DiscussMormonism.com

I just bought it today and am reading it. Just wondering why is it that so many really good Mormon authors (I know, I know, I give them the benefit of the doubt) constantly IGNORE the actual state of affairs when it comes to the actual nature of the Bible? Givens gives me more of an impression of being a propagandist for the church in this book than one who actually understands truth. Oh his literary achievement in this literary crafted work is much more interesting reading than General Conference talks, without doubt. That said, being already about half way through it, I find his honeyed words, and emotionally laden concepts to make us feel wonder or awe or love, etc. while tying it directly to God simply skips what the Old Testament actually shows and says about God. It is diametrically opposite from most, if not all, of Mormon talks and writings and sermons on God in the Bible. Givens simply has to know better. I mean it, I like his other writings, but this is just an add on as it were to Hugh Nibley's "The Book of Enoch as Theodicy," which also failed miserably to make a convincing case. The idea that God is so upset and miserable at the failure of humanity that he weeps is ludicrous since He is, after all, GOD, and, of course, given LDS theology, certainly CAN do more for his own children while they live here on earth (even during test time), than simply bawl in pain because his children err. Just what kind of parenting skills does God need to learn before he actually gets it on how actually to help his children?! Do earthly parents simply stand there and whimper when their children are suffering or doing wrong, or do they get in and get involved in their children's lives? What, is now coming and helping kids also "too sacred" a thing for God to do? Just where and when does EVERYTHING get so damn "too sacred" (Packer doctrine) for God so as to render Him obviously limp and incapable of being an reason to even believe in, let alone ask for help and receive it?