I do not follow closely the archeological evidence on the Book of Mormon. I noticed this comment over on MD&D by Robert F. Smith.
In fact, a wide array of hard as well as circumstantial evidence shows that the Book of Mormon is most likely a factual account of events from the 2nd millennium B.C. down to the 4th century A.D. Perhaps you are unaware of the long bibliography of FARMS and Maxwell Institute publications available online, and have not actually discussed this issue with knowledgeable persons.
Can anyone tell me what 'hard evidence' there is that the Book of Mormon is a factual account? Or at least what TBM's see as "hard evidence" for it?
"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."
Fence Sitter wrote:I do not follow closely the archeological evidence on the Book of Mormon. I noticed this comment over on MD&D by Robert F. Smith.
In fact, a wide array of hard as well as circumstantial evidence shows that the Book of Mormon is most likely a factual account of events from the 2nd millennium B.C. down to the 4th century A.D. Perhaps you are unaware of the long bibliography of FARMS and Maxwell Institute publications available online, and have not actually discussed this issue with knowledgeable persons.
Can anyone tell me what 'hard evidence' there is that the Book of Mormon is a factual account? Or at least what TBM's see as "hard evidence" for it?
Who is Robert F. Smith and why would he say something so ridiculous?
"It doesn't seem fair, does it Norm--that I should have so much knowledge when there are people in the world that have to go to bed stupid every night." -- Clifford C. Clavin, USPS
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
"The hard evidence for the Book of Mormon is the Book of Mormon."
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.” Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric
"One, two, three...let's go shopping!" Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
Bob Loblaw wrote: Who is Robert F. Smith and why would he say something so ridiculous?
I don't know who he is, though he seems fairly well informed.
He is responding to this post by Monster in an interesting thread regarding Van Hale doubting the historicity of the Book of Mormon.
Problem that I see is that for years prophets and leaders have testified and declared it to be a literal translation of ancient records, of a group of people that inhabited the Americas. Now that evidence is mounting to tip the scales that it is not literal some are beginning to say that it is not important that it never happened. It is only important that we believe the Book of Mormon is inspired. So unlike parables in the Bible which everyone understood to be just stories we were taught the Book of Mormon is literal. Hard to back away from that now that it is troublesome. Of course I think it is better to face reality than hold onto beliefs that are suspect.
I wonder if in 50 or 100 years if there will be any allusion to the Book of Mormon being literal, or more like a fable. (Faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction--faith in fiction is a damnable false hope. Thomas A. Edison)
"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."
"We have taken up arms in defense of our liberty, our property, our wives, and our children; we are determined to preserve them, or die." - Captain Moroni - 'Address to the Inhabitants of Canada' 1775
Fence Sitter wrote:Can anyone tell me what 'hard evidence' there is that the Book of Mormon is a factual account? Or at least what TBM's see as "hard evidence" for it?
The FARMS/FAIR boys keep saying that "nhm" found in Yemen is the "true" hard piece of evidence. Personally, I don't see it. Two or three consonance, and a dried up creek bed doesn't make evidence.
Here is the latest take on the evidence by the eminent Book of Mormon archeologist/apologist. It is non-sense!
The book comes in a hardcover edition. Maybe that's what he means.
"It doesn't seem fair, does it Norm--that I should have so much knowledge when there are people in the world that have to go to bed stupid every night." -- Clifford C. Clavin, USPS
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
Joe Geisner wrote: The FARMS/FAIR boys keep saying that "nhm" found in Yemen is the "true" hard piece of evidence. Personally, I don't see it. Two or three consonance, and a dried up creek bed doesn't make evidence.
I am aware of the nhm claim but wouldn't "hard evidence" imply that there is a unique piece of physical evidence that ties that location directly to Lehi's party and only Lehi's party? Perhaps Smith is using the term "hard evidence" in a manner I do not understand. nhm, at best, is circumstantial evidence as far as I can see.
"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."
Fence Sitter wrote:I am aware of the nhm claim but wouldn't "hard evidence" imply that there is a unique piece of physical evidence that ties that location directly to Lehi's party and only Lehi's party? Perhaps Smith is using the term "hard evidence" in a manner I do not understand. nhm, at best, is circumstantial evidence as far as I can see.
Fence Sitter wrote:I am aware of the nhm claim but wouldn't "hard evidence" imply that there is a unique piece of physical evidence that ties that location directly to Lehi's party and only Lehi's party? Perhaps Smith is using the term "hard evidence" in a manner I do not understand. nhm, at best, is circumstantial evidence as far as I can see.
NHM and the alleged teeming amount of Semitic complexity in the Book of Mormon (to paraphrase Elder Holland) is the only evidence I've seen thus far from FARMS/MI. I'm not sure that I would characterize it as "hard" evidence.
I believe that Smith was one of the founders and key financial backers of FARMS at its original founding, but I could be wrong.
Last edited by Guest on Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.