Replies

“Even in LDS scripture it is understood that the lost tribes were scattered by Assyria(about 721 BC) before the BoM starts (600 BC), therefore they would not be Nephites. LDS members who believe the lost tribes are Nephites would be mistaken.”

If a modern-day Assyrian Empire were to invade and carry off the nation of Mexico, do you believe all Mexicans would be gone? How about those living up here in the U.S.? So far as I know, there was no formal fence between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Given the terrible conditions of the Northern Kingdom for generations before 731 BC, would it be surprising that some of the Northerners emigrated to the Southern Kingdom? Therefore, probably not every member of the Ten Lost Tribes was scattered into the wilderness.

“If a modern-day Assyrian Empire were to invade and carry off the nation of Mexico, do you believe all Mexicans would be gone? How about those living up here in the U.S.? So far as I know, there was no formal fence between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Given the terrible conditions of the Northern Kingdom for generations before 731 BC, would it be surprising that some of the Northerners emigrated to the Southern Kingdom? Therefore, probably not every member of the Ten Lost Tribes was scattered into the wilderness.”

You are correct! That is one reason the Scriptures, the Bible, doesn’t describe the ten northern tribes as “lost,” only scattered (e.g. James 1:1). The “lost” idea came much later. It was promoted also by those who believe the concept called “British Israelism.” I think early Mormonism was somewhat affected by British Israelism. So was Gene Scott.