Rating:  Summary: Inspired Fiction Review: This book contains quite a few faith promoting stories however it makes some claims that in the past number of years have been shown to be false by modern scholars. The most pronounced is the claim that the Book of Mormon contains a record of a people of Hebraic origin that populated the Americas, thus making it a history of the Americas. Unlike the Bible (Old and New Testament) where we know the location of the major cities and countries, to date, Modern Archaeologists have not been able to locate any of the cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Also, animals such as the horse, cow, sheep, a number of plants from the old world and other items (such as steel) are mentioned as existing in the Americas by the Book of Mormon, yet, these old world animals etc were not in the Americas until after the European encroachment. Also, recent studies into DNA and indigenous inhabitants to the Americas show that the population came from a Mongoloid stock and not from a Middle Eastern stock.As a book of inspired fiction I would say that it is worth reading. It is a good look into part of the mindset of the 19th century in regards to teachings about where the "Indians" might have come from and is not the only book that touches on this topic.
Rating:  Summary: A fountain of Living Water Review: While Christ was passing through Samaria from Judea to Galilee, he stopped at Jacob's well to drink water. The disciples departed in search of food and Christ remained at the well. Upon arriving at the well, Christ approached a Samarian women who was drawing water. The woman was surprised that the Lord verbally interacted with her, a Samaritian, because the Jews and Samaritians were both socially and politically separated. Samaritians were consider pagan and impure Jewish line corrupted by intermarriage with Assyrians ,after capitivity. Christ would answered the woman's question, "How is that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of men, which am a woman of Samaria" with the reply, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee eternal life." Image yourself in a state of dehyration caused from countless hours of walking in a hostile terrain. The texture of your tongue tasting like cotton paste and the lips split open and bleeding from exposure to the dry wind. The heat of the day and the sound of the wind blowing offer no companionship as the sweat has stopped and the pains of kidney drive one for survival. At times, the mirage of a water provide relief too strained eyes with hopes of eager anticipation of water, but only to step aimlessly toward dry deseret. Suddenly, the sound of water is detect; scrapping feet along the unlevel surface, one stumbles towards the beautiful sound of water. Reaching the waters edge, scoups of waters can not quench the fast enough; so the urge for more water causes a change of posture to a prone position next to the earth allowing increased water intake. The quest for water was never so important. Reflection of those moments of deprivation caused a strong longing not be every return to such hostile terrain and risk water deprivation. Christ is the spiritual water to a thirst world. He understood perfected the need for man to receive the water of eternal life. Without his water we would die spiritually. The Savior distinquished between the water at Jacobs well and his spiritual water by telling the women, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Only the faithful can tap into the living spring. "But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysterious of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life." Why are so many spiritually thirsty? They don't get to the Iron Rod which will lead them to the fountain of living water; they are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Jesus Christ supporting the testimony of the Bible. The Book of Mormon teaches about the Tree of Life and the Fountain of Living water. Image arriving to the tree of life through obedience and faith and seeing the face of Jesus Christ and upon remembering the scripture of the Samaritian ask for eternal life. Would Christ at that moment of reward deprive one of the needed water? If we are worthy to see Christ we can ask for his water of eternal life? Think of the wonder relief knowing that one election is made sure, as the Lord says, "I will give you eternal life".
Rating:  Summary: Most important book I have ever read. Review: The contents of this book have had great influence on my life as they have taught me of the true doctrines of Jesus the Christ, principles that lead to joy and happiness, and historical truths that would otherwise be lost. Many of the teachings and stories relate to things we are going through today, such as those who go about secretly seeking destroying those who are honest and righteous, just as terrorists do today. The content gives a history of a people that once lived on this continent, in this promised land. There are stories of wars, of peace, of governments that succeeded and that failed. Most importantly, an understanding of the teachings of the book give meaning to this life, what are purpose is here, where we came from, where we are going, and how we should live to get there. Knowing the things that I have learned in this book have given me peace in these troubled and tumultuos times.
Rating:  Summary: Most important book I have ever read. Review: The contents of this book have had great influence on my life as they have taught me of the doctrines of Christ, principles that lead to joy and happiness, and historical truths that would otherwise be lost. Many of the teachings and stories relate to things we are going through today, such as those who go about secretly seeking destroying those who are honest and righteous, just as terrorists do today. The content gives a history of a people that once lived on this continent, in this promised land. There are stories of wars, of peace, of governments that succeeded and that failed. Most importantly, an understanding of the teachings of the book give meaning to this life, what are purpose is here, where we came from, where we are going, and how we should live to get there. Knowing the things that I have learned in this book have given me peace in these troubled and tumultuos times.
