Is the Book of Mormon Divinely Inspired?

[MG 2.0]

Hi all. Some of you may be familiar with the work of Jacob Hansen of “A Thoughtful Faith” fame. I’m listening to a debate dealing with the topic named as the header for this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/live/9V_N0cRqzQ ... PLIHsMB1lA

Another addition to the ongoing discussion in regards to the truth claims of the Book of Mormon.

I think Jacob holds up pretty well. At least from what I’ve listened to so far. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I’ll leave it to others to debate the merits of Jacob’s debate with a well read apologist for Catholicism.

It’s either them or us!

I hope all the ‘regulars’ (and everyone else) are happy and that life is going well. It’s been a good summer. Fall is on its way.

Regards,
MG

Hey, MG, nice you have you drop by! I hope you're well.

I'm open to The Book of Mormon having been inspired by God. But, for me, that's a pretty low bar. If God runs the universe, then she probably inspires most things.

As to your suggestion that this is "[a]nother addition to the ongoing discussion in regards to the truth claims of the Book of Mormon"--what are the truth claims of The Book of Mormon these days?

Hi Morley. As you know I am not opposed to using A.I. to do research. Yes, I realize that this isn’t satisfactory or recognized as being a valid way of quick retrieval of information for some here. Be that as it may, PI (A.I.) has this to say:

The Book of Mormon makes several claims about itself within its own pages. Some of the most notable claims include:

1. The Book of Mormon is a sacred record of God's dealings with the people of the Americas, written by prophets who were called and inspired by God to record his words and teachings.

2. The Book of Mormon is a true record, written by the power of the Holy Ghost and preserved by God for a wise purpose in the latter days.

3. The Book of Mormon is a record of great worth, containing the words of life and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

4. The Book of Mormon was written for the benefit of the Lamanites (the ancestors of Native Americans) and for the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) in the latter days.

5. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and those who read and ponder its teachings will come closer to Jesus Christ and receive guidance and direction from God.

These claims are found throughout the Book of Mormon, and they help to establish the book's importance and significance as a sacred text for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We have over the years and also over at the ‘old board’ seen these things discussed over and over again. I do not want to take the time to get into a nit picking argument over what the Book of Mormon testifies in regards to itself and the truth claims members of the church make in regards to this book. Those arguments are already out there for all the world to see.

I am with you in regards to the statement you made in regards to God inspiring or being behind all that goes on in the universe.

Yes, I am well. Just passing through as I’ve been absent from any time being spent here recently. Looking to see if there was anything of interest.

Take care and be well.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

MG, this 2 hour video answers and responds to everything in your 2 hour video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q_jf4F3sc ... ZveQ%3D%3D

I guess the thing for you to do is rewatch your 2 hour video and then watch my 2 hour video. Then, after 4 hours of watching YouTube videos let me know what you think.

I finished the Jacob Hansen debate I referred you to. It was time well spent.

I’m sorry that you feel like it’s not worth your time. Yes, there are hundreds of YouTube presentations out there and I see that you do have time for some and not others. The same holds true with me.

Honestly? Except for time spent here and there on the internet (infrequently nowadays) I don’t spend a lot of time looking at all of the videos and podcasts, etc., there are out there. I used to…but I’m getting too old to spend all my time sitting around doing that when there are other things that interest me more.

Take care.

Regards,
MG

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

I finished the Jacob Hansen debate I referred you to. It was time well spent.

By “finish” do you mean you watched every second of the presentation without fast forwarding or skipping anything?

- Doc

[MG 2.0]

MG, this 2 hour video answers and responds to everything in your 2 hour video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q_jf4F3sc ... ZveQ%3D%3D

I guess the thing for you to do is rewatch your 2 hour video and then watch my 2 hour video. Then, after 4 hours of watching YouTube videos let me know what you think.

He cannot rewatch something he’s yet to watch.

Hi IHAQ,

I’m happy to see that you’re alive and well (the UK, right?)

I hope you find the time to view the debate I posted in my initial post on this thread. Yes, I viewed every minute of it.

I was interested to see a debate between two respected and basically kind and civil individuals defend their own views in regards to the Book of Mormon. They did end up going off in other directions in the latter part of the debate, but that was in response to questions that were pouring in.

Take care and be well.

Regards,
MG

[Morley]

Hi Morley. As you know I am not opposed to using A.I. to do research. Yes, I realize that this isn’t satisfactory or recognized as being a valid way of quick retrieval of information for some here. Be that as it may, PI (A.I.) has this to say:

I can ask A.I. myself. I don't care what a random, changeable, A.I. response might be. I'm not discussing anything with A.I.. A.I. has no beliefs, no morals, no consistency, no accountably.

I was attempting to find out what you think. Somehow, I thought you might want to venture your own opinion.

[MG 2.0]

I finished the Jacob Hansen debate I referred you to. It was time well spent.

By “finish” do you mean you watched every second of the presentation without fast forwarding or skipping anything?

- Doc

Yes.

You should watch it. I think you might find it worthwhile and meaningful. Up to you.

Hope all is well with you Doc.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

Hi Morley. As you know I am not opposed to using A.I. to do research. Yes, I realize that this isn’t satisfactory or recognized as being a valid way of quick retrieval of information for some here. Be that as it may, PI (A.I.) has this to say:

I can ask A.I. myself. I don't care what a random, changeable, A.I. response might be. I'm not discussing anything with A.I.. A.I. has no beliefs, no morals, no consistency, no accountably.

I was attempting to find out what you think. Somehow, I thought you might want to venture your own opinion.

I am in agreement with what the A.I. reference said.

Regards,
MG

[Morley]

I am in agreement with what the A.I. reference said.

Ah! Thank you.

[drumdude]

I can ask A.I. myself. I don't care what a random, changeable, A.I. response might be. I'm not discussing anything with A.I.. A.I. has no beliefs, no morals, no consistency, no accountably.

I was attempting to find out what you think. Somehow, I thought you might want to venture your own opinion.

I am in agreement with what the A.I. reference said.

Regards,
MG

That seems like a bit of a drive-by post. The point of the board is after all to discuss these things.

If there’s something new or interesting in the video then that’s worth discussing but if it’s just the same old arguments, then are they really worth rehashing?

We’re all interested in your views, not some A.I.!

[Everybody Wang Chung]

In honor of M.G.'s memory, I just watched the entire video.

There is nothing new at all. However, it's interesting to watch Jacob publicly lie and squirm when asked about written Hebrew being found in America. Watch this part for about 30 seconds: https://youtu.be/9V_N0cRqzQU?t=4735

If you watch this clip for about 3 minutes, it sets forth all of Jacob's evidences for the divinity of the Book of Mormon (Nahom, Bountiful, Witnesses, how could a farm boy write a 500 page book, the positive effect the Book of Mormon has in people's lives): https://youtu.be/9V_N0cRqzQU?t=286

Jacob also brings up Lidar a couple of times when asked why haven't any of the Book of Mormon cities been found. Apparently, Lidar is the answer because new cities are being found every day in Meso-America. It's just a matter of time folks. Keep paying your tithing and obey.