Originally posted by: Lazy8s
I have studied the book of mormon and gone to a monmon church for a long time and I think you are doing a great job of showing why so many people have a problem with the way religious people argue. You are saying you disbelieve this text because it contradicts what you have read in the bible. The problem is the bible might be wrong and this is correct. The only reason you believe the bible is because it's what you were taught. To truly give this document a fair shake you have to pretend that this document instead of the bible was held as common belief by the LDS teachings and weigh the two.
Actually, I wasn't taught that the Bible is true and that is not why I believe it. My family is not all LDS and do not share all the same ideals. My father never went to any church when I was born. My belief in the Bible came on my own, not because I was taught it. So that kind of kills that idea.
As for pretending the document was held in common belief with LDS teachings, it wouldn't be. Reason being the Book of Mormon confirms the teaching in the Bible. If this work contradict the teachings of the Bible, then it does the same for the Book of Mormon.
I believe the Bible and the Book of Mormon because I prayed to God about the truthfulness of each and received an answer. I do the same for every writing that is claimed to have been written by a disciple of Christ. Didn't get the same answer on this one though.
I know the prophet is your lifeline to God and he has prayed on the bible and believes it but he never knew about this document and that's a key part of the mormon faith. Why do people who have never had lessons go to heaven? Because they never had the chance to accept or deny christ. Same here, none of the LDS prophets have had the chance to pray about this and accept or deny it. If I were you I would encourage you to read the document, pray about it and even discuss it with your bishop before you toss it out as contradictory. One of the largest contradictions in the mormon faith is they accept new revalations from the prophet but deny ancient scrolls that contradict their teachings up to that point. Remember in your own teachings God reveals knowledge when you can handle it, perhaps certain events in history would have been different if people knew the truth about Judas. Perhaps god is revealing this to us now so that we know the truth. Etc etc.
Umm, mostly already answered this, but on another point. How can you claim that the LDS church is unwilling to accept ancient manuscript as scripture? Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, both contain ancient writings. However, just because something is ancient doesn't mean it's correct. As I said before, I did pray about this book, just as I do about the Prophet's teaching (which I don't just accept, but pray about), and I have found it to be false.
What I'm saying is the christians will deny it because it contradicts their current beliefs even though their own teachings widel contradict themselves. Non-christians will either ignore it or try to show how it fits into christianity very well. Personally I think it's interresting and I can't wait to ask God myself when I see him.
Why wait? Ask him now. No reason he won't tell you now if you ask with sincere intent. He answered me, so I'm sure he'll answer you.