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

[DeepShadow]

I see your point, Scott, but you are comparing apples and oranges. Starfish is talking about the origins of the book itself, while you are talking about contents. It's like finding a dime-store novel on the moon--the fact that it exists is mysterious even if the book itself is incredibly dull and predictable.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

I have read the BoM three or four times in my life.

Comparing it to the language and literature of the Bible or the Qur'an or The Hidden Words, or The Baghavad Gita, or the Vedas in my estimation leaves the BoM a third rate effort.

It does NOT spiritually thrill me while the other words DO.

How do you explain that?

Regards,
Scott

I can't. It continues to impress me.

Why did you read it 3 or 4 times?

[fire]

We just see things differently. I don't think it really matters to God who is right. what matters is what you do with what God has given you, how we treat others, and our reverence and love for God.

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I can't. It continues to impress me.

Why did you read it 3 or 4 times?

Once when I was about thirteen sitting out a rainy day for a tennis tournament and there was nothing else to read in the motel.

Second when I was fifteen going on sixteen and had a doubles partner who was Mormon, I wen t through the missionary teaching sessions and read it in conjunction with that.

That was not the best experience I ever had.

Later when my first wife got interested in exploring the Mormon Church when I was twenty-four or so.

Since then I have re-read large chunks pursuant to discussions on forums like this.

Regards,
Scott

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

Once when I was about thirteen sitting out a rainy day for a tennis tournament and there was nothing else to read in the motel.

Second when I was fifteen going on sixteen and had a doubles partner who was Mormon, I wen t through the missionary teaching sessions and read it in conjunction with that.

That was not the best experience I ever had.

Later when my first wife got interested in exploring the Mormon Church when I was twenty-four or so.

Since then I have re-read large chunks pursuant to discussions on forums like this.

Regards,
Scott

Okay, Thanks.

[spiritually inclined]

I have read the BoM three or four times in my life.

Comparing it to the language and literature of the Bible or the Qur'an or The Hidden Words, or The Baghavad Gita, or the Vedas in my estimation leaves the BoM a third rate effort.

It does NOT spiritually thrill me while the other words DO.

How do you explain that?

Regards,
Scott

True that. The quality of the spiritual content of the Book of Mormon is really a matter of opinion.

James

[DeepShadow]

...and off-topic...

[spiritually inclined]

This thread has been off topic a number of times. It interests me that all other questions regarding the Book of Mormon are shot down.

But in actuality, the content of the book does have an effect on whether one believes Joseph Smith could have written the Book of Mormon.

James

[DeepShadow]

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

This thread has been off topic a number of times. It interests me that all other questions regarding the Book of Mormon are shot down.

What do you mean? Are there questions we've avoided? Bring them up again, I'll be glad to answer them.

But in actuality, the content of the book does have an effect on whether one believes Joseph Smith could have written the Book of Mormon.

Absolutely! I mean, what are the chances that a 19th century farm boy could hit all 20 points of a Hebrew farewell speech? The content is quite relevant to the issue at hand, which is not just whether, but HOW Joseph could have written it.