Immorality in the Book of Mormon

[spiritually inclined]

Most of the proofs I have read on these forums regarding the Book of Mormon suppose that Joseph Smith, for various reasons, could not have authored the Book of Mormon himself. I will suppose for a moment that he did not author it himself, that it indeed came from other sources. Still, I dispute the morality of certain passages in the Book of Mormon. As such, I could not commit myself to believing that the Book of Mormon is inspired of God or truthful in every sense. I don't believe that about any book. If there are supernatural sources for the Book of Mormon -- and for the purpose of this thread I assume that -- I cannot believe that these sources are good.

See some troubling passages below:

2 Nephi 23
23:15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword.

23:16 Their children, also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished.

23:17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it.

23:18 Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces, and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.

The most troubling part of this passage to me is that God will stir up people who will have no pity on "the fruit of the womb" or children. Why could God not spare the innocent children?

2 Nephi 6

6:15 And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel.

I find this troubling, too. Why should someone be punished this way for not believing in Christ? Are such people so wicked that they deserve such punishment? I happen to know some great people who do not believe in Christ, and I don't see how this merits punishment.

2 Nephi
28:23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

Should anyone, no matter how wicked, be tormented forever? What kind of a god would torture a creature he made for an eternity? What kind of human being would do that? Hitler? Osama bin Laden?

In these brief passages, I have read of a god that has people murder innocent infants and children, a god who destroys people for not believing in Christ (how many people would he have to kill?), and a god who judges people according to their works, yet deems finite evil a justification for torturing someone forever.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to serve that kind of a god, a god that kills infants, destroys people for unbelief, and a god capable of torturing any living being for all eternity.

If it was a true god that inspired such writings and actions, I want no part in him.

James

[Father Heathen]

God is like an action figure through which a maladjusted kid plays out his revenge fantasies.

[Mister Emu]

Have you ever read the Bible?

[spiritually inclined]

Have you ever read the Bible?

Certainly. It also contains many immoral passages. As I said, I don't believe that any book is literally inspired by God or true in every way.

What's your point?

James

[Mister Emu]

My apologies, I saw anglican and correlated it to Christian...

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

Most of the proofs I have read on these forums regarding the Book of Mormon suppose that Joseph Smith, for various reasons, could not have authored the Book of Mormon himself. I will suppose for a moment that he did not author it himself, that it indeed came from other sources. Still, I dispute the morality of certain passages in the Book of Mormon. As such, I could not commit myself to believing that the Book of Mormon is inspired of God or truthful in every sense. I don't believe that about any book. If there are supernatural sources for the Book of Mormon -- and for the purpose of this thread I assume that -- I cannot believe that these sources are good.

See some troubling passages below...

In these brief passages, I have read of a god that has people murder innocent infants and children, a god who destroys people for not believing in Christ (how many people would he have to kill?), and a god who judges people according to their works, yet deems finite evil a justification for torturing someone forever.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to serve that kind of a god, a god that kills infants, destroys people for unbelief, and a god capable of torturing any living being for all eternity.

If it was a true god that inspired such writings and actions, I want no part in him.

James

FYI, these are quotes from Isaiah. The Book of Mormon people took copies of Isaiah's words with them when they fled Jerusalem. Admittedly, Isaiah's words make God appear unnecessarily cruel. I'm just wondering why, since there is far more of this kind of language in the Bible, you are choosing to focus on the Book of Mormon where it's really miminal?

[spiritually inclined]

My apologies, I saw anglican and correlated it to Christian...

Fortunately, you do not speak for all Christians, and your definition of Christianity is not definitive for all people. My theology is apparently more liberal than yours. I honestly can't understand how any modern Christian could condone some of the things in the Bible, such as infanticide. If you believe that murdering infants is ever acceptable, I won't deny that you are a Christian, but I certainly don't consider your beliefs very ethical.

FYI, these are quotes from Isaiah. The Book of Mormon people took copies of Isaiah's words with them when they fled Jerusalem. Admittedly, Isaiah's words make God appear unnecessarily cruel. I'm just wondering why, since there is far more of this kind of language in the Bible, you are choosing to focus on the Book of Mormon where it's really miminal?

We can start a thread on the immorality in the Bible, too. I have no objection to that. As I have said, I don't believe that any book is literally inspired of an objective god and true in every way. I look to the Bible for insight and study, not ultimate truth.

But now that I have been exposed to more Mormon beliefs and doctrine online, I am interested in how Mormons react to the more troubling parts of their own scriptures. Do you believe these scriptures are literally true? Do you think the Book of Mormon could have been flawed in condoning infanticide? Or do you actually believe it?

James

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Mister Emu

My apologies, I saw anglican and correlated it to Christian...

Must one view the bible as literal and inerrant in order to be a True Christian™?

[spiritually inclined]

Must one view the bible as literal and inerrant in order to be a True Christian™?

Many Christians would answer that with a no.

James