“The worst religious text I have ever read.”

[Everybody Wang Chung]

It's always interesting and revealing to read what one of the greatest, if not the greatest, American author of the 19th century had to say after reading the worst religious text:

[MG 2.0]

It's just abnormally worshiped and read as a ritual by Mormon believers. This becomes a self fulfilling prophecy, the more Mormons read it, the more patterns and meaning they find within it

Indeed the book is worshipped by believers, it is a mythical object like a sword in a stone for them. However, I wonder, while I'm sure there are cases of Mormons finding meaning within it after repeat readings, is that really the norm? Look at MG. He doesn't read it every day, he finds substitutions that he can count as reading, but oh, it's so miraculous. My impression overall was that reading it is a chore. It certainly was for me, but I was a big Nibley fan and was glad that there was all this evidence that proved it miraculous. Not miraculous enough to read, but if anybody said anything about it negative, I'd have ammo to back it up.

Even Grant Hardy admits it's a chore to read. He tries to spin it as depth, and I think he's very creative, but he seems to acknowledge the basic point that members who worship the book can barely stand to sit down with it.

It's bigger than that. B.H. Roberts again:

The book, [B.H. Roberts] predicted, would have gathering and unifying power, not only for the Jewish and Christian world but for all. It would come to “fix the world’s standards of philosophical thought and ethical action in ages yet unborn.” “Oh, what the world would have lost, if the Book of Mormon had not been brought forth!” he said in April 1928.

In 1933, in his final discourse—titled “God”—B. H. Roberts said again that Joseph Smith received commandments from God “which inspired him” and gave him power from on high to translate the Book of Mormon which, with subsequent revelations, “brought forth a development of the truth that surpasses all revealed truth of former dispensations.” He had earlier said the book would come to be viewed as “the greatest literary event of the world since the writings of the decalogue by the finger of God or the publication of the testimony in the New Testament that Jesus is the Christ.”

https://rsc.BYU.edu/book-Mormon-authors ... ook-Mormon

Regards,
MG

[drumdude]

Dianetics is a milestone for man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his invention of the wheel and the arch.

-L. Ron. Hubbard

[MG 2.0]

Dianetics is a milestone for man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his invention of the wheel and the arch.

-L. Ron. Hubbard

Ya' gotta' pick and choose. If you want to go with Hubbard...by all means.

I honestly don't see where he and/or Scientology will bring me or others closer to Christ.

Regards,
MG

[Gadianton]

Dianetics is substantially more interesting than the Book of Mormon. But it isn't that interesting. I read it cover to cover long ago and as a teenager it was even convincing -- more convincing than the Book of Mormon. But, I was also vastly ignorant. I had high school psychology under my belt I suppose, but had I been to college and then read it, not sure I'd have gotten through it.

[Gadianton]

I honestly don't see where he and/or Scientology will bring me or others closer to Christ.

that's so weird, because Hubbard and Scientologists don't see how the Book of Mormon will get them closer to clear.

[drumdude]

-L. Ron. Hubbard

Ya' gotta' pick and choose. If you want to go with Hubbard...by all means.

I honestly don't see where he and/or Scientology will bring me or others closer to Christ.

Regards,
MG

If any Christian church has the authority from Christ, it is surely the one that has existed continuously for 2,000 years. There are many cheap imitations, but only one original.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Dianetics is a milestone for man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his invention of the wheel and the arch.

-L. Ron. Hubbard

There is no way a man who didn't even graduate from college could compose such an inspirational masterpiece that has helped millions.

Dianetics has been translated into 50 languages and is used in more than 176 nations. Over 83 million copies were sold as of 1989, and just think of how many have more copies have been sold since 1989.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianetics ... tal_Health

Just read a few of the several hundred thousand 5 Star reviews about how Dianetics completely changed people's hearts and minds:

Ann A

5 STARS

January 15, 2024
I originally read this book in 1978. I realized while reading it why I was doing street drugs and completely quit. I also realized why I was having so much trouble with relationships. I am so glad that part of my life is over and I've never regretted it for a second! I've now remained drug free, have been married 26 years to the same wonderful man, have 2 children both now adults and living very well on their own. My quality of life changed so much with this book that I want to share it with others.

18 likes

1 comment

Kelly

5 STARS

February 6, 2009
This book changed the way I view people and myself. It explains exactly why people are the way they are and what causes us to some times act irrationally. It gives an exact technology to help us get rid of the "reactive mind" and all negative aspects of ourselves so we can once again live a rational and happy life. I've seen the miracles of this science and I'm glad to finally have read the book first hand to understand how it all works.

52 likes

2 comments

[MG 2.0]

I honestly don't see where he and/or Scientology will bring me or others closer to Christ.

that's so weird, because Hubbard and Scientologists don't see how the Book of Mormon will get them closer to clear.

I suppose it might have to do with the object of worship.

So Hubbard's writings act as a Second Witness of Christ? If not, there is something qualitatively different going on there.

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

This quote was given without any source, year, or setting:

I am convinced that when men of intelligence can be brought to the point of being sufficiently humble to read again the Book of Mormon, and to take into account the high purposes for which it was written . . . and will stop sneering at such human elements as may be in it, and will examine once more its teachings upon the great theme of salvation through the atonement of the Christ, they can indeed find wisdom and philosophy and truth in its doctrines.

This is from B H Roberts' April 1911 general conference talk, given 10 years before his books were published.