sr1030 wrote: The point really is though that Ethan remained silent on the subject. One has to wonder why.
sr
Some have given reasonable answers, but it is irrelevant since you will never know for sure. The real point it the comparison of the VoH and other productions and thinking in 19th century America to the Book of Mormon. Here we see many similarities suggesting the Book of Mormon has it's sources in 19th century. Which is more likely, that Joseph got a story from God or that he borrowed from around him for his ideas. Just Like he did with the mason's and the temple and other ideas. How likely is it that people in the 19th century could come up with so many similarities to the Book of Mormon narrative. It became fairly obvious to me that the Book of Mormon was borrowed from other sources in the 19th century and not from divine sources. Especially when you consider all the other issues.
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
Themis wrote: Some have given reasonable answers, but it is irrelevant since you will never know for sure. The real point it the comparison of the VoH and other productions and thinking in 19th century America to the Book of Mormon. Here we see many similarities suggesting the Book of Mormon has it's sources in 19th century. Which is more likely, that Joseph got a story from God or that he borrowed from around him for his ideas. Just Like he did with the mason's and the temple and other ideas. How likely is it that people in the 19th century could come up with so many similarities to the Book of Mormon narrative. It became fairly obvious to me that the Book of Mormon was borrowed from other sources in the 19th century and not from divine sources. Especially when you consider all the other issues.
I personally find the 18 major parallels identified by B.H. Roberts very compelling. Far too much to ignore or assign simply the general thinking during the early 19th century.
sr1030 wrote: I personally find the 18 major parallels identified by B.H. Roberts very compelling. Far too much to ignore or assign simply the general thinking during the early 19th century.
sr
Many of Ethan's ideas come from his environment. Other books of the time also contain some of these ideas. I think it's clear that either the Book of Mormon borrows from VoH, which Joseph or Oliver could easily have been familiar with, or they have similar sources from the culture around them. It's a huge stretch to think God was inspiring all these people to the same ideas, especially since they are incorrect about their origins.
I think it's clear that either the Book of Mormon borrows from VoH, which Joseph or Oliver could easily have been familiar with,
Not only did they borrow from VotH, but evidence indicates that Ethan Smith cooperated with the venture. Read this and you will find many textual similarities: http://books.google.com/books/about/Key ... EAAAAAYAAJ Note that he worked on it for a long time. Some of his previous books had the same content. He was probably appalled at polygamy and masonry-- which is the reason Oliver Cowdery left the Mormons in disgust.
Huckelberry said: I see the order and harmony to be the very image of God which smiles upon us each morning as we awake.