About Me and this Blog

Hi, Everyone!

First and foremost: use the “Search” button (to your right) to better find what you are looking for. Many people come here through a search engine, yet the information in the “result” is nowhere near as close to what they are looking for as another article on the site. Also, check www.bookofmormonmusings.blogspot.com for more articles (some of the best are there).

Another suggestion: when you get the results from your search, use the “Find” function (often under “Edit”) to find the exact phrase or word in all the results.

Now, enjoy the notes and the comments! You will find—as far as I know—absolutely unique (or close to it) commentary on the Book of Mormon in every post. Most of my posts will be in an article format, though there will be shorter ones, too.

I love digging in the Book of Mormon. I hope that this blog encourages you to do so, too.

I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and am a member/ LDS/ Mormon.

Twenty years ago, I thought that there wasn’t much more to learn about the Book of Mormon—I had read it to exhaustion—so had I thought.

Shortly after, I kept reading the Book of Mormon with new purpose—and what do you know, more insights came and came.

I used to absolutely love reading the Seminary/ Institute manual when I was young and getting what I could. I recently learned about FARMS, FAIR, and other websites that had lots of great information. I began to take study of the Book of Mormon to new levels and heights.

I participated on a religious discussion board or so, but got tired of putting up with illogical relentless attacks (and “counterattacking”) on character and beliefs by those who knew better and thought they were smarter, while the moderators often stood by. The final straw was when a jerk like that threatened to sue me, and two moderators (one a senior administrator) condoned his comments and behavior. Nevertheless, my time there was really something, and that *really* helped my study and thinking skills. Who knows, maybe I’ll go back once in a while, or such.

On one of my last threads there, a published religious writer who was previously believing-LDS, but is currently nonbelieving and non-LDS, asked me to put all my writings up on one site, or on a blog. (I had a blog in the past; google locked me out of it, and it was in the netherworld for a long time…)

While he and I are different in some ways, we seemed to share a recognition that—contrary to popular belief, especially that of critics and anti-Mormons—the Book of Mormon is extremely complex and deep. I believe it was way too complex and deep for Joseph Smith to have written it or even compiled it. Yes, the Book of Mormon reads quite simply, and it seems simplistic. A beginner with little background can gain a lot and seem to understand a lot. Outside of the Isaiah parts, it doesn’t seem like there’s much to it. But as you will see on this blog—if you are open-minded—if that is your current state of thinking, you may expect to be amazed as I was.

I am an extremist, so to say, and I finally know it. You don’t need to write me to say so. My views buck the current PC view of most everything, including politics and history.

I already know that many of you aren’t like that, and might not ever be. That’s ok–I’m used to it; almost my entire family is that way, too. But there is hope for you… ;) Much of that might have to do with certain conditions that I have, situations that I have been in and am still in, and life experiences–a strong recipe for uniqeness.

I also know that many of you will not be able to swallow, much less chew, some of these notes. One of the funniest (as in most interesting/ unbelieveable) experiences I had on the discussion board was when I posted a link to an article, and a long-time member who has really seen it all on the boards by venturing into “enemy territory”, is a great stalwart defender, and holds a PhD in Psychology, was so shocked and completely dismayed by what she read just in the title and first sentence or two of one article, that she actually went back to the thread, “warned” everyone not to read the article, and then proceeded to delete *every single one of her comments* from the thread. Yeah. But, you might have done the same, too. Chances are, you will skip some of the articles and notes after reading a sentence or opening paragraph. You *will* get emotional—very emotional—on a few of these posts. There’s a reason for it. In psychology, it’s called “snapping”. It’s when you get your world quickly turned upside down; and worst of all, it seems logical. You will miss the full effect of the principles and notes because of all this, but you will still gain.

So here we are.

You, and I.

Wait…you’re still here??

I challenge you to *not* be amazed at this book.

Strap on your seatbelt, buckle your helmet.

Let’s get started…

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*Comments? It’s pretty simple. If you have comments that add to the notes, I will gladly publish them. If you want to comment otherwise, don’t expect your comments to be published. Be warned, I greatly dislike hypocritical comments, and sometimes I drip with sarcasm…

*Avoid this section unless you ever get overemotional and think I am a nutcase or unpatriotic and going to hell or whatever: [I have two words for you (--and I'm very sorry to write this for most of you who know how to comport yourselves and are great people, much better than I, and have yet ignored my warning to not read this part) ---"piss off". Yeah, I know, a Mormon just sinned. Ok, maybe I just will go to hell... (Now forgive me, or you'll join me there.) I don't care what you think. In fact, I already know you likely *don't* think. I have a decent understanding of what I think and why I think that way--which is something you likely don't. Why do *you* believe the things you do? If you are familiar with the subject and think I'm way off on and can show me great evidence to the contrary, I am very willing to consider and change my ways. Hey, look at where I am right now in my beliefs--how do you think I got here? Someone presented evidence, and I changed. I've lived life mainly on the outside anyway, and the longer I stay, the more reason I see to stay. Now, how willing are *you* to consider things and change?]