Books of Mormon, Abraham, Moses as Inspired Fiction

[huckelberry]

I can think of too many other books which somebody might call inspired fiction that I would give priority over these LDS stories. I do not like all the destruction of people before Jesus comes in the Book of Mormon. Even in the story that is not the method to make a movement that lasts or leads into the future. The church in the Book of Mormon dies.

Book of Moses is ho hum, the book of Abraham is an unattractive tangle.

[drumdude]

The best reason to attend church is because your community and family is there. But that's the same for any church.

It's sad that secular groups can't replicate the community that churches create, in the early years after leaving Mormonism I wished there was an alternative but no one has figured out how to do that yet.

Perhaps as the rise of the "nones" continues there will be so much demand for secular community that something will arise naturally.

[Shulem]

I do not like all the destruction of people before Jesus comes in the Book of Mormon.

It's a horrible, horrible story of mass destruction and wholesale murder that describes an angry god who will kill millions of people -- men, women, and children as he sits on top of his throne and doesn't get his way. Oh you poor baby!

Ha! Book of Mormon god! KISS MY ASS -- you piece of crap.

Try and burn or sink me and I'll kick ur ass.

[dastardly stem]

Let us suppose that, hypothetically, the church publishes a new proclamation that states the Books of Mormon, Abraham and Moses are all inspired, prophetic, and true--but they're fiction. Included in this proclamation is also a statement that the Old Testament is inspired fiction.

Does that solve all y'all's problems? See you in church on Sunday?

The church flip flopping on their positions? And what about all the really stupid parts of scripture? The church says it's all just God's mean joke?

[Sledge]

Let us suppose that, hypothetically, the church publishes a new proclamation that states the Books of Mormon, Abraham and Moses are all inspired, prophetic, and true--but they're fiction. Included in this proclamation is also a statement that the Old Testament is inspired fiction.

Does that solve all y'all's problems? See you in church on Sunday?

The church flip flopping on their positions? And what about all the really stupid parts of scripture? The church says it's all just God's mean joke?

Nope. But written by people with people mistakes and such.

[Gadianton]

Let us suppose that, hypothetically, the church publishes a new proclamation that states the Books of Mormon, Abraham and Moses are all inspired, prophetic, and true--but they're fiction. Included in this proclamation is also a statement that the Old Testament is inspired fiction.

Does that solve all y'all's problems? See you in church on Sunday?

This is a great example of what I was talking about on the archaeology thread.

Just because you wave a wand and dismiss the worst of the contradictions to known reality, doesn't mean you've supplied any reasons to believe.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

true--but they're fiction

True, but fiction? Wut. That … actually makes it worse. What are the upsides of belonging to the LDS org?

- Doc

[Philo Sofee]

The best reason to attend church is because your community and family is there. But that's the same for any church.

It's sad that secular groups can't replicate the community that churches create, in the early years after leaving Mormonism I wished there was an alternative but no one has figured out how to do that yet.

Perhaps as the rise of the "nones" continues there will be so much demand for secular community that something will arise naturally.

Check Unitarian Universalism... they are very close to this

[malkie]

This would require that the church leadership is actually knowledgeable and accepting of modern biblical criticism, along with everything that implies. It would completely transform the doctrine of the church.

We have a great example of what that looks like already. It looks like the Community of Christ. Take a glance at how that worked out for them, it decimated their congregations. It turns out that Mormonism and progressivism are like oil and water, they just don't mix.

It may have resulted in mass exodus, but look on the positive side at what they are today.

Sure, they are small, but they are (generally) a loving and inclusive organization. Their leaders can admit to mistakes - unlike Oaks, etc.

Not only are gender and sexuality not an issue, but they are tolerant of a wide range of beliefs.

In other words, they are not just LDS-lite.

And they have John Hamer!!!

[Moksha]

Let us suppose that, hypothetically, the church publishes a new proclamation that states the Books of Mormon, Abraham and Moses are all inspired, prophetic, and true--but they're fiction. Included in this proclamation is also a statement that the Old Testament is inspired fiction.

Does that solve all y'all's problems? See you in church on Sunday?

Could they also add the works of J.R.R. Tolkien for some extra correlation? This would allow apologists to claim descent from the Stick of Sauron.