Mormons: How do you read "The Book of Mormon"

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At the college I go to, there were some Mormon missionaries and I had a good chat with them. They invited me to their somewhat like youth group and gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon.

While I’m very convicted in my Catholic faith, I do have an interest of other religions. Mostly because I hate being ignorant of other peoples beliefs. So I’ve decided to read The Book of Mormon. However I don’t seem to understand how to read it. Is it like the Bible where it’s not in a chronological or story like order? How do you read it?
 
IIRC, it’s mostly chronological, beginning at the start of the Babylonian Exile. Although there’re a few lengthy flashbacks, including an entire book set around the time of Babel.

I’ve tried to read it. Fair warning. You will see the phrase “And it came to pass” WAY too many times. Like unreadably many times. I found an article online about it. It occurs about 450 times in the Bible- 1.5% of verses. As opposed to almost 1500 times in the BoM, over 20%. Sometimes multiple times in the same verse. Again, I tried to read it to see where Mormons are coming from. No offense to them, but it was way too tough of a read for the effort I was willing to put in.
 
adawgj said:
At the college I go to, there were some Mormon missionaries and I had a good chat with them. They invited me to their somewhat like youth group and gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon.

While I’m very convicted in my Catholic faith, I do have an interest of other religions. Mostly because I hate being ignorant of other peoples beliefs. So I’ve decided to read The Book of Mormon. However I don’t seem to understand how to read it. Is it like the Bible where it’s not in a chronological or story like order? How do you read it?
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Pearl of Great Price:
He said there was a a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang.
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Source means where something starts, originates, comes from, so Joseph Smith claims the Book of Mormon tells the story of the origin of all the America Indians. The book was written before Joseph Smith led them out of Christianity, so I don’t think you will find any unique Mormon beliefs in the book, in fact, it may lead you to believe they are trinitarian Christians, which they are not.
 
I swear I thought this thread was going to be about the Broadway show. 😃
 
Hello Adwagi,
I'm no longer LDS but I see the book as a guide to the world of religion. In that sense it is true. It gives warnings with regard to priest craft, It provides a definition of the gospel, and it warns about a mist that prevents people from seeing the truth.
 
I would throw it away. Nothing about or in the b.o.m is true. It’s an ever changing religion where after a president dies, their words mean nothing compared to their new president. Everything is an opinion or anti-Mormon if it doesn’t fit their lives.
 
adawgj said:
At the college I go to, there were some Mormon missionaries and I had a good chat with them. They invited me to their somewhat like youth group and gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon.

While I’m very convicted in my Catholic faith, I do have an interest of other religions. Mostly because I hate being ignorant of other peoples beliefs. So I’ve decided to read The Book of Mormon. However I don’t seem to understand how to read it. Is it like the Bible where it’s not in a chronological or story like order? How do you read it?
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My advice to you is to see “Book of Mormon” the show. It is hilarious and will most likely answer all your questions. Totally “wackadoo” just like the Mormon religion which is based on science fiction.
 
[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]
adawgj said:
At the college I go to, there were some Mormon missionaries and I had a good chat with them. They invited me to their somewhat like youth group and gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon.

While I’m very convicted in my Catholic faith, I do have an interest of other religions. Mostly because I hate being ignorant of other peoples beliefs. So I’ve decided to read The Book of Mormon. However I don’t seem to understand how to read it. Is it like the Bible where it’s not in a chronological or story like order? How do you read it?
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Front to back. Good luck.

A not official plain English version is here:
 
It’s been years since I read the bom but as I recall it is mostly in chronological order as has been said. I don’t think the language has been updated into a more understandable vernacular which may make it a little tougher to read. Mormons still use the king james version of the bible as well, with no updating which I also find a bit difficult.
 
mayogirl25 said:
My advice to you is to see “Book of Mormon” the show. It is hilarious and will most likely answer all your questions. Totally “wackadoo” just like the Mormon religion which is based on science fiction.
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But then it takes the fun out of reading it. Just like seeing the movie before reading the book.
 
RebeccaJ said:
[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

Front to back. Good luck.

A not official plain English version is here:
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I’ve read Will Durant’s “The Story of Civilization” “Our Oriental Heritage” which is a 900 page history book.

The BOM should be a cinch at finishing.
 
kimg901 said:
I would throw it away. Nothing about or in the b.o.m is true. It’s an ever changing religion where after a president dies, their words mean nothing compared to their new president. Everything is an opinion or anti-Mormon if it doesn’t fit their lives.
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Sorry, but as an avid reader and book collector. I can never throw a book away.

While I too think the BOM has major historical and theological flaws it still is a book.

I’m very thankful that the gentlemen missionaries gave it to me for free, because on amazon it goes for $2.00.
 
superwimp said:
Hello Adwagi,
Code: 
  I'm no longer LDS but I see the book as a guide to the world of religion.  In that sense it is true.  It gives warnings with regard to priest craft, It provides a definition of the gospel, and it warns about a mist that prevents people from seeing the truth.
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Thank you for the info. 🙂

I’m surprised that there aren’t any practicing LDS giving me advice.
 
adawgj said:
Thank you for the info. 🙂

I’m surprised that there aren’t any practicing LDS giving me advice.
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Most of them have never read it. I did; that’s one of the reasons I’m not LDS anymore. It’s not worth your time.

If you want to read about early America, read “1491” by Charles C. Mann.

Paul (formerly LDS, now happily Catholic)
 
PaulDupre1 said:
Most of them have never read it. I did; that’s one of the reasons I’m not LDS anymore. It’s not worth your time.

If you want to read about early America, read “1491” by Charles C. Mann.

Paul (formerly LDS, now happily Catholic)
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I’m not reading it for a history lesson, but for the mythology.

I got a little tired of reading about Roman and Greek mythology.
 
adawgj said:
I’m not reading it for a history lesson, but for the mythology.

I got a little tired of reading about Roman and Greek mythology.
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Ah! The more interesting Mormon mythology is found in their scriptures called the Pearl of Great Price.
 
RebeccaJ said:
Ah! The more interesting Mormon mythology is found in their scriptures called the Pearl of Great Price.
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Agreed. The Book of Mormon is very boring and repetitive, except for the Book of Ether, which has some good parts. The Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham in the PofGP are far more interesting, and much shorter.

Paul (formerly LDS, now happily Catholic)
 
adawgj said:
Thank you for the info. 🙂

I’m surprised that there aren’t any practicing LDS giving me advice.
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I will! I will!

It’s mostly chronological as has been mentioned here.

Despite what others say, the BoM is one of our main sources for teachings and doctrine. While it certainly does not contain everything we believe, it is a fantastic guide to daily Christian living.

Having read it many many times, let me know if there are questions.

I recommend everyone read it if you want to know what Mormons believe.
 
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