Posted on 04/29/2008 6:06:04 AM PDT by restornu
Ancient writings unearthed in the last century and a half, primarily in Egypt, are lending support to doctrines and teachings of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Brigham Young University professor of antiquities said Sunday.
C. Wilford Griggs, who has written extensively on Egypt and is working on excavating Christian burial grounds in Egypt, said scholars are now admitting that "Joseph Smith got into the antiquities" before experts in the field began their discoveries, but they won't accept his explanation.
Smith, an uneducated farm boy, claimed he translated the Book of Mormon from ancient gold plates using instruments given him by an angel, but scholars are refusing to believe that, Griggs said during a fireside, "Joseph Smith and the Egyptian Connection," at the Pleasant Grove Manila Stake Center. Some of the ancient writings have been found in the past few years.
Many scholars are now admitting that the book accepted as scripture by church members is an ancient book, but as one scholar of antiquities told Griggs, he had no problem with the gold plates and Smith's story would be acceptable "if you'd get rid of that angel."
Anciently, the fountain of Christian knowledge was Egypt and the Mediterranean region and for about 1,000 years 90 percent of the people were in the faith "until they were converted to Islam by the sword," he said.
"We are being flooded with (ancient) writings," Griggs said, describing many as coming from the biblical New Testament period. Many of the writings, now totaling about 8,000, are on papyri, but others are on metal plates. None are exactly alike, which lends historical credence to the finds.
The apostles scattered throughout the known world and established pockets of Christianity after the time of Jesus Christ, including Egypt, he said. Some of the best early Christian records were found in Egypt, where they survived because of the climate.
The traditional concept that the Bible is complete came about 400 A.D., he said. Before then Christians knew that many other writings existed.
Many of the Christian teachings found in Egyptian digs that are shared in common with Smith's teachings have to do with the temple "and how the heavens can be open to us," Griggs said.
Among those findings is the teaching of baptism by proxy for folks who have died without learning of Christ and his gospel, which centers on the resurrection.
Anciently, baptism was known as a "sealing" to go to heaven, he said. The word "sealing" is used today in LDS temples in similar fashion.
Most of the writings which have now been found were secret anciently and held back from the people until they proved their worthiness.
Some speak of the potential of their divinity, also a common theme Smith taught, which the first LDS prophet said was given to him by revelation.
"Several of the gospels ... show that revelation was alive and well in the ancient world. Revelation was a keystone," Griggs said.
Yet centuries later, revelation and temples were denounced by religious leaders, including Augustine, as unnecessary.
By all means let the discussion continue. Unfortunately there’s not much substance I see to discuss. This article reads more like a PR release than a news story.
But please, continue.
What was found? Who found it? When was it found? Where was it found? How do they support Mormonism or Joe Smith? I’d actually be interested in this topic, but as it stands, this article reads like, “Some guys found some stuff which proves we’re right!”
Restornu, do you have a more useful article?
From wikipedia: “The Deseret News is owned by Deseret News Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is a for-profit business holdings company owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon or LDS Church).”
Indeed. The real historical record reveals that Christian theology flourished not only in Alexandria (Cyril, Clement) but in Jerusalem (Matthew, James, Cyril), Antioch (Ignatius), Edessa (Ephrem), Asia Minor (Basil, Gregory Of Nyssa, John Chrysostom), Rome (Ambrose, Gregory), Carthage (Augustine, Tertullian), Marseilles (Irenaeus), Seville (Isidore) and many other places besides.
Thanks.
Some here are no better in their actions!
You make fun of us but at least most LDS try to be better people.
So which best describes the behavior of many here Telestial or Terrestrial?
>> Indeed. The real historical record reveals that Christian theology flourished not only in Alexandria (Cyril, Clement) but in Jerusalem (Matthew, James, Cyril), Antioch (Ignatius), Edessa (Ephrem), Asia Minor (Basil, Gregory Of Nyssa, John Chrysostom), Rome (Ambrose, Gregory), Carthage (Augustine, Tertullian), Marseilles (Irenaeus), Seville (Isidore) and many other places besides. <<
Not only that, but Egypt was the home of vast numbers of syncretist Hindus and Zoroastrians who sought to absorb Christianity into their pantheistic religions. Hence, much of what comes from Egypt is non-representative of Christianity. Further, the government of Egypt is very hostile to any research which might validate Jewish and Christian versions of histories, so whatever flows from Egypt tends to be the worst of the worst.
Exactly, this is a press release issued by a newspaper that is owned by the LDS. It says that “experts” have “proof” that Smith was right all along, but doesn’t offer even a hint as to who these experts are or what proof has been discovered.
Re: By all means let the discussion continue. Unfortunately theres not much substance I see to discuss. This article reads more like a PR release than a news story.
But please, continue.
Please review my posts #7 & #25. I in no way endorse the veracity of the original posted article.
I'm not certain that I would term this a religious thread, I see it as more of an archeology thread.
You make fun of us but at least most LDS try to be better people.
Asking questions IS NOT making fun of anyone.
If someone said they discovered "proof" that Jesus Christ never existed, would it be "making fun of them" to ask what this "proof" was?
So do most Dr Phil viewers.
LDS probably put this out yesterday to deflect attention from the current very LARGE elephant in the middle of the room.
In the ancient world it made sense that ANY religious or philosophical movement would expand from it’s geographical starting point and Christianity was no different, the Apostles went out in all directions to preach the Gospel.
This came from a fire side which I am sure more information was given at the time someone just put it in the Mormon times news.
I appreciate you difference but much still isn’t conclusive on your side to be so sure!
Where are the gold plates that the farm boy translated?
Surely we can see them and verify their origin and confirm the accuracy of the translation. Lets see ‘em - they can prove the validity of Mormonism.
Asking questions IS NOT making fun of anyone.
True but some have a legit reason for those question most I encounter are just faultfinding for the heck of it!
However, you still haven’t answered ANY of these questions.
Were there to be a discovery that corroborated Smith, it would be very important from both a religious and archaeological standpoint. What was discovered? Who has authenticated it? Where is the proof?
Except the ones who are just too lazy to change the channel when the soap opera ends.
It’s kinda short on data.
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