just for fun, I've started reading "The Book of Mormon". So far I've only read the introductory pages (the witnesses accounts and the testimony of Joseph Smith). How can anyone believe this nonsense? Do you actually believe that Joseph Smith's account was true? How can you read the words and not burst into hysterical fits of laughter? Do you really believe the stories he wrote down about the civilizations of Judeo-Israelites in the Americas in pre-Columbian times?
2007-06-28 08:41:42 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. And I don't feel the need to justify my beliefs to those who mock them.
2007-06-28 08:55:18 · answer #1 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 5⤊ 4⤋
The Book of Mormon has been proven to be a total fraud time and time again. Ask any non LDS Meso-American Historian or Archaeologist if any proof has ever been found to support the BoM and they unanimously say NO! Even LDS Historians and Archaeologists have been ex-communicated for telling the truth that the BoM is a fairytale. Why do you think nobody ever heard of Nephites, Lamanites, Jeredites, Cureloms, ect. ect. ect.
The Church cant even come up with a map to put in the back of the BoM so the faithful can follow along with the stories. Any Bible has detailed maps telling all about the places and events that happened in Biblical times yet the Bom cant even find any of the big places like the City of Nephi or Land of Zarehimla or anything else.
Thats because Joseph Smith made the whole thing up . The Bom is the laughingstock of the Meso American scientific community because they know it is a total hoax
If Joseph Smith had the Internet.....
Helen Mar Kimball sits on her bed, computer in her lap.
sweetiepie14 (online)
Suddenly a pop-up message appears on her computer screen: nastyboyJS wants to chat ~ ACCEPT/DENY ~ She accepts.
nastyboyJS: hi. got your address from heber.
sweetiepie14: my dad?? who is this?
nastyboyJS: brother joseph
sweetiepie14: oh! hi!!! wow!
nastyboy14: how RU?
sweetiepie14: ur a nastyboy???
nastyboyJS: j/k - a joke i made up LOL
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: R u alone?
sweetiepie14: yes. why?
nastyboyJS: ur sweet
sweetiepie14: LOL
nastyboyJS: and pretty
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: when ur dad talks 2 u tonite, listen 2 him
sweetiepie14: what RU talking about?
nastyboyJS: just remember i talk with god, K?
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: & god tells me what to say
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: ur perfect
sweetiepie14: ROFL - no
nastyboyJS: i saw you last week in your white dress
sweetiepie14: oh
nastyboyJS: you looked so pure and innocent
sweetiepie14: thx i think ur cute!
nastyboyJS: thats good. real good.
sweetiepie14: gotta help mom - ttyl
nastyboyJS: listen 2 ur dad - a commandment by God
sweetiepie14: k cya
Joseph Smith sits at his computer in a hidden location (for his safety).
fanny4U has signed in
nastyboyJS: hi F
fanny4U: hi lover
nastyboyJS: where RU?
fanny4U: @ ur house w/ Emma
nastyboyJS: WTF!
fanny4U: she asked me 2 help her
nastyboyJS: RU OK?
fanny4U: yes - we R BFF again
nastyboyJS: don't trust Emma!!
fanny4U: why?
nastyboyJS: get outa there now! don't say anything!
fanny4U: K - she's coming - brb
nastyboyJS: GET OUT NOW
fanny4U: xoxo ttfn
fanny4U has signed out
OrsonHide has signed in
ZinaBaby has signed in
elizaRsnow has signed in
OrsonHide: hi Joe
nastyboyJS: Orson! guess what?
OrsonHide: what?
nastyboyJS: ur going to jerusalem!
OrsonHide: WTF? A mission?
nastyboyJS: as revealed to me by god
OrsonHide: but what about Marinda?!
nastyboyJS: ur wife'll be taken care of. TRUST ME.
OrsonHide: i guess if god wills it.....
nastyboyJS: oh he does, he does.
nastyboyJS: Zina! Hi!
ZinaBaby: Hi
nastyboyJS: whatcha doin?
ZinaBaby: chatting w/ Henry
nastyboyJS: U should chat w/ me only
ZinaBaby: but he's my husband
nastyboyJS: about that.....
