Bridge of Reason

From time to time Mormons come up with what they regard as ‘substantive’ evidence for the Book of Mormon. When ministries inevitably challenge and refute that evidence, Mormons insist that someone can only know the Book of Mormon is true by sincere prayer, citing Moroni’s promise from the end of the book: ‘And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.’ (Moroni 10:4) Of course, if you have prayed and received no such confirming answer, the sincerity of your heart, the reality of your intent, and the faith you express in Christ are all called into question. Very quickly you move from their providing evidence to their doubting your integrity… read more →

The official Bible of the Mormon Church is the Authorised Version or, as it is known in America, the King James Bible, or Version (KJV). Its not so much that Mormons are 'King James Only' exponents, as that this was the Bible in whose style Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon. This being the case, it is the continued use of the KJV that lends some authenticity to the Book of Mormon, the latter sounding like the former and, therefore, seeming a continuation of it. Put the Book of Mormon next to a modern translation, even one as conservative as the New American Standard, and Smith's magnus opus loses something of its gloss. See for yourself. Here is a familiar text from Matthew's gospel as it appears in the Book of Mormon (yes, God himself was plagiarised by Smith):