New Essay - "Examining the Book of Abraham"

[amberale2]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I posted here, but I've been busy with work, and with a new essay on Zarahemla City Limits called "Examining the Book of Abraham" (http://home.comcast.net/~zarahemla/BOA/BOA_TOC.html) . It's goal is to be one of the more thorough summaries of the BOA -- from the critics' perspective -- on the internet. Being a summary, of course, there are details left out; however, I feel it's rather comprehensive nonetheless.

I know there are mistakes I've overlooked, but I thought it was ready enough to submit to the DAMU for your input.

Any suggestions for improvements?

Also, ZCL has added Rev. Spalding's famous 1912 pamphlet entitled, "Joseph Smith Jr., As a Translator" (http://home.comcast.net/~zarahemla/BOA/JSasTranslator.html). For those unfamiliar with this 31 page pamphlet, Rt. Rev. Spalding, an Episcopal Bishop of SLC, sent copies of the three facsimiles from the Book of Abraham to several world-renowned Egyptologists of the day, and published their responses. "Joseph Smith Jr., As a Translator" generated a firestorm of controversy that lasted for several years, and even made the news in the New York Times.

One other note, ZCL is sort of in the middle of construction. If you check out the front page, you'll notice several new sections we've created -- although most of them are currently "under construction". But, check back often, because we'll be updating things as fast as we can.

*Sigh*... I keep hearing from my family about how lucrative it is to be an anti-Mormon, but so far, it keeps costing me money! When am I going to get rich with this stuff, so that I can quit my day job and just post scandalous essays on ZCL all day long? ;)

[helemon]

*Sigh*... I keep hearing from my family about how lucrative it is to be an anti-Mormon, but so far, it keeps costing me money! When am I going to get rich with this stuff, so that I can quit my day job and just post scandalous essays on ZCL all day long? ;)

Ha! Tell them the real money is in starting your own religious cult!

[elder_nomo]

Amberale2 - This is a very impressive work! Congrats on getting it together and thanks for sharing it with us.
PM to follow....

[why me]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I posted here, but I've been busy with work, and with a new essay on Zarahemla City Limits called "Examining the Book of Abraham" (http://home.comcast.net/~zarahemla/BOA/BOA_TOC.html) . It's goal is to be one of the more thorough summaries of the BOA -- from the critics' perspective -- on the internet. Being a summary, of course, there are details left out; however, I feel it's rather comprehensive nonetheless.

I know there are mistakes I've overlooked, but I thought it was ready enough to submit to the DAMU for your input.

Any suggestions for improvements?

Also, ZCL has added Rev. Spalding's famous 1912 pamphlet entitled, "Joseph Smith Jr., As a Translator" (http://home.comcast.net/~zarahemla/BOA/JSasTranslator.html). For those unfamiliar with this 31 page pamphlet, Rt. Rev. Spalding, an Episcopal Bishop of SLC, sent copies of the three facsimiles from the Book of Abraham to several world-renowned Egyptologists of the day, and published their responses. "Joseph Smith Jr., As a Translator" generated a firestorm of controversy that lasted for several years, and even made the news in the New York Times.

One other note, ZCL is sort of in the middle of construction. If you check out the front page, you'll notice several new sections we've created -- although most of them are currently "under construction". But, check back often, because we'll be updating things as fast as we can.

*Sigh*... I keep hearing from my family about how lucrative it is to be an anti-Mormon, but so far, it keeps costing me money! When am I going to get rich with this stuff, so that I can quit my day job and just post scandalous essays on ZCL all day long? ;)
I doubt that you will hit it rich by writing 'anti-mormon' literature. You would really need to hit it big time to do so. But you will find many outlets to publish your work. I think that there are certainly more choices for anti stuff than for pro stuff. But I don't think that you are concerned about getting rich anyway. You are just trying to come to terms with why you believed what you believed and are now interested in investigating historical facts or assumptions to support your own positions or beliefs. If so, this can be quite healthy and a wonderful learning experience. You are in it to learn but not to get rich...right? Thanks for the essay! :)

[peter_mary]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I posted here, but I've been busy with work, and with a new essay on Zarahemla City Limits called "Examining the Book of Abraham" (http://home.comcast.net/~zarahemla/BOA/BOA_TOC.html) . It's goal is to be one of the more thorough summaries of the BOA -- from the critics' perspective -- on the internet. Being a summary, of course, there are details left out; however, I feel it's rather comprehensive nonetheless.


Dude, excellent essay, excellent resource. Will no doubt become an "internet classic," and it's just too dang bad that the most popular internet content of this nature is free. Well, too bad for YOU, but a great boon to the rest of us!

:D

Thanks for sharing!

Peter_Mary

[amberale2]

You are in it to learn but not to get rich...right?
Yeah, I was just joking when I was talking about wanting to get rich off my writing!

In reality, all content on Zarahemla City Limits is free. We aren't even going to incorporate banner ads on the pages. I never want my family or friends to say to me, "Well, you just sold out, and are doing this for the money. Shame on you!".

I'm doing this to learn about church history, as you said, and also for ideological reasons. I'm very grateful for the giants, such as rpcman who runs lds-mormon.com, who spent such a fabulous amount of time providing the truth on the internet, so that when I was ready, I could easily learn it.

And, I'm wanting to do the same in return. I think it's important to be part of the chorus of voices rising up and telling the truth. My wife has finally seen the light, so to speak, and I believe there are many others like I was 5 years ago whose life would be blessed to learn the truth about Mormonism and be able to sever the mental link to the Church. I know my life is so much better having left the church -- mentally, financially, and emotionally.

There's got to be others like me who need this info. So, it really isn't about the money for me. I was just joking. It's all about the knowledge.

[free thinker]

And, I'm wanting to do the same in return. I think it's important to be part of the chorus of voices rising up and telling the truth. My wife has finally seen the light, so to speak, and I believe there are many others like I was 5 years ago whose life would be blessed to learn the truth about Mormonism and be able to sever the mental link to the Church. I know my life is so much better having left the church -- mentally, financially, and emotionally.

Just about exactly one year ago I read " By his own hand upon papyrus". I never returned to church after that. I have had my name formally removed also.

Many will walk this path as the years pass. The LDS church will be held accountable for continueing to promulgate what they surely know is a fraud.

Thank You

free thinker

[peter_mary]

And, I'm wanting to do the same in return. I think it's important to be part of the chorus of voices rising up and telling the truth. My wife has finally seen the light, so to speak, and I believe there are many others like I was 5 years ago whose life would be blessed to learn the truth about Mormonism and be able to sever the mental link to the Church. I know my life is so much better having left the church -- mentally, financially, and emotionally.

There's got to be others like me who need this info. So, it really isn't about the money for me. I was just joking. It's all about the knowledge.

Amberale2, that is why the Church takes every opportunity to warn their members of the evils of the internet. They talk about pornography, because they are pretty sure everyone (snicker) agrees that it's bad, but I think the MUCH bigger issue is people like you who are trying to use it make information widely available, and people like us who are trying to encourage people to talk amongst themselves.

That's a powerful one-two punch...knowledge and relationships. Odd that the Church stands in opposition to both of them. I heard from a woman just last week who is struggling to attend Sacrament meeting to support her teenagers, that the Church has once again come out and warned people of the dangers of meeting together and discussing gospel related topics.

Boyd K. Packer thought it was intellectuals, gays and feminists who were the enemies of the Church...really, it's people armed with information talking amongst themselves and building coalitions that will cause the Church by far the most difficulty.

Again, my hat's off to you for the excellent job you did on the Abraham essay, and if I had any suggestions, I'd make 'em...I just don't!

Peter_Mary