3 Truths The Restoration Teaches Us About Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus is one of the most controversial historical figures. Whereas academia has demonized him, the leaders of the church have defended him as instrumental in the hands of God. It is quite funny how often academia has demonized someone whom the Church defends... Like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and many other leaders of the church or our nation. I think it is vital to understand that slander is Satan's greatest tool to destroy and discredit the Restoration; it is also essential to think critically about what you hear and what motives they might have.
With regards to Columbus, before we can go over the truths the Restoration teaches us, there are three crucial things to remember about Columbus. This is not meant to justify his actions, but merely vital things to understand as we look back at historical figures:
First, we can not judge someone in the 1400s by 2020 standards, as we do far too often with historical figures; this is a fallacy called presentism. Nobody can be fairly judged by standards they did not know; this fallacy is commonly used to attack our founding fathers and other historical figures. You would not like to be judged this way, so we should also refrain from judging others with presentism. For example, people are outraged when they hear that Columbus's crew cropped the ears (chopped the tips off) of the native Americans they caught stealing, but what they fail to tell you is that this was a COMMON practice even in the days of Joseph Smith!
Secondly, we must remember that Columbus was challenging Catholic Christianity with his claims of angels, visions, and revelations. To many of Columbus's opponents, he is a heretic. And in the 1400s and 1500s, it was common to lie about a heretic to get them arrested. The Inquisition is proof that many innocent people were charged with fake crimes and punished for political reasons. Of Christopher Columbus, the Ensign has said:
"Some of the debunkers, however, have become overenthusiastic, even slanderous, in their attempts to demythologize Columbus. Their approach often serves to bolster a political cause rather than promote a search for truth. Such activity is counterproductive, not because it tears down the heroic myth, but because it merely sets another myth in its place—the equally false myth of Columbus as a villain."
Columbus and the Hand of God - Ensign Oct. 1992
Thirdly, many attribute the actions of others to Columbus or falsely accuse him of genocide. Dr. Andrew Bibby, the chair of Constitutional Studies at UVU, said the following regarding Columbus and his critics. "To blame Columbus for all the evils that happened to the natives and to call it genocide is to cheapen real genocide and blame Columbus for the actions of others." Clark B. Hinckley taught this at Education Week in 2021. He explained that to blame Columbus for what others did with his discovery would be like blaming Einstein for Nuclear Weapons.
So what is the truth about Columbus? Here are three facts that the Apostles have taught about Columbus.
1st. Christopher Columbus was led to America by God.
The Book of Mormon teaches us that Christopher Columbus was led by God to discover America and lead a whole new wave of immigrants to the New World. We learn this in 1st Nephi 13:12, which says:
And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many water; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.
Speaking about this verse in 1976, President N. Eldon Tanner said. "This, as we know, refers to Christopher Columbus, who was impelled by the Spirit of God to cross the ocean for the rediscovery of America, thus assisting in the furthering of God’s purposes." (italics added)
But President Tanner is not the only Apostle who stated that Christopher Columbus was called of God. In 2005, Elder Robert D. Hales said, "In 1492 Christopher Columbus set out to find a new path to the Far East. Columbus was led by the hand of God in his journey." (italics added)
In the mouth of three witnesses in 1975, President Marion G. Romney taught: "In 1492, in harmony with the Lord’s statement heretofore quoted, “that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord” (2 Ne. 1:6), Columbus was divinely led to America." (italics added)
2nd. Columbus is one of only five men in the entire history of the Church who was ordained a High Priest instead of an Elder in the temple.
Less well-known than 1st Nephi 13:12 is the vision Wilford Woodruff had in August of 1877, in which the signers of the Declaration of Independence "demanded" their temple work be done. As they had played their role in the Restoration and it had not been done yet. Subsequently, Wilford Woodruff was baptized for 54 of the signers.
What does this have to do with Christopher Columbus? Everything. These Baptisms were performed on the 21st of August. Still, Wilford Woodruff was not baptized only for these 54 men; he was also baptized for 46 other men that day by John McAllister (John was also baptized for 21 people, and Lucy Bigelow Young for 70 Sisters, including the wives of many of the signers). Christopher Columbus was among the 100 people whom Wilford Woodruff was baptized on behalf of.
Over the next three days, Wilford Woodruff called upon the saints to help with the endowments of these eminent men and women. In his journals, he accounts that of these 121 men who received their endowments, 5 were ordained to the office of High Priest. Those 5 include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Wesley, and Christopher Columbus; the fifth is unnamed at this part of the journal and later identified as Admiral Horatio Nelson, A British Admiral who repelled Napoleon's attempt to invade England. (Journals of Wilford Woodruff 7:367-369) That is some distinguished company to be in.
3rd. Angel Moroni visited Columbus.
