. The things of God knoweth no man, but [by] the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:11). Many scientists and
scholars have examined the Book of Mormon, criticizing this or that, looking
for supposed anachronisms, and trying to explain how Joseph Smith created such
a work. The Book of Mormon holds up well to such scrutiny. The irony is that
the Book of Mormon should not be judged by the natural man. It is a spiritual
work and should be judged by the Spirit. How ridiculous it is to give credence
to the scientist who analyzes the Book of Mormon by the wisdom of man! His
expertise is in completely the wrong field to make an accurate judgment.
Rather, we should find the person most familiar with the workings of God and
the things of the Spirit and request their opinion. Better yet, we should find
out for ourselves.
Remember,
the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned. The common attitude of “the
world” regarding religion is that it is just that—“foolishness,” the “opium of
the masses,” etc. Such is the judgment of the natural man.