Further Pain for the BOM (reject, beliefs, grace, Mormonism)

[Random]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

Rational coherence is overrated.

Indeed it is, but essential nonetheless. Especially in our current state. Well said, BTW, furbals.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Melissa G

You can find the whole article at: http://www.sltrib/faith/ci_7483717.

Melisssa G

How is this 'further pain' for the Book of Mormon?

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by SoyLeche

Here's a pretty good synopsis of the whole "Reformed Egyption" issue: Reformed Egyptian - FARMS Review
The main point being:

Doncha know, that's not a good article, it's biased.

[Melissa G]

Originally Posted by Terrywoodenpic

Firefox will not open that site... is there a security problem with it.

Not that I know, it won't open for me either. Probably you can find it at Salt Lake Tribune - Salt Lake Tribune Home Page

Melissa

[madhatter85]

Originally Posted by SoyLeche

I'm not talking about doctrines. I'm talking about beliefs about the geography, history, etc. of the Nephites and Lamanites.

These types of issues don't usually come up in the manuals - and aren't important to the doctrine, which is what Sunday School and the other classes are all about. For example, I'm not aware of a manual that talks about the last Nephite battle taking place in New York. If there is one, though, I would expect it to change in the future - because it is highly unlikely that this is the case.

Just don't be surprised if there is a change in how people view the BoM in historical/geographical terms in the future. It's already started, as can be seen in the article that is listed (specifically, the term "principle ancestors" will not be present in the introduction to the BoM anymore - which is a good thing, cuz I don't think it ever should have been there in the first place).

See my thread about the geography of the BoM if you want any more of my thoughts on the issue. I'm not going to re-type them here.

I've never heard that before, I figured Moroni traveled and fled for his life and wound up there and deposited the plates there.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

I've never heard that before, I figured Moroni traveled and fled for his life and wound up there and deposited the plates there.

That is most likely what happened. There are lots of people who assume that it is the same hill though - which comes from what I am desribing as the "Primary" version of the BoM. You teach kids a simplified version of things. The battle happened on a hill called Cumorah. Joseph Smith found the plates in a hill called Cumorah. You don't bother taking time in Primary to explain why there is little chance that these two Cumorahs are not the same hill - and kids grow up thinking that they are. Then they become adults and get on internet forums and try and convince others of this

This is just one example. There are a few others - largely stemming from the tendancy we have to try and put the BoM inside a western (European) context - but it doesn't fit inside that context. It needs to be read within a meso-american context. The Nephites aren't analogous to the Roman Empire, but we tend to try and make them analogous - which leads to things like asking where the Nephite palaces are... what are you expecting to find as a "Nephite Palace"???

The "Primary" version of the BoM is easy to attack - because most of it is not likely to be true. As such, it is the favorite target of the antis. It's the ultimate straw-man, because many Mormons actually believe it - it is very difficult and even impossible in some cases to convince them otherwise.

[DeepShadow]

Can't open the OP thread. Someone want to C & P so we can discuss it properly?