The series continues. I have known this book for years since I was born and raised Mormon in addition to reading the BOM 6 times. Three in English and Three in French and let me tell you that it doesn't make much more sense in French!!Anyway, here we go again!!!
1 NEPHI:
--Nephi says that whatever he wrote on the plates was sacred. But he admits that he might make some mistakes, just like they (the guys who wrote the bible?) did. Not that he's making any excuses, of course. 19:6
-How could Nephi, supposedly writing this around 590 BCE, quote words from the book of Malachi, which was not yet written? 22:15
2 NEPHI:
-Nephi brought along the brass plates and the magic ball (or compass) that God made with his own hands. This was about 1600 years before compasses were used in navigation. 5:12
-Nephi teaches his followers to build buildings and work in iron, copper, brass, steel, gold, and silver. But evidence is lacking for such pre-Columbian metallurgy, and it would be well beyond the capabilities of a handful of immigrants from the ancient Near-East around 590 BCE. 5:15
-Nephi says he's going to include some more words of Isaiah. (He's already included about 5 chapters). See 1 Ne.17:39, 20:1-22, 21:1-21; 2 Ne.6:5-7, 6:16-18, 7:1-11, 8:1-25, 9:50-51, 10:9) because his "soul delighteth in his words." So he throws in another 13 chapters or so. 11:2
-Notice that Joseph Smith threw in another "and it shall came to pass" into verse 4, even though it was missing from the verse (Isaiah 14:4) he was copying from. I guess he just couldn't resist! 24:4
-Joseph Smith (or Nephi) repeats the bible stories about the fiery serpents (Num. 21:6-9) and the water-bearing rock (Ex.17:6, Num.20:11). He figures that if you believe those stories, you'll believe his as well. 25:20
-Another marvelous BoM prophecy: many shall say, "A Bible! We have got a Bible." And they certainly have. This is especially amazing since this prophecy was allegedly made around 550 BCE, long before either the canon or the name of the "Bible" existed. 29:3
JACOB:
-If writing on metal plates was so tough, then why did Nephi bother copying 22 chapters from Isaiah? 4:1
ALMA:
-Whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God." Non-believers persecuted believers because the believers were just so darned humble. 1:19-20
-The Lamanites that converted were called "Anti-Nephi-Lehies." Now that's a catchy name! 23:17 James: That name sounds soooo made up.
-The Nephites were all "Christians", "true believers of Christ" -- 73 or so years before Christ was born, and well over 100 years before the Bible (Acts 11:26) claims the followers of Christ were first called "Christians". 46:13-16
-The Nephites were called "Christians" 70 years before Jesus was born. 48:10
HELAMAN:
-Another amazing prophecy: In five years the Son of God will come. And this was (according to my motel room version of the BoM) in the year 6 BCE! 14:2
3 NEPHI:
-These words ("I am the Alpha and Omega") are taken from the book of Revelation, which was not written at the time (34 CE). And they wouldn't have meant anything anyway to the Nephites since "alpha" and "omega" would have been greek to them. 9:18
-Jesus' bowels are filled with compassion and mercy. 17:6-7 James: I don't think I want to know what compassion and mercy comes from the bowels!!
-After they were blessed by Jesus, the disciples became whiter than anything else on earth. 19:25
-Nothing can stop the followers of Jesus. Prisons can't hold them, fire can't burn them, and wild animals can't harm them. 28:19-22 James: I firmly believed in Jesus when I was younger but that didn't prevent me from getting burned by the stove!
MORMON:
-The book of Mormon was written in "reformed Egyptian". If the plates had of been larger, Moroni would have used Hebrew and there wouldn't have been so many mistakes. (Reformed Egyptian is a really tricky language.) 9:32-33
-Because nobody knows "reformed Egyptian" anymore, God arranged for Joseph Smith to translate them. 9:34 James: Boy this is convenient.
