Q+R! Tackling Tough Book of Mormon Translation Questions​

[@forzion1894]

Professor MacKay in this podcast and in his books ignores or dismisses Joseph and Oliver's consistent contemporary written testimonies that the Book of Mormon was translated (and Joseph knew perfectly well what "translation" meant when he used the word to describe the production of the English text of the Book of Mormon) by the use of the Nephite interpreters, with no mention of the use of a seer stone. The professor's muddled claims in response to the question about the interpreters that there are reports from the 1830s about the use of a seer stone to translate (other than in Mormonism Unvailed and other anti-LDS literature) are simply wrong. Professor MacKay may find the topic amusing, but his and his colleague's continuing distortion of the historical record to advance Mormonism Unvailed's stone-in-the-hat narrative of the production of the Book of Mormon seriously disrespects and undermines Joseph and Oliver's testimonies, which are the foundation of the restoration of the priesthood and keys to temple work as well as the translation of God's word in the holy scripture of the Book of Mormon. For a faithful examination of the topic of the translation of the Book of Mormon, see the new book "By Means of the Urim & Thummim: Restoring Translation to the Restoration."

[@Glen.Danielsen]

0:01 Some moot questions and overthink, I think, brothers. The Lord’s processes are none of my business. To trust God is my plod. For example, a hat and seer stone: I don't know why anyone need moan or be thrown by the stone. Moses was given a burning bush that did not consume. What if Joseph Smith was given an ignited tumbleweed? What if a talking horse? If someone insists on romancing their doubts, they are in for some bitter jitter. There is a better way: trust God, and get into reading the marvelous literature that defends the Faith, such as FAIR’s. But I’m not a fan of Liberal theory-making, academic blather, or head hobby. @ 34:42, is spate of speculate - PhD word toss and thin opinion. It’s when these discussions get into fast & loose headplay that it becomes off-putting to me. It smacks of blog fog.

[@davidtorbenson4686]

If Joseph Smith took your approach to understanding and following God, I wonder if he would have ever asked the question in the grove. I agree that faith and trust are critical - but we are not saved in ignorance....

[@Glen.Danielsen]

@@davidtorbenson4686 Not really. I think it depends if questions are responsible. Questions can be cheap, superfluous, needless, drivel, or even have an agenda. They can be used to confuse or play out academic gimmick. Joseph’s questions were sincere and searching. They were not doubts, and they weren’t Liberal board game. Faith is not blind nor ignorance. You missed my gist: Liberal lip insists on using headplay to define the mind of God and His ways. It’s just gospel hobby. P.S., you have a talented daughter!

[@RecoveringUGrad]

That’s good for you, but the people with these questions already have the seeds of doubt placed in them. The great and spacious building screams quite loud.do you think “don’t worry about it” is gonna keep people on the straight and narrow? I can tell you it doesn’t work. Especially when people have a naive view of mankind’s current understanding being omniscient. It isn’t, but they don’t realize that.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

@@RecoveringUGrad Hold on there, Grad! I would never suggest _don’t worry about it._ I do suggest FAIR - Faithful Answers Informed Response. Google them. But above all, a prayer life, General Conference, to immerse in the Word. Listen to Elder David A. Bednar’s landmark General Conference talk, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” April 2007. Very best to you, fellow traveler on rough road! 🙏🏽😉

[@cheekymonkey2]

When did the maddening use of "like" after very few words start? How can that be overcome to sound more professional in conversation?

[@ArnaldoJose-gj2hg]

Thanks all for this work! You nned insert this one in the "Church History Matters podcast" PlayList... Thanks again!

[@MsEva9470]

Thank you this is great l believe in the prophet Joseph Smith.

[@matthewfriend1693]

Why is the sudio sounds indifferent? the guest is loud and clear as the host sounds like he's being muffled.

[@dougsteph.ens0637]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@mygreatestdayever]

Thanks for doing this serious! I found it informative and interesting.

[@RyanMercer]

👍

[@lukegraven7839]

There aren't any 'tough questions' it's just a clearly fictional book, and nobody takes it seriously on the world stage. It is like basing a religion on 'lord of the rings'....it's the same type of make-believe.