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Intro change in Book of Mormon spurs discussion
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This is a non-issue.
The Book of Mormon claims to have had ONE translation by a person with no education, therefore it was translated by the power of God. How could there be mistakes in it under those circumstances?
But far too many focus on the external: (God is far away somewhere) rather than the internal:
"The kingdom of heaven is right here - but man will not see it."
The Church has very carefully told Mormons that reading certain material is "anti-Mormon" and to do so will open the door for doubt. What they are not telling you is that these very "anti-Mormon" materials are not anti-Mormon, they are the truth. They are historical documents and scientific studies.
God gave me a brain to use, and I would be doing Him a great disservice by letting someone do my thinking for me. I honestly believe that goes for everyone. Many people that come to the defense of Mormonism end up realizing that their faith isn't what the leaders make it out to be.
This small yet important change shows that the Church knows they have some explaining to do if they want people to believe in the Book of Mormon. Science disagrees with the book. Who would you believe?
It is fair for you to believe the Book of Mormon is fiction, as long as you can be civil about your disagreement with believers. I believe the Book is true. I have re-evaluated that belief many times, because I am a rational with extensive education in psychology and science. Yet I always come back to the same conclusion: it is undeniable for me. And it is the single most extraordinary and positive influence in my life, because it led me to Jesus Christ and keeps me there.
I wonder, though, have YOU ever re-evaluated your DISBELIEF? Or did you settle your belief long ago, and you're not interested in considering again? I hope you find the courage to re-evaluate your faith. It can be frightening, but it should be done, by all of us.
The introduction was written by Bruce R. McConkie back in the mid 1980's when the new edition of the Book of Mormon came out. I have never thought of the introduction as scripture, just information and commentary. The scriptural part starts with 1 Nephi.
So what's the big deal that they changed one word in the non-scriptual part of the overall book? Does it take away from the scriptual aspect of the book or it's truth? Not in the least.
It may be one word but it is an encyclopedia of change.
When all religious people can see symbols and metaphor everywhere instead of focusing on historicity - they will be happier and more fulfilled.
Hard to believe there are STILL those who literally believe in a "talking snake."
The change in the introduction to the Book of Mormon acknowledges that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are not the conclusive accounts of all the people who have inhabited the Earth. The previous introduction only took in account the fact that we only have one record of the ancient inhabitants of America, the Book of Mormon, and those people very well could be the principle ancestors of the American Indians, but the record itself never makes this claim. We don't know all the people of the Earth, but we do know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are accountings among some of our predecessors on two continents of the Earth.
--Elder Ted E. Brewerton, Emeritus Seventy in October 1995 General Conference, (Nov 1995 Ensign)
In case all y'all are wondering why no LDS authority has ever talked about this before.
It was just after thoughtful study of the Church's history, years without receiving a "testimony", etc., that they finally came to the conclusion that it was not true.
If they appear disgruntled it is because they feel betrayed.
I mean, come on, I spent two years walking around a European contrary telling people "this book is another testament of Jesus Christ, it is the record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas." And now Church leaders and scholars are saying it's a non-issue and people really won't think it's that big a deal?
If people sound bitter it's probably because they've realized they've been lied to most of their lives and it's difficult to come to terms with that.
That is why so much aggression seems comes out in situations like these.
On the other hand, I would be the first to admit that there is at least *some* actual history in those Christians scriptures that are accepted by all Christians.
My LDS family members brag about how the church never changes with the wind ... well, this is another example in a long line of changes in doctrine by the LDS Church to conform with social or scientific progression. Who needs revelation when we have science?
You said "If the Book of Mormon is not true, than Jesus of the Bible is not the Christ, because both scriptures testify of the same Jesus."
What kind of twisted logic is that?
So, if I write a completely fictitious book about Jesus visiting among the The !Kung of the Kalahari Desert, by your logic it must be true "because [all three] scriptures testify of the same Jesus"? And if my "Book of !Kung" is proven by all the standards of intelligence, logic and science to be fictitious, then you would also conclude that "if the [Book of !Kung] is not true, than (sic) the Jesus of the Bible is not the Christ..."??
You see, until rationality and logic are not summarily dismissed out of hand by Mormons, there is no possible grounds for either talking with them or listening to them.
Wake up, Mormons. The rest of the world is moving on and laughing at your backward, ignorant notions!
As this article makes clear, Church leaders have taught for years that the American Indians are Israelites and that the land was empty when they arrived here. Trying to suggest otherwise is just silly. Those who suggest a "limited geography" theory simply ignore much of what Joseph Smith taught about the Indians and America throughout his life.
DNA testing as well as other evidence does contradict this theory. Those who try to refute it on scientific grounds are likewise taking liberties with science.
Why not take the approach the late Neal Maxwell took and just acknowledge the contradiction and be willing to wait for a the last days when all things will be revealed?
Then I realized that the change was only to the title page to clarify opinion and conjecture, not doctrine.
Then I also realized that Bruce R. McKonkie did not translate the Book of Mormon, and I felt a lot better.
Now I simply remain in my confusion as to why so many people care about the fact that I believe in the book. I thought that was my decision.
I have read the BOM countless times. I have been an active member for over 20 years. I served an honorable fulltime mission, and later in almost every ward and many Stake callings (including Bishop & Stake High Council), and passionately taught that the BOM was true all that time!
But in the past 5 years, as I have learned more, I have come the the prayerful conclusion that "The Adversary" has been at work ever since about 1820.
Joseph Smith himself claimed that the Lamanites were the ONLY ancestors of the American Indians. There is very good reason to believe he was strongly influenced by (or plagiarized from) "View of the Hebrews" (1823) by Ethan Smith in Vermont. And by "A View of the American Indians" (1828) by Israel Worsley. And by "A Star in the West, or a humble attempt to discover the long lost Ten Tribes of Israel" (1816) by Rev. Dr. Elias Boudinot in Trenton, New Jersey.
I cannot testify strongly enough about the power of God in my life since I have been emancipated from the deceptions and controlling influence of the Church. If you have ears to hear.
The one thing Joseph Smith got right though, was when he plagiarized "Know the truth and the truth will set you free."
I was raised a Mormon and tried to keep believing, but when I studied it objectively, I knew in both my heart AND MY BRAIN that it was nonsense and got out. It was the best decision of my life.
It's really not a big deal. I would recommend reading a copy of the 1830 edition that does not contain footnotes, introductions, or brief explanations. You can still apply Mornoi's promise and understand the BoM without reading any modern explanations.
I am a well educated person who has been thinking for myself since I was very young. I am a convert to the LDS Church. I don't allow leaders to do my thinking for me. Prayer and meditation have always been at the forefront of how I proceed in this life.
To me, no change has been made to the basic doctrines of the Church. The Book of Mormon is supposed to persuade everyone to come unto Christ. The question I have of those who have been detracting from those who believe is, what would Christ do? The savior was tollerant and accepting of all peoples. Why aren't you?
I would recommend before any one has a negative comment to give about this change, or about the church in general, they do exactly what this scripture says (but again with a truly sincere heart) then I believe that person will not be able to say anything against the church or the Book of Mormon.
Elder McConkie was one of the premier theologians of his time, and greatly loved by this student as well as many others!
Just don't come around frightening my horses.
2 Nephi:
1:6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
1:7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
1:8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.
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Any kind of reference for that claim?



I believe that God knows what happened. Some day there are going to be some surprised people when they find out how God created the world and brought about the populating of it.