Focus on the known of the restoration, Elder Hafen counsels

[scottie]

http://mormontimes.com/around_church/general_authority/?id=12963

...

Elder Hafen said there is much discussion out there regarding the methods through which Joseph Smith translated ancient scripture such as the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and the Bible. That's all fine and good so long as the questioner is mainly focused on the works themselves, the great mountains of eternal knowledge they contain, and what that knowledge means in the lives of God's children rather than on the specifics of the revelatory process.

"How (Joseph Smith) received it doesn't ultimately matter to us very much," he said.

...

Interesting.

[RobinFinderson]

... whether from a burning bush, or whispered through the yellow lips of a rubber chicken...

[Indy Coug]

Do I need to know how Copernicus figured out the solar-centric model?

[TripletDaddy]

The timing of this is really interesting. I agree with Hafen's quote, but what else can the Church say about some of these questions that exist re: the BoM and the PoGP?

I wonder if Bruce Hafen thinks Nephi literally existed? Apparently I was right....it doesn't really matter, ultimately, since Nephi's existence isn't central to any eternal knowledge after which we seek.

[byu71]

http://mormontimes.com/around_church...rity/?id=12963


Interesting.

I agree to the extent that these works contain sound advice and inspirational messages.

I would think though the matter of it being a revealed work or not is important.

[TripletDaddy]

I agree to the extent that these works contain sound advice and inspirational messages.

I would think though the matter of it being a revealed work or not is important.

So you are a proponent of the Kinderhook Plates, I take it?

[byu71]

So you are a proponent of the Kinderhook Plates, I take it?

I will go look up Kinderhook Plates on the internet and then let you know.


Follow up Note: I started reading about it and got bored. So, I guess the answer is no I am not a proponent. However, I wouldn't argue with someone who is a proponent of them, because I still don't know much about them.

[TripletDaddy]

I will go look up Kinderhook Plates on the internet and then let you know.

OK.

Check out Mark Hoffman, as well.

There is a lot of stuff out there that comes from specious origin yet has a good message.

[RobinFinderson]

The timing of this is really interesting. I agree with Hafen's quote, but what else can the Church say about some of these questions that exist re: the BoM and the PoGP?

I wonder if Bruce Hafen thinks Nephi literally existed? Apparently I was right....it doesn't really matter, ultimately, since Nephi's existence isn't central to any eternal knowledge after which we seek.

I think the church will evaporate if the idea that the BoM and PoGP are works of 'inspired fiction' is ever widely embraced by the general LDS membership.

[TripletDaddy]

I will go look up Kinderhook Plates on the internet and then let you know.


Follow up Note: I started reading about it and got bored. So, I guess the answer is no I am not a proponent. However, I wouldn't argue with someone who is a proponent of them, because I still don't know much about them.

Then you are exactly where CES wants you to be: don't know...don't care!

[byu71]

Then you are exactly where CES wants you to be: don't know...don't care!

Quite a conclusion you come to. Just because I don't care about something you may care about doesn't exactly make me a "blanket" don't care person, or in your mind does it?

[TripletDaddy]

I think the church will evaporate if the idea that the BoM and PoGP are works of 'inspired fiction' is ever widely embraced by the general LDS membership.

The problem with this notion as advanced by Elder Hafen is that it seems to be circular...

1. Don't worry about the origins of these writings
2. Focus on the message of the writings

Apocrypha and forgeries are now in play, as long as the messages contained therein are in harmony with the Gospel.

If apocrypha and forgeries are NOT in play, the reason is likely the result of the origin of said works.

So that brings us back to #1.....Don't worry about the origins of these writings.

I'm confused.

[TripletDaddy]

Quite a conclusion you come to. Just because I don't care about something you may care about doesn't exactly make me a "blanket" don't care person, or in your mind does it?

I never said I care about it. That is quite a conclusion you come to.

[scottie]

I think the church will evaporate if the idea that the BoM and PoGP are works of 'inspired fiction' is ever widely embraced by the general LDS membership.

I disagree. IMO, even if the prophet were to announce from the GC pulpit that both are inspired fiction, sure some would leave but there are plenty of rank-and-file who wouldn't bat an eye.

[byu71]

OK.

Check out Mark Hoffman, as well.

There is a lot of stuff out there that comes from specious origin yet has a good message.

That is exactly what I was saying. A lot of good stuff can come and be written without it coming through divine revelation. Therefor, I am not in agreement with what Elder Hafen said.