Millennial Star
Bibliography

The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star was the official publication of the Church in the BRITISH ISLES from 1840 to 1970. Parley P. Pratt, an APOSTLE of the Church and the first editor of the periodical, outlined its purpose in its first issue, May, 1840, "The Millennial Star will stand aloof from the common political and commercial news of the day. Its columns will be devoted to the spread of the fulness of the gospel- the restoration of the ancient principles of Christianity-the gathering of Israel- the rolling forth of the kingdom of God among the nations- the signs of the times- ... in short, whatever is shown forth indicative of the coming of the ’Son of Man,’ and the ushering in of his universal reign on the earth." The presidents of the British Mission were always listed as the editors, among whom were five future PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH: Wilford WOODRUFF, Joseph F. SMITH, Heber J. GRANT, George Albert SMITH, and David O. MCKAY. The Millennial Star was officially retired in 1970, when it was subsumed into the Ensign, the English-language magazine for adults throughout the Church starting in 1971.

There is no greater Christian experience than that of Nephi as recorded in 2 Nephi 4. Nephi traverses from the agony of spiritual battle with the hosts of darkness through various levels of assurance, obtaining relief, gratitude, then victory. Nephi’s conflict provides an example to missionaries who must look to God.

The moral and religious principles contained in the Book of Mormon are akin to those in the Bible. The Book of Mormon does, however, contain new teachings. It specifies the proper mode of baptism, rejects infant baptism, rejects the doctrine of predestination, is a second witness of the Savior, stresses the terrible consequences of disobedience to gospel laws, and demonstrates the principle of modern revelation.

Advances two explanations of how Joseph Smith was provided with duplicate texts covering the material in the lost 116 pages of translation.

This article contains two works, both based on an article by Alice le Plongeon who argues that there is a connection between ancient Americans and ancient Egyptians, the latter originating from ancient America: “New Light Upon the Prophets Divinity” by R. W. Young, which proposes that America is the “old world” where Adam and Eve resided; and “Evidence In Support of The Book of Mormon” by Martin W. Roylance, which adds that the connection between these ancient peoples is explained by the Book of Mormon. He identifies Valparaiso, Chili, as the landing place for the Jaredites.

It is most remarkable that “modern scientists” could overlook the Book of Mormon while so much of their research in the Americas and Egypt adds evidences to the divinity of the work. The London Magazine reports that there is a connection between the hieroglyphs of the Mayas and those of the Egyptians. Could these hieroglyphs have originated with Adam and Eve, or was it Lehi’s company who brought them?

Writes of various external evidences of the Book of Mormon that Joseph Smith, according to Ricks, would not have been aware of. Mentions the great ruins that have been discovered in Central and South America, evidence of iron, wool, cement, elephants, and domesticated horses, ox, sheep, and swine.

A series that discusses the Babylonian and Israelite people who established Book of Mormon civilizations. Suggests that the Jaredites were Semites. The ancient ruins left in America have distinct Babylonian and Assyrian influence. The Nephite- Israelite people of the Book of Mormon have also left their mark upon civilization.

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon fulfills a prophecy made by David that the truth would spring forth from the earth. It is the record of the “other sheep” spoken of by the Savior. The book fulfills other scriptural prophecies in Ezekiel, Genesis, and Isaiah. There are eleven witnesses as well as Joseph Smith and thousands of others bear testimony of its truthfulness.

Since the Christian world is filled with unbelief, there was a need for a second witness. The Book of Mormon fulfills the prophecies of Ezekiel and Isaiah. Using the “old” (the Bible) and the “new” (the Book of Mormon) to support one another, the searcher for the truth may weigh the evidence favorably.

Biblical prophets foretold the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Includes a brief synopsis of the Book of Mormon story line. Mentions Martin Harris’s visit to Professor Anthon. Joseph Smith had divine aid in translating.

A testimony of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is not superior or inferior to the Bible—it contains the will of the same God. Many truths lost from the Bible are restored in the Book of Mormon. Through prayer a sincere person can know if it is true.

Argues that it would be useless to show the Book of Mormon plates to the public, for a display of the gold plates would not build faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord has already sent a multitude of witnesses to testify of the Book of Mormon.

Responds to the objection that the Book of Mormon was originally inscribed on metal plates. Numerous examples in the Old Testament demonstrate the working of metal from early ages, including Tubal-Cain’s work with brass and iron (Genesis 4:22), the brass gates of Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-2), the use of steel in Job’s day (Job 20:24), the golden calf made in the wilderness, and all the gold of Moses’ tabernacle (Exodus 25:17-36).

Argues that the idea that Joseph Smith actually wrote the Book of Mormon is ridiculous and such an accomplishment would be similar to someone writing a 10-year historical work in a few weeks.

Defends the Book of Mormon against the charge that it cannot be God-inspired since its literary merits are so poor. Believes that its poor literary style supports its claim even more since good style cannot be had from translating Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Argues that the Urim and Thummim used by Joseph Smith was the same employed by the Israelites as mentioned in the Bible. The Mulekites brought it to the American continent and it was handed down through the generations and finally buried with the plates that Moroni gave to Joseph Smith.

Answers the charge that Joseph Smith copied passages from the Bible into the Book of Mormon by arguing that often the Lord does not repeat laws and prophecies to men verbatim. This is clearly seen in the Hebrew Bible where it is observed that men who lived in the same land and in corresponding time periods recorded events differently as a comparison between passages of the Bible shows.

Illustrates similarities between the ancient Nephite and Toltec civilizations. The history of the Toltec peoples and their destruction by the Aztecs lends evidence to the historicity and truth of the Book of Mormon.

Two books of scripture used by members of the Church are the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Both present God’s dealings with the human family and both testify of Jesus Christ.

Recalls Lehi’s dream of the rod of iron that leads to the tree of life. Likens those who occupied the great and spacious building and mocked those who partook of the tree of life to people of the present age who scoff at the existence of the Book of Mormon.