Book of Mormon geography

[_Darth J]

Gee Brant, that's a monumental leap (Knievel's attempt at jumping the Grand Canyon?). You don't think that your beginning premise might cast some doubt on your entire endeavor? A model based on such a thin premise?

Really? One of the historians I was reading noted that we are much more likely to find what we are looking for than anything else. That tells me that if I begin with the premise that the Book of Mormon isn't historical that the premise will dictate the conclusion. While it just might be true, it is rather like an antebellum slave holder proclaiming that the Bible not only supports slavery, but demonstrates that blacks are inferior (this happened, you know).

Now, if I start with the premise that it could be true, I can falsify the hypothesis. If I begin with the premise that it can't possibly be true, what evidence might possibly falsify the hypothesis?

Don't you think we should use reasonable methodologies in our search?

The false dichotomy at work here is that one must begin with "the Book of Mormon is true" or "the Book of Mormon is fiction." "I don't know whether the Book of Mormon is a real ancient document and I'm trying to find out" has preliminarily been excluded.

[_Quasimodo]

Really? One of the historians I was reading noted that we are much more likely to find what we are looking for than anything else. That tells me that if I begin with the premise that the Book of Mormon isn't historical that the premise will dictate the conclusion. While it just might be true, it is rather like an antebellum slave holder proclaiming that the Bible not only supports slavery, but demonstrates that blacks are inferior (this happened, you know).

Now, if I start with the premise that it could be true, I can falsify the hypothesis. If I begin with the premise that it can't possibly be true, what evidence might possibly falsify the hypothesis?

Don't you think we should use reasonable methodologies in our search?

Odd logic. If you start with a false premise (one that you are predisposed to believe) there is a very good chance that you will find what you are looking for rather than a reasonable understanding of the truth.

If I were to write a paper (or book) with a preconceived belief in the historical basis of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" I could quote many instances that give factual accounts of real locations, customs of the times, and historical evidences for the existence of the Count. Of course the book is fiction and was never portrayed as anything other than that by Stoker. My false conclusions would be tainted with my desire to prove my point.

I do think we should always use reasonable methodologies in our search. Maybe the most important would be to start with a hypothesis that has some remote chance of being viable. An honest appraisal of the validity of the hypothesis should be made.

Contrary to the thoughts of your 'historian', coming to a truthful conclusion on any hypothesis should not be a problem for any researcher who's interest is knowing the truth.

[_Quasimodo]

By the way, doesn't anybody here work for a living?!! I just finish a post and am told that I have one or two more that have just been added. I work from home and have a flexible schedule, but what the heck are you all doing? Get some work done for heaven's sake?

Of course, I think I had better do some of the same.

[and it happened again when I tried to post this!]

I work from home, as well. I'm an illustrator and I'm waiting (on hold) for approval/ corrections on this latest chapter. Good question, though.

[Guest]

If you would, name one (1) bit of evidence in favor of your assertion.

I have been around boards for way too long to deal with the "show me just one" gambit. I wrote a book dealing with the evidence. How do you think I should condense all of that to just one thing?

Depends on what evidence they are asking for.

if the question is ... Do you have a single first, second or even third hand account originating from Smith or from anyone who was or purported to have been present during the translation process, who describes the process as anything other than Smith purporting to read words that appear by divine means?

If the answer is yes, then you identify the account(s) that you have located.

If the answer is no, then you say no.

[_Darth J]

By the way, doesn't anybody here work for a living?!! I just finish a post and am told that I have one or two more that have just been added. I work from home and have a flexible schedule, but what the heck are you all doing? Get some work done for heaven's sake?

Firefox has this brand new feature where you can have multiple tabs open at the same time, so you can look at the board now and then while you're still working on things that are not this message board.

I'm glad I have a computer now that can multi-task. Browsing the internet on a Commodore 64 while I'm trying to do word processing was some pretty slow going.

[_Tobin]

I'm glad I have a computer now that can multi-task. Browsing the internet on a Commodore 64 while I'm trying to do word processing was some pretty slow going.

Altair 8800. Nothing screams geek more than browsing the internet on one of these puppies.

[_SteelHead]

They have these new gew gaws called smart phones. I do 90% of my forum interaction on one. The Autocorrect can be a real pain some times as well the tiny keys when I am composing a galtesque diatribe.

[_Quasimodo]

Firefox has this brand new feature where you can have multiple tabs open at the same time, so you can look at the board now and then while you're still working on things that are not this message board.

I'm glad I have a computer now that can multi-task. Browsing the internet on a Commodore 64 while I'm trying to do word processing was some pretty slow going.

I have an Osborne II on a shelf in my garage waiting for it's antique value to rise. It seemed like magic when I first purchased it (I think indoor plumbing and electricity were new at that time).

Sorry for the derail.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

BG doesn't have any evidence. This is why he hiding.

[_Buffalo]

BG doesn't have any evidence. This is why he hiding.

I don't think that's fair to say he's hiding. He can't stay here all day chatting. He's already spent a lot of time on this thread today.