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MormonTimes.com: A closer look at the Joseph Smith Papers
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I do not attribute bad intentions but do wonder what would happen if something truly negative was discovered. Negative in the sense that it would cause some to doubt the Gospel. I wonder if there is a process of running that sort of thing by GAs before just adding it?
Having the literal source of Joseph Smith's writing on hand will go a very long way in dispelling myths about early church history.
The Church leaders are trying the same thing with Joseph Smith. It is presumptuous to treat Joseph Smith in any way similar to a President of the United States. He was a small, cult leader whose megalomaniacal lust for power and young women destroyed him. His papers are no more valuable than David Koresh's papers, or the papers of Rev. Jim Jones. They are an historical curiosity and that is all.
"I wonder if the Church is able to include documents that are not in their possession?"
Check out the Joseph Smith Papers website. Here's the answer to your question from their site:
"Have any documents been excluded?
This comprehensive project will publish all known, accessible documents that meet the project�s criteria as Joseph Smith documents. The project has complete access to the archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. Some documents are in the possession of families or individual collectors, and all will be published for which permission and access can be obtained. Some documents are routine or repetitive, such as forms or certificates, and only samples of those will be published in paper, but all will be listed in a calendar of documents and all will eventually be published online. For example, Joseph Smith signed hundreds of missionary licenses, but only a few samples will be included in the published volumes."
What if those "damning papers" are never published because they never existed or cannot be found, will you still claim the LDS Church is hiding something?
At what point do you draw the line and admit that the LDS Church is being forthcoming about it's history? If an NHPRC endorsement of the project isn't enough, when do you look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are being fair in your judgements?
Just a gut check...
Joseph was the prophet of the restoration! He didn't craft the BOM he translated it.
Read it. I dare you! You'll find out.
And just like the Baptist Church's sign said...
"Don't pray about the Book of Mormon, that's how they get you."
They got me, and I've never been happier. The BOM is a wonderful book of TRUTH.
The rest is history.