I believe the book of Mormon is phony as the day is long but I do admire Mormons for what are clearly strong traditional family values. Utah isn’t the most conservative state in the Union for nothing. I spent a good deal of time researching Joseph Smith and the ever changing book of Mormon which is at best science fiction. I know a little about such fictions because a ancestor of mine wrote a similar tome, though he did it through automatic typing instead of translating with the use of a seer stone. The translating was suppose to be perfect letter for letter when the tablets were received from the angel Moroni.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oahspe
“the ever changing book of Mormon”
If you have some time read up on the Council of Nicea and see how much thought went into getting the Bible and Catholic Dogma in ine with what best suited the Roman Empire. I am a Catholic, but I am ashamed of all the stuff that was deemed unworthy of inclusion by the Council. I think you will also find that most mainstream Protestant religions have made “adjustments” to their beliefs to stay in tune with the times.
One of the few religions that has stayed true to their original doctrine is Islam and we all know how progressive and in tune with 21th century reality they are.
I recently re-read “No Man Knows My History” by Fawn Brodie (historian who also outed Jefferson and Sally Hemmings). An LDS member and related to the church at the highest levels, she was ex-communicated for writing the accurate history of Joseph Smith. I would recommend it for anyone considering voting for Romney.
However, what happened at the printers is another story! Oye!