Even less well-known than Nephi's prophecy of Columbus or President Woodruff's ordaining him to the office of High Priest is the fact that Moroni visited Columbus and was the one who guided him to the New World. Orson Hyde taught the following
"This same angel [Moroni] was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammeled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him—was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven."
Elder Orson Hyde, July 4th, 1854 (Journal of Discourses 6:368).
Columbus has already had his temple work done, and he is square with God. I think that many of his critics would better spend their time focusing on becoming square with God themselves rather than finding a mote in Columbus's eye.
PS: Debunking the notion that Columbus did not discover America.
Now, a final note. A lot of people claim that Columbus did not discover America, but that is NOT true! Whereas Columbus was NOT the first person to sail to America! Many others did. If you are a Latter-day Saint, you believe the Jaredites and the Lehites, as well as the Mulekites, all came to America before Columbus! Let alone Leif Erikson or others.
BUT Discover does NOT mean to be the first to do something. Merriam-Webster dictionary has this definition of the word discover: "to make known or visible: EXPOSE" Yes, others might've been to the Americas before, but Columbus was the first to document the TRADE WINDS and how they could be used to travel both to and from America. He then made this PUBLIC to the world. Therefore, by the very definition of the word, he discovered America; he came here and documented and made known the way for others to do the same. Say what you will about Columbus, but as for discovering America and the trade winds stop claiming he did not.
I read Columbus' logbook where he stated more than once "the Holy Ghost is guiding me." He knew that he had to fullfill a purpose.
@Margarethe, I read that as well. People don't want anyone to have an "in" with God so they bully or harrass or persecute them. Somewhere we see that the Lord said He has to let people live out their opinions even though he knows what they are going to do. It wouldn't do to take Hitler from this life when he was only 18, for example, and punish him for the holocaust when it hadn't ever happened. The other problem critics have is believing that when people are slaughtered like that, it is horrific for them. They don't understand or believe the promises the Lord made to martyrs. No real point in arguing with them about it. Thanks for your comment.
My educated guess for the 5th High Priest is Martin Luther. He is often talked of and quoted in General Conference and he was one of those baptized by President Woodruff.
@Tanya,
Over the next three days, Wilford Woodruff called upon the saints to help with the endowments of these eminent men and women. In his journals, he accounts that of these 121 men who received their endowments, 5 were ordained to the office of High Priest. Those 5 include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Wesley, and Christopher Columbus; the fifth is unnamed at this part of the journal and later identified as Admiral Horatio Nelson, A British Admiral who repelled Napoleon’s attempt to invade England.
See also:
Columbus and the Hand of God
By De Lamar Jensen
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/10/columbus-and-the-hand-of-god?lang=eng#pop_001-92910_000_003
I agree, particularly with considering Columbus in context of our Christian beliefs. It should also be mentioned that the ancient Greeks showed mathematically that the world was round around 200BC. Most of Columbus's contemporaries were skeptical of his plan because he severely underestimated the distance to the Orient, and so wasn't planning on bringing enough food. Had the American continents not been in the way he and his crew would have starved.
I find Columbus an interesting example of the Lord using imperfect people to accomplish His work. Columbus was prompted to set sail, but personally he hoped to secure enough gold and resources to fund another crusade to retake Jerusalem. Despite the Lord not needing Columbus to start another crusade, God was able to initiate the process that would instigate the Restoration, which would ultimately help make amends for the atrocities of power hungry colonialists.
@Sean, Thank you for this!
George Washington was also a slave owner, yet he is revered as a divinely inspired father of American liberty. As the author of the original post said, be careful when judging historical persons by 21st century standards.
Being a slave owner did not make someone an evil person. One of my ancestors owned 30 families of slaves on a cotton plantation in the south. He treated them well and built descent homes for each family. When the missionaries came and taught him, he joined the church and left to gather with the saints. He gave his land and property to his slaves, making them free landowners and sharecroppers on the plantation.
@Ruth Perry, What a wonderful story!
If god led Christopher Columbus, then god committed genocide. The reasoning is simple.
We observe:
1.) God talks to men, and can give them divine insight into truth and what he knows.
2.) God knew that Pre-columbians where precariously vulnerable to European infections.
3.) God knew that the Taino and other Caribbean tribes could not respond to Europeans the way the Iroquois or other Northern Pre-Colombians could.
4.) God knew the hearts of the Europeans, and he knew that they intended to conquer, even if it meant murder.
In spite of all this, god led Christopher Columbus to the new world the way he did. Therefore, god is genocidal.
That is such flawed logic. That is like saying God allowing Hitler to live makes Him accountable for Hitlers actions.
Columbus did NOT commit genocide. To say he did is to both blame him for the actions of others, and to cheapen genocide.