ZinaBaby: ?
nastyboyJS: I dont WANT plural marriage
ZinaBaby: I know, me neither! lol
nastyboyJS: BUT...
nastyboyJS: an angel came 2 me with flaming sword last nite. if i don't do this i'll lose my position and my life!
ZinaBaby: Wow! RU serious??
nastyboyJS: Lord made known to me UR 2B my celestial wife
ZinaBaby: i'll have to pray about this
nastyboyJS: good idea, then you'll know the truth i speak
ZinaBaby: what will Henry say if god wills it?
nastyboyJS: he follows god 2 - all will be well
ZinaBaby: i better go pray
nastyboyJS: lemme know asap
ZinaBaby: brb (praying)
elizaRsnow: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi e
elizaRsnow: i wrote you another poem
nastyboyJS: kewl
elizaRsnow: inspired by last nite
nastyboyJS: u rawked my world! lol
elizaRsnow: i may be old, but i've got skilz LOL
nastyboyJS: can't wait to see poem
elizaRsnow: i can't believe emma didn't catch us!
nastyboyJS: we can't let that happen
elizaRsnow: i made ur bed this morning and thought of u
nastyboyJS: thx for helping emma at home
elizaRsnow: if it means i'm closer to u, then its all good
nastyboyJS: gotta run
elizaRsnow: luv u
elizaRsnow has signed out
OrsonHide: RU sure??? jerusalem is so far....
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Y not Chicago?
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Marinda is scared
nastyboyJS: i'll personally take care of her
OrsonHide: k...i guess if god wills it...
nastyboyJS: never fear u will be blessed
OrsonHide has signed out
EmmaHS has signed in
HeberC has signed in
HeberC: i talked 2 her like u said
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: she didn't want 2 @ 1st
nastyboyJS: did u tell her like i told you 2?
HeberC: yes - salvation 4 all of us if she will
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: i told her 2 think on it for 24 hrs
nastyboyJS: lemme know ASAP
HeberC: she's a good girl - she'll say yes
nastyboyJS: i hope so as god wills it
HeberC: i know - and i wanna be saved!
nastyboyJS: it depends
HeberC: gonna go talk 2 her again
nastyboyJS: u do that
HeberC has signed out
EmmaHS: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi u sexy thang
EmmaHS: u know it!
nastyboyJS: gonna B gone 2nite
EmmaHS: not again! Y?
nastyboyJS: more of lords work
EmmaHS: :(
nastyboyJS: i may B gone 3 nites
EmmaHS: im not 2 happy
nastyboyJS: b strong
EmmaHS: its hard
nastyboyJS: ur my light, my life
EmmaHS: i know
nastyboyJS: god will bless u
EmmaHS: fanny was here
nastyboyJS: oh?
EmmaHS: we R friens again
nastyboyJS: b nice!
EmmaHS: Y should i?
nastyboyJS: i told you 2 thats Y
EmmaHS: u better stay away from her
nastyboyJS: of course lol
EmmaHS: im not lol
nastyboyJS: k i promise 2 stay away
EmmaHS: gotta run
nastyboyJS: luv u - cya in 3 days
EmmaHS: as u should
EmmaHS has signed out
sweetiepie14: u still here?
nastyboyJS: HI!!!
sweetiepie14: my dad told me
nastyboyJS: and?
sweetiepie14: Y do u want me??
nastyboyJS: god wills it
sweetiepie14: will it save my kindred?
nastyboyJS: oh yes - salvation for all
sweetiepie14: im scared
nastyboyJS: god will provide - ur a good daughter of god
sweetiepie14: if it will save my family.....
nastyboyJS: say yes and be saved
sweetiepie14: and my family 2 right?
nastyboyJS: its the only way
sweetiepie14: i guess i will then
nastyboyJS: ur a good girl
nastyboyJS: u will be saved now
nastyboyJS: 2morrow nite we will b sealed 4ever
sweetiepie14: 2morrow nite!
nastyboyJS: god says it has to be 2morrow nite
nastyboyJS: ill take good care of you my sweet
nastyboyJS: i promise u eternal salvation
sweetiepie14: im scared!
nastyboyJS: im a prophet of god - b not afraid
sweetiepie14: k i guess
nastyboyJS: follow the prophet and b saved
sweetiepie14: 4 my family
nastyboyJS: oh 1 more thing
sweetiepie14: ?
nastyboyJS: cant tell Emma - god said 2 keep us a secret
sweetiepie14: y?
nastyboyJS: its gods will u keep it secret 4 my safety
sweetiepie14: if god says so then k
nastyboyJS: i look forward 2 us 2morrow
sweetiepie14: cya
sweetiepie14 has signed out
ZinaBaby: back
nastyboyJS: did u pray?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: and?
