What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon? (OPEN)

Ensign Magazine ^ | Ellis T. Rasmussen

[greyfoxx39]

Disclaimer: I am former LDS and "anti" mormonism. I post articles from official mormon sources that often relate to current discussions taking place on the forum to provide a means for open discussion in the Religion forum.

 

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[greyfoxx39]

Ping

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[SkyDancer]

The BOM is authentic enough ... Joseph Smith Jr. wrote it and had it copyrighted ... as Mark Twain wrote: “The Book of Mormon is chloroform in print.”

[ejonesie22]

Wow...

Taking what should be fact on “faith”...

I am glad God's true word stands up to a much better test.

The only question we should have is whether Jesus is or isn't Divine.

We should not have to take the existence of the Dead Sea, or Rome, or any other tangibles on “faith”.

Paul admonished us that reason is the prime defender of faith and fact was equally important.

Spirits can deceive, eyes cannot.

[colorcountry]

All I can say about the followers of a religion that claims that its adherents can become gods is:

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee.” Obadiah 1:3.

[the long march]

Actually the Rev. Spaulding wrote it. Smith stole it and the rest is unfortunate

[SkyDancer]

Oh yeah, remember that ... thanks!

[SeaHawkFan]

Wow! All that to say there is no evidence for the truth of the BOM.

[Mr Rogers]

“And when I am far on the road to conviction, and eight men, be they grammatical or otherwise, come forward and tell me that they have seen the plates too; and not only seen those plates but “hefted” them, I am convinced. I could not feel more satisfied and at rest if the entire Whitmer family had testified.”

Mark Twain

http://www.truthandgrace.com/twainbom.htm

[rjsimmon]

Actually the Rev. Spaulding wrote it. Smith stole it and the rest is unfortunate

Would you happen to have a source for this? I have done quite a bit of reading on how Bro Joseph 'translated' the BOM but have never come across this. I would be very interested to learn more.

Thanks in advance.

[john in springfield]

The best support for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

"The testimony of the Holy Spirit" can be used to support literally anything.

The Holy Spirit testifies, for example, that I'm the Grand Poohbah of North America, and that you should give 10% of your money to me.

Come on, you KNOW it's true.

[WVKayaker]

Are you familiar with rat poison? Rat poison is ually 90+% good stuff like grains, suet, etc. But, there is a lethal dose of poison mixed in to make sure death is around the corner. With ant poison,they usually make it slower acting, so it is taken back to the next to kill others, but is still using good food as it's base.

Mormonism is built on obedience to Mormon doctrines, like Roman Catholicism. If you tithe, you can get a temple ticket, allowing you into their secret places, and to participate in their secret ceremonies. It teaches that (white) men can become gods, and that womens role is to spew children, as many, and as fast as possible, both here and in their new "kingdom". Both have earthly "fathers".

It is even recommended to lie about their faith, and deny things which may reveal the truth about their religion! Their goal is personal godhood, or personal concubine. It's why Romney is whacked, imho...

[TheBattman]

Uh... because some self-described prophet and disgruntled former Christian said so...

There really is no evidence of the authenticity - no manuscripts (or plates), no other eye witnesses.

And from reading that same-said book years ago - there are plenty of reasons to discount the book. First, there is no need for a “further revelation of Jesus Christ”. Add to that the perceivable contradictions to the Bible, it should be obvious that this was the work of someone with some Biblical knowledge, and an axe to grind because he wasn’t happy with the mainline Christianity at the time.

And I too spent a little over a year as a practicing LDS member. I bought it lock, stock, and barrel - until I began to truly pray over what I was being taught.

Some really nice people - though mislead.

[vetvetdoug]

I find it ironic that God spoke to Joseph Smith in the King James’ Version of speech.

[adaven]

I wonder how many Mormons cringed when the news of the airline crash from Paris to Comoros Islands broke.

Hmm.

What’s the capital of Comoros islands? Moroni!

Where did the angel Moroni give J. Smith the plates of the book of Mormon? Hill Cumorah.

Just thought I’d throw that out there :)

[SkyDancer]

If, as JSjr stated that the plates were of pure gold and the size of an automobile battery, the weight of the book would be over 600lbs .... hefted? And also JSjr ran(!!) with it????

ps Mark Twain was being sarcastic ...

[SkyDancer]

Go here: http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs/Smth1883.htm

[the long march]

You haven’t read much about Mormonism then. Google it ( spaulding and the book of mormom). This is in fact one of the earliest theories.

Much work has been done in this area by various authors. Easily found

[Tennessee Nana]

What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon?
_______________________________________

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Wait, I’m thinking ???

Got a minute ???

Got a hour ???

Got a day ???

Ponder, ponder...

Got a week ???

Got a year ???

Scratching dazed head...

Got a decade ??

Got a century ???

I’ll get it yet...

Got 180 years ???

Whadaya mean...Times up ???

[SkyDancer]

Just thought you might like to read this: http://www.salamandersociety.com/marktwain/