~”When he realized he was quoting the Beatitudes, he “popped open his Bible”; continued the slow translation but eventually acquiesced to a wholesale importation of the remainder of the Beatitudes after deducing minimal difference between the two accounts.”~
I do not agree with this interpretation. I am no scholar on the topic; but I see nothing wrong with the idea that Christ quoted Himself verbatim where appropriate. Is it shocking that He would teach the same principles to two different groups of His followers? To me, it’s a testament to the Book of Mormon’s veracity; if Smith were “making it up,” would he not have preferred a version of the beatitudes that supported the principles that he wanted to espouse?
We seem to be diving inexorably into religion, and away from the original political discussion. Thankfully, this hasn’t been caused by anti-Mormon screed in this instance, but rather by honest theological discussions.
Still, consistency is consistency, so I request that this thread be moved to the Religion forum, if you, RM, see fit to do so.
Any discussion on the political ramifications of Romney’s faith would certainly still be appropriate; but the attention span for that sort of thing appears to be short.
Thanks to all who have participated in a civil manner.