Last week, in Honors 240, we discussed- at length- modern evidences of the truth of the Book of Mormon: Hebrew-style chiasmic passages, Joseph Smith's upstate New York English vocabulary, the acient receipt found in Israel bearing the name of a male named "Alma", etc. However, I would not like to see- nor to I expect to- anyone asserting the truth of this ancient record based on such recent discoveries.

Although scholars and historians study and research tirelessly to find more evidences of ancient religion, I find myself treating such monumental discoveries like candy trivia- nice to know, fun to have around, but by no means essential. Modern support for the Book of Mormon is not the reason I believe in it. It does not base my testimony, just as modern criticism does not destroy it. Man and science could find a thousand flaws, prove it false over and over and over again, but as long as the Holy Spirit testified to me of its validity I could not deny it.

People will believe whatever they feel; this is stregnth, not weakness or ignorance. No matter what one's faith is, there is power in the fact that the mind and heart are not controlled by scientific or technological advances. Discoveries can "prove" what they will, but in the end, they don't mean much. We believe what we believe because we feel it is true through divine revelation, not through new evidence. Evidence can change; truth is eternal.

Tags: Book Of Mormon Truth

Bookmark: