Skousen: creative and cultural translation

[_Dr Moore]

And now it all makes sense, but it makes no sense at all. The theory or anything resembling it has got to be the absolute most absurd idea I have ever heard in my entire life in Mormonism!

Also, given that Skousen has now publicly asserted that Joseph was NOT the translator, has he not by implication fulfilled the $100 challenge?

[_Tom]

I think we are witnessing a robbery in progress. How much has Skousen taken from the interpreter over the years?

About $246,000 through the third quarter of 2019. I would estimate about $260,000 through the end of 2019.

I have a new theory: Inter-dimensional, shape-shifting nephites. These guys could travel through space and time and take on pretty much any form one can think of and they are known for their inventive theories about ghost committees. In fact, here is one posing as Dr. Skousen:

Excellent! How about a caption contest?

[_Dr Exiled]

I think it's obvious to serious scholars that the Ghost Committee comprised the best and brightest in the Lord's army .....

[_Shulem]

And now it all makes sense, but it makes no sense at all. The theory or anything resembling it has got to be the absolute most absurd idea I have ever heard in my entire life in Mormonism!

They just need to find anything that distracts from the obvious 19th C. parallels in the book and viola! How could Joseph have known?

Ah, yes, when it comes to parallels the apologists either hate them or love them. When it comes to the Book of Abraham translation they love parallels -- any and all of them! But when it comes to the Book of Mormon translation the parallels are an indictment showing that Smith was a thief.

Double-minded dishonest Mormon apologists are hypocrites and liars who live under a guise of deception.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

[_Gadianton]

And now it all makes sense, but it makes no sense at all. The theory or anything resembling it has got to be the absolute most absurd idea I have ever heard in my entire life in Mormonism!

Also, given that Skousen has now publicly asserted that Joseph was NOT the translator, has he not by implication fulfilled the $100 challenge?

Funny how the 100B is the same story. He absolutely believes both are true; but he thinks absent an official disclosure, the prospect should be considered ridiculous. Quite honestly, the translation committee is the best part of the theory; if there is any chance of the membership will take to it, it will be thanks to the stories of the reformers behind the veil.

[_moksha]

"Then," Sir Gwain said, "why not call these scantily clad young men 'Stripling Warriors'." "Yes", responded Sir Percy, "Thou speakest truly for once we hath written it, it shall come to pass."

[_kairos]

So l know i cannot untangle what my brain is calling out "holy crap Batman" about Skousen's theory-perhaps it is a hypothesis by now, but one thing is absolutely clear-he needs a brain scan desperately!

and why the wedding band on his left forefinger?

just askin
k

[_Gadianton]

I see that the Proprietor went into damage control yesterday over Dr. Moore's disturbing discovery.

Now, there are many viewpoints that have been posted here regarding Skousen's work, it isn't the monolithic narrative that the Proprietor suggests. However, I haven't seen any views that line up with the Proprietor's recounting of the speculations going on here, where Skousen is said to not himself believe in the Book of Mormon as a historical text.

That is false. The Blog policy of not linking to "anti-Mormon" sites is quite convenient because he can simply make up whatever he wants without any citations and his followers believe him.

What has been said by some of us, is that several aspects of Skousen's position lay the groundwork for legitimizing a fictional theory. William of Ockham didn't realize he was laying the groundwork for a-religious skepticism when he questioned whether a group of things should rightfully itself be considered a thing. Just the way it goes in life.

I only speak for myself here, and admit I personally hold an ambitious version of this theory. I believe that Stephen Smoot, or a young future apologist like him, will have a "Saul of Tarsus" moment and discover the dots can be connected in a different paradigm, and become a great advocate of a faithful, inspired fiction theory, where the Book of Mormon is a story, but given by divine means that can't be explained to Joseph Smith.

[_Doctor Scratch]

Weirdly, I think there are far more damaging things that have been said about Skousen's project, and those are all being avoided / dodged by "Sen." For example, the fact that the Interpreter Foundation has sunk so much money into the project, despite the fact that the project was apparently opposed by the Brethren (or maybe those Brethren are no longer among the living?). Remember that Midgley recently said that "Mormon Voices" was established by the General Authorities as a means of funneling money to the Mopologists. So, does that basically mean that tithe-payer dollars are funding this ridiculous "Ghost Committee" research?

And, come on: how is a fictional-yet-inspired Book of Mormon worse that one that was written by a "Ghost Committee"? I can't help but wonder if this is yet more crap meant to prop up the defunct and utterly worthless LGT.