A few questions for Mormons

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So I have a few questions for Mormons would like to hear what they have to say to these questions…


  1. *]**Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth? God allowed the Jews to carry the 10 commandments for several centuries in their original physical form, written by the finger of God Himself! **
    *]**If the original 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired than why were there so many errors and changes and additions and deletions, when compared to current editions?
    *]**If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it? Examples are: 1 Nephi 11:21; 19:20; 20:1 and Alma 29:4. Compare these with the original Book of Mormon. (Gerald and Sandra Tanner have counted 3913 changes in the book of Mormon, excluding punctuation changes.) **
    *]**How did Joseph Smith carry home the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily? (They weighed about 230 lbs. Gold, with a density of 19.3 weighs 1204.7 lbs. per cubic foot. The plates were 7" x 8" by about 6". See Articles of Faith, by Talmage, page 262, 34th ed.) **
    *]If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)
    *]**Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 years old. Since he was wrong about the moon, is it safe to trust him regarding the way to Heaven? (The Young Woman’s Journal, Vol. 3, pages 263-264. See repreint in Mormonism --Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, page 4.) **
    *]**Since Mormonism teaches that only God the Father had a physical body at the time Adam was created, why did God say, “Let us make man in OUR image”? Why didn’t He say, “Let us make man in MY image?” (Gen. 1:26). **
    *]**Why was Joseph Smith still preaching against polygamy in October 1843 after he got his revelation in July 1843 commanding the practice of polygamy? (Doc. & Cov. 132; and History of the Church Vol. 6, page 46, or Teachings of the Prophet, page 324). **
    *]Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address (for example, what Christ did from age 12 - 30)?
    *]Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance if they believed in Christ (they are occupying it now w/o believing in Christ)? (2 Nephi 10:7)
    *]**If Jesus was conceived as a result of a physical union between God and Mary, how was Jesus born of a virgin? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 50). ****
 
there has gotta be someone out there that can answer some of these questions:)
 
at the risk of building a strawman let me (as an EX-LDS) give you what I would have answered when I was LDS:
Karin said:
So I have a few questions for Mormons would like to hear what they have to say to these questions…


  1. *]**Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth? God allowed the Jews to carry the 10 commandments for several centuries in their original physical form, written by the finger of God Himself! **
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  1. access to the Ten commandments was VERY restricted, much like access to the golden plates. The Lord wants us to grow in faith so he doesn’t give us obvious signs very often. Peoplke should pray about the boM and have the experience of the Holy Ghost witnessing tot hem about what’s true.
    Karin said:
    *]**If the original 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired than why were there so many errors and changes and additions and deletions, when compared to current editions? ** you mean the minor errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation that were the result of scribes and printers errors. They lived in time without word processors and spellcheckers.
    Karin;1614350:
    *]**If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it? Examples are: 1 Nephi 11:21; 19:20; 20:1 and Alma 29:4. Compare these with the original Book of Mormon. (Gerald and Sandra Tanner have counted 3913 changes in the book of Mormon, excluding punctuation changes.) **
    Click to expand...
    MOST of those errors still fall in the category of grammar and/or spelling. Even many of the ones they claim were significant alterations in meaning are easily seen as syntax corrections that are most liklely the fault of the printers. once again it was a manual process that was not strictly controlled by trianed professionals sao it should come as no surprise that Joseph Smith saw th errors and had them corrected in future editions.

    (continued)
    Click to expand...
 
(continued)
Karin said:
*]**How did Joseph Smith carry home the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily? (They weighed about 230 lbs. Gold, with a density of 19.3 weighs 1204.7 lbs. per cubic foot. The plates were 7" x 8" by about 6". See Articles of Faith, by Talmage, page 262, 34th ed.) **
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a lot of assumptions here. No one knows the purity of the gold or the exact dimensions. These are “eyeball” measurments and certainly extrapolations from that for the weight. The witnesses never claimed to “easily” lift them. Joseph Smith was strong young man then too. Besides, the lord gave him what was needed to accomplish the work.
Karin said:
*]If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)
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because this world hasn’t ended yet. Until the final judgement day we are limited to this world. No one said Moroni was guaranteed the highest level of exaltation either. There will be people in the Celestial Kingdom who are “ministering angels”. He might be one of them.
Karin said:
*]**Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 years old. Since he was wrong about the moon, is it safe to trust him regarding the way to Heaven? (The Young Woman’s Journal, Vol. 3, pages 263-264. See repreint in Mormonism --Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, page 4.) **
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and what was the context of those remarks? Joseph was an amiable fellow who joked around sometimes. Where does he say that’s revelation form God?
Karin said:
*]**Since Mormonism teaches that only God the Father had a physical body at the time Adam was created, why did God say, “Let us make man in OUR image”? Why didn’t He say, “Let us make man in MY image?” (Gen. 1:26). **
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because spirit bodies have a visible image. The “image” is the same.
Karin said:
*]**Why was Joseph Smith still preaching against polygamy in October 1843 after he got his revelation in July 1843 commanding the practice of polygamy? (Doc. & Cov. 132; and History of the Church Vol. 6, page 46, or Teachings of the Prophet, page 324). **
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polygamy was always a “calling” and only when commanded by the Lord can someone rightfully practice it. At that time most people hadn’t been authorized by the Lord to engage in it.
Karin said:
*]Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address (for example, what Christ did from age 12 - 30)?
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there is no need. The BoM tells us what we need to know from Jesus MESSAGE to us.
Karin said:
*]Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance if they believed in Christ (they are occupying it now w/o believing in Christ)? (2 Nephi 10:7)
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and how is that working out for them? much like in times past they are under siege constantly with terrorist bombings daily and numerous countries poised to attack them at any moment. Their economy is as shaky as their security.
Karin said:
*]**If Jesus was conceived as a result of a physical union between God and Mary, how was Jesus born of a virgin? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 50). **
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It’s a miracle wrought by the Holy Ghost. Jesus had the gentic makeup of Heavenly Father and Mary. In that sense he was the product of a “physical union”. No sex act was necessary though so she WAS a virgin.

