That in itself is proof. The history of each copy be traced. But it is true, that some has been edited and redacted, but that doesn't lesser it's value as evidence.
The oldest extant edition of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are also not The Originals too. It doesn't less than value.
My problem is the "needs" for this angel to take away the gold plates. Without the gold plates, people will continue to doubt and criticise the Book of Mormon's authenticit[FONT="]y. There is no further translation can be made, by independence scholars, and no comparison to other writing systems. The evidences (ie gold plates) were stolen, lost or destroyed. For someone who don't believe in angel, the way it had disappeared, doesn't lead to a credible or valid argument. It may be logical in theistic way, but it lead only to more doubts and more unanswered questions.
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If my sister ever seen what I had post, I think I would get a "smack on the head" :slap: for questioning Mormons on this issue. *sigh* This is why I don't talk about any religion to my family and friends. There seemed no way to criticise a religion, without making it like an attack on one religion or another. I am sorry :sorry1: if any comment of mine may hurt any of you. I am not trying to make people turn away from their religions, just expressing my own doubts from my perspective on religion (not just LDS, but on all religion).
I have the same doubt on Muhammad and his divine revelation, from angels and the so-called "made in heaven" scripture, the Qur'an. I also have a lot of doubts on what is written in the Bible.