The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
Fence Sitter
Area Authority
Posts: 632
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:02 am

The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by Fence Sitter »

The problem is explaining how and why God would produce a piece of 19th-century biblical fan fiction that looks exactly like something written in the 19th century.
User avatar
Rivendale
God
Posts: 1951
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:21 pm

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by Rivendale »

Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
drumdude
God
Posts: 8042
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 5:29 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by drumdude »

Rivendale wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:40 pm
Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
It has at least one devoted fan in Ireland.
User avatar
Rivendale
God
Posts: 1951
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:21 pm

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by Rivendale »

drumdude wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:58 pm
Rivendale wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:40 pm
Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
It has at least one devoted fan in Ireland.
I agree. The secret combinations of Neville Neville land, Mike Parker and Richard Nygren chronicles this devoted fan's illustrious history. Expansion model fits nicely in this esoteric paradigm. Hope he has found some peace.
I Have Questions
God
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue May 23, 2023 9:09 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by I Have Questions »

Rivendale wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:40 pm
Fence Sitter wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:28 pm
The problem is explaining how and why God would produce a piece of 19th-century biblical fan fiction that looks exactly like something written in the 19th century.
Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
Blake’s position is an apostate one. Back in the 90’s he’d have been excommunicated for publicly espousing it.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
I Have Questions
God
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue May 23, 2023 9:09 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by I Have Questions »

Fence Sitter wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:28 pm
The problem is explaining how and why God would produce a piece of 19th-century biblical fan fiction that looks exactly like something written in the 19th century.
Yes. God even slipped in some KJV Bible content for added bamboozlement.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
User avatar
Doctor CamNC4Me
God
Posts: 11036
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:04 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by Doctor CamNC4Me »

God is so clever He made the Book of Mormon look indistinguishable from a fraud.
Hiring a part-time news entertainment anchor as SecDef, what could go wrong?
User avatar
Limnor
God
Posts: 1745
Joined: Mon Sep 04, 2023 12:55 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by Limnor »

Rivendale wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:40 pm
Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
Sometimes they get so close. If you extend Ostler’s ideas and logic about Joseph shaping language and explanation to experience, would you get to roman-à-clef?
I Have Questions
God
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue May 23, 2023 9:09 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by I Have Questions »

Limnor wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2026 11:39 pm
Rivendale wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:40 pm
Blake Ostler has this covered. It is the expansion theory where Joseph added elements from his own life experience so it would communicate the message in a clearer way.
Sometimes they get so close. If you extend Ostler’s ideas and logic about Joseph shaping language and explanation to experience, would you get to roman-à-clef?
There’s a school of thought, with some substance behind it, that parallels Book of Mormon names, places, geography, etc. to Joseph’s real life immediate surroundings and accessible materials.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
User avatar
bill4long
God
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:56 am

Re: The Problem Isn't Explaining How J.S. Wrote The Book of Mormon...

Post by bill4long »

I Have Questions wrote:
Fri Mar 06, 2026 10:52 pm
God even slipped in some KJV Bible content for added bamboozlement.
Including the translation errors.
This space for rent - cheap
Post Reply