Alma 7:10, Jesus born at Jerusalem?

One argument that critics bring up is found in Alma 7:10 which says that Christ would be born "at" Jerusalem. It is a silly argument to make for many reasons. What child didn't sing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" growing up?
Towns and villages that surrounded larger demographic or political centers were regarded in ancient times as belonging to those larger centers. For a major city center such as Jerusalem to be called not only a city but also a land was standard practice.
El Amarna 287, an ancient near eastern text, mentions the "land of Jerusalem several times. And, like Alma, the ancient writer of El Amarna letter 290 even referred to Bethlehem as part of the land of Jerusalem: in this letter is recorded the complaint of Abdu-kheba of Jerusalem to Pharaoh Akhenaton that "the land of the king went over to the Apiru people. But now even a town of the land of Jerusalem, Bit-lahmi (Bethlehem) by name, a town belonging to the king, has gone over to the side of the people of Keilah." (Ancient Near Eastern texts Relating to the Old Testament, pg. 488)
This same text also says "one by one of the towns belonging to the territory of Jerusalem fell into the hands of his adversaries." (Patriarchal Palestine, pg. 51)
The early Christian Origen wrote in 'Origin de Principiis' (1:22 am. Ed. 1:371 anf)
"what therefore, is predicted of Jerusalem, and spoken of it, we must understand the scriptures as speaking of the heavenly city and the whole territory included within the cities of the holy land"
In Roman times, the same definition prevailed. Roman records of the invasion of Palestine under Titus are called the "Jerusalem campaign". A recently discovered dypitch reciting discharge of the soldiers who served in the invasion fixes the place of their service as being "at Jerusalem." The precise words used in the Book of Mormon. Although the invasion encompassed the entire Jerusalem area, villages, towns, and the holy city itself.. (Light from the Ancient East, pg. 444, History of the Jews 2:302-310)

There are many more examples. For more information on this argument, you can go to http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon_anachronisms/Jerusalem_vs_Bethlehem

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• alma
• 10
• mormon
• mormonism
• lds
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• of
• evidence

[jtstroder]

God is very precise through his prophets (ie. Moses did not get to see the promised land just because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, c'mon that was close). Why would he have the Prophet Micah hit the nail on the head with Bethlehem but just let Alma get close?

[fairldsorg]

Perhaps you should watch the video again, that was answered.

[jtstroder]

I watched again. I'm not getting it. My question is (I honestly want to know) Why would God have Micah say Bethlehem (Exactly where it happened) but at a later time Alma use "...the Land of Jerusalaem" God is very precise through his prophets.

[fairldsorg]

Both the "Land of Jerusalem" and "Bethlehem" are the same place. This term of "at Jerusalem" or "Land of Jerusalem" meant in ancient times an area that included Bethlehem. I've posted more examples in the "About this video" section in the upper right portion of this page. Just click on "More Info" to see it.

Also, Micah lived in the area and was familiar with the suburbs of Jerusalem. The Nephites had left Jerusalem some 500 years earlier and were not familiar with the geography of the area

[fairldsorg]

except for Jerusalem, which was found in their records. So to say the land of Jerusalem would be a more familiar term for them, as opposed to a city that was not as readily known.

I hope that helps.

[osmiolos]

I find this argument from our antagonists lacking academic merit and forthrightness!

[loewen712]

Alma 7:10 doesn't even say the Land of Jerusalem, it says "Jerusalem the land of our forefathers.." But whatever if you can believe that B. Young was a Prophet of God after some of the things he said, then this small verse isn't going to change anything.

[canterdogs]

Whenever the Bible prophesied about Jesus' birthplace, "the City of David" is the phrase used to describe this place. Joseph Smith just flat out got it wrong.

[floydb1982]

I've personally never seen on a biblical map or heard of any such evidence that tells me that there was ever such a place called The Land of Jerusalem. This is not even talk about in any part of The Bible. This strange to me because Jesus was not born in Jerusalem, but Bethlehem only.

[KakkoiGuy1]

There is no "LAND OF JERUSALEM" EVEN THE JEWS WILL TELL YOU THIS! The only Jerusalem was the CITY OF JERUSALEM and that is what he was trying to say. Jesus was born in BETHLEHEM and People there don't consider that place THE LAND OF JERUSALEM AT ALL! Stop twisting things to fit. The man was just off in his predictions. That's what happens when you are a diviner. You don't get everything correct.

[PattyPryor]

look at a map