Is the Book of Mormon Divinely Inspired?

[huckelberry]

Dawkins, My ancestors worshiped Thor and Wotan yet I do not. There must be more involved than children repeating parents. A desire to understand religious change as well as stability could lead to better understanding of people. Now it is possible to see naturalistic explanations for the change. Those as well as possible spiritual influence are going to have a lot more to do with why people have religion than the simplistic observation that it is parental indoctrination.

The question was why a person who grew up Mormon but denies any Mormon influence would settle on the Book of Mormon as God's true word. That's a very specific example of parental influence, and not intended to address the general question of why people have religion.

(Although I'm not sure who Dawkins is, so maybe I am missing what your comment is referring to!!)

Marcus, my comments were not aimed at your reasonable query for Valo about his holding the odd combination of views, yes to the Book of Mormon, no to the LDS church. I was thinking of the quote from Mr. Dawkins with his picture upthread. The quote has a certain popularity though I incline to see it as narrow dismissal of things that many people value for a variety of reasons, some with some importance.

I was going to add the observation about the comments from Mr. Dawkins that I understand he is trying to open doors for believers to be able to question their faith. I do not think that is a bad thing in itself. I just invite further thought as having value whether one questions point to leaving faith, holding faith, or changing faith.

[Marcus]

The question was why a person who grew up Mormon but denies any Mormon influence would settle on the Book of Mormon as God's true word. That's a very specific example of parental influence, and not intended to address the general question of why people have religion.

(Although I'm not sure who Dawkins is, so maybe I am missing what your comment is referring to!!)

Marcus, my comments were not aimed at your reasonable query for Valo about his holding the odd combination of views, yes to the Book of Mormon, no to the LDS church. I was thinking of the quote from Mr. Dawkins with his picture upthread. The quote has a certain popularity though I incline to see it as narrow dismissal of things that many people value for a variety of reasons, some with some importance.

I was going to add the observation about the comments from Mr. Dawkins that I understand he is trying to open doors for believers to be able to question their faith. I do not think that is a bad thing in itself. I just invite further thought as having value whether one questions point to leaving faith, holding faith, or changing faith.

I see, my apologies, I'll read back to see his comment!

[Everybody Wang Chung]

[High Spy]

[img]https://external-content.duckduckgo …

This WAS exactly my reasoning, but fortunately got past that to discover the truth that

Re: LDS Corp is like the Goose that laid the Golden Egg … s-ton.

Apropos, but not duck duck go.

[Physics Guy]

There seem to be quite a few actual, literal Flat Earthers on that LDS Freedom Forum site.

[Gadianton]

I have rejected the LDS religion as false and don't sustain the leaders as prophets seers and revelators. I've rejected a huge portion of what I was taught as a child yet you think I've only accepted the Book of Mormon as true because of my upbringing? That makes no sense. Why would I reject my religious upbringing but not the Book of Mormon if I was just being influenced by my religious upbringing?

The more typical case is that people leave the church and reject everything. But, if you're going to retain something, then there are plenty of people who still accept the Book of Mormon and perhaps a few other elements while rejecting everything else. Denver Snuffer, David Mitchell, Nightlion, the DS guy, and plenty of Mormon intellectual "last days" types. The reason is probably to reject the culture that rejected them while still holding on to the secret sauce that could make them special and perhaps, even more important in God's hierarchy than those who hurt them. The valley exalted and the mountain made low.

I'm not saying you personally, as I don't know your story, but in general, those who reject the leaders but still believe in the scriptures and apocalyptic events are somewhere in the realm of desperate to LARP or working through massive self-esteem issues. People who feel like they've been beaten down, but they want to win. They aren't going quietly into the night. The world revolves around them, not that other guy.

It would be interesting to learn of those who accept the prophets but reject the Book of Mormon; I'm sure they are out there but not sure if I've met any. These would be the mirror opposites. Those who did great socially in the church, they fail up in leadership and want to LARP also but its opposite kind of LARPing; the chain of command, management, sales, the bragging rights of leadership. They have no vested interest in the order of things changing or in anything esoteric. They want the Rotary Club. I know plenty of these types but they also believe. Although a recent family event has called that into question somewhat, which is why perhaps I'm thinking about it.

[huckelberry]

There seem to be quite a few actual, literal Flat Earthers on that LDS Freedom Forum site.

Physics Guy, I have not followed LDS freedom forum but became curious with your comment. Looking I found a thread on the subject with one earnest supporter and perhaps a couple partial sympathizers. I read only a few pages so may well have missed more. Recently I have seen a number of You tube folks rebutting flat earth claims. It seems the idea has gained a sort of popularity in recent years. I can only think it is a combination of some people wanting to mistrust all authority and perhaps some people playing like a Star Trek convention. It is a bit disturbing to see what sort of things people can get themselves up to believe.

One post stated they thought some people around 2015 pushed flat earth theory as a joke to see what people might believe. That is a plausible theory but I do not know if that is what happened.

[sock puppet]

There seem to be quite a few actual, literal Flat Earthers on that LDS Freedom Forum site.

Wouldn't DCP and others say that whether the earth is spherical or flat is not important to your salvation?

Of course, the problem is what belief in a flat earth at this point in science and knowledge illustrates about that belief-holder, moreso than what he or she will do with that misinformation.

[bill4long]

There seem to be quite a few actual, literal Flat Earthers on that LDS Freedom Forum site.

Wouldn't DCP and others say that whether the earth is spherical or flat is not important to your salvation?

Of course, the problem is what belief in a flat earth at this point in science and knowledge illustrates about that belief-holder, moreso than what he or she will do with that misinformation.

What I find fascinating is why do the "prophets, seers, and revelators" rely on (quite dubious) apologists?

Where is the Mormon Jesus when you need him.

Come on now, "Jesus", get your "prophets" in line. Enquiry minds wanna know some stuff.

[Valo]

https://ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=77132