ZinaBaby: i was told its true
nastyboyJS: came from god
ZinaBaby: this is hard
nastyboyJS: im not about 2 make that angel mad! r u?
ZinaBaby: but I luv henry
nastyboyJS: me 2 - but god wills it
ZinaBaby: henry knows god wills it
nastyboyJS: R u sure?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: k - i'll be there 2morrow a.m.
ZinaBaby: so soon?!
nastyboyJS: u didn't c that angel
ZinaBaby: k
nastyboyJS: i cant wait 2B sealed 2 u
ZinaBaby: god wills it
nastyboyJS: and im a prophet of god - follow me n b saved
ZinaBaby: k ttyl
nastyboyJS: oh - god said dont tell Emma
ZinaBaby: k i promise cya
ZinaBaby has signed out
Joseph logs out and prepares to depart.
2007-06-30 16:53:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I believe they are true. But Joseph Smith did not write them. he translated them from records written by prophets of the Lord. I have read it 8 time since I was old enough to read. and I have prayed about it and have received witness that it is true. I know that without a doubt. IF you "burst into hysterical laughter" then you are not reading it correctly. Don't read it as a part of the world, for that is how the world views us. read it as if you would read your favorite novel; wanting to enjoy it and learn something.
2007-06-29 22:36:36 · answer #3 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The more you read about the BoM, the more you come away realizing that it is a two dimensional Us versus Them, white versus black ideology set on a backdrop of an implausible civilization that was created out of a need to explain the existence of the Indians biblically.
It is sheer nonsense proven by mitochondrial DNA, and absolute complete lack of archaeological, cultural, linguistical, and biological evidence.
The Book of Abraham only compounds the sheer idiocy of the doctrinal works, and Smith's family history and practices are the final nail in the coffin of the necromanical beginnings of the mormon church.
2007-06-29 20:43:13 · answer #4 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I believe it whole-heatedly. I find it quite easy to believe. Thor Hyerdahl, an explorer, proved back in 1947 that the ancients very easily could have migrated across the oceans to the New World, long before Columbus. And that is not to even mention the Bering land bridge.
Actually I think it quite naive NOT to have an open mind about things like this.
2007-06-28 16:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by Kerry 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I completely believe it. How can you believe that Noah built the Ark, and there was a giant flood, but not believe that there might be people striving to reach God in the Americas??? It makes sense, If you don't believe it, read the Book of Mormon with an open heart, and once you finish it, pray if it is true, being at the time fully accepting of it if it is or isn't. Then, if you don't get an answer you can fully say you don't believe in it.
2007-06-28 16:17:32 · answer #6 · answered by <3 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Keep reading. Just 8 short chapters in, you'll find a perfect allegory of why we believe, and why some people laugh. (The interpretation of the allegory is in 1 Nephi, chapter 11, if you need any help figuring out the symbolism).
Best wishes
2007-06-28 17:44:22 · answer #7 · answered by daisyk 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The Book of Mormon is just like the Bible and I've never seen anyone laugh at the Bible.
2007-06-30 09:32:38 · answer #8 · answered by powderlovinbluedevil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What gets me is that I actually believed that stuff for 8 years of my life when I should have been out drinking and partying instead.
2007-06-30 01:30:57 · answer #9 · answered by Liesel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read the Book of Mormon many times and have a testimony that it is true!
2007-06-28 16:30:18 · answer #10 · answered by tnmtngirl 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Yes I believe and I am unashamed.
You can point fingers and laugh and make snide remarks and silly little cartoons mocking what I believe. This does not change the fact that it is true and has blessed my life and my family.
Good luck with your own life and your own beliefs -- I wish you well.
D
2007-06-28 15:47:12 · answer #11 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 7⤊ 2⤋