But Mormons have a real problem, your reference point is not the Book of Mormon, but Joseph Smith himself.
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Part true, our reference point is Jesus, through Joseph Smith and today Jesus, through His Living Prophet.
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Personally, I’d avoid middlemen when it comes to my soul.
It should be clear to those who've engaged the Mormonism apologists for months now that Mormonism isn't based on the B of M, it is based upon the dictates 'by revelation' of one Joe Smith and the minions who've followed along in his rambling footsteps. The Smithism contradictions to the B of M show just how absurd the religion is, yet the apologists do not see the contradictions because, as you wisely said, they cannot afford to else the 'faith' would crumble like the empty house of heretical cards it is. Again, Augustine's comment seems accurate for this enigmatic group of religious people:
"...truth is loved in such a way that those who love some other thing want it to be the truth, and, precisely because they do not wish to be deceived, are unwilling to be convinced that they are deceived." -- St. Augustine