Nathair/|\ Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) What do you think?Edit to add: The intent is to compare it to the works of other ancient historians. How does Mormon stand up relative to other historians of his time? Edited January 17, 2013 by Nathair
Ahab Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 What do you think?I think I know who said it was a stupid poll. 1
Gervin Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The poll assumes that the surveyee (is that a word?) has at least a working knowledge of the writings of Tacitus, Herodotus, Plutarch or Pliny. Heady group, here.
CV75 Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 In what way are the writings of Tacitus, Herodotus, Plutarch or Pliny the same, and then how are the same and not the same as the abridgement made by Mormon and also the writings of Mormon, Nephi and Moroni? Do you have a criteria we can go by? I'm sure that in some aspects all these writings can be considered equally historical.
Ahab Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) In what way are the writings of Tacitus, Herodotus, Plutarch or Pliny the same, and then how are the same and not the same as the abridgement made by Mormon and also the writings of Mormon, Nephi and Moroni? Do you have a criteria we can go by? I'm sure that in some aspects all these writings can be considered equally historical.I interpreted the question of the poll like this:Is the Book of Mormon at least as historically accurate as... any other book?Whatever other books you compare it to, it's at least as accurate as that, even if that other book isn't accurate, because the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book there is. Edited January 16, 2013 by Ahab 1
altersteve Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The poll assumes that the surveyee (is that a word?) has at least a working knowledge of the writings of Tacitus, Herodotus, Plutarch or Pliny. Heady group, here.This. I'm not familiar with the writings of Tacitus, Herodotus, Plutarch, or Pliny, so I can't answer this question. 2
bluebell Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Having a history degree, i'm somewhat familiar with the writers mentioned. I think the OP is using the writers because their works are generally believed to be non-fiction, though scholars recognize flaws (to one degree or another).The problem with lumping them all together though is that, as historians, they are really different. Herodotus, for example, is known as the father of lies, as well as the father of history, because his writings are not all that accurate. Tacitus, on the other hand, is considered one of the most trustworthy of the ancient scholars, (but still not without flaws).It's hard to judge the BOM against historians which themselves have varying degrees of trustworthiness, from 'not very' to 'as trustworthy as they come from that time period'. 2
Ahab Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Having a history degree, i'm somewhat familiar with the writers mentioned. I think the OP is using the writers because their works are generally believed to be non-fiction, though scholars recognize flaws (to one degree or another).The problem with lumping them all together though is that, as historians, they are really different. Herodotus, for example, is known as the father of lies, as well as the father of history, because his writings are not all that accurate. Tacitus, on the other hand, is considered one of the most trustworthy of the ancient scholars, (but still not without flaws).It's hard to judge the BOM against historians which themselves have varying degrees of trustworthiness, from 'not very' to 'as trustworthy as they come from that time period'.Knowing the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on Earth and that this poll question was asking if it's at least as accurate as any other book made this a very simply comparison for me. I don't even need to know anything about those other books or writers to know the correct answer to the poll question.
altersteve Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Knowing the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on Earth and that this poll question was asking if it's at least as accurate as any other book made this a very simply comparison for me. I don't even need to know anything about those other books or writers to know the correct answer to the poll question.The Book of Mormon is the "most accurate" book as a book of scripture, not as a history lesson. I'll open the Book of Mormon if I want to learn more about the gospel, but if I want to learn about the history of the Native American people I'm going to go to the library. 2
Gervin Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Knowing the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on Earth and that this poll question was asking if it's at least as accurate as any other book made this a very simply comparison for me. I don't even need to know anything about those other books or writers to know the correct answer to the poll question.Polls don't (generally) seek "correct answers." The Book of Mormon is, for you, the most accurate book on Earth. You know this for yourself, but not as a universal truth for application to every person on Earth. The poll is trying to gauge the acceptance of the book as historically correct for others (in a comparative manner). Edited January 16, 2013 by Gervin
Ahab Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The Book of Mormon is the "most accurate" book as a book of scripture, not as a history lesson. I'll open the Book of Mormon if I want to learn more about the gospel, but if I want to learn about the history of the Native American people I'm going to go to the library.Scripture is about history as much as the present and the future. The key difference is in who you are learning from.
