Posted on 06/29/2010 8:28:07 AM PDT by Colofornian
Quite reasonably, the current Introduction to the Book of Mormon begins, The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible....
Yet...we are likely to point out some significant differences as well...
...The Bible is more of a library than a single book, and there are tremendous differences in genre...
At first glance, the contents of the Book of Mormon appear to be similarly diverse...On closer inspection... the Book of Mormon turns to be entirely narrative. The whole book takes the form of a story told by narrators...but we know who is responsible for every word in the Book of Mormon. Its either Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, or Moroni (plus a few minor authors...). This means that the Book of Mormon, as a whole, is a much more integrated and deliberately constructed volume than the Bible.
...the Book of Mormon operates by very different literary principles than the Bible. Consider the characteristics of Old Testament narrators as described by Shimon Bar-Efrat, formerly of Hebrew University at Jerusalem:
The narrator in most biblical narratives appears to be omniscient
Biblical narrators do not usually mention themselves
Biblical narrators [generally] make no reference to their activity in writing the narratives
The narrators do not...address their audience directly
Outside the books of Kings there are very few instances in which the narrator passes judgment
How many of these statements are true of the Book of Mormon? None of them.
Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and Moroni are...often...participants in the stories...They interrupt their narratives regularly to tell us about their lives, their testimonies, and their desires. They worry about their weakness in writing (Eth. 12:23, 40; cf. 2 Ne. 33:1, 4). And they do not hesitate to address readers directly to explain their intentions,...editorial techniques,...emotional responses to...events...
(Excerpt) Read more at ldsmag.com ...
(Oh, not "lost"...why the man-ghost, the angel Moroni, a dead man, took them back to heaven, alleged Smith)
Do they not realize that here, at the very beginning of their book, is where they lose most of us? And from there on into the actual text it just gets worse. There are some of aspects of the "Mormon life" that are appealing, and they have every right to believe and preach whatever they wish. But personally, as a Christian, and an avid with degree but not full time student of history, their "scripture" is a fairly obvious fraud.
**As well they should. They go to the "And it came to pass..." well way to[o] many times."**
One could even say: "Exceeding many times."
Snort!
Regards,
Ah, but who or what do you say Jesus Christ is?
Potty language is not allowed on the Religion Forum.
Biblical narrators do not usually mention themselves
Biblical narrators [generally] make no reference to their activity in writing the narratives
_________________________________________________
Oh Noez Joez...
And it came to pass ye mucketh up boy...
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
A Swiss Cheese thread...
Sandy usually gets really testy at that question who or what do you say Jesus Christ is?
If you get a real and full answer, ping me.
So if a “cheese head” marries a “sour dough head” does their family become a sandwich?
Good Morning Nana.
Since the bom is a work of fiction written in the early 1800s, that ‘spirit’ you feel is not the Holy Spirit.
Godd morning and good afternoon ta ye lassie...
How di ye be ???
:)
**As well they should. They go to the "And it came to pass..." well way to[o] many times."**
One could even say: "Exceeding many times."
Snort!
Regards,
The book of Mormon is just the 19th century versio of “Dianetics”
Oh, snap!
It’s interesting that you would attack the poster on his/her grammar, yet you show a lack of knowledge of same by capitalizing words that should not be capitalized (i.e. Grammar and Intellect).
:)
Biblical narrators do not usually mention themselves
Have you ever read the book of Nehemiah from the Old Testament? It is in first person. Nehemiah definitely mentions himself. Nehemiah might be the only example though.
Still that gives no credence to the fiction that is the Book of Mormon. No cities or coins or any other artifacts were found to substantiate the claims found in the Book of Mormon anyway.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.