DiscussMormonism.com

Will Schryver wrote:My study of the [Joseph Smith Egyptian Papers, i.e. the KEP] has convinced me that the text of the Book of Abraham was produced similarly to the Book of Mormon (and also the Book of Moses and D&C 7): it was effectively transmitted through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I do not believe that Joseph Smith took much of an active role at all in terms of the formulation of those texts. I believe the evidence is more or less conclusive in that respect. Frankly, I think those who see things otherwise have been blinded by an overwhelming motivation to explain what they perceive as the "problems" presented by apparent anachronisms in the text, as well as other elements they believe to be inconsistent with a "divinely delivered" text. I, on the other hand, believe those considerations must be utterly ignored when examining the textual and historical evidence. The evidence must be permitted to speak for itself, untainted by any motivations to liberate the Book of Mormon from the perceived shackles of what are otherwise believed to be its textual anachronisms. I don't believe we can ever come to an accurate understanding of the seemingly anachronistic elements in the text if we do not accurately understand the nature of how that text was delivered through Joseph Smith, and I (and others) are convinced that when it comes to these restored ancient texts, the evidence suggests overwhelmingly that Joseph Smith was (with very few exceptions) merely the medium through which the text of the Book of Mormon was transmitted.

sock puppet wrote:It makes one wonder what Will's explanation would be, then, for why JSJr fashioned himself a "translator", or how then he explains away god's errancy concerning the anachronisms if JSJr was just a transmitter.