How’s that? 😃
 
Thank you…
but I kinda want a mormon to answer them…I hope that if they do they just dont copy your reply;)
 
Karin said:
Funny how I can’t even get one question answered by a Mormon.
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Here is one question, number two. You can read all about it here. fairlds.org/apol/ai282.html

If you want answers to the others, they are all here. fairlds.org/apol/ , you just have to search for them by category and topic.

I’m a former LDS, but I don’t debate, so I only refer to links. If you are truly interested, their answers are there.
 
Marat said:
Here is one question, number two. You can read all about it here. fairlds.org/apol/ai282.html

If you want answers to the others, they are all here. fairlds.org/apol/ , you just have to search for them by category and topic.

I’m a former LDS, but I don’t debate, so I only refer to links. If you are truly interested, their answers are there.
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thank you for the links…I am curious though to hear from an actual mormon though…aren’t there any out there that can answer these questions:confused:
 
Well, this IS a Catholic board and you just posted this topic today. Although there is some Mormons here, there’s not that many. If you’re in a real hurry to get these questions answered, go to a Mormon board. Otherwise be patient and some Mormons may come around and answer. If they can…
 
Tabitha said:
Well, this IS a Catholic board and you just posted this topic today. Although there is some Mormons here, there’s not that many. If you’re in a real hurry to get these questions answered, go to a Mormon board. Otherwise be patient and some Mormons may come around and answer. If they can…
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yes I have noticed that a few of them have looked at the thread but then do not post a reply:confused: …guess that might be my answer…
I mean do these questions really require a long drawn out comment??
 
Karin said:
So I have a few questions for Mormons would like to hear what they have to say to these questions…


  1. *]**Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth? God allowed the Jews to carry the 10 commandments for several centuries in their original physical form, written by the finger of God Himself! **
    *]**If the original 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired than why were there so many errors and changes and additions and deletions, when compared to current editions? **
    *]**If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it? Examples are: 1 Nephi 11:21; 19:20; 20:1 and Alma 29:4. Compare these with the original Book of Mormon. (Gerald and Sandra Tanner have counted 3913 changes in the book of Mormon, excluding punctuation changes.) **
    *]**How did Joseph Smith carry home the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily? (They weighed about 230 lbs. Gold, with a density of 19.3 weighs 1204.7 lbs. per cubic foot. The plates were 7" x 8" by about 6". See Articles of Faith, by Talmage, page 262, 34th ed.) **
    *]If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)
    *]**Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 years old. Since he was wrong about the moon, is it safe to trust him regarding the way to Heaven? (The Young Woman’s Journal, Vol. 3, pages 263-264. See repreint in Mormonism --Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, page 4.) **
    *]**Since Mormonism teaches that only God the Father had a physical body at the time Adam was created, why did God say, “Let us make man in OUR image”? Why didn’t He say, “Let us make man in MY image?” (Gen. 1:26). **
    *]**Why was Joseph Smith still preaching against polygamy in October 1843 after he got his revelation in July 1843 commanding the practice of polygamy? (Doc. & Cov. 132; and History of the Church Vol. 6, page 46, or Teachings of the Prophet, page 324). **
    *]Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address (for example, what Christ did from age 12 - 30)?
    *]Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance if they believed in Christ (they are occupying it now w/o believing in Christ)? (2 Nephi 10:7)
    *]**If Jesus was conceived as a result of a physical union between God and Mary, how was Jesus born of a virgin? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 50). **
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  1. I have a little time so I’ll answer what I can. The first question includes three questions, so it might be quite a task to answer all 11 topics quickly.

    #1 - The reason the plates were given back to the angel could only be speculated upon; but your follow-ups suggest some good reasons. While they probably would prove to some that Mormonism is true, it doesn’t seem to me that this is they way God works. Rather than proving to everyone, He proves to some and then expects the rest of the world to live by faith rather than by proof. God did allow the Jews to have the 10 commandments for centuries, but they’re not here any more. The resurrected Jesus could have appeared to everyone–including Pilate and Herod and proved that He was resurrected but He didn’t. Perhaps He felt that the people should believe those He did appear to.

