Why Do We Do It?

[hauslern]

What is the goal of DiscussMoonism? We thrash various topics, with little challengers coming here and debating the topics.

Peterson refers this board as the Peterson Obsession Board. Maybe like Trump he likes the attention even if negative. He has invested his academic life in part defending the LDS church. Yet he never seems to concede the critics have some good arguments. And yet it takes Royal Skousen in his CV page 39 to admit when it comes to the facsimiles Smith got them wrong. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when he next spoke to Royal Skousen. When i see a large number of "guests' listed there must be orthodox members checking this place out? Whatever happened to the Dale debate? The LDS epistemology seems to be after considering all the evidence it is only through prayer we can find the truth. There will be scraps of evidence LDS members can hang on "missing Book of Abraham papyri." "Tapirs."

On the Book of Abraham the church conclusion

Conclusion

The veracity and value of the book of Abraham cannot be settled by scholarly debate concerning the book’s translation and historicity. The book’s status as scripture lies in the eternal truths it teaches and the powerful spirit it conveys. The book of Abraham imparts profound truths about the nature of God, His relationship to us as His children, and the purpose of this mortal life. The truth of the book of Abraham is ultimately found through careful study of its teachings, sincere prayer, and the confirmation of the Spirit.

So why bother?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... m?lang=eng

[BeNotDeceived]

Or the Book of Abraham is a complete work of fiction with the papyri Smith used to create the book having nothing to do with Abraham? Everything Smith created in 'scripture' was someone else's work originally, he was a masterful con-man who knew how to take the works of others and combine them to make them his own. It's called plagiarism. Smith didn't 'translate' anything and concocted everything. You do know he created a fictitious story called the Book of Mormon by peering at a rock in a hat, right? With no gold plates even present. The same rock he used to swindle people out of their money, claiming he could see buried treasure in the bowels of the earth and never found anything for anyone. Called glass-looking, scrying using 'divining rods'. It was illegal and dishonorable and no different than occult behavior with inane attempts at magic. It was all fraud. You probably aren't aware either that Smith plagiarized Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary to create the JST of the Bible. The LDS 'church' today is nothing but a gargantuan multi hundred billion dollar real estate corporation operating as a tax-exempt religion... it's a big business dabbling in religion created by a con-man. Have you read the essays the 'church' released which were signed off by the FP and buried on the 'church's' website back in 2014? That should be your starting point as you begin your trek down the rabbit hole that is the ugly truth about the foundations of the LDS 'church'.

[Marcus]

What is the goal of DiscussMoonism?

We discuss Moonies here?
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

For myself, I simply do not discuss lds topics with the lds believers in my family. It is a barrier that i do not cross because of the unhealthy response of far too many of the lds believers.

However, I do have an interest in these topics which represent the world in which I was completely immersed in the early part of my life, and i appreciate the news, the discussions, and the opinions expressed here about that world. Especially from others who left it under similar circumstances to mine, or who are also viewing it from a distance, physical mental or otherwise, and even from those still in, who are willing to share.

[drumdude]

I enjoy reading all of your thoughtful ideas on Mormonism.

I was led here by google searches which brought up topic threads with incredible information, everything from church history, to church drama, to philosophical discussions.

It’s not nearly as superficial as ex-Mormon Reddit or tiktok. It’s like LDS Sunday school, if Sunday school weren’t boring and censored.

[hauslern]

I obtained from Egyptologist Tamas Mekis a copy of his book on the Hypocephalus. It contains all know examples held in various museums etc. Most have features in common with facsimile 2 I checked the BYU Library catalogue and they have a copy with no restrictions. If you look at Smith''s interpretations he attempts his interpretations of al the figures but nothing on the writing examples which he says "will be given in the own due time of the Lord" Could he not have used the instrument that helped him translate the "missing" Book of Abraham papyri? I know Kerry Muhlestein has a copy.

[msnobody]

Could it be that we all would like to see changes in the church?

[JohnW]

Yeah, I've asked myself this a couple times since coming back after the last break. I'm not sure why I keep returning. Some of the threads are a little painful to read as a believer. I wish there were more believers here, but in the old days, that sometimes just meant arguments got out of hand.

I personally think when I try to understand the perspective of the non-believer I understand my own position better. When I'm itching to return here, I think it is because I feel a little stagnant. I certainly don't think I have much to say on many of the threads (I almost never read Daniel Peterson's stuff), but the threads that are talking about deeper topics are rather satisfying to me.

[Marcus]

Could it be that we all would like to see changes in the church?

I assume you mean in the lds church. In my case, no, i have no interest in that. The lds church is based on fraudulent concepts and literally has so many "untruths" that are a substantial part of it that i see no benefit to any changes. I am an atheist, but i can see that many are believers and want to maintain that, but doing that through the lds church is not a good approach, in my opinion. There are too many serious issues, starting with the mis-use and subsequent hoarding of people's donations, to other issues like the damage done by a patriarchal and sexist regime. Add to this the fraudulent claims (such as the Book of Mormon and the founder's stories about supernatural visitations leading to a "Restoration") and for me, the book is permanently closed.

[IHAQ]

"The veracity and value of the book of Abraham cannot be settled by scholarly debate concerning the book’s translation and historicity."

That church statement contains a lie. It is true that the value of something to someone is purely subjective to them. But the veracity of the Book Of Abraham can be settled by scholarly enquiry. And it has been. Spoiler alert: It's not a happy ending.

[huckelberry]

I come here because I enjoy reading other peoples ideas and points of view. I can enjoy some challenge making me rethink my views. I enjoy updated information and reflections on Mormon culture and our wider culture and situation. Mormon background is a common ground allowing more in depth communication and exchange than I have seen on other boards.

Now I have only reviewed a limited number of boards so I cannot be sure this place is the best but it has some interesting exchanges and some boring ones.