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What?!? I think the absurdity of #23 on your list (prepared by Kerry Shirts) pretty well sums up this nonsense.

Quote:
23. Both groups were hierarchical and authoritarian, a feeling of perfect equality prevailed.
End Quote

Are you seriously suggesting that a ‘perfect feeling of equality’ prevails in either modern day Mormonism, or Ancient Judaism? Obviously written by a man?!

You were dead on about both groups being hierarchical and authoritarian, but...a little hint. Neither of these principles has ANYTHING to do with equality! In fact, they're quite the opposite. Since you are clearly misunderstood as to the meaning of these terms, I'll help you out.

World English Dictionary definition of Authoritarian:

1. Imposing or enforcing strict authority to order, at the expense of personal freedom; oppressive; illiberal.
2. Showing a lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others; domineering; dictatorial.

and Hierarchy:

1. A system of persons or things arranged in a graded order.
2. A body of persons in holy orders organized into graded ranks.

While I agree that both Mormonism and ancient Judaism were both of the above, they are/were certainly not based upon any form of equality. In case you don't understand what that means:

Equality:

1. The status of being equal, esp. in status, rights, and opportunities. Syn. fairness, justice.

In other words, the EXACT opposite of authoritarian and hierarchical! The rest of this list is just as bad. Most of the parallels you've listed are either completely false, or too general to indicate a legitimate parallel between the Mormons and the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls (scholars aren’t even sure if it was the Essenes only, or multiple groups who authored the scrolls). More importantly, you've blatantly ignored the differences between these groups in attempt at misleading readers into believing there is an association when there is not. I mean, being ruled by men (#12 on your list), doesn't really separate the Mormons or the Essenes from any other religion of our time or group of people of theirs, does it?

If similarities as general as being hierarchical, keeping a written record of your activities, being led by men, and being oppressed for your beliefs are indicative of a theological (or any other) association, then we could purport a connection between any two groups we choose!

Your 'research' reeks of one group (who has historically had a difficult time finding ANY archaeological evidence to support their scriptures)grasping at straws and trying to convince others by posting this nonsense publicly. I can only hope everyone who's read this post before me has had the sense to research these claims for themselves and realized how misleading they are.