The poll is for Non-LDS only!

Book of Mormon.gif

If you have read it, (LDS or not) what sort of review would you give it ?

Here is a review I found in my oldest copy of the Book of Mormon.

It is simply titled : Why I Believe In The Book of Mormon by William A. Morton (Salt Lake City)

"For almost thirty years I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During this time I have read and studied the Book of Mormon a great deal, and I say, in all sincerity, that the more I study the book the more thoroughly I become convinced that it is a divinely inspired record.

I believe implicity in the Book of Mormon; I believe it to be the Word of God to the Nephites and Lamanites who once inhabited the continent, even as I believe the Bible to be the Word of God to the Jews and also to the Gentiles."

(Extract from page 3)

Just incase you decide to ask. I have read some of the Book of Mormon (therefore I cannot yet vote) and am currently reading it, and intend to make a careful study of it in 2010.

Sincerely,
HH.

ps. What prompted this unusual thread, was a discussion I have been reading through on Apologetics.com titled, 'IF THE BIBLE IS INERRANT, HOW ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON ?"

Dear LDS Forum Members.

Just in case LDS forum members, think that this thread is only open to Non-LDS (The poll is for Non-LDS, but the thread is for ye all)

Please read carefully through my opening post, for I am looking for a review of the Book of Mormon from you guys and dolls as well. That is if you have read the Book of Mormon

Peace,
HH

Originally posted by headheart

Just incase you decide to ask. I have read some of the Book of Mormon (therefore I cannot yet vote) and am currently reading it, and intend to make a careful study of it in 2010.

Sincerely,
HH.

ps. What prompted this unusual thread, was a discussion I have been reading through on Apologetics.com titled, 'IF THE BIBLE IS INERRANT, HOW ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON ?"

HH,

I appreciate your willingness to study the BoM. As you probably know, there are varying levels of "reading" the book. Some people (LDS included) have glanced at a verse or two, some people (LDS included) have read a portion, and referred to a few verses now and again, some people (LDS included) have read the BoM as a critique, others read it as a chronology. Finally, some study it intently, ponder and pray for understanding. And those are the ones who receive the greatest edification from scripture whether it is the BoM or the Bible.

I hope you make prayer a part of your study of the BoM. For if it is false, you would want God to steer you far from it, but if it is true, you would want God to tell you so by the Holy Ghost.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have during the year.

Merry Christmas to you.

I have read large chunks of it. No, I have not prayed and asked God if it is true ( just like I havent prayed about the Koran ).

I dont mean to be offensive, but when I do read it sometimes I laugh because of the extreme, silly use of king james english.

The KJV Bible contains stuff that seems pretty silly ("when they awoke, they were dead men.") If the BOM's English seems to be a silly use of 17th-century English, then maybe it's your incorrect assumption that the English being used was 17-th century English that is the problem.

You should read R. Skousen's analysis of some of the English phrases that were in the BOM manuscripts. Really fascinating stuff, IMO.

I've read it cover to cover twice, looked up cross references in the other standard works, and prayed intently about its truth claim several years ago. I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the BOM was fictional, and that nothing in it was actual history

I read most of the BOM just after Highschool when I was at the same time just beginning to deeply study my KJV. At the time I knew nothing of Mormanism and was extreamly ignorant of of the Bible itself. So I consider it a fair rating as one coming from the outside boundries of both at the same time. I followed the one that burned the busom and answered the need of my heart and life. The Bible contained the thread of redemption from cover to cover while the BOM seemed fanciful and inconsistant, not inspired. Not necessary for life in God and quite possibly written to capture people of selfish intent.

I have read the books. I find the changes from the New Testament from the Old Testament are more dramatic than the changes from the New Testament to the Book of Mormon. I also find very little new doctrine. What is there is quite different from what we think we know from the Bible but the Bible is unclear on many areas. Where the New Testament is an extension and definition of the Old Testament it appears that the Book of Mormon follows that same pattern.

I have used prophecy to verify the Bible as the Word of God. I am now looking at the prophecies in the Book of Mormon to see if they can verify it as scripture as well. There are only a few prophecies that can shed light on this. I am also looking into patterns to see if any of the events of the LDS line up on repeating dates from the Bible. It will take months to examine but I am in no rush. I have asked for guidance by the Holy Spirit but so far He has been silent. My research into the Bible took a long time and the Holy Ghost only verified to me after years of research. I guess there is no short cuts for me. Oh well.

I did not expect this thread to be a very long one, so thank you for your insights. I really mean that. I am very encouraged by the level of honesty and sincerity that I have witnessed here, and hope that this marks a new dawn of understanding between LDS and Non-LDS T-Webbers.

Peace to you all.
HH.

I've read the BOM, the D&C, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Abraham.

I find nothing in them that makes me think they're inspired, but on a good note, they make me appreciate the beauty and splendor of the Scriptures I know to be true.

Originally posted by ApologiaPhoenix

I've read the BOM, the D&C, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Abraham.

I find nothing in them that makes me think they're inspired, but on a good note, they make me appreciate the beauty and splendor of the Scriptures I know to be true.

I have read this word inspired used to describe many things, be it speeches, lectures, comics, cartoons, novels, and serious works of literature, even a bowl of icecream and strawberries. It reminds me of the words 'I love ___" in French, which can apply to so many things. Seeing as you have read the books of the LDS, and I suspect you have read the sermons of Joseph Smith..ie. the King Follette Discourse etc....now here is my question.

Seeing as this is only about 'The Book of Mormon' and not about the others, if you were to compare it with other books you have read, which would it be ? ,,,and why ?

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by nrajeff

You should read R. Skousen's analysis of some of the English phrases that were in the BOM manuscripts. Really fascinating stuff, IMO.

How about some of the English phrases, to wet my appetite ?

Sincerely,
HH.

Originally posted by Bill the Cat

I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the BOM was fictional, and that nothing in it was actual history

So what did you read that led to make such a conclusion about the book of Mormon?
How about one or two really good historical examples?

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by headheart

So what did you read that led to make such a conclusion about the book of Mormon?

I told you. I prayed about it the way I was asked by the Moroni challenge. I hadn't yet started my mesoamerican archaeology fettish that I currently have.

How about one or two really good historical examples?

Sincerely,
HH

Well, the first thing that really helped confirm what I had felt was Hampton Sides' article "This is NOT the place" which can be read here: http://www.xmission.com/~plporter/ld...ess/bomnot.htm

Reading later statements from Dr. Michael Coe here: http://www.pbs.org/mormons/interviews/coe.html

and further study about the archaeology of the Mayans has confirmed to me that the mesoamerican setting for the Book of mormon is simply impossible, and that a broader geography was equally improbable.

i have read the BoM when it was left by some missionaries. I even went through and highlighted the various parts that contradicted their own doctrines (like polytheism)

Originally posted by ApologiaPhoenix

I..., but on a good note, they make me appreciate the beauty and splendor of the Scriptures I know to be true.

----and with that, I hereby nominate AP's post for the dubious honor of "Most Obvious Back-handed Compliment of the Week."