How long/intensely did you believe in the historicity of the Book of Mormon?

[Marcus]

There’s something a bit odd about the notion that we’ve been created and placed on the planet so that we can engage in a lifelong game of hide’n’seek, for the sole benefit of the one doing the hiding.

My favorite Trevor Noah bit. I am in stitches every time when he gets to “which god?”

https://youtu.be/QhMO5SSmiaA

Thank you for that! Hilarious.

[MG 2.0]

This thing you do, right?

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

There’s something a bit odd about the notion that we’ve been created and placed on the planet so that we can engage in a lifelong game of hide’n’seek, for the sole benefit of the one doing the hiding.

Why do you think that the fact that essentially God IS NOT the silver platter god I’ve been referring to is a purely a selfish move on His part? Can you think of some valid reasons God might have for not revealing Himself directly and fully to every living being on the planet no matter what?

Regards,
MG

in response to the part i bolded, yes, absolutely. they are exactly the same valid reasons we haven't had direct and full reveals from bigfoot, middle earth occupants, little green men in area 51, mermaids and leprechauns, santa claus and fairies and ghosts. They don't exist.

If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

<<Nonsense questions you’re expected to address. >>

in response to the part i bolded, yes, absolutely. they are exactly the same valid reasons we haven't had direct and full reveals from bigfoot, middle earth occupants, little green men in area 51, mermaids and leprechauns, santa claus and fairies and ghosts. They don't exist.

If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

I swear I’ve never seem KS and MG in the same room at the same time.

- Doc

[Morley]

Personally, I believe that He rewards those efforts of continued seeking and sacrifice to know Him and at least partially understand His oftentimes inscrutable ways.

I’m assuming that you believe God has rewarded your efforts. Forgive me, MG, but from what you write, it’s not coming across that way.

But maybe you’re like Moses and need an Aaron to speak for him.

[MG 2.0]

Why do you think that the fact that essentially God IS NOT the silver platter god I’ve been referring to is a purely a selfish move on His part? Can you think of some valid reasons God might have for not revealing Himself directly and fully to every living being on the planet no matter what?

Regards,
MG

in response to the part i bolded, yes, absolutely. they are exactly the same valid reasons we haven't had direct and full reveals from bigfoot, middle earth occupants, little green men in area 51, mermaids and leprechauns, santa claus and fairies and ghosts. They don't exist.

If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

You are comparing Bigfoot, leprechauns, etc., with a creator God? Discounting and not believing in a creator God for the same reasons you discount those things in your list is easy to do on its surface, granted, but as you dig a little deeper and realize you’re talking about the Creator of all things I think you can see that things get a little messy at that point.

You didn’t see John Polkinghorne, whom I’ve referred to, spending any time with leprechauns or little green men in Area 51.

There was something MUCH BIGGER that he was looking at.

Regards,
MG

[malkie]

Why do you think that the fact that essentially God IS NOT the silver platter god I’ve been referring to is a purely a selfish move on His part? Can you think of some valid reasons God might have for not revealing Himself directly and fully to every living being on the planet no matter what?

Regards,
MG

in response to the part i bolded, yes, absolutely. they are exactly the same valid reasons we haven't had direct and full reveals from bigfoot, middle earth occupants, little green men in area 51, mermaids and leprechauns, santa claus and fairies and ghosts. They don't exist.

If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

You had me worried for a moment, Marcus. I thought that you were going to mention the Loch Ness Monster along with these mythical creatures.

Just so we're clear, I'm happy with your omission of Nessie from the list: I really dislike it when people dis Nessie!

[Marcus]

in response to the part i bolded, yes, absolutely. they are exactly the same valid reasons we haven't had direct and full reveals from bigfoot, middle earth occupants, little green men in area 51, mermaids and leprechauns, santa claus and fairies and ghosts. They don't exist.

If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

You are comparing Bigfoot, leprechauns, etc., with a creator God? Discounting and not believing in a creator God for the same reasons you discount those things in your list is easy to do on its surface, granted, but as you dig a little deeper and realize you’re talking about the Creator of all things I think you can see that things get a little messy at that point.

No, I don't see that "things get a little messy at that point."

You didn’t see John Polkinghorne, whom I’ve referred to, spending any time with leprechauns or little green men in Area 51...
There was something MUCH BIGGER that he was looking at...

and i repeat:

...If you're going to argue your case, you'll need to provide your own reasons you think it's valid.

but, you won't do it, as evidenced by your invoking of a Polkinghorne site without stating your own position.

[MG 2.0]

Personally, I believe that He rewards those efforts of continued seeking and sacrifice to know Him and at least partially understand His oftentimes inscrutable ways.

I’m assuming that you believe God has rewarded your efforts. Forgive me, MG, but from what you write, it’s not coming across that way.

But maybe you’re like Moses and need an Aaron to speak for him.

I wouldn’t expect anything less…or more…from you in response to my posts and thoughts as a believer.

You will even find support for your views towards this believer from others on this very board!

Surprise surprise.

And yes, I do feel as though my efforts have gone rewarded. For one, I find my butt in the pew almost every Sunday through my own choice. And I think I’m the better person as a result of my activity in the church and walking in obedience to the commandments I believe God has given us to be happy.

I will agree that as far as public speaking and interaction there are folks more astute and practiced than I am.

You, for one. Every time I butt heads with you I feel as though I am at a disadvantage because of your erudite and sophisticated knowledge and presentation. But here I am. I try to have a conversation anyway.

What am I even thinking?

I am appreciative of your condescension in talking with me at all.

If I can offer up one or two thoughts out of ten in which I might have something to offer, as a believer, that others might take note of…I’d consider that to be a success. Of course this ratio of two out of ten here might get me a ratio of eight or nine out of ten on a board not filled with agnostics, atheists, and secularists.

Regards,
MG

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

I believed absolutely until I parted company with the church at age 19.

I had to re-read the OP since MG has hijacked the thread to bare his testimonkey and I caught this. I’m sure you shared it before, but it might be useful for us to know how you managed to bounce on the Mormon church ‘back in the day’ without the aid of the Interwebs. Frankly, I’m always in awe of thos pre-internet days where people here and there fought through the gaslighting and manipulation to figure out the Book of Mormon and Mormon chirch is a con job.

- Doc

PS - > be me, be Mormon god

> make Nephi kill a passed out guy for his Bible, make Nephi wear blood soaked clothese *snicker*

> tell them this has to happen else their descendants will fall away, they fall away anyway *snicker*

> tell them to scratch out “reformed Egyptian” historical records, history lost any way *snicker*

> tell “prophets” to haul plates around, get one guy to haul plates all the way to NY *snicker*

> tell Joseph Smith to “translate” plates, give him an iStone, don’t need plates *snicker*

> be me, be Mormon god