I belong to neither church and have no use for any of the mythology that surrounds them. I have read a few thousand pages of Joseph Campbell's work on mythology and have a few college credits on the topic so I have a fair understanding of what constitutes a myth. As I am sure you understand the notion of a virgin impregnated by a god describes the Mithra cult or the cult of Dionysius both of which predate Christianity
The fact is, as I just told Raider Sam, Mormon apologists actually don't believe the myth that Joseph Smith ran at top speed carrying several hundred pounds of gold plates.
(That's why the citations in this thread's article-- as well as the July 7 Mormon Times article by De Groote...features a number of other explanatory considerations...
...for example, they try to tell you it was a copper-gold mixture...)
Given this is the case, this myth is not only ridiculous to the non-believer -- but it shows it's ridiculous to the supposed inside "believer" as well.
Otherwise, why would they try to explain the "solid gold" component of it away? If they believed Joseph was supernaturally aided by God to run "at top speed" carrying several hundred pounds of solid gold, well, your comment and Raider Sam's comment would be worth pondering...
...However, given that the two Lds apologist organizations -- FARM & FAIR -- have not taken that route...
...given that the Mormon Times (via De Groote) has not taken that route...
...I'm not exactly sure why you & Raider Sam -- both non-Mormons -- are coming aboard to try to prop up a posture these Mormon leaders haven't even tried to assume.
Again, keep in the mind the main focus of this thread has been the weight of the gold plates...and Smith's ability to transfer them three miles so quickly and so readily...