[P-Marlowe]

Thank you Zakeet. To be quite honest, I really didn't know how to respond to that tripe. I do believe that the Book of Abraham is the most well documented fraud in the History of the United States. But as PT Barnum stated, "There's a sucker born every minute."

How anyone can believe this nonsense is simply beyond me. I can see that the Mormons WANT TO BELIEVE it, and will go to every length to prove to themselves that what is there, isn't really there, and what isn't there really is there.

They've made up their minds. Don't confuse them with the facts.

[Zakeet]

I do believe that the Book of Abraham is the most well documented fraud in the History of the United States.

Used to be there was a cult in Illinois who took the four corners of the earth language in the Bible literally. They went so far as to offer a $100,000 prize to anyone who could prove to their satisfaction the earth was round, not flat. Last I heard (about 20 years ago), no one had yet been able to claim the prize.

Examples of other religious nonsense abound. Some are tragic such as the Heaven's Gate people jumping out of their earth suits or Muslims blowing infidels to bits. Others are humorous such as Hare Krishna's donning orange bathrobes, smearing white chicken-dung paint on their foreheads, hopping about, and chanting.

But they all have two things in common: (1) every one of them prayed and got a warm fuzzy feeling that told them they were right; and (2) according to Biblical Scripture, they followed false prophets and were lost.

[Zakeet]

I do believe that the Book of Abraham is the most well documented fraud in the History of the United States.

This calls for a vote!

Your comment got me thinking about what exactly was Joseph's biggest fraud. I propose we vote to determine the best of the worst. My nominees are:

1. The Book of Mormon: the most correct of any book on earth containing stories mass migrations in submarine barges, snakes herding cattle, American Indians smelting steel and living in cement houses, and so much, much more.

2. The Book of Abraham: Joseph's translation debunked by Egyptologists. The poor guy missed the author of the document, the purpose for the document, and every single word contained in the document.

3. The Failed Prophesies: from such gems as predicting the violent overthrow of the United States in the 1830's, to the second coming of Christ sometime before 1891, to the discovery of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel living in cement houses in a valley near the North Pole, to the finding the moon is inhabited by men dressed like Quakers, to the prediction the earth has knobs on each end. Joseph wasn't afraid go for broke. And he got there time and time again.

4. The First Vision: or more specifically, the nine different versions of the first vision; or ten if you include the Salamander account pronounced genuine by LDS Church leadership.

5. The 1826 Bainbridge Conviction for Fraud: the Conquistador's gold was really down there. It wasn't Joseph's fault the farmer dug so slowly the ground opened up and kept swallowing the treasure.

6. The Book of Commandments / Doctrine and Covenants: supposedly dictated to the prophet by Mormonism's god, but changed thousands of times and still replete with examples of false statements and contradictions with other Mormon scripture.

7. The Kirtland Safety Society: the Enron scandal of the 1830's (and for a time the largest financial fraud in U.S. history). This happened shortly after Mormonism's god promised a banking institution, who like Aaron's rod shall swallow up all other banks … and grow and flourish and spread from the rivers to the ends of the earth, and survive when all others should be laid in ruins.

8. The United Order: Rigdon talked Smith into trying communism about 30 years or so before Marks and Engels. The Saints got the same results.

9. The Garden of Eden: located in Independence, Missouri. This was the place where Adam and Eve were given Sacred Temple Garments (i.e. long johns with secret Masonic symbols) to cover their nakedness after they were expelled from paradise.

10. The Kinderhook Plates: phony pieces of brass which Joseph pronounced genuine and then determined they contained information about a descendant of Ham.

11. Doctrine & Covenants Section 132: polygamy as a result of a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

12. The Science of Kolob: the Sun borrows its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, and other stars receive their power through the revolutions of Kolob. Similarly, the earth receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam.

13. Salvation through Joseph: or more specifically, the idea no one receives exaltation without recognizing Smith is a prophet of god and will pass before him in order to gain entry to the highest kingdom of heaven.

14. The Eternal Progression: As man now is, god once was. As god now is, man may become

15. I'm greater than Jesus: Joseph's pompous boast made on May 26, 1844. Less than a month later, a vain prophet was thrown down exactly as prophesied by Smith.

It would be interesting to learn peoples' opinions. Perhaps the readers of this thread would like to weigh in by choosing one of the above. Or perhaps you would like to add some other examples of your own.