Rating:  Summary: What a crock! Review: This has obviously been a place where people who disagree with mormonism can say their piece and blow off steam. I thought it was for book reviews. Not for sarcastic comments from those who see religion differently than the less than mainstream LDS. If you've already figured out that mormonism is a hoax, then why post a review? You aren't supposed to review the ENTIRE RELIGION here, JUST THE BOOK. You guys have no idea how ridiculous and uneducated you sound.
Rating:  Summary: IT is the Word of God... Review: As a avid reader and student of the Book of Mormon, I wish to add my testimony of it's divinity and of it's being divinly inspired of God for our day. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God used to reestablish His Son's Church again here upon the earth, and I am thankful for the Restoration of the covenants and the priesthood power that came about with the revelation of the Book of Mormon. Many may doubt, but I know it is true. The Holy Ghost has testified unto me of it's divinity and I have No Doubt about it. I am so thankful that we are studying it in 2004 in Gospel Doctrine classes throughtout the earth and in every corner of the world it is our testbook this year in Church and I am grateful for it. For those who are skeptical, I urge you to read it from cover to cover, even only for one time and then you too will know as I and many millions like me that it is true, it will strengthen your faith in the Bible and it will bring you closer to God in your daily walk with Him. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Rating:  Summary: 1 Tanstaafl 1 Review: 1. And it came to pass that I, TANSTAAFL, having been born of Mormon parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; which included the Book of Mormon, and having seen many afflictions and cognitive dissonance in the course of my days because of the fact that I was raised in the Mormon religion and having read the Book of Mormon nigh unto twenty times, nevertheless, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mischievousness of Loki, therefore I make a book review of the Book of Moron. 2. Yea, I make a record of my review in the language of English, and not Reformed Egyptian - the language of the Book of Mormon, because everyone knoweth that no one speaks Reformed Egyptian anyway. Behold, I make an abridgment of the review upon computer which I have made with mine own hands; (the review, not the computer) wherefore, after I have abridged the review then will I make an account of mine own review and if thou findest this sentence difficult for your understandings to comprehend then thou wilt not enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, for I make the record of my review in the idiom of the book of Mormon author. Yea, verily, it came to pass that more confusing than Yoda-speak it is. 3. And it came to pass that thus were written the first two paragraphs of my review. And I know that the review which I write true; and I make it with mine own computer; and I make it according to my knowledge. And thus passeth away even the third paragraph also. 4. And it came to pass that my review having been limited to 1000 words by the amazon.com web-site, I realized that my choice of writing style, that being the style inflicted upon the reader by Joseph Smith Jr., Author and Proprietor of the Book of Mormon, was not a good choice for one limited to a small number of words, or for that matter an odd choice for the inhabitants of the ancient Americas who supposedly had to inscribe the lengthy and frequently rambling and meaningless prose on gold plates where space was at a premium. 5. And it came to pass that this part of the review, yea even the middlest part, I shall shew unto you the parts of the review that review the book of which I revieweth. And it came to pass that I chose not to detail in this review the thousands of revisions which the Mormons made to the book after Joseph Smith wrote it, which was supposedly perfectly "translated" by a gift from god, or the many anachronisms which the author included, yea not even the horses that the ancient Americans supposedly had despite the fact that the horse arrived with Columbus nor the steel weapons. Nor even shall I comment upon 54 chapters dealing with wars that bear no resemblance to the actual wars that took place in the ancient Americas, yea and I especially shall not comment upon the accounts of wars with nonsensical accounts of million man armies fighting to the last man and their bones and steel weapons disappearing from the face of the earth. Yea, and it followeth that I also chose not to comment on the many plagiarisms and yea, even plagiarisms of mistranslations, which were included in the book. Yea, verily I chose not to comment on the writing or the story of the book, which Mark Twain called "chloroform in print," especially since I find that remark highly disparaging to chloroform. For it came to pass in the commencement of my preparation for the writing of the review, I realized that a review of the book which pointed out its flaws would be so long, yea, so long as to be longer than the book itself. Yea, and thus passeth away even the middlest part of the review, the longest paragraph, even though it merely toucheth upon the thousands of give-aways as to the fraudulent nature of the book. For yea, this review cannot contain even a millionth part of what was so poorly written in the Book of Mormon. 6. And it came to pass that I decided that my review of the book should mention, before concluding, a list of some of the main themes of the Book of Mormon, and yea I verily mention them thusly: (1) Killing is good, if thou art a teenager and thou hearest voices in thine head telling thee to kill someone, preferably someone drunk so they cannot fight back. 1 Nephi 4 (2) If thou disobeyest God, he will curse thee with a dark skin, 3 Nephi 5:21, Jacob 3:5, Alma 3:6, but (3) If thou art a personage of dark skin, God will make thee white and delightsome, if thou wilt consent to join his church. 3 Nephi 3:15 (4) After Jesus, yea even Christ Our Lord, was killed, he camest to the Americas and killed millions of Native Americans, 3 Nephi 8-9, and (5) Women art completely insignificant except occasionally as breeding stock, passim. 7. And there are many things more which transpired in the Book of Mormon which, in the eyes of some, would be considered great and marvelous, but despite having read the book upwards of twenty times, I cannot remember even one. 8. Thus, I make an end to my abridgement of my review, yea, and now I bid unto all, adieu. I soon go to rest in the paradise of mine abode, until my spirit and body shall again recover from the taxing effort of writing in such a nauseating style. Amen.