Ahab Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Polls don't (generally) seek "correct answers." The Book of Mormon is, for you, the most accurate book on Earth. You know this for yourself, but not as a universal truth for application to every person on Earth. The poll is trying to gauge the acceptance of the book as historically correct for others (in a comparative manner).I know what polls are for. To find out what people think. Not everything people think is correct, though.There are correct thoughts and then there are thoughts that are not correct.
Storm Rider Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 That stupid poll thing someone mentioned....it is as if we must always measure our faith based on the lowest common denominator. How often do we focus on that which excels, that which takes us to a greater, stronger relationship with God rather than to always dwell on those topics that are so easily, simply answered in faith? Of course comparing the Book of Mormon to the very epitome of what a historian is not supposed to be does wrinkle the forehead. 1
Deborah Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 When I read about Nephi and Alma and the sons of Mosiah they feel very real to me and I don't doubt the historicity of the book.
blackstrap Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 The BoM is history as recorded by real humans,flaws and all. I have always considered the statement that the BoM is the most correct book, to NOT be governed by the addendum, " that ever was or ever will be."
HairBear Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 Can I just ask where the idea that the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on earth comes from? I know that Joseph Smith said it was the "most correct" book, but I always thought that was meant as doctrinally correct, not necessarily meaning accurate.
Kemara Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 I want to vote "yes" and "stupid poll" I wasnt going to vote at all, so I will vote "stupid poll" (hence my reason for not wanting to voting) for you.
The Nehor Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 Can I just ask where the idea that the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on earth comes from? I know that Joseph Smith said it was the "most correct" book, but I always thought that was meant as doctrinally correct, not necessarily meaning accurate.It is for the most part a doctrinal book so I am not seeing a distinction.
volgadon Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 What do you think?Edit to add: The intent is to compare it to the works of other ancient historians. How does Mormon stand up relative to other historians of his time? I voted yes, in that I consider the BoM a work of ancients writing about the past. As for your specific examples, I'm not sure how far one can take the comparison. Mormon, Moroni, et all were certainly unaware of Helleno-Roman historical conventions. I'm still thinking about this, it is a good, but complex questio, not a stupid one.
Sevenbak Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 I don't think it's entirely a fair poll, as the BoM writers were prophets/historians, compared to the other ancient historians. That adds a whole new level. The purposes for which the BoM was written wasn't historical, per se.
Calm Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 Knowing the Book of Mormon is the most accurate book on Earth and that this poll question was asking if it's at least as accurate as any other book made this a very simply comparison for me. I don't even need to know anything about those other books or writers to know the correct answer to the poll question.CFR on most accurate.Josephdid say : "…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.3"There is nothing in that quote that speaks to historical accuracy, but rather doctrinal correctness...two significantly different attributes. 3
HairBear Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 It is for the most part a doctrinal book so I am not seeing a distinction.To reply to your statement I shall refer you to the below post by Calmoriah:CFR on most accurate.Josephdid say : "…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.3"There is nothing in that quote that speaks to historical accuracy, but rather doctrinal correctness...two significantly different attributes.
Rivers Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 Since we're on the topic of Book of Mormon historicity, Mormon Interpreter recently put out new article about the Book of Mormon. http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/in-his-footsteps-ammon-and-ammon/ This provides more examples of the complexity and internal consistency of the Book of Mormon. 3
Ahab Posted January 18, 2013 Posted January 18, 2013 CFR on most accurate.Me. What other book of any kind can you think of that could be more accurate and correct than the Book of Mormon?Joseph did say : "…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.3"There is nothing in that quote that speaks to historical accuracy, but rather doctrinal correctness...two significantly different attributes.Well, yeah, but he probably would have said both accurate and correct if he had thought about it. He wasn't perfect then, though.
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