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 ...
Hey RESTY!!!
We can’t come and post on your precious CAUCUS threads; but we invite YOU to come here if you wish.
I can say it with the full authority of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Saundra. Since the bom is fiction, smith a proven false prophet and the doctrines of the mormon church directly contrary to that Gospel - that 'spirit' you feel is a deceiving spirit -
2Cr 11:3 KJV - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2Cr 11:4 KJV - For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].
2Cr 11:13 KJV - For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Cr 11:14 KJV - And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cr 11:15 KJV - Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Come to understand 1 Cor 12 within the correct context saundra - then you will start to see where you departed from the path.
The BIBLE calls Joseph Smith ACCURSED!
14,15,18,19,20...
Resty been here alREADY???
But to answer your question, yes, I did (try to) read the Book of Mormon. I cannot claim to have read it all (I have read the KJV Bible cover to cover a couple times) but I think I have a reasonable sense for what the book contains. To me it read like someone trying to mimic the language and cadence of the KJV Bible with an added story line set in ancient North America.
Since that time I have had friends who are Mormon quietly try to convert me to their faith, which I have no problem with them doing. My son and I even did an overnight father-son camp out at with a Mormon group at a church campsite near Kirtland, Ohio.
However, the more I have over the years learned about Joseph Smith, his claims and story, the origins and history of the Book of Mormon, the discrepancies between its description of events and places in America versus anything archaeology shows, the more convinced I am that the Mormon church is founded on a fraud.
I have no reason or inclination to be insulting about this to Mormons. They are entitled to believe whatever they wish. This is just my (fairly thoroughly) considered opinion.
It certainly is UNIQUE!
Instead of attacking the poster, who did not write the article, how about ‘mormonism for dummies’ for the LDS author of the piece (and title)? That would make more sense.
“The BIBLE calls Joseph Smith ACCURSED!”
Oh, I could quote from the Bible, too, and twist the words and take them out of context to suit my own agenda, but I don’t wish to play that game with you.
Joseph Smith said his name would be known for good and evil. You know his name for evil; I know his name for good. Thank you for fulfilling prophesy.
Saudra, the ‘spirit’ you are feeling cannot be the Holy Ghost, because the BoM contradicts the Bible and is a work of fiction.
The Holy Ghost will NEVER testify of something that contradicts the Bible.
Now, I fully believe you are feeling A spirit, a demonic spirit that is keeping you tied to Mormonism, not the Spirit of God.
“I can say it with the full authority of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Saundra”
Well, you are not the final authority, thank Goodness. You are not the judge.
Remember, I used to be an anti Mormon, too. I remembering telling people that Joseph Smith thought he was Jesus Christ. I used to say that Mormons were nuts, confused, and just plain wrong. Blah blah blah.
It takes an open mind and heart and faith. I love my Church; I love my Savior; I love Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost.
You think I’m an idiot. You have a right to your opinion but I will say this: He who is without sin, cast the first stone.
The anti Mormons on this site sure have been tossing a lot of rocks my way.
I wear it as a badge of honor.
“For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; “
Yikes! King Solomon is in big trouble.
Sandy usually gets really testy at that question who or what do you say Jesus Christ is?
- - - - - - -
I am still waiting for her to answer the question:
was God once a man? Did He have a God?
I know what the LDS teach, and that isn’t in the Articles of Faith, so I am inquiring of Sandy.
“Now, I fully believe you are feeling A spirit, a demonic spirit that is keeping you tied to Mormonism, not the Spirit of God.”
They accused Jesus Christ of being filled with the devil, too. That’s a dangerous road to travel, FReeper.
One time when I was in a pentecostal church, these people started trying to cast out a demon from a deaf woman. They were yelling and screaming and looking demonic themselves. The poor girl was not possessed; she was just deaf and they humiliated and frightened her. This is what can go wrong when people get all puffed up with pride and start thinking they can actually manipulate the Holy Ghost. Sheeeesh already.
I think it’s weird that you said what you said to me. Very weird . . . and makes me feel sad for you.
ROFL I wondered what was taking you so long to riducule this great article!
Keep it up! Keep showing your true colors!
ROFL I wondered what was taking you so long to ridicule this great article!
Keep it up! Keep showing your true colors!
The Holy Spirit has feelings and when you say things about Him that are not true He is agrieved.
___________________________________________________
So why do you yourself say things about Him that are untrue ???
The Holy Spirit has feelings and when you say things about Him that are not true He is agrieved.
___________________________________________________
So why do you yourself say things about Him that are untrue ???
Thank you for your thoughtful post. For the record:
The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of PaulWe believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith
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.