Historicity of The Book of Mormon

[Dwight Schr-ute]

Yep. I'm surprised it was an old link, since the guy who posted it on FB is usually all over anything scientific that could possibly prove the veracity of the BOM. FWIW, he is also the first one to emphasize the importance of faith whenever anything scientific contradicts the veracity of the BOM.

It's no wonder the church excommunicated that dude in Australia.

[jay santos]

Dan Peterson pushing the Royal Skousen Early English theory.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...rmon.html?pg=1

The idea here is that some grammar in the original BOM text correlates with old (before King James) English. The gist of the theory is that the Book of Mormon was translated from Reformed Egyptian into English circa 1500, and then that translation was given to Joseph. Classic DCP. Trots out a few aspects of a batshit crazy theory, and then finishes with a zing.

What does this all mean? If Skousen and Carmack are right, believers in the Book of Mormon’s miraculous origin have solid grounds for surprise. Those who regard Joseph Smith as the book’s author, however, should feel challenged and deeply perplexed.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Dan Peterson pushing the Royal Skousen Early English theory.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...rmon.html?pg=1

The idea here is that some grammar in the original BOM text correlates with old (before King James) English. The gist of the theory is that the Book of Mormon was translated from Reformed Egyptian into English circa 1500, and then that translation was given to Joseph. Classic DCP. Trots out a few aspects of a batshit crazy theory, and then finishes with a zing.

I saw that and I have been scratching my head. What in the world?

[wuapinmon]

I saw that and I have been scratching my head. What in the world?

There's a reason why Mormons make for good lawyers.

[Green Monstah]

It means that Joseph Smith, a 19th-Century unlearned farm boy could not possibly have authored the BOM by any other way than through a God who prefers (or preferred) Early Modern English. I hope God listens to non-Early Modern English prayers, because I may or may not have used "amazeballs" in my secret prayers last week.

[Northwestcoug]

The good doctor Peterson apparently has never used the terms "caught red-handed", or "bite the bullet", since they originated well before his time. Because he's suggesting that JS wouldn't be expected to use language that predated his era.

Color me 'challenged and deeply perplexed'.

Sheesh. If that's what Peterson and his ilk are reduced to arguing, and what Des News allows to be published, the state of LDS apologetics is pretty sad...

[Jacob]

It doesn't make any sense. I, mean, even if it made any sense he contradicts himself within the article:

1.

It clearly draws on a wide array of … language forms and syntax from the Early Modern English period,

2.

Some scholars assign Early Modern English to the period between A.D. 1470 and 1670, while others prefer the rounder, neater 1500-1700.

3.

To put it another way, some Book of Mormon vocabulary reflects a period not only prior to the birth of Joseph Smith but also prior to the publication of the King James Bible in 1611.

Um, no it doesn't. You just said it reflects the period including the publication year of the King James Bible. And as critics think Joseph plagiarized much of the text from the bible, they appear to be on even more solid ground with this newish information.

The only thing perplexing to people who regard Joseph (or Sidney or Oliver) as the author is how in the world an intelligent person could have thought this tends to support historicity. What an odd, odd article.

[Indy Coug]

It means that Joseph Smith, a 19th-Century unlearned farm boy could not possibly have authored the BOM by any other way than through a God who prefers (or preferred) Early Modern English. I hope God listens to non-Early Modern English prayers, because I may or may not have used "amazeballs" in my secret prayers last week.

It impresses the shit out of me that a guy with such a limited education could have mastered the use of Early Modern English so well. Well played.

[Green Monstah]

It impresses the shit out of me that a guy with such a limited education could have mastered the use of Early Modern English so well. Well played.

Amazeballs for sure.

[Moliere]

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/mes...ml?id=14054066

Not sure if this is an original idea, but I’ve been thinking the BoM account didn’t actually take place where we think it did — the events actually occurred on a previous planet.

While the theory might seem farfetched, we know there are vast other planets that exist for one common purpose. The Gods chose to use this extraplanetary record for Earth precisely because of discrepancies it would introduce — faith requires we accept it as scripture in spite of such uncertainties as geography.

As far as the people involved — same names, similar histories — isn’t it possible that worlds patterned after each other would follow similar timelines and directions for humanity? Noble spirits in other worlds could have played similar roles as Adam, Noah, Moses and Joseph did in ours. It was prophesied that Joseph Smith would be named Joseph. Did his parents really have an option to name him Stewart or Alex instead? Or alter the predestined naming of Joseph Smith Sr. for that matter?

[smokymountainrain]

[jay santos]

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/mes...ml?id=14054066

That's a person with a lot of faith. I admire it.

[smokymountainrain]

That's a person with a lot of faith. I admire it.

Perhaps. I just assumed he was trolling.

[Northwestcoug]

I just assumed it was Clack.

[Topper]

I just assumed it was Clack.

I want a guarantee.