Worthy Reading for students of religion
5
By Onijitsu
Even if not a member of the LDS Church (or, any faith), this book is worthy reading for any student of religion.
I am not a member but have studied diverse works, ranging from the Bible, to the Book of Mormon (BoM), to the Quran, the Popol Vuh, Hagakure, Analects, Book of Five Rings, and ancient Hebrew Mishnah, etc.
Many criticize the BoM based upon their own beliefs, including Atheism. Some believe it less true than any other, or believe that it is simply a "con game", arguing "historical inaccuracies" and such. But it truly has no more inaccuracy than any of the others! And, the truth is, that many such objections have been refuted by findings AFTER the BoM was first published. (By a man who was illiterate until later in life, after its translation/publication from the original plates of gold)
For a good example of such refutations? The entire concept that anything would be written on brass or gold plates was considered laughable in the 1830s. Yet, much later, archaeologists discovered other documents written on metal plates, in order for their information to withstand the weathering of time and the elements. Some of which, were found with the Dead Sea Scrolls.
People also label it as forgery. There are parts of Isaiah, intentionally quoted in the BoM, just as Isaiah quotes the Book of Enoch. And such quotations happen elsewhere! The Four Gospels quote Old Testament scripture, for another example. But, most of the BoM is original, and worthy of reading. This is NOT the kind of material which an uneducated (and illiterate) boy could just make up on his own. Read it and see, truly! It is as inspired as any other religious text, at the very least!
There are other things too, not discovered until the mid-to-late 20th Century, such as Chiasmus. A Hebrew writing method, creating a specific, poetic pattern in how a given issue is written. Chiasmus is found in both the Bible and the BoM. (Please tell me how a young boy made such an amazing discovery on his own, and replicated it)
Most who criticize this and other sacred texts do so based on their ignorance. They may be doing so, secondhand, using only the poor information given to them by their pastors or from such intentionally false sources as "The Godmakers", which were created by bitter EX-members of the Mormon faith.
Their motives must be questioned. Either they didn't understand the actual doctrine, or they rejected it based upon incomplete comprehension... Or, they more malignly want to hit back at a faith from which they were excommunicated or otherwise unhappily departed from. Because, the Mormon faith requires living under a set of rules which many people are unable or unwilling to follow. Not smoking or drinking. (I smoke, and occasionally imbibe) Not having sex outside of marriage. An organizational method which only gives Men the Priesthood... Which, some interpret as misogyny. (The Mormons actually ELEVATE Women, if you want to know the truth, even if they do not titularly hold some offices, but do hold others)
Don't be ignorant! There is no threat to your own beliefs, unless you do not truly have enough faith in your beliefs. If anything, my beliefs have been better clarified by studying the beliefs of many peoples.
And, if your bent is to tear any one belief in Christ down (or, any other faith) then it must be questioned how much you believe Christ, and how much YOU seek to emulate Christ. For, to me, emulating Christ (in action, and words) is how one defines oneself as "Christian"... And yet, there are so many so-called Christians who have not read their Bible all the way through. Who, spend the majority of their time condemning others instead of loving them. If they want an enemy to fight against, then they should combine their energies with others against those who want to tear all of Christianity (or, of faith in God, in general) down. Against those, who falsely profess that the First Amendment exists only to provide "Freedom FROM Religion." Our Freedom OF Religion must be maintained. Both, by our government, and by all of our Citizens.
Do not waste your time, pursuing the hatred of a good and just people such as the Mormons. Remember: after Christ's return, he told the Disciples: "Forbid them not, for those who are not against us are with us."
