Is the Book of Mormon Divinely Inspired?

[Marcus]

Wouldn’t “millions” also be “millions and millions”? How big a “swaths of humanity” are we talking about here?

- Doc

Technically, saying "millions" and "millions and millions" both refer to large quantities, but there can be a slight difference in emphasis and perception:

- **"Millions":** This term is used to indicate a quantity in the range of 1,000,000 to 999,999,999. It gives an idea of a large number without specifying an exact amount.

- **"Millions and millions":** This phrase is often used to emphasize an even larger quantity, possibly exceeding the lower end of the "millions" range. It can be interpreted as a more casual or conversational way to express an extensive or overwhelming quantity.

However, in terms of a precise numerical value, "millions" and "millions and millions" can overlap and may not necessarily denote different amounts. The context in which these terms are used plays a role in determining the intended meaning.

—Pi A.I.

Like I said, A lot…and a lot.

A lot of people have not either heard of or accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ while they have lived on the earth. I’m interested in how various Christians deal with that and I’m hoping ceeboo can add his/her opinion. (Sorry ceeboo, I don’t know if you are male or female).

Good enough for you, Doc?

Regards,
MG

Did you read the A.I. you posted? (and by read, I mean READ. Including noting the mathematical error in the range description.) Are you comfortable applying your A.I. quote to your post about the possible number of humans who have inhabited this planet?

[ceeboo]

Hey ceeboo, while you’re here I’d like to understand your views in regards to those millions and millions of people born on earth that never have the opportunity to “consider/recognize” that they are and/or have been “purchased…by the sacrificial blood of God”. A large portion of humanity: past, present, and future. Are they lost? Are they saved even though they may not have accepted Christ as their Savior?

Perhaps I will find the time to come back to this and provide a lengthy reply including scripture from the Old Testament and New Testament - To unpack the answer would take some time and, in addition, there is most likely a language barrier that exists between you, a Mormon and I, not a Mormon (I am not suggesting anything by that other what it states)

For now - A very short reply from my view:

Everybody is saved the same way - Christ alone is the basis on which the ungodly are justified in God’s sight (All of us are ungodly) - Belief/Faith in God (salvation = reunited to a right-standing relationship with our Creator) - The Eternal Word (Given the name Jesus when he was born as a man and entered His creation - Tabernacled with us) has always been God - Jesus is the Alpha and Omega - Jesus is the I Am - Jesus is the Almighty eternal God.


Again, maybe I will find the time to come back to this and provide a detailed answer.

In the LDS Church we believe that ALL mankind can be saved and receive a kingdom of glory through the works, mission/atonement, and mercy/grace of Jesus Christ. Even those that never accepted him as Lord or were lukewarm in their faith.

How do you see it?

Another very short reply (out of respect and understanding how any answer might be taken): I see Mormonism as a man-made religion. Like every religion, I think religions shackle people - I think they place people in bondage - I think they control and shame their members - I think they are destructive, and I think they create significant pain and harm to human beings and families - I think they are precisely what Jesus railed against when he walked the earth. To be clear, I am talking about the religion of Mormonism, not individual people who call themselves Mormon.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

[Marcus]

Yes we do. It’s explained in the Book of Mormon. You should read it sometime.

Are you referring to 1 Nephi 2:4 or 1 Nephi 3:22-23?

If so, are you able to determine whether they took valuables along with them? Or are you relying on the possibility that Nephi and others might have had skills in craftsmanship to offer?...

MG, you are the one who brought up trade as a way to ultimately justify the NHM story. For you now to post like this supports honor's conclusion, 7 pages back.

Its interesting how gladly folks like MG will cling to any theory that supports a partial claim, even when it creates entirely new contradictions. For the NHM inscription to work it requires the Lehi party to travel through the Kingdom of Saba along trade roads and populated cities that the Book of Mormon fails to mention. The Book of Mormon explicitly states the Lehi party traveled in the wilderness, in fact, so the marginal evidence it provides makes the book unreliable.

Bizarre.

Yet one must not suppose folks like MG really treat evidence with any degree of real care.

...Clearly he is happy to be selective with testimony evidence in addition to careless with the text itself.

Why waste people's time with A.I. arguments you don't understand, or are not willing to support?

[ceeboo]

I’m hoping ceeboo can add his/her opinion. (Sorry ceeboo, I don’t know if you are male or female).

No need to be sorry. Ceeboo is a male in his mid 50's.

[Marcus]

...

Everyone is a child of God

Not really, from my view. While we are all created in the image of our Creator/God, we are not all the children of God. We can become the adopted children of God and this adoption has nothing to do with our works or our merit. It has everything to do with being purchased, as broken as we were/are, by the sacrificial blood of God. We were all bought, it's up to each and every one of us to consider/recognize that and accept the path...

And this would be the path that aligns with your particular religious beliefs? So, other humans, all over the planet, are not "children of God" or divine creations, no matter what, unless they take on your beliefs? What do you consider them to be, if they are not the same kind of human you are?

Your post is very disturbing.

[ceeboo]

...

Not really, from my view. While we are all created in the image of our Creator/God, we are not all the children of God. We can become the adopted children of God and this adoption has nothing to do with our works or our merit. It has everything to do with being purchased, as broken as we were/are, by the sacrificial blood of God. We were all bought, it's up to each and every one of us to consider/recognize that and accept the path...

And this would be the path that aligns with your particular religious beliefs?

Yes, my view (as quoted above) would in fact be my view.

So, other humans, all over the planet, are not "children of God" or divine creations

Divine creations are not the same thing as children of God (I thought I made that clear in my post)

What do you consider them to be, if they are not the same kind of human you are?

Huh? They are exactly the same kind of human being as I am - Broken and ungodly.

Your post is very disturbing.

Truth often times creates anxiety and worry.

[Marcus]

What do you consider them to be, if they are not the same kind of human you are?

Huh? They are exactly the same kind of human being as I am - Broken and ungodly.

So, human beings, all over the world, all with their own beliefs, who don't accept YOUR beliefs are people you consider "broken and ungodly."

That's a recipe for discrimination and hate. That's why I found your post disturbing.

Truth often times creates anxiety and worry.

You are stating your opinion. The fact that you define it as 'truth' that you think justifies calling every human "broken and ungodly" who doesn't follow what your opinion requires is even more disturbing.

[ceeboo]

Huh? They are exactly the same kind of human being as I am - Broken and ungodly.

So, human beings, all over the world, all with their own beliefs, who don't accept YOUR beliefs are people you consider "broken and ungodly."

Almost - My view Includes those who do accept my beliefs.

[MG 2.0]

I’m hoping ceeboo can add his/her opinion. (Sorry ceeboo, I don’t know if you are male or female).

No need to be sorry. Ceeboo is a male in his mid 50's.

Ah!

Thanks,
MG

[MG 2.0]

...

Not really, from my view. While we are all created in the image of our Creator/God, we are not all the children of God. We can become the adopted children of God and this adoption has nothing to do with our works or our merit. It has everything to do with being purchased, as broken as we were/are, by the sacrificial blood of God. We were all bought, it's up to each and every one of us to consider/recognize that and accept the path...

And this would be the path that aligns with your particular religious beliefs? So, other humans, all over the planet, are not "children of God" or divine creations, no matter what, unless they take on your beliefs? What do you consider them to be, if they are not the same kind of human you are?

That’s what I’d like to get a bit more fleshed out.

Mormonism has an answer for that.

Regards,
MG