MTU #4-Van Hale & The Historicity Of The Book Of Mormon

Summary: "I'm not persuaded that the Book of Mormon is a translation of an ancient history." -Van Hale-September 18, 2005 "I am not persuaded that the detail in the Book of Mormon is detail pertaining to people that anciently lived on the Americas."-Van Hale-September 18, 2005 "Well, my point of view regarding the plates is that the plates did exist, that they were delivered to Joseph Smith by an angel and they were shown to witnesses of the Book of Mormon and that gave them something tangible to testify about, that they had seen the plates and handled them but I don't think that Joseph Smith was, that the Book of Mormon relates to anything that was on the plates. It was, I don't know what word to use to, without, without it sounding crude, but uh, the only word I can think of is the idea of a prop."-Van Hale-September 18, 2005 This podcast deals with the Mormon apologist/talk show host Van Hale and his views on what exactly the Book of Mormon is, since he believes that it is NOT an actual history of the people that lived in ancient America, which is what the Mormon Hierarchy have taught and believed since 1830. In this podcast, I will read the rest of the Email that I sent him(of which he only read the first 3 lines), and let you hear for yourself, what he actually said, versus what Van Hale thinks he said. But, to say that the historicity of the BOM isn't "emphasized" by the Mormon Hierarchy, which would include being taught in seminary, in Sunday School, institute classes, in General Conferences, in Ensigns, by missionaries and the BOM itself, is a flat out lie and deception by Van Hale. The Church does emphasize it and always has, in all of the places I just mentioned above. What is the purpose of FARMS, now officially part of BYU since 1997, thanks to Hinckley? It is so amazing that Van Hale, actually believes that the "golden plates" were just a "prop", to have something tangible for the witnesses of the BOM to see and feel. Wow, that would be outright deceit, by Joseph Smith and the Mormon God, wouldn't it? I guess we are back to lying for the Lord again, aren't we? I don't even think that Daniel Peterson would dare take it that far and he's about as bad as it gets with the Apologetics, or so I thought. Van Hale doesn't believe that what is contained in the BOM, has anything to do with what was on the plates. Amazing, I know, but this is how far his beliefs have slipped into very deep cognitive dissonance, in order to keep his testimony of the Mormon Church. I then discuss the "official position" that the Mormon Hierarchy takes on the Book of Mormon historicity. Simply put; you cannot be a good, upstanding, true believing member of the Church and be allowed to openly have the opinion that Van Hale has of the Book of Mormon. Many others, that have had this very opinion, have been either excommunicated or disfellowshipped. I just want to know how Van Hale gets away with it, while others are punished and excommunicated or disfellowshipped. On Mormon.org(official Mormon website), on the page where non-members go to order a free Book of Mormon, to find out just what the hell it is, it says: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is a record of God's dealings with the inhabitants of ancient America. The Title page of the Book of Mormon says it all and you can all go to the post for this podcast, on my blog to read what it says or any Book of Mormon and then tell me what you think it says? So, you guys tell me, does the introduction page in the Book of Mormon, make it sound like it's an "ACTUAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF AMERICA, THAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL ANCESTORS OF AMERICAN INDIANS?" Sorry Van Hale, my misunderstanding I guess!! LOL!! Enjoy everyone and please leave your comments!! For the links, comments and more thorough information regarding this podcast, please visit: http://mormontruthuncensored.blogspot.com/ Samuel the Utahnite