Rating:  Summary: The Keystone Review: 1. Joseph Smith was charged by Moroni to prepare the world for the Millennial reign of Christ On the evening on the 21st of September, A.D 1823, while I was praying unto God, and endeavoring to exercise faith in the precious promises of the scriptures, all of a sudden a light like that of day, only of a far purer and more glorious appearance and brightness, burst into the room, indeed the first sight was as though the house was filled with consuming fire; the appearance produced a shock that affected the whole body; in a moment, a personage stood before me surrounded with a glory yet greater than that with which I was already surrounded. This messenger proclaimed himself to be an angel of God, set to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel was at had to be fulfilled, that the preparatory word for the second coming of the Messiah was speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the Gospel in all its fullness to be preached in power, unto all nations that a people might be prepared for the Millennial reign. I was informed that I was chosen to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring about some of his purposes in this glorious dispensation. Moroni quotes Malachi: JSH 37 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 38. And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 39. He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant into the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall be turned to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming. President Benson Quote The Book of Mormon...was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of the ancient times. It was meant for us...Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations...If they saw our day and chose those thing which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, "Why did the Lord inspire Mormon or Moroni or Alma to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day." End Quote Isaiah 11:10 (Joseph Smith descends from the lineage of Joseph sold into Egypt through Ephraim) 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people, to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Joel 2:28 28. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. D&C 11:19-25 19. Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken-yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it. 25. Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that doeth these things. D&C 43:20-21 20. Lift up your voices and spare not. Call upon the nations to repent, both old and young, both bond and free, saying, Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. 21. For if I,who am a man, do lift up my voice and call upon you to repent, and ye hate me, what will ye say when the day cometh when the thunders shall utter their voices from the ends of the earth, speaking to the ears of all that live, saying - repent, and prepare for the great day of the Lord? History of the Church "I told the brethren that 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 it precepts than by any other book." President Benson Quote "There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony." End Quote My testimony of Jesus Christ's doctrines were gain through daily prayer and diligent study of the Book of Mormon. I was surprised after diligently working at learning to understand the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to receive a witness of its truthfulness. I now treated the Book of Mormon with reverence and respect and praised God for his tender mercies for me and my family. Articles 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. Order of Events 1. Joseph Smith receives the First Vision 2. The Book of Mormon is translated 3. The Melchizedek Priesthood is restored 4. The Church is organized 5. Apostles are called 6. Temple work for the dead begins President Benson Quote "Think of that in terms of what it implies. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon preceded the restoration of the priesthood. It was published just a few days before the Church was organized. The Saints were given the Book of Mormon to read before they were given the revelations outlining such great doctrines as the three degrees of glory, celestial marriage, or work for the dead. It came before priesthood quorums and Church organization. Doesn't this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work? End Quote
Rating:  Summary: What's the deal here? Review: Why do some folks consider this to be an appropriate forum for Mormon bashing? I would NEVER buy or read a book INTENDED FOR ANOTHER RELIGION, then post a nasty review about it. It is sneaky and underhanded for folks to consider this section of Amazon to be a good place to "slam those Mormons". I am sorry that some reviewers have found this book, (SACRED to Mormons) to be "boring" etc. To those folks: Go on with your life! I hope you learn some ethics along the way! (Or at least some MANNERS) Perhaps some of you feel that you are saving souls. You are not. Perhaps some of you feel that you are being "direct". You are not. (There is a difference in speaking directly vs. being rude. If you don't understand what I mean, look up the words TACT and RESPECT. Nor does being an ex-Mormon make you an authority on Mormonism. (it makes you a one-sided expert on being an EX-Mormon) NOWHERE have I found evidence that Christ was sarcastic, rude, condescending, disrespectful to others, or was lacking in common courtesy. Mormon disgrunts, FIND ANOTHER FORUM, THIS AIN'T IT. Surely there are forums on the internet, where you can all sit around and share your negative misconceptions, or views of the LDS church. USE THOSE. Whine there. Slam there. Please.
Rating:  Summary: You can get these for free at the chuch Review: You won't know about this book until you read it with the spirit of Christ.
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