If plates then God

[I Have Questions]

The plates and what they represent symbolize how valuable the Book of Mormon is.

You don’t know what the plates represent, because they weren’t translated. The Book of Mormon came out of rock in a hat.

[tagriffy]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

[drumdude]

Bushman constructs a really sloppy chain of implications.

Belief in historical Book of Mormon implies belief in plates implies angels implies God.

It’s very circular. Because nothing except belief in Mormonism and its God can get you to a belief in the historical Book of Mormon.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

That’s what they represent for Bushman.

- Doc

[huckelberry]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

That’s what they represent for Bushman.

- Doc

Doc I think you have clearly underlined the heart of the matter. Bushman is not attempting an argument to convince people he is just observing what he and some others believe.

For me the plates are a nice touch for the story. I do not think the witnesses of the plates prove much. I do not find that it makes any difference how they were used,with a stone ,or a thingamajig or accompanied by a dance I would remain doubtful that the plates had the Book of Mormon objectively encoded upon them.

[I Have Questions]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

Like this?
“And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.”

[tagriffy]

That’s what they represent for Bushman.

- Doc

Bushman and probably the vast majority of rank-and-file Mormons.

[tagriffy]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

Like this?
“And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.”

That certainly would have been an example for the earliest followers.

[Philo Sofee]

The plates represent, as Bushman said, "a world where God is an active agent in human affairs."

I would think the seer stone did that. The plates were never needed.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

That’s what they represent for Bushman.

- Doc

Bushman and probably the vast majority of rank-and-file Mormons.

You mean the plates no one can see, and Joseph Smith didn't need thanks to an iStone? Their testimonkies aren't flying any more.

- Doc