It’s true that God has been genocidal on many occasions. He allows the wicked to harm or kill innocent people so that His judgements and punishments against them may be just. It is part of His wonderful plan of Salvation that his children are given agency and therefore the right to do wrong things. But He also promises justice to the wrongdoers, and full compensation to those who have been wronged.
He has on occasion even commanded the killing of those who were not innocent, such as Nephi killing Laban, or the Israelites killing the inhabitants of the land of Canaan so He could give the land to His chosen people.
And in some cases, He allows the death of some of His children so that His purposes can be fulfilled. In this case, that meant bringing new people to this part of the world.
We usually see death, and especially genocide, as a terrible tragedy of course. But for all the many bad things that happen and that we blame God for, or at least for allowing to happen, we must always remember that all His ways are Just. This mortal life was never intended to be forever, and death comes to us all sooner or later. God has caused the death of every person who has ever lived!
For every thing that is done, we will be judged by the one person who understood the end from the beginning. And who does all things for the good of the Children whom He loves with an infinite love greater than any of can understand. Those who follow His directions will be rewarded, and those who do things against His directions will be punished. And all who die, no matter when or what the cause, will be resurrected and given all the blessings they rightfully deserve. So we better make sure we are on the Lord’s side, doing what He requests of us (as did Columbus) and trust Him to deal with the consequences according to His infinite justice and mercy.
It might help. to remember that the indigenous people in North America.we're.not exactly peaceful. Warring among themselves, committing murder, human, sacrifice, kidnapping, etc. were not uncommon. The Europeans ( who were guilty of acts of brutality) also paved the way for the purest form of government to date. One only needs to look at the advancements of the last few centuries to appreciate how far we as a nation have come in a short time compared to other civilizations. We just returned from Europe and to be honest, I am more impressed with America now that I have seen our roots.
I'm a convert and have almost 4 years since I was baptized and my home is about 80 km to the church. When my family members ask me to visit their churches, I will say no because I was lacking of this message that I got from you today. Now I know that true religion is learning about the truth that we can found from other faiths.
It’s true that truth can be learned from many sources. We must be careful that we use the Holy Ghost to help us discern what is actually true and what is not. Other religions and beliefs constant much that is not true as well.
Also be careful that your family doesn’t get the idea that you are then going to accept their churches, or become upset with you when you don’t. It can be more of a problem to go with them when they have unrealistic expectations of you, than to simply say No Thankyou, even if that makes them upset too. It might make them even more upset if you go with them but don’t convert to their church. Be wise and prayerful in deciding what you will do.
Good commentary.
Last Sunday on the radio, Sounds of Sunday, a speech was given by Clark Hinckley (Pres. Hinckley's son) about his study of Columbus' life and quoted historians who lived at the time of Columbus and knew Columbus to be an extraordinary man with a passion to accomplish his dream. In the talk there were many quotations from that source. I am fairly sure this talk was given some time back on the Friday Forum at Snow College. However, it may have been recent. I missed the part where they told when the talk was given.
amazing article......had no idea of all those historical items.....thanks for sharing
........
From: Kevin A. Miller’s, “Why Did Columbus Sail?” in Christian History, Issue 35 (Vol XI, No 3) we read:
“Who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also the Holy Spirit who encouraged me with a radiance of marvelous illumination from his sacred Scriptures, . . . urging me to press forward?’. . . . With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible . . . and he opened my will to desire to accomplish that project . . . The Lord purposed that there should be something miraculous in this matter of the voyage to the Indies.”
Here's another great article that dives into this topic. I use this app for studying my scriptures so it was convenient that their topic was on Christopher Columbus too! Check it out if you want 🙂
https://scripturenotes.com/was-christopher-columbus-led-by-god-to-the-new-world
I appreciate this so much!
My wife and I, each year when Columbus Day rolls around, are quite frustrated that so many now wish to call it "Indiginous People's Day" in an attempt to spit on Columbus.
I have no problem in celebrating Indiginous People. I have no trouble celebrating determined kids who sit all day at lemonaide stands. What I don't like is tearing down statues, and trying to shame people who lived a hundred years ago or more --- who lived according to their times and not ours.
Do we realize that each spider we step on, each mosquito we blast with bug spray -- that we are putting an end to hundreds of future lives? We don't even bat an eye and yet we presume that Columbus set out to spread his germs in an effort to create a genocide. My grandparents always talked about "colored people", not that they had anything against other races --- thats just what they grew up with (right or wrong). I grew up thinking that Germans were the guilable people portrayed on Hogan's Heroes, or that people automatically became pregnant once they got married.
Times change and hopefully we are better for the change. I honor Columbus for that which he sincerely tried to do and hope that God will also be lenient towards me for the mistakes I never really intended to make, and even some of those that I did.