Book Of Mormon Stumbling Block

[Jason]

Perhaps criticism is a strong word... I lement the use of the word since it has created a point on which to criticize Joseph Smith and the Bof M...albeit a childish and amateur criticism...I guess I should say, "who cares if they want to criticize this". I am sensitive to this issue, since I have heard it over and over and over since I was a missionary in Dallas 15 years ago...I will agree that it appears to be contemporary, and "Ed Decker-ish"...anyone who has attended an anti-mormon speech at their local Christian church, especially in the Bible belt where "Christian" ministers feel duty bound to innoculate their congregations against the "plague of Mormonism" has probably heard this "Adieu" argument and the "King James Nephite" argument...and "borrowings" from Shakepeare(that I just heard from a co-worker again on Friday! LOL), blah blah blah...I am impressed with your references and happy you took the time to look up the use of the word in that region and appears to back up what I was saying in my original post regarding a possible use of the term in that region...so I say, awesome job! [/b]

Careful there. Just because one of the dozens of BoM problems has been brushed aside, does not vaporize all the other, more serious problems.

[Doctor Steuss]

Camp meetings, like revival meetings, are intense daily services meant to bring about conversions, repentence, recommitment and increased dedication. Regular meetings would be meant for on-going education, encouragement and service.
[/b]

Do you know if during this time period (or currently) the camp meetings were reserved for Methodists or if they were a general "calling to Christ"?

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BTW,
Jason, thank you for that reference earlier (I didn't thank you for that one). I had never heard of Turner's little book, and I look forward to getting a decent copy to add to my library.

Today, I have been edified.

[prisonchaplain]

Do you know if during this time period (or currently) the camp meetings were reserved for Methodists or if they were a general "calling to Christ"?[/b]

Today campmeetings are for all. In fact, church members would be encouraged to "invite your unsaved friends and loved ones." The meetings serve a dual purpose--offering salvation to the unsaved, and a sense of refreshing, reinvigoration and urgency for the believers.

I do not imagine that time has changed this approach much.

[Old Tex]

Camp meetings, like revival meetings, are intense daily services meant to bring about conversions, repentence, recommitment and increased dedication. Regular meetings would be meant for on-going education, encouragement and service. [/b]

Also, during that time wagons were the main source of transportation. It may be an all day trip to get to these meetings, requiring the people to "camp" overnight. (thus the term "camp meeting"). One of my grandmothers (who was born in 1885 in Southeast Texas) used to tell me about going to them. They were also used as an opportunity to visit with other members of the family from the other side of the county. And for some they provided "entertainment". There really wasn't much else to do in the backwoods, and any cause for a public gathering was something to go to.



She took me to some outdoor "tent meetings" in the 1930s, where I remember some real hellfiire and brimstone sermons were preached. There was one preacher I remember who was all redfaced and screaming that if a person was not "saved" that the devil would come get them and sling them into a lake of fire where they would burn forever. One don't hear that much any more. At least I don't. I do hear about Heavenly Parents who are concerned for me, and that inspires me not to let them down. Quite a difference in motivation, I would say.

[darrel]

Imho the fact that the Book of Mormon is a Direct translation of ancient writings gives it high marks for accuracy. The bible while true as far as it is translated corectly, can be a stumbling block for some as it was assembled from selected historical writings by men chosen by Constantine of Rome in about 325 AD, to help establish the new state religion, Christianity.