Please Explain how Joseph Smith could have possibly authored the Book of Mormon.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I agree with everything you've said, Clown (isn't there something better we could call you?) . Personally, it is inconceivable to me that Joseph Smith could have done what he did on his own. The book is, in my opinion, clearly an ancient record and is exactly what it purports to be. I don't expect to be able to convince anyone of that. As a matter of fact, I can pretty much guarantee that it won't be long before this thread becomes what all other threads over the years on this subject have become -- if it doesn't get closed first. I may possibly contribute a thought here and there, but I would agree with you that the proof of the Book of Mormon's claims lie within the message it teaches, and that message can only be confirmed by the witness of the Holy Ghost. Right now, I'm so sick and tired of defending my beliefs against the most recent attacks against it that I quite frankly don't care what people have to say anymore.

It is like I have said over and over..
No one has proven that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is wrong.
ALL they have done is shown how Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is DIFFERENT.

[misanthropic_clown]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I don't understand what you're saying.

All I'm saying is that there is no real way for you to prove any one of these three options is better than the others:

1 - Joseph Smith was inspired of God

2- Joseph Smith was inspired by the Devil

3 - Joseph Smith got lucky

If anybody is originally attracted to any one of those ideas, like Katzpur has said, they won't be particularly receptive to evidence supporting the other two. It is more a matter of what your opinion is more than what little can be demonstrated factually.

For example, an atheist is inclined to say Joseph got lucky (or otherwise cheated) because the other two rely on the supernatural, and he/she will not be receptive to things trying to prove a supernatural element.

Oh, and Katzpur: Clown is fine. I picked the name because I tend not to take myself seriously. Being called a clown, therefore, serves to act as a reminder not to start bad habits now.

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I agree with everything you've said, Clown (isn't there something better we could call you?) . Personally, it is inconceivable to me that Joseph Smith could have done what he did on his own. The book is, in my opinion, clearly an ancient record and is exactly what it purports to be. I don't expect to be able to convince anyone of that. As a matter of fact, I can pretty much guarantee that it won't be long before this thread becomes what all other threads over the years on this subject have become -- if it doesn't get closed first. I may possibly contribute a thought here and there, but I would agree with you that the proof of the Book of Mormon's claims lie within the message it teaches, and that message can only be confirmed by the witness of the Holy Ghost. Right now, I'm so sick and tired of defending my beliefs against the most recent attacks against it that I quite frankly don't care what people have to say anymore.

It saddens me that my Mormon brothers and sisters find themselves in positions, too often, where they feel the need to defend their beliefs. It's okay for people to simply agree to disagree on religious topics, including religious texts. It's sad when people place others in the position where they have to explain themselves over matters of faith.

Once,a beautiful Mormon I know mailed me a copy of the Book of Mormon. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Holy Spirit touched me as I read. Keep your chin up and know that though there are many who want you to put on the punching gloves over your faith...there are many, still, who simply love you for who you are and thank you for your testimony, even if the testimony slighly differs from their own.

In line with the OP, I don't know how Joseph Smith accomplished what he did. I know little of Joseph Smith. I don't know if he received divine guidance or not but I don't think it really matters. He has influenced so many lives for the better. Many have found Christ because of him. And for that...I say Amen.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

It saddens me that my Mormon brothers and sisters find themselves in positions, too often, where they feel the need to defend their beliefs. It's okay for people to simply agree to disagree on religious topics, including religious texts. It's sad when people place others in the position where they have to explain themselves over matters of faith.

Once,a beautiful Mormon I know mailed me a copy of the Book of Mormon. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Holy Spirit touched me as I read. Keep your chin up and know that though there are many who want you to put on the punching gloves over your faith...there are many, still, who simply love you for who you are and thank you for your testimony, even if the testimony slighly differs from their own.

In line with the OP, I don't know how Joseph Smith accomplished what he did. I know little of Joseph Smith. I don't know if he received divine guidance or not but I don't think it really matters. He has influenced so many lives for the better. Many have found Christ because of him. And for that...I say Amen.

What a lovely post.

I just wish some non-LDS would stop dismissing the BoM as a fictional work, written by a poor, uneducated young man. If they can't explain it, then they shouldn't try. I've been studying it (again) this year in depth, and continue to marvel over the sheer miracle of it.

And it's very true that the obvious is never obvious when we don't want it to be.

[fantôme profane]

Originally Posted by Starfish

What a lovely post.

I just wish some non-LDS would stop dismissing the BoM as a fictional work, written by a poor, uneducated young man. If they can't explain it, then they shouldn't try. I've been studying it (again) this year in depth, and continue to marvel over the sheer miracle of it.

And it's very true that the obvious is never obvious when we don't want it to be.

If people treat you with respect why does it really matter what they think of this book.

(if they don’t treat you with respect that is another matter)

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by fantôme profane

If people treat you with respect why does it really matter what they think of this book.

(if they don’t treat you with respect that is another matter)

Point taken.

What I'm saying: I don't know anything about the Koran, so I don't express an opinion one way or another.

If someone is going to express a dismissal of the BoM as a fictional work by Joseph Smith, then they need to give sufficient evidence. Otherwise, say nothing.


Side note to my LDS friends: I fully realize that no one is ever converted by anything other than the Holy Ghost. All the evidences in the world do nothing, until a person is ready to listen to the Spirit.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by Starfish

If someone is going to express a dismissal of the BoM as a fictional work by Joseph Smith, then they need to give sufficient evidence. Otherwise, say nothing.

Interesting how this is a one sided coin issue for many.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

It's okay for people to simply agree to disagree on religious topics, including religious texts.

You and I are absolute proof of that, aren't we Dawny? There are a number of doctrine on which we will probably never agree, and yet neither one of us feels as if anything at all would be gained by either of us trying to prove the other one wrong. If only all human beings were... "just Dawn."