Is the Book of Mormon Divinely Inspired?

[MG 2.0]

Hi all. Some of you may be familiar with the work of Jacob Hansen of “A Thoughtful Faith” fame. I’m listening to a debate dealing with the topic named as the header for this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/live/9V_N0cRqzQ ... PLIHsMB1lA

Another addition to the ongoing discussion in regards to the truth claims of the Book of Mormon.

I think Jacob holds up pretty well. At least from what I’ve listened to so far. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I’ll leave it to others to debate the merits of Jacob’s debate with a well read apologist for Catholicism.

It’s either them or us!

I hope all the ‘regulars’ (and everyone else) are happy and that life is going well. It’s been a good summer. Fall is on its way.

Regards,
MG

Some more discussion from A Thoughtful Faith:

https://youtu.be/6KXcpFTRLUM?si=8YJhZU-Lud_7oaiT

A spin off from the first page of this thread.

We’ve come along way baby!

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

In my opinion the stronger argument, at least for me philosophically, is their belief that they are, without question, unequivocally superior to all other christians, and by logical extension every other religious group on the planet, all the "nones", and pretty much every sentient being that ever lived.

Mg trots this 'specialness' out every so often, in his endearing and condescending way, but then retreats when called on it. (See his last post for a perfect example of this.)

I think my last post makes the opposite point of that which you are trotting out in your first paragraph.

Yes, exactly. You are making my point.

[huckelberry]

Hi all. Some of you may be familiar with the work of Jacob Hansen of “A Thoughtful Faith” fame. I’m listening to a debate dealing with the topic named as the header for this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/live/9V_N0cRqzQ ... PLIHsMB1lA

Another addition to the ongoing discussion in regards to the truth claims of the Book of Mormon.

I think Jacob holds up pretty well. At least from what I’ve listened to so far. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I’ll leave it to others to debate the merits of Jacob’s debate with a well read apologist for Catholicism.

It’s either them or us!

I hope all the ‘regulars’ (and everyone else) are happy and that life is going well. It’s been a good summer. Fall is on its way.

Regards,
MG

Some more discussion from A Thoughtful Faith:

https://youtu.be/6KXcpFTRLUM?si=8YJhZU-Lud_7oaiT

A spin off from the first page of this thread.

We’ve come along way baby!

Regards,
MG

Mg, if there is anything of interest in this you could provide a quick summary. I am put off and need encouragement. first "its either them or us" is so shallow and unlikely that it is a real put off. I started this link but quit rather early. It seems like Jacob is arguing with 7th grade evangelicals who are unfamiliar with apocrapha. empty.

[MG 2.0]

I think my last post makes the opposite point of that which you are trotting out in your first paragraph.

Yes, exactly. You are making my point.

???

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

Some more discussion from A Thoughtful Faith:

https://youtu.be/6KXcpFTRLUM?si=8YJhZU-Lud_7oaiT

A spin off from the first page of this thread.

We’ve come along way baby!

Regards,
MG

Mg, if there is anything of interest in this you could provide a quick summary. I am put off and need encouragement. first "its either them or us" is so shallow and unlikely that it is a real put off. I started this link but quit rather early. It seems like Jacob is arguing with 7th grade evangelicals who are unfamiliar with apocrapha. empty.

The video talks about missing and corrupted scripture and the relationship of that to the Book of Mormon and its teachings, along with what Book of Mormon prophets said in regards to this. I’m not wanting to get into a full blown discussion in regards to this ‘thread’ of scholarship in Book of Mormon studies as it relates to the Bible and Apocryphal connections.

It’s just something else to throw out there and consider for those that are interested.

I’m posting this as another resource as one looks at ‘evidences’ for the divine hand in the Book of Mormon.

Regards,
MG

[Markk]

You are switching directions.

I don’t think there are any directions to switch. Apostles and prophets have their place. Without them there is something missing.

Regards,
MG

By my switching directions comment, I mean baiting and switching my question to a new context. I answered both however and how hopefully you will address my assertions, observations and questions.

