Your argument was founded on the existance of the plates as the origin of the bom. Without those plates, all else is idle speculation and not evidence. Or perhaps we do have some "evidence". Smith reportedly made a copy of the 'text' found on the plates, and had it reviewed by a local expert - Professor Charles Anthon. The RLDS holds the copy which was handed down to them from David Whitmer. Anthon refuted the notion that the characters were Egyptian in origin.
Without those plates, all else is idle speculation and not evidence. Phooey on the BoM and evidence; for we DO have the 'evidence' of all the OTHER stuff that the leaders of Mormonism have spewed from their lips over the years!
THAT is what's so damning to today's True Believers as they try to distance themselves from these easily proven FACTS!
Your argument was founded on the existance of the plates as the origin of the bom.
You'd like to think that wouldn't you... (Princess bride.)
Actually, there is plenty of other evidence,
Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon for one that just can't be explained any other way. But more important than all that, is that when I prayed to God, he let me know it was true. Once God answers, the Discussion ends, at least for me. Joseph had the plates, there is evidence for and against the Book of Mormon so we will have to use faith, and it's all going according to plan as it always does for God's plans.
Without those plates, all else is idle speculation and not evidence.
Please explain the Colophon (Joseph did not know what a Colophon was) that the Book of Mormon starts with:
First Nephi 1:1-3 1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.
2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.
3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.
So how did Joseph know to do this thing which was wholly a Hebrew form?
Or perhaps we do have some "evidence". Smith reportedly made a copy of the 'text' found on the plates, and had it reviewed by a local expert - Professor Charles Anthon. The RLDS holds the copy which was handed down to them from David Whitmer. Anthon refuted the notion that the characters were Egyptian in origin.
He certified it as Egyptian before he was told it was being translated by a prophet of God.
MHG, it is of God, what more can I say.