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Without the Mormon Lens

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By Mason

     Until I can figure out how to make this site easier to navigate, I'll just manually create a bit of a directory here.

    Eventually I hope to cover a wide variety of topics, for now, most of what I am discussing is my current study of the Book of Mormon, which I call "Without the Mormon Lens" where I am attempting to provide a skeptical perspective of the Book of Mormon, cover to cover, page by page. The ultimate goal is to help you gain a knew perspective of the book and to see it as a fictional history.


Without the Mormon Lens


1 -Introduction

I introduce the inspiration for the project.


2 - Changing our Perspective

The idea that deconstruction begins with an openness to fresh perspective, a different lens.


3 - And it Came to Pass

We discuss the Chronicle of the Kings of England


4 -Biblical America

The early fascination of Americans and Biblical language.


5-Re-contexualization

A brief discussion on a contemporary to the Book of Mormon and its potential literary influence.


5.1 - Consider the Preface

Some additional thoughts on the title page and content of the Book of Mormon


6 - I Nephi

We discuss Nephi's introduction and its potential tie to American history.


7- Lehi

The character of Lehi begins to take shape.


8- The Exodus Begins

The prophet Lehi takes on the role of Moses.


9- Lucy's Dream

We consider Lucy Mack Smith's influence on Joseph Smiths religious and secular education.


10 - Be Strong and of a Good Courage

We are brought back to Nephi and his parallels to Joshua


11 - The First Return to Jerusalem 

Nephi and his bothers return to Jerusalem. Laman is sent in to ask Laban for the plates.

Parallel the to spies sent by Moses to survey the land of Canaan


12 - Attempt to Buy the Brass Plates

Nephi and his brothers offer gold and silver and precious things in exchange for the plates

Events are similar to interactions with the people of Ai as well as more murmurings from the Israelites



Nephi slays Laban

Compared to Joshua conquering the promised land


14 - Zoram

Zoram follows Nephi into the wilderness
Compare to the Gideonites following Joshua



Nephi and his brothers give the plates to Lehi
Compare to Moses' directions to the Israelites in Deuteronomy

...

 - This page will be updated as we continue through our study -

Have you learned a lot from what I've had to share?

Consider buying me a coffee!



Transparency: I absolutely refuse to have AI write the content of this passion project. Anything generated by AI will be posted here. I like to create content using AI for social media so I feel this notice is important,

The Without the Mormon Lens project is written by the author and NOT AI.

ChatGPT is used as nothing more than a search engine to help identify sources. 


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Without the Mormon Lens: 1 - Introduction

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 "I don't think Joseph Smith was a prophet"      Tears that I had been holding back finally broke free as I said the words I never thought I would say. The fear, the anger, the betrayal. The emotions that countless people who have lost their faith had felt, were rushing through me. I collapsed to the floor as this great realization washed over me.      I  had lost my faith.       It was gone.      I don't feel that it is important to share the events that led to my faith crisis, and honestly they are hard to explain. Like most people who leave the church, there were a number of issues that had piled up over the years. Items that were stacked on my shelf of concerns eventually became too much for the shelf to handle. It broke, and with it, my world shattered.      The grief was overwhelming. I had known nothing but Mormonism for my entire life, and the loss was the feeling of losing a loved one. An ...
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Without the Mormon Lens: 12 - Attempt to Buy the Brass Plates

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    Let's just pick up right where we left off , as Nephi and his brothers attempt to buy the plates from Laban. The Book of Mormon, pg 11 ~~~~~ The Book of Mormon ~~~~~      "And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things."      "And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceeding great, he did lust after it , insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property. And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban." (pg 11) ~~~~~~~~~~      If we look for a similar story related to Joshua, we find the account of Achan, who stole the silver, and gold, and precious...
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Without the Mormon Lens: 13 - The Head of Laban

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The Book of Mormon, pg 12 ~~~~~ The Book of Mormon~~~~~      " Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and still did continue to murmur; Nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem. (pg 12) ~~~~~~~~~~      We now find Nephi and his brothers outside of the walls of Jerusalem as they return a third time to retrieve the plates from Laban. We can see some similarities to the Book of Joshua as Joshua leads the Isrealites from city to city as they claim their inheritance. This final encounter with Laban is the final colmination of Nephi's effort to preserve their family's records. Much like the Book of Joshua is the finale of the Isrealites claiming their lands.    As we have seen with previous events, the Killing of Laban will be a conglomerate of multiple events across the Old Testament.  ~~~~~ The Old Testament~~~~~    1  And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou ...
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