Where did the Book of Mormon come from?

[OtherCheek]

I want to assemble here all the competing theories about the origin of the Book of Mormon.

As an LDS person, I have a personal witness that it is an actual ancient document written by ancient prophets, and translated by the gift and power of God.

But this thread is not about MY belief. It is about the belief of the detractors and critics of the Book of Mormon. So, if you have a blank mind on that topic, then please leave this thread alone.

I want to know which competing theory you espouse in opposition to the LDS view.

If you think it is the product of one man's mind, or many, please give some details.

Thanks.

[wonbyone]

As an LDS person, I have a personal witness that it is an actual ancient document written by ancient prophets, and translated by the gift and power of God.

Good thread OC! I have prayed and recieved a personal witness that it is from joseph smiths imagination inspired by satan.

I want to know which competing theory you espouse in opposition to the LDS view.

I am an Orthodox Christian because the Historic Christian faith through tangible evidence can be traced back to the first century.

If you think it is the product of one man's mind, or many, please give some details.

For starters he plagorised the King James Bible and there is no such thing as reformed egyptian.

[OtherCheek]

Good thread OC! I have prayed and recieved a personal witness that it is from joseph smiths imagination inspired by satan.



I am an Orthodox Christian because the Historic Christian faith through tangible evidence can be traced back to the first century.



For starters he plagorised the King James Bible and there is no such thing as reformed egyptian.

Thanks. There is ONE response. WbyO claims it is all the product of Joseph Smith's imagination in conjunction with Biblical plagiarism.

I hope others will offer their theories as well.

[wonbyone]

Thanks. There is ONE response. WbyO claims it is all the product of Joseph Smith's imagination in conjunction with Biblical plagiarism.

I hope others will offer their theories as well.

Don't forget the phony reformed egyptian.

[OtherCheek]

Don't forget the phony reformed egyptian.

Stick with the OP, O-B-one. We're talking about the theories regarding the origin of the BoM.

[wonbyone]

Stick with the OP, O-B-one. We're talking about the theories regarding the origin of the BoM.

I thought you wanted to know why I reject the bom?

[OtherCheek]

I thought you wanted to know why I reject the bom?

No. Read the OP. I want to hear the various theories regarding it's origin.

[wonbyone]

No. Read the OP. I want to hear the various theories regarding it's origin.

Joseph smith claiming to read reformed egyptian which has never existed proves that the bom is a figment of his imagination.

[OtherCheek]

Joseph smith claiming to read reformed egyptian which has never existed proves that the bom is a figment of his imagination.

Waiting for others to offer their theories...

[Bill the Cat]

I believe it is a combination of a few things, the Spaulding manuscript, biblical plagiarism, Oliver Cowdery's direction, Joseph Smith's imagination, and contemporary theological disagreements. It's a hodgepodge written into a novel format.

[OtherCheek]

I believe it is a combination of a few things, the Spaulding manuscript, biblical plagiarism, Oliver Cowdery's direction, Joseph Smith's imagination, and contemporary theological disagreements. It's a hodgepodge written into a novel format.

So, Bill incorporates a portion of everything into his theory.

What about the Ethan Smith origin theory, Bill? Or the Sidney Rigdon origin theory? Are those part of your theory too?

[nrajeff]

For one theory that I found interesting, check out

http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-M.../dp/1412049458

This guy says that Smith wrote the BOM as fiction, and that he did a masterful job of it, and most of the world has failed to appreciate the genius behind it. If I may quote a couple of sentences from the description:

Faultlessly composed in dialect gauged to resemble the kind readers might have expected from a sober, sincere but uneducated backwoodsman, the Book of Mormon imbibes such constant ambiguity that it engenders dual reality. Parts of it that might be interpreted representing pious intent serve equally well for demonstrating Joseph's religious skepticism. His double messages aren't incidental, but conscious, cerebral and consistent. To crown its glories, Joseph wove stunning poetic passages into it, and likewise identified himself as an adept New England humorist.

[OtherCheek]

For one theory that I found interesting, check out

http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-M.../dp/1412049458

This guy says that Smith wrote the BOM as fiction, and that he did a masterful job of it, and most of the world has failed to appreciate the genius behind it. If I may quote a couple of sentences from the description:

Faultlessly composed in dialect gauged to resemble the kind readers might have expected from a sober, sincere but uneducated backwoodsman, the Book of Mormon imbibes such constant ambiguity that it engenders dual reality. Parts of it that might be interpreted representing pious intent serve equally well for demonstrating Joseph's religious skepticism. His double messages aren't incidental, but conscious, cerebral and consistent. To crown its glories, Joseph wove stunning poetic passages into it, and likewise identified himself as an adept New England humorist.

Another theory for Bill to incorporate into his.

Thanks, Jeff.

[wonbyone]

For one theory that I found interesting, check out

http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-M.../dp/1412049458

This guy says that Smith wrote the BOM as fiction, and that he did a masterful job of it, and most of the world has failed to appreciate the genius behind it. If I may quote a couple of sentences from the description:

Faultlessly composed in dialect gauged to resemble the kind readers might have expected from a sober, sincere but uneducated backwoodsman, the Book of Mormon imbibes such constant ambiguity that it engenders dual reality. Parts of it that might be interpreted representing pious intent serve equally well for demonstrating Joseph's religious skepticism. His double messages aren't incidental, but conscious, cerebral and consistent. To crown its glories, Joseph wove stunning poetic passages into it, and likewise identified himself as an adept New England humorist.

I've read better descriptions of fictional work.

[jo7241974]

I've read better descriptions of fictional work.

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