He can't be serious: Joseph and the Book of Abraham

[_why me]

Who are the witnesses to the Book of Abraham? Did he employ a scribe and translate it?

According to Warren Parrish, "I have sat by his side and penned down the translation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics as he claimed to receive it by direct inspiration of heaven."

-Chris

Okay, now we are making some progress. So now we know that he did not compose it with pen in hand as he would a letter. Lets face it, he was a terrible writer of English.

That leaves two possiblities: Either did it through a steady stream of consciousness or the book is what it is claimed to be. Now for Vogelites, the steady stream seems to be the way. From the top of his head he wrote the Book of Mormon. Likewise for the Book of Abraham I would assume. But I always thought that this was unlikely. For example, he stuck his head in a hat and recited passages that came to be known as the Book of Mormon. Quite a feat to be sure.

Now also with the book of abraham. I must say that this is a wondeful talent if true. He writes like crap his letters but steady streams religious texts into something rather coherent and believeable, requesting people to inquire of the holy ghost as to if what he wrote is true.

Or we have the divinity of the book and it is what Joseph Smith claims it to be.

Which one makes more sense?

[_why me]

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure Michael Coe referred to Joseph Smith as a shaman of sorts.

In regards to the pious fraud versus knowing con debate, I don't think we can ever settle the question. Part of it has to do with the complexity of human nature, and how even the most vile among us can, at times, demonstrate altruism and generosity, and how even the most noble and altruistic among us can, at times, demonstrate cruelty and smallness of spirit.

Or he was just a guy who found himself chosen by god to be a prophet and went into it with reluctance, finding himself at times over his head but was learning as he went along, doing what he thought god wanted of him. And as a result, he grew in intelligence doing what he thought he had to do. And in the end, a mob kills him and the LDS church becomes his legacy since he laid. with the help of god, a foundation that can revolutionize the world.

[_aussieguy55]

Mormons argue about how illiterate Smith was to write the Book of Mormon. However the Jocker's study if proven to be the most plausible solution will counteract that argument. Did not B H Roberts point out some examples of good writing by Smith in his study of the Book of Mormon?

[_Trevor]

In regards to the pious fraud versus knowing con debate, I don't think we can ever settle the question.

Yep. That "pious fraud" meme is a sticky bugger. Look at how it shapes the debate: either Smith is a "knowing con" or a "pious fraud." As soon as "pious fraud" appears, we all know what the argument is. My hope would be to jettison terminology that pigeonholes the argument in this way. I can see I have a real steep climb ahead of me.