Talk:Origin of the Book of Mormon

Church rebuttals to plagiarism

I moved the new text on church views of plagiarism into a dedicated section, because there are 4 sections on plagiarism, and since this is an important rebuttal (and apparently will grow in the future), it deserves its own named section. There is one issue that we should probably address: Does this rebuttal somehow need to be clarified to focus mostly on the KJV (and perhaps the Apocrypha)? Or does the rebuttal also encompass the View of the Hebrews, Wonders of Nature, and the Spaulding text? If the rebuttal arguments are mostly about the KJV, that fact should probably be noted, since there are five source documents under discussion. Noleander (talk) 20:40, 7 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Anon's large addition

User:84.146.201.29 has made a large edited that I and others have reverted. The language is not encyclopedic and it is not supported by a reputable references. ANON, if you have questions on how to make edits that are more like to stay in an article, just ask and we would be happy to assist you. --Storm Rider ^(talk) 17:31, 24 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Please tell me how my edits on this article can stay on wikipedia.84.146.206.45 (talk) 14:05, 25 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You have requested on my talk page to respond to you here; I will be brief and if more assistance is needed it should be handled on your own talk page. Let's look at the beginning of what you wrote:

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (Psalm 85:11)

This verse is the psalmist's reference to the gold plates being buried in a hillside by the prophet, Moroni, in approximately 400 AD. In 1823, Moroni led Joseph Smith to where the plates were hidden. In 1827, Joseph was finally allowed to remove the plates. He translated them by the power of God into what is now known as the Book of Mormon - named after the prophet, Mormon. Truth literally and poetically sprung up from the earth.

Among other things Wikipedia would say this violates original research and synthesis policies. Wikipedia only report facts or expert opinion. To make this more acceptable you would provide a quote from a notable LDS apologist that interprets the scripture as you have stated. Leaving it this way makes wikipedia appear as if it is providing or supporting the position, which it can not do as an encyclopedia. Another way to look at it is asking who says the Psalmist is referencing gold plates in the verse that were buried? Who allowed Joseph to remove the plates?

Also, you have to be careful when making statements such as "He translated them by the power of God...". Who says it was the power of God. It is not necessary to preface each and every sentence with "LDS believe..." or equivalent qualifier; I think once a paragraph is adequate. Each statement that can be perceived as controversial by individuals of other faiths should be supported by a reference. You will see in articles little numbers that are tied to the notes at the bottom of the page; those are references from reputable sources that support what is being said. If what you are stating is opinion, find a reference for it or quote an expert that says something that supports your position. Let me know if this makes sense to you or if you have additional questions. BTW, I added a welcome message on your personal talk page that provides a great number of links to additional proper ways to edit and more policies of importance. --Storm Rider ^(talk) 18:01, 25 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sources of Plaigarism

         This is kind of a minor thing but in the possible sources section, right before the list of this is written "Critics specifically cite four books that Joseph Smith could have used to obtain verses for the Book of Mormon, though they fail to tell us how Smith could have acquired them." I take exception to the "though they fail..."

because it would seem that these books were widely available at that time in America.