I recently cam across this reference written by Jack Welch on the current status of the Book of Mormon in the scholastic world. Good scholars who do not want their reputations tarnished are careful what they say if they cannot back it up with facts.
· Recent scholarship done by such men as Jack
Welch who founded FARMS or “ Foundation of Ancient Research and Mormon Studies”
which organization was recently integrated into Brigham Young University with a name change to the “ Neal
Maxwell
· Institute of Religious Scholarship”. ( see Neal A Maxwell Institute of
Religious Scholarship on the Web.) has shed much light on the origin of the
unique revelations recorded by Joseph Smith. The discovery of Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon and the
impetus it provided for further investigation of other unique truths discovered
in the writings of Joseph has fundamentally defeated the efforts of evangelical
and other secular anti -Mormons efforts. Anti-Mormons polemic apologetics have been rendered
ineffective, according to Protestant scholars Paul Owens and Carl Mosser and
Roman Catholic scholar Massimo Introvigne. ( See “ Mormon Scholarship,
Apologetics, and Evanelical neglect: Losing the Battle and not Knowing It”. Trinity Journal,
ns., 19/2 1998 179-205 First delivered on April 25, 1997, at the Evangelical
Theological Society Far West Annual Meeting. And “The Book of Mormon Wars”: A non Mormon Per sepctive ,”
JBMS 5/2 ( 1996): 1-25.
· Respect for the content and authenticity of
the Book of Mormon and its true origin has greatly increased since the days of
Bacheler. No intelligent, knowing person will make such ill informed statements
today as previously claimed by Bacheler and many others. Ones credibility as a scholar would
surely come into question. In addition to the physical evidence of the books
ancient origins, the Book of Mormon , when read, studied, and pondered as
directed by Mornoni who revealed the book to Joseph on that Sept day back in
1823 , will only lead to the spiritual goal often put forth by the prophet
himself. “ Souls are as precious in the sight of God as they ever were; and the
Elders are to persuade and invite all men everywhere to repent, that they may
become the heirs of salvation.” “The Book of Mormon is the most perfect book on
earth and a man will get closer to God by abiding its precepts than any other
book.” JS.
·
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