The Book of Mormon

I find it interesting that critics of the Church tend to avoid deep discussion of the Book of Mormon. They will take cheap shots at it, but avoid any in-depth discussion. I have my suspicions as to why. The Book of Mormon is tangible, it isn't some spiritual concept. Concepts are easier to argue than something real. So critics stay in the safer arena of arguing scriptures and concepts instead of addressing the reality of the Book of Mormon.

There also is the problem of the growing set of evidences that support hundreds of things in the Book of Mormon. It is simply too large to ignore. While none of those evidences "proves" the Book of Mormon to be true, they are troubling to an honest critic, thus it is easier to simply avoid.

Book of Mormon critics have created a deafening silence regarding the Three Witnesses: Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. It is harder for people to recognize what "isn't being said" than what is being said. Therefore it takes more effort to notice that our critics don't want to touch the Three Witnesses. Their collective testimonies are compelling evidence to the honest at heart and therefore are best ignored by our critics.

The Eight Witnesses are often overlooked but they effectively counter the few arguments against the Three Witnesses that they experienced some form of "group delusion". There is nothing supernatural about handling a bunch of metal plates. The allegation of some form of tomfoolery regarding the Three Witnesses is effectively neutered by the testimony of the Eight Witnesses. Again, it is easier to ignore these 8 men whose collective testimony is the perfect compliment to the Three Witnesses.

The fact that most of these eleven men fell away from the Church, yet never denied their testimony is somehow even more compelling testimony. It probably shouldn't, but it nonetheless seems to lend greater credibility to their prior testimony.

I understand how some might find it hard to believe that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. But the honest at heart have to answer the questions I've listed before they can reject the Book of Mormon as our enemies have done. I was once an non-member and I remember how strange that sounded to me at first.

I have yet to hear a rational argument that effectively challenges these three things: the growing collection of evidences supporting the Book of Mormon; the Three Witnesses; and the Eight Witnesses. Until some rational argument can be made against these very compelling evidences I suggest that the honest at heart will eventually come to realize that as strange as the Joseph Smith story sounds when it is first heard, it is still the best explanation for the presence of the Book of Mormon. And once one reaches that logical conclusion the Spirit can bear witness that they are correct - the Book of Mormon truly is the Word of God.