    #2 - If the 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired why were there any changes? The same reason the New Testament was inspired yet it exists in thousands of manuscripts–no two of which are the same. They were written by men in their own language and not in God’s language. The changes are hardly consequential and convey the same message.

    #3 - Same answer as two above except that some changes are the result of Joseph Smith’s better understanding of grammar as he grew older. Again, the message hasn’t changed, just the syntax of it.

    #4 - This is a bogus question. You can’t use the witnesses and at the same time claim the plates weighed 230 lbs. The witnesses all claimed they weighed about 60 lbs. The 230 lb. estimate is of a solid block of gold–that’s a stacked deck.

    more to follow–
 
I see that someone already started answering. However, I’d like to comment on a couple of items:
  1. Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance…
It doesn’t. The passage isn’t speaking of the Jews, but rather of the descendants of the Nephites. The passages refers to “they” and to understand who “they” are, you need to go to verse 1 of the chapter. It explains he is talking about a “righteous branch” taken out of the land of Israel. Verse 53 of the previous chapter explains that it isn’t the Jews but rather the descendants of the Nephites.

Alma
 
Alma147 said:
I have a little time so I’ll answer what I can. The first question includes three questions, so it might be quite a task to answer all 11 topics quickly.

#1 - The reason the plates were given back to the angel could only be speculated upon; but your follow-ups suggest some good reasons. While they probably would prove to some that Mormonism is true, it doesn’t seem to me that this is they way God works. Rather than proving to everyone, He proves to some and then expects the rest of the world to live by faith rather than by proof. God did allow the Jews to have the 10 commandments for centuries, but they’re not here any more. The resurrected Jesus could have appeared to everyone–including Pilate and Herod and proved that He was resurrected but He didn’t. Perhaps He felt that the people should believe those He did appear to.
Click to expand...

  1. *]The existence of the gold Nephi plates from which the book of Mormon was allegedly translated have never been proven. They were conveniently taken back to heaven by the angel Moroni. This is like have an English translation of the Bible with no support Greek text. With modern forensic science, it would be a simple task to confirm the authenticity of the Nephi plates if they existed. How convenient that the angel took them.
    *]Without the Nephi Plates, Mormonism resembles the myths of “Bigfoot” & “UFO’s”. All three are long on “personal testimony and eye-witnesses” and short on hard proof!
 
5 - If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)

Maybe for the same reason that God is called an angel in Exodus 3:2 and Acts 7:35? Or maybe because the final judgment is yet future?

6 - Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 year…

No he didn’t. That claim showed up over 40 years after Joseph Smith died from a man who claimed to have heard it 50 years earlier as a teenager. I know quite a few teenagers who can’t remember to take out the trash five minutes after they hear it. To recall something as astounding as this fifty years later stretches credibility beyond reason.

9 - Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address…

Because the Book of Mormon is an account of people who lived thousands of miles away from Jerusalem. Why should they include information to which they had no access?

Alma
 
Alma147 said:
I see that someone already started answering. However, I’d like to comment on a couple of items:
  1. Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance…
It doesn’t. The passage isn’t speaking of the Jews, but rather of the descendants of the Nephites. The passages refers to “they” and to understand who “they” are, you need to go to verse 1 of the chapter. It explains he is talking about a “righteous branch” taken out of the land of Israel. Verse 53 of the previous chapter explains that it isn’t the Jews but rather the descendants of the Nephites.

Alma
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are these the same nephites???
The Nephites, initially a righteous people, eventually fell into wickedness, and were utterly destroyed by their rivals the Lamanites circa A.D. 385.[3] answers.com/topic/nephite
 
Karin said:

  1. *]The existence of the gold Nephi plates from which the book of Mormon was allegedly translated have never been proven. They were conveniently taken back to heaven by the angel Moroni. This is like have an English translation of the Bible with no support Greek text. With modern forensic science, it would be a simple task to confirm the authenticity of the Nephi plates if they existed. How convenient that the angel took them.
    *]Without the Nephi Plates, Mormonism resembles the myths of “Bigfoot” & “UFO’s”. All three are long on “personal testimony and eye-witnesses” and short on hard proof!
Click to expand...

  1. Why is this anymore “convenient” than Jesus going to heaven rather than sticking around to be tested with forensic science?

    I know quite a few atheists who rank Jesus and His eye-witnesses right up there with UFO’s and bigfoot as well. Why does Peter’s witness count but not David Whitmer’s?

    Alma
 
Alma147 said:
9 - Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address…

Because the Book of Mormon is an account of people who lived thousands of miles away from Jerusalem. Why should they include information to which they had no access?

Alma
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well i would think that if mormons belive that the BoE is…The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible… Our Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (I.e. the Bible) …Mormon Article of Faith #8: “We Believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” and that Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel: D&C 20:9
the BoE would include parts of Jesus’s life that where not covered in the Bible 🙂
 
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