The Book of Mormon: Man-Made or God-Given?

[Guest]

I find it interesting that it's people defending the Book of Mormon that portray Joseph as a poor dumb schmuck who lacked an education and who couldn't string two coherent thoughts together, let alone produce the Book of Mormon. Yet the evidence from the very people defenders rely upon in other circumstances suggests Joseph was very well versed in the Bible, frequently attended religious classes, was thoughtful enough to ponder the deeper meaning of scripture, gave thoughtful if fanciful renditions of where the Native Americans came from, convinced hardened frontiersman to part with their hard earned cash on nothing more than Joseph's sales pitch on how he could find buried Spanish treasure using nothing more than a rock and had for a father a school teacher and man prone to spiritualism and visions.

Of course Joseph could have written the book.
Of course he could have developed complex doctrinal thoughts.

I mean, you even believe God thought him of such stature as to be foreordained as THE Prophet of the Restoration in the last dispensation of times. the guy upon which God rested the entire Restoration. Yet you don't believe he was bright enough, charismatic enough, creative enough to have written it himself?

Anyway, I'm yet to hear anyone disprove my Satan-Given theory, so it must be true.

[_spotlight]

Wrong! Listen to Elder Calister's BYU talk again to find out why.

It's like I'm in an argument with a 12 year old. I read the talk. Who has evidence for his side? I do. The book of Abraham - proven to be the fabrication of Joe. It is a taste of his creative capacity in religious nonsense. I have the evidence of him attempting to convince marks of his ability to find buried treasure with his rock and to read a closed book on a table with the same rock. What do you have? An argument from ignorance.

[Guest]

Wrong! Listen to Elder Calister's BYU talk again to find out why.

It's like I'm in an argument with a 12 year old. I read the talk. Who has evidence for his side? I do. The book of Abraham - proven to be the fabrication of Joe. It is a taste of his creative capacity in religious nonsense. I have the evidence of him attempting to convince marks of his ability to find buried treasure with his rock and to read a closed book on a table with the same rock. What do you have? An argument from ignorance.

To be fair, section 132 is the work of disgusting genius - a man getting away with serial adultery on the back of saying all those girls were "God-Given".

Do you remember when Mormons were told, and believed, the Priesthood Ban was God-Given?
(Moinmoin still does)

[_Jersey Girl]

It's like I'm in an argument with a 12 year old.

Congratulations. You've seen the light.

[_Lemmie]

Anyway, I'm yet to hear anyone disprove my Satan-Given theory, so it must be true.

obviously!

[_Jersey Girl]

I'm only mildly amused by this thread. For some reason, that seems to suffice for today.

[_Chap]

It's like I'm in an argument with a 12 year old.

Congratulations. You've seen the light.

I agree that would explain a lot.

[_Jersey Girl]

I agree that would explain a lot.

Well, you can't discuss/debate with someone who won't even get in the ring.

I know you are but what am I.
;-)

[_Fence Sitter]

I don't have an alternative explanation that will satisfy Scientologists on how e-meters work, therefore Scientology is true.

[_Dr Exiled]

So I guess you are here to cause drama?

I am here to discuss the gospel with whoever is interested, which obviously does not include you.

I'm interested in discussion, but your push to force us to presume that the Book of Mormon came from god simply because we can't show you, to your satisfaction, it didn't, boggles the mind. It's your burden to show that it is as advertised, not us. However, you seem like the type that would deny that the sun was shining if it was in your interest to have darkness. So, I'm sure by your artificial high standard, showing Joseph Smith wrote it alone or with others is pointless.