Book of Mormon Challenge
Well-meaning people, unacquainted with the Book of Mormon, cannot realize it is a modern-day miracle. They suppose it was produced by the natural ability of Joseph Smith or some other person. But here are some of the challenges you would have in producing a similar record without the power of God.
1. Undertake your literary project even though you yourself are barely literate.
2. Write about an ancient people about which nothing is known.
3. Let the history span more than 2000 years, most of it before the time of Christ.
4. Describe two separate societies who have different roots, languages and culture.
5. Tell of their revealed doctrines and practices.
6. Use language that is straightforward at the same time that it is inspiring.
7. Describe cultural complexities that erupted when people departed from their original faith.
8. Mention details about politics, agriculture, war, rac, education, economy and even coinage.
9. Change the writing style for each emerging writer and speaker.
10. Keep a consistent style for the ancient compiler as he comments from time to time.
11. Write 70 doctrinal chapters, 50 on prophecy, and 21 describing a personal visit from Christ.
12. Keep all this in perfect harmony with the Bible, but not with the religions of your own time.
13. Use various literary devices, such as parable, simile, metaphor, epic lyric, and chiasmus.
14. Use over 250 unique proper nouns that linguists later discover to be authentic.
15. Make sure the book is more than 500 pages and 300,000 words in length.
16. Despite moves, poverty and persecution, produce the book in just under three months.
17. Reputable people must report that they saw the plates from which you translated the book.
18. You must endure all kinds of abuse, and finally a brutal death, rather than deny your claims.
19. After you die, evidence of these ancient people must start pouring in from secular sources.
20.Though people oppose the book, it is published world-wide in numerous languages.
21. The book is actually taken seriously as the word of God.
22. Attempts to explain away the origin of your book will be silly and groundless.
23. One explanation will meet the test of time and evidence: it came forth by the power of God.
24. You promise that God will verify the book to every honest inquirer. The promise works.
25. Thousands will give up everything, including life, in loyaty to the sacred record.
26. Countless thousands of young adults will forsake their other projects just to share the book.
27. Learned people read the book many times, and still consider it a treasure of new insights.
28. Those who adopt your book as a guide in daily life will say it has changed their lives.
29. They will actually be known world-wide for their faith, goodness and achievement.
There are other lists like this, but Dr. Wayne Brickey just simplified the points to fit on one page.
Ice Skating
9 years ago
1 comment:
I just happened to come across your blog and loved reading it! I felt your excitement at finding another 4 inches of snow when it really should be spring and remember how frequently I was in awe of you as you marveled at all displays of nature while I grumbled about driving in the snow.
I loved reading the many points you cited which support the fact that Joseph Smith was truly the man who translated the Book of Mormon. Indeed he translated it because no one could write a book like the book of Mormon. I believe that to be literally impossible which proves to me that it was divinely directed. The book flows from chapter to chapter with astounding facility and beauty and testifies so powerfully of Jesus Christ. We just finished reading 3rd and 4th Nephi, I love those two parts of the BoM.
I read Vicki's blog as well. All about Bert! So cute! Fun way to write it from Bert's viewpoint. You guys do good work !!!
Tina
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