And it came to pass...?

Question

Has anybody noticed that single sentence is used way too much in the book of mormon? kinda suspicious I would say..

Answer 1

The mormon religion is a cult.

Answer 2

Many criticize the Book of Mormon for its frequent use of the phrase "it came to pass." This phrase, however, is actually an evidence of the book's authenticity as an ancient Hebrew text. The phrase "it came to pass" corresponds to the Hebrew "wayδhî." The reason it does not occur in the King James Bible more frequently is because the King James translators removed the excess "it came to pass" phrases found in the original Hebrew.

To learn more about the Mormons, visit http://www.allaboutmormons.com

Answer 3

You know there's so much suspicious about the book of mormon, isolating a turn of phrase seems so trivial to me...

Let's take his involvement in the Occult for example:

"From his father and others, he learned something of the magical arts and developed a well known reputation as a "glass looker," leading expeditions in search of buried treasure. In March 1826, Smith avoided criminal conviction on a technicality for his role in a venture in southern New York. Later, Joseph proposed the use of a "divining rod" to validate "the work of God" and gave an 1829 revelation authorizing his closest associate, Oliver Cowdery, to continue his practice of folk magic in discerning the divine will. Although difficult for today's society to understand, Smith's involvement in folk magic held great appeal for his contemporaries, especially those from the middling and lower classes where his emerging religious movement would enjoy its greatest successes. Indeed, Joseph's ability to accommodate the spiritual needs of his followers accounts for much of his success during a time of spiritual ferment and intense denominational competition."
http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/essays/josephsmith.htm

Or the whole Golden Plate fiasco:
Joseph told Isaac that the gold plates were right in front of them on the table, in a box covered by a cloth. It was not necessary for Joseph to see the plates in order to decipher them. He could read the plates, understand them, and translate them into English, by gazing into the stones. However, in order to see into the stones, he had to shut out all extraneous light. Therefore, he put the stones into his hat and covered his face with the hat.

When Isaac asked to see the golden plates, Joseph refused permission. Joseph said that, if anyone besides himself looked at the golden plates, it would mean instant death for the person.

So far as Isaac could tell, no change had occurred in Joseph since his treasure-hunting days. Isaac later said, "The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret was the same as when he looked for the money-diggers, with the stones in his hat, and his hat over his face."

His translation complete, Joseph had one further use of the golden plates. To assure skeptics that the plates did, indeed, exist, he showed them to several trusted witnesses, who signed statements affirming that they had beheld the plates. In preparation for viewing the plates, the chosen witnesses prayed for several hours. After lengthy praying, one witness reported that he saw only an empty box. Joseph sent him out for additional prayer, after which the golden plates were fully visible to the witness.
http://www.lds-mormon.com/jsmith.shtml

Answer 4

I think I've heard that in Lord of the Rings...
the statement puts you on a leash of profundity

Answer 5

It was just a manner of speaking @ the time JS wrote the BOM.

Answer 6

yah, it happens when you write a long text all at once.
you get a favorite expression and keep using it all the time.

Answer 7

Poor writing by a poor writer.

Answer 8

What is suspicious about it?

Answer 9

It is the spiritual version of "once upon a time." :)

Answer 10

i'll make a note of that HP