Complex?

[Everybody Wang Chung]

B.H. Roberts again on the most complex and consistent book:

“One other subject remains to be considered in this division... viz. – was Joseph Smith possessed of a sufficiently vivid and creative imagination as to produce such a work as the Book of Mormon from such materials as have been indicated in the proceeding chapters... That such power of imagination would have to be of a high order is conceded; that Joseph Smith possessed such a gift of mind there can be no question....
“In light of this evidence, there can be no doubt as to the possession of a vividly strong, creative imagination by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, an imagination, it could with reason be urged, which, given the suggestions that are found in the ‘common knowledge' of accepted American antiquities of the times, supplemented by such a work as Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews [published in Palmyra in 1825], it would make it possible for him to create a book such as the Book of Mormon is.”

- Studies of the Book of Mormon, by B.H. Roberts, p. 243, 250

[Marcus]

B.H. Roberts on the complex and consistent Book of Mormon:

“...with the strong implication that they have their origin in one mind, I call attention again to the fact of “rawness” in dealing with this question of unbelief, the evidence of “amateurishness” increasingly evident in this story of Korihor. Does it not carry with it proof that it is the work of a pious youth dealing with the very commonplace stock arguments clumsily put together for the belief in the existence of God . . ."

Wow. That is a very specific recognition of the mindset of Smith. To say that the story shows the "amateurishness" of his youth is so much more realistic than the usual apologetic. Why is a religion tyng itself in knots to justify the thoughts of an immature youth? It belies reason.

[Dr Exiled]

B.H. Roberts again on the most complex and consistent book:

“One other subject remains to be considered in this division... viz. – was Joseph Smith possessed of a sufficiently vivid and creative imagination as to produce such a work as the Book of Mormon from such materials as have been indicated in the proceeding chapters... That such power of imagination would have to be of a high order is conceded; that Joseph Smith possessed such a gift of mind there can be no question....
“In light of this evidence, there can be no doubt as to the possession of a vividly strong, creative imagination by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, an imagination, it could with reason be urged, which, given the suggestions that are found in the ‘common knowledge' of accepted American antiquities of the times, supplemented by such a work as Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews [published in Palmyra in 1825], it would make it possible for him to create a book such as the Book of Mormon is.”

- Studies of the Book of Mormon, by B.H. Roberts, p. 243, 250

And the believing crowd started shouting "Heretic, Heretic, Heretic .... get the stake ready unless he confesses the truth."

[I Have Questions]

B.H. Roberts on the complex and consistent Book of Mormon:

“...with the strong implication that they have their origin in one mind, I call attention again to the fact of “rawness” in dealing with this question of unbelief, the evidence of “amateurishness” increasingly evident in this story of Korihor. Does it not carry with it proof that it is the work of a pious youth dealing with the very commonplace stock arguments clumsily put together for the belief in the existence of God . . ."

Wow. That is a very specific recognition of the mindset of Smith. To say that the story shows the "amateurishness" of his youth is so much more realistic than the usual apologetic. Why is a religion tyng itself in knots to justify the thoughts of an immature youth? It belies reason.

The Church and believers have nailed their colours to that particular mast. Were the Book of Mormon to be officially acknowledged as the 19th century work of Smith, a fictional set of stories designed to be faith promoting like parables, many would leave the Church. More importantly many would stop paying tithing. But how many? Certainly there are some that would simply reframe their belief to accept the new explanation of The Book of Mormon. They wouldn’t skip a beat before saying that they always knew it was only allegorical.