This is the crux of the issue for me. I left for many reasons (wanting to sin was not one of them by the way). The biggest one was that the history and science I was taught in school just didn't line up with the truth claims of the church. Hypocrisy was also a major factor. After I left the church I studied many religions and didn't get much satisfaction, though I still hold on to the good bits of philosophy I found in each one I studied.Shulem wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 9:22 pmDo note that apologetic twists and turns do nothing to justify Smith’s mistake in identifying Maat (Fig. 4) as a “Prince of Pharaoh”. Never is Maat called or referred to as a PRINCE of Egypt! She, like Isis, is a woman, not a male. Thus, we see that the apologetic attempt to justify Smith’s mistakes by trying to find obscure representations outside of the historical context of what Smith was originally claiming is a complete failure. They are welcome to ascribe Isis as kingly from a certain point of view if that is what they want but they will have a serious problem with ascribing Maat as prince of Egypt. It’s entirely a losing proposition. MAAT is *NOT* a son.
I had a moment where I doubted my doubt.
So I decided the best test would be to see if Joseph Smith properly translated the Facsimiles.
I was always taught he literally translated ancient Egyptian, just as he literally translated the golden plates.
First I read the facts, then I went looking for the (I didn't know the term 'apologist' then) other side of the argument. I have always had an aptitude for logic, math, science, etc. The apologist argument seemed easy to dismantle. This is when my whole world view changed and I honestly can't understand the old mindset I had when I was a believer. That's when I delved into the deeper history. I wrote a song about it many years ago, kind of a blues tribute. This is the final verse. Maybe I'll make a recording for yall, if there's any interest:
"Ol' Joe Smith wasn't lookin very slick diggin treasure with his hat and stones,
Then he got clever when he decided they'd be better for makin up sacred tomes,
One came from Abe of the Bible days called the Pearl of Great Price,
Now we know bout the Book of Breathings and Joe's house of lies."