-A boring genealogy that we are told to avoid in 1 Timothy 1:4 and Titus 3:9. ("Avoid foolish questions and genealogies.") 1:6-32
-"Coriantor was the son of Moron." Yes, there really is a Moron in the Book of Mormon. 1:7
ETHER:
-The brother of Jared made 16 small stones, as clear as glass, out of molten rock. He then asked God to touch the stones to make them into lights to light up the inside of the barges. God did as the brother of Jared requested. 3:1-6 James: Neat trick. If "God" wanted them to have light then why did he stingily give them "glowing rocks" instead of actual lighting. I mean, he is "God" right and can do anything?? I guess not.
-Everything good comes from Jesus. 4:12 James: So the good that the Dalai Lama does is actually Jesus in disguise?? Neat parlor trick.
- Those who disbelieve in the Book of Mormon are in an "awful state of wickedness." 4:15 James: It's true. That Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh are pretty" awful wicked" heathens.
-"There came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the land, and did poison many people." 9:31 James: Poisonous snakes poisoning people??? Go figure--you learn something everyday.
-To punish the people for "their wicked combinations," God sent wars, famines, and pestilences. The resulting destruction was the greatest ever seen on the face of the earth -- greater than the flood of Noah, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, or World War II. Yet there is no evidence for any of this today. 11:7
-"There had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children." Millions of people were "slain by the sword", yet no swords have ever been found from pre-Columbian America. 15:2
MORONI:
-"Nothing that is good denieth the Christ." 10:6 James: I guess I'm not a good person. Funny, I've been told by many people that I'm a very good person. You know we Buddhists never do anything good.
8 comments:
James,
I'm glad that you are reading the Book of Mormon, even if at this point you are just looking for faults.
There are satisfactory answers for much of what you find to be absurd, and I would be happy to discuss them with you in a friendly manner.
May I suggest a good starting point? Jump ahead to Alma 36. Outline it by topic: first a, last a'; second b, next-to-last b', etc. You'll see an inverted structure known as chiasmus, for the shape of the Greek letter chi (X). Google "Alma 36 chiamsus" for help with your outline.
At the center of Alma 36 is the crux (pun intended) of Alma's final interview with his son: In the midst of horrible despair, Jesus Christ, the son of God, delivered me from my sins.
I have undergone a similar experience and have been delivered from despair. Christ stands ready to rescue us all.
Sincerely,
Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com
Moroni......heh.
Reason stands ready to rescue us all.
Tracy:
Thank-you for visiting.
I know the faith well--I was a missionary and studied the BoM exstensively. As well as the history and doctrine of the church. For me it all just doesn't jive.
Chiamus's can be found in all kinds of writings including the writings of John Keats who was a popular poet living the same time as Smith.
I have done my studying, praying and asking and no longer desire to argue/debate these things with members. Such debates never go anywhere. I won't convince you and you won't convince me. I've gone the rounds many times over with members and no longer wish to do so.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good people in the Mormon church (my parents included). However, It's not a good fit for me. I do not believe it to be the only path in life.
I wish you well.
Liberal:
You gonna change your name to Moroni? ;)
Lynne:
Indeed.
My inaugural address at the Great White Throne Judgment of the Dead, after I have raptured out billions! The Secret Rapture soon, by my hand!
Read My Inaugural Address
At = http://www.angelfire.com/crazy/spaceman
James:
It is fascinating, as always, to get your perspective on a faith constructed in recent history and yet determined to tie the doctrine back thousands of years. Sounds familiar? Every protestant faith does the same.
I also want to commend you on your ability to respectfully engage with "believers." That takes a lot of class/discipline/compassion.
It's hard for me not to roll my eyes when I read material suggesting you read further/study more, as your life experience has obviously afforded you ample time to study BOM scriptures. When you were starving on your mission, didn't they expect serious contemplative study? (Even now, when I see a good Mormon guy on a bicycle, I want to take his pocket protector, lure him to my condo, fuck him senseless in my room - just TO SHOW HIM AN ALTERNATIVE.)
Sick right? I know.
xo-
S
Scarlet:
Thank-you. I'm not always able to keep my cool but I've found it to be the most reasonable way to react to disagreements. Yeah I studied every waking moment I had out there--you're right. It' the only thing to do--and the only thing that they really let you do!!
I would have loved to meet you on my mission!!! ;) lol.
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