The Mormon Apologist's Modus Operandi

[_Some Schmo]

Is that your excuse?

Yes...to a considerably lesser degree that some of my critic friends.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

So what you're essentially trying to say is that the millions of people that have heard about Mormonism and rejected it because it made no sense are all closed minded and uncomprehending?

LOL

Ok Wade... whatever floats your boat.

Thanks, -Some Schmo-

[_wenglund]

So what you're essentially trying to say is that the millions of people that have heard about Mormonism and rejected it because it made no sense are all closed minded and uncomprehending?

No one, with a somewhat open mind and even a modicum of comprehension ability, would interpret my comments as suggesting anything of the sort. But, somehow you managed it. Congratulations!

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_AlmaBound]

Ok... I just did an off-the-cuff experiment at work.

I went to my goldsmith and got a small piece of 14kt gold that had been rolled out for repairs.

You have a goldsmith?

[_MAsh]

Ok... I just did an off-the-cuff experiment at work.

I went to my goldsmith and got a small piece of 14kt gold that had been rolled out for repairs.

You have a goldsmith?

Yes.

And Dr. CAMNC4ME, I see nothing in the wiki article that adds anything that hasn't already been discussed. You need to be more precise.

Mike

[_Some Schmo]

So what you're essentially trying to say is that the millions of people that have heard about Mormonism and rejected it because it made no sense are all closed minded and uncomprehending?

No one, with a somewhat open mind and even a modicum of comprehension ability, would interpret my comments as suggesting anything of the sort. But, somehow you managed it. Congratulations!

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Oh, I know... what an outrageous interpretation of your words given the context!

Please, by all means, tell us what you really mean.

Thanks, -Some Schmo-

[_AlmaBound]

I went to my goldsmith and got a small piece of 14kt gold that had been rolled out for repairs.

How did he roll the gold out?

[_MAsh]

I went to my goldsmith and got a small piece of 14kt gold that had been rolled out for repairs.

How did he roll the gold out?

I'm not positive, but I think it's a type of hand-crank press.

Mike

[_AlmaBound]

I'm not positive, but I think it's a type of hand-crank press.

Mike

The reason I ask is because I wonder how it would have been done by the characters in the book - would they have "beat" the plates into shape, or rolled them?

It seems more likely to me that they would have beat them, given the example in Exodus:

Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates...

I've worked with metal in the past as well (though not gold), and I know that beating metal into sheets tends to leave it with a different feel than when it is rolled out. Metal tends to harden when it is beat.

So I am wondering if your experiment contained the correct variables - I understand it was a quick test, but I am not sure that the plates would have been made in the same manner as in a goldsmith's shop today.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

And Dr. CAMNC4ME, I see nothing in the wiki article that adds anything that hasn't already been discussed. You need to be more precise.

Mike

Sir,

Read Mrs. Smith's description of the plates. Now read the article. The two descriptions vary significantly.

Very Respectfully,

Doctor CamNC4Me

[_MAsh]

So I am wondering if your experiment contained the correct variables - I understand it was a quick test, but I am not sure that the plates would have been made in the same manner as in a goldsmith's shop today.

I kind of figured that's where you were going. :)

I'm pretty sure that the gold sheet I have wasn't made in exactly the same manner as in ancient times (plus mine is 14kt & probably has purer alloys, etc.). While there would be some differences in rigidity, unevenness, etc., I think it's close enough to tell that the story is not only plausible, but likely true.

Until someone wants to run an exact experiment we'll never know, will we? But as it stands, it seems perfectly logical from the gold piece I have and I think it's a big stretch to deny Emma's testimony based on her description of the plates.

Mike