How is a LDS apostle more of a witness that anyone else of Christ, or a prophet that does not provide prophesy? I believe they are practically just administrators for a corporation, just like any large organization. If you take the time to read each bio of each GA, which I did a few years ago, including the 70's, while I can't remember the exact numbers but I doubt it is a stretch to say it is 80% lawyers and business, with percentage wise few educators and certainly not too many fishermen and tentmakers.

[MG 2.0]

I don’t think there are any directions to switch. Apostles and prophets have their place. Without them there is something missing.

Regards,
MG

By my switching directions comment, I mean baiting and switching my question to a new context. I answered both however and how hopefully you will address my assertions, observations and questions.

How is a LDS apostle more of a witness that anyone else of Christ, or a prophet that does not provide prophesy? I believe they are practically just administrators for a corporation, just like any large organization. If you take the time to read each bio of each GA, which I did a few years ago, including the 70's, while I can't remember the exact numbers but I doubt it is a stretch to say it is 80% lawyers and business, with percentage wise few educators and certainly not too many fishermen and tentmakers.

Honestly, I think it is going to be difficult to try and convince a non believer that used to believe that prophets and apostles have been integral in establishing the church and Kingdom (upper case) of God. For a believer one need not look any farther than the growth and development of the church throughout the world and the fruits that have come forth in the lives of its members.

One example among many. The fact that temples are being built throughout the world along with an increased emphasis on family history work is not a coincidence. The two go hand in hand. And from the perspective of believing members this work provides salvation/exaltation opportunities for all of God’s children.

I think I’ve already described my thinking in regards to the Christian world (the body) and how everything fitly framed together results in ‘God’s work’ and yes, kingdom (lower case simply to differentiate) on the earth.

Whether or not you see the need for prophets and apostles is your own thing. But as long as your path takes you on a journey with Christ I think you are ‘for Him’ and not against Him. In that sense we’re on the same team.

The thing to remember, as I’ve already stated, is that there other teams in the game (of life) and they also have certain permissions and privileges inherent in their callings. Some/many of these teams part of one system or another that are not Christian.

Same with non believers.

In the end we will all be judged according to our works. With the caveat that at that great day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. That is, from the perspective and beliefs of those that belong to the CofJCofLDS.

Regards,
MG

[I Have Questions]

As a nonmember I would think that you would have other things to do with your life other than hang out on a board dissing the CofJCofLDS.

What’s up with that? The clock is ticking. Time to get along with your life?

Have a look at how many posts you make here, then look at how many I’ve made. Then tell me which of us his neglecting his life in favour of posting here.

Then tell me why the mistakes people made when producing the KJV Bible in the 17th century appear verbatim in The Book of Mormon which is claimed to have been written 1,348 years earlier…

Bump

[MG 2.0]

Have a look at how many posts you make here, then look at how many I’ve made. Then tell me which of us his neglecting his life in favour of posting here.

Then tell me why the mistakes people made when producing the KJV Bible in the 17th century appear verbatim in The Book of Mormon which is claimed to have been written 1,348 years earlier…

Bump

I’ve expressed some thoughts/opinions…but I don’t know the answer to this question.

What I do know is that there are other things going on in the Book of Mormon that critics have not had satisfactory responses to. Stylometry, Chiasmus, complex narrative, shadows and reflections of the ancient world, additional archeological/linguistic evidences discovered over the years, etc.

And yes, I know that, for you and others, you think these ‘evidences’ are either happen chance, Joseph’s mileu and/or upbringing, or conscious desire to defraud. Or the pious fraud theory.

Those views don’t add up and give adequate reason for the totality of the picture in my opinion.

But I suppose you’ll keep coming back and beating a dead horse and asking me to rinse and repeat.

Did you at one time have a belief/testimony in the Book of Mormon? Was it both spiritually and intellectually based or was it just one or the other?

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

Yes, exactly. You are making my point.

???

Regards,
MG

*bump