Hello!
I am researching Mormonism, and I have 6 questions....Looking for members of the LDS church.
I am not trying to attack anyone, I am trying to be as objective as possible, and I have a Book of Mormon which I am reading. However, I am a christian.
It won't let me post all the questions with the references here(too long)...So I posted them online at www.allaboutjoshua.com or http://joshuafkon.googlepages.com/questions
Thank you very much for your help,
God bless,
Josh
P.S. note to Beta_fishy: Book of Mormon came today!
2006-08-17 05:30:56 · 10 answers · asked by Josh K 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't answer your questions but in my heart I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church... and the Book of Mormon is a word of God
2006-08-17 05:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by rosy a 2 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Since Josh won’t post them on the board, I will. I will try and answer the questions, but I'm not expecting much praise for them, as I have a good idea what the true motive is now.
(1) If the Book of Mormon is true then, considering the way it was "translated" why have there been any changes made to it?
Answer: The key word is translated. Have you ever tried to translate anything from one language to another, it does not work to go word per word, also, the scribes were writing the translation down as dictated, there were writing errors, spelling errors etc. Other changes have been made in later editions in order to make the book read more fluently. Other changes had to do with the insertion of punctuation and other things by the publisher.
(2) If The Book of Mormon is true then why does it seem to copy the KJV of the Bible? Even so far as to copy the words that were added by the translators, and errors in the Hebrew?
Answer: There have been many different interpretations of this one; I'll address your "favorite" of the group. Bethany and Bethabara or Beth-Abara pace of the ford, have sometimes been counted as the same place in many writings. The name of that particular part of the holy land has been in some question throughout history, so to authoritatively state that Jesus was baptized in one or the other is only speculation at best. (see:http://www.tourism.jo/baptism_site/manyn... The point we can both agree on is that He was baptized in the river Jordan. The biggest point is, there is no clear answer on the Bethany or bethabara statement.
(3) Why is there no archeological evidence of the Book of Mormon's claims? And why does the evidence seem to contradict it? E.g. the animals, crops, and metalworking.
Answer: They are working on the archeological evidence for the Book. You could do a search on this very board about things they're working on. Also, you say you have been to the FARMS website, what problems do you have with the things already found? There are other things yet to be found, as serius research on BofM archeology began only a few decades ago, and for a civilization so far gone, and, in a fairly limited region, with so much intermixing, it will take time, and there may be questions that go unanswered, as there are with the Bible i.e. where is Noah's Ark, Where are the original 10 commandment tablets etc.
(4) If Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then why did some of his prophecies fail to come to pass?
Answer: your examples of the congress being overthrown. See:http://www.fairlds.org/misc/mormon_faith... and search for Grease spot, you'll find it. It talks about the present members of congress and that within just a few election cycles, the members of that congress were no longer in office, most of them having been voted out.
About the Salem prophecy: There was treasure discovered, not necessarily money, although there was certainly that brought out of the area. Many converts to the church from that area were very wealthy, and provided much needed relief to the saints through monetary means. Some of the strongest members of the church came out of Boston and it's areas. As far as "giving the city over"; this has reference to the inhabitants of the city, not the city itself. Salem/Boston/ outer lying areas were a veritable goldmine for converts (not necessarily in numbers, but in firm in the faith and wealthy members) and help for the church. In a time where many people in many cities were against the Mormons, Boston and it's surrounding areas were, in comparison, quite kind to the Saints. Other examples were St. Louis, MO and Quincy, IL to a degree.
With the temple in MO, the enemies of the church prevented this from taking place. This does not mean it will not happen in "this generation" What exactly does it infer? see:http://fairwiki.org/index.php/independen...
(5) if the other scriptures (e.g. The Book of Abraham etc.) are true why do they seem to contradict each other?
Answer: The same could be asked about biblical passages but I don't have time to find and list them.
(6) And how do you explain that the Book of Abraham does not read as Joseph Smith claimed it did?
Answer: I have stated before, as have other people (Hough Nibley for one) that we don't have all of the scrolls Joseph did. The ones found were in Joseph Smith's possession, but were they the ones now known as the Book of Abraham? Who concluded that the scrolls discovered in 1966 were the entire collection? The Deseret News mentions the rediscovery of the scrolls, but were they ever concluded to be THE ONLY scrolls ever in JS possession? This is something we will have to wait on. Just because they may not be the originals does not make them bogus, we don't have hardly any of the original i.e. very first copies of most biblical scrolls either, but it is still true. We have mostly copies of those.
2006-08-18 07:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by justinodhans982000 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all let me respond to the middle part of your question. You said I am not trying to attack anyone yet you attack most of the answers you received that did not agree with the way you think. ( I actually read your comments about the most common answers.) You than stated "I am trying to be as objective as possible." First of all good Christians don't lie. If you are objective it means means you leave your personal feelings out of it and look only at the facts. Carefully look at your comments and look at all the words that show you are stating opinions instead of facts. If you are being objective you show both sides of the question equally. You show oth the pros and cons of each side. You are very very one sided. Than you said "However I am a Christian." You don't sound like a hristian. Christ stated very clearly. Love your neighbors. I did not see any love in your question or answers.
2006-08-19 13:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by J T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do you keep asking the same question over and over??
If you want to know the answers, read some of the previous posts and links. If you really wanted to discuss each one, post the 6 questions where others can readily reply to each.
As for archaeology, this link provides a good overview of evidences available, with citation for much of the proof. Therefore, your next post should ask about your remaining 5 questions, which also have answers by the way.
http://farms.byu.edu/display.php?table=jbms&id=376#_edn7
2006-08-17 09:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by John R 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had a quick look at your questions- I'm not going to address them each, because I think you'll be sympathetic to my view as LDS, that many lies have been told about my church and truths have been twisted- as they have about all religions. No religion will ever be able to logically prove itself to you I'm afraid (hard for a research scientist like me to live with- I like facts too!). Some things you just have to take on faith. Try out Moroni's promise for yourself (Moroni chapter 10). Whatever you choose in life, you will never find perfection on the earth amongs mans practices.
I truly believe that the LDS church and all it's teachings are true, that it's principles and prophets will lead me to Jesus Christ and God, and that the things I can't explain or understand are just not that important. I rely on the Lord in faith and have had many personal witnesses that this is the right way to live. Good luck with your studies.
2006-08-17 10:10:47 · answer #5 · answered by laura w 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You sounded very sincere, yet your website is fill with anti mormon links, and questions that is aim to attack rather than to discuss.
I find it a little annoying rather than interesting.
Hope some knowledgable LDS would like to answer you,
As for me, I need to go back to work.
2006-08-17 09:49:31 · answer #6 · answered by Wahnote 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Man you seriously have a problem. I think you should visit a local LDS church building and visit the Bishop. Ask all of your questions there...He will for shurely invite you and your questions.
2006-08-17 12:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by jaredcubfan 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Looks like you've already answered your own questions.
2006-08-17 08:19:35 · answer #8 · answered by Sherpa 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
...says the religious hypocrite.
2006-08-17 05:42:06 · answer #9 · answered by Doctor B 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
mormans are traiters and cheaters they have more than one wife and are rude
2006-08-17 05:34:34 · answer #10 · answered by callme3lmo101 1 · 0⤊ 13⤋