Quote:J Smith was a base con man, liar, cheat, et al.

No man was ever more rightfully shot.

Gee wilikers!

If old Joe was wrong about the Book of Abraham, then what else was he wrong about ???

(July 14, 2014 at 8:19 pm)vorlon13 Wrote: Gee wilikers!

If old Joe was wrong about the Book of Abraham, then what else was he wrong about ???

Not the planet kolob! No siree.

Wait, are you meaning to tell me that someone invented a religion out of whole cloth?

Who would stoop to such a thing?!

(July 14, 2014 at 8:19 pm)vorlon13 Wrote: Gee wilikers!

If old Joe was wrong about the Book of Abraham, then what else was he wrong about ???

Gee...I wonder.

Perhaps I'm miss understanding the article but this doesn't seem to be a huge deviation from what higher-ups and scholars have already been saying: that joe was just using the Egyptian scrolls as a vehicle for channeling completely unrelated revelations. At least I've heard some Mormons spout this off as a way to deflect the fact that the BoA is utter bullshit when compared with actual Egyptian scholars' translations/interpretations.

(July 14, 2014 at 10:38 pm)Clueless Morgan Wrote: Perhaps I'm miss understanding the article but this doesn't seem to be a huge deviation from what higher-ups and scholars have already been saying: that joe was just using the Egyptian scrolls as a vehicle for channeling completely unrelated revelations. At least I've heard some Mormons spout this off as a way to deflect the fact that the BoA is utter bullshit when compared with actual Egyptian scholars' translations/interpretations.

The problem is Smith's own diaries, his home made hieroglyphics dictionary which is totally wrong, and other records at the time make it crystal clear that he said he was actually translating and that's what his followers believed.

For a long time the Pearl of Great Price printed a facsimile of the Papyrus with the book. That's how it was identified when found and translated by Egyptologists. After that they stopped printing the facsimile. Go figure.

Curious.

My opinion of Joe Smith has not changed in ANY way due to this problem with the Book of Abraham.

People would rather believe a lie than the truth. In the case of Smith the Mormons have too much invested in his BS not to believe it. In essence, it's irrelevant that it's a lie. The same is true of all religions. That's because con men can make lies look so beautiful whereas the truth is usually ugly and frightening. The average person would rather believe in his favorite deity although he has no evidence for such a thing because the imaginary being can be given whatever characteristics and attributes the worshiper demands. This is true in all aspects of life and not just in religion. Good lies can sometimes make the harsh realities of life easier to bear.

My brother and mother became Mormon. This scene from Star Wars would loop through my mind on the few occasions I felt compelled to go to their church (ward).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0znNiN0lYAQ