Contending for the Faith: Comparing LDS Beliefs with those of the Historic Church

G.K. Taggart | current draft | G.K. Taggart

[T. P. Pole]

I greatly appreciate a courteous and respectful discussion no matter what our topic or differences may be.

I think that most of us are this way. It is too bad that there are a few that like contention. I'll always answer what appears to be a genuine request. I'll tend to ignore the bashers.

Are there any examples (in any media) of these characters/language that have been found in the New World from the time that these people were here using this language/writing?

I am not an expert in this by any means. However, when I think of Egyptian I think of lots of little pictures. We do see lots of little pictures in many of the ruins in central and South America. They certainly are not Egyptian, but maybe they are "reformed" Egyptian. Don't know.

Joseph did copy some characters from the BoM and we have today something that might be that copy. Scan the internet for the Anthon Transcript and you will see what I am talking about. The problem is that they were described at the time as being characters in columns, but what we have today is in rows. Don't know that anybody (besides Hofmann) has resolved that issue.

BTW, the Anthon transcript and the stuff you see in central/South America are not the same.

Also, if you are patient, or know a short answer: what do you make of the mistakes in the BOM of materials and animals not yet invented or on the continent?

Would these be attributed to what you described before: "he [Smith] was given in his mind an impression of what was on the plates. He then took that impression and used his own words in english for what he saw. "

In other words, he "translated" (actually tried to describe?) into something he knew - not knowing it was the wrong something?

That is a very good point that I had never considered before. Thanks.

When I read your comments I thought to myself, how would I describe a llama if I had never seen one before? Might I choose to call it a horse? Especially if it was being used at the time as a pack animal. Then I tried to come up with something that I might confuse into an elephant, and came up blank.

I think it is likely that much of the conflict over suposedly non-existing items could be resolved this way. I think of the Book of Revelation and the images that we read, and only now begin to understand. How would Paul describe tanks and airplanes, or atom bombs? He was given the vision, but had to put it into his own words. Maybe that can give us a clue as to the problem Joseph faced.

Anyways, thanks for the chance to have a civil discusion. Look forward to your response and next question.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Just want to read this bump.

[computerjunkie]

"How would Paul describe tanks and airplanes, or atom bombs? He was given the vision, but had to put it into his own words.

I think John wrote the book of Revelation, not Paul. But you probably meant to say/type that?

[T. P. Pole]

Thanks for the correction. That sounded so wrong when I typed it, but I couldn't figure out where it was wrong. You know when you mis-spell something, but the correct spelling looks even worse?