“Have you been reading the Book of Mormon?”

[didyoumythme]

What is the best way to respond to this question from family or church leaders? There is so much implied by this loaded question. Any issues a person has with the church are because they aren’t reading/praying enough.

Saying “no”just leaves them feeling smug as they tell you to repent.

Any tips on good ways to respond?

My thought was to say something like, “No, I don’t find much value in it, but I have been reading other things that inspire me”.

[Brent]

Yeah. And it came to pass that I have saved thousands by getting off Ambien.

[Mormorrisey]

Because I've anticipated that question, I have indeed been reading the BOM - just the 1830 version with notes from the excellent JS Papers project website. And I'm comparing it to the "regular" version while I do it. Not only is it fun and and an exercise in critical thinking about the book, it fits in with the mormon mindset. So I can answer yes to those questions, that's the main thing. I probably read more "scriptures" and more about mormonism than 99% of the members of my stake.

Whether or not you WANT to do this is another matter entirely. But that's how I answer that question!

[dogbite]

Same as always. --A fine non answer

Not as much as you.

Is there a problem with that?

The Book of Mormon is good. --a non answer, now change the subject, sure is hot lately Or redirect so what is your favorite part? Then wax rhapsodic on the inspired Isaiah parts.

I do as wisdom dictates. --(What it's been dictating lately we'll not go into)

I've been seeking out of the best books words of wisdom. --A nice scriptural reference

Why do you ask?

Will it make a difference if you knew?

Why would that be any of your business?

No, the Book of Mormon is what broke my testimony. --If they really want the truth from me and I feel like giving it to them.

[didyoumythme]

Whether or not you WANT to do this is another matter entirely. But that's how I answer that question!

I have considered this approach...one verse a day and I could answer yes! I just can’t get myself to do it anymore now that I consider it fiction. I also like to push back against the way the church tells our stories for us. If we just say yes, then members can go on believing there really aren’t issues with any of it.

But alas...gotta try to maintain those relationships. The cult has such a strong grip on their minds!

[didyoumythme]

I've been seeking out of the best books words of wisdom. --A nice scriptural reference

I like this one! Leaves them with no way to condescend.

[wtfluff]

I don't have any real insight on how to answer "the question", but any non-believer who does actually want to "read" the book of mormon, should look into the "My Book of Mormon Podcast".

If anyone actually asks me if I've been reading the BoM, I can honestly answer that yes, I have "read" the BoM since I found out the truth about LDS-Inc. I have also "read" the Pearl of Great Price, and I"m almost finished with the D&C. (No, my "testimony" has not been restored, though it has been very enlightening.)

DRINK!

[IT_Veteran]

When I would get that question I would answer honestly - I’m trying to. I would usually follow up with more truth - that the more I read it, the less I felt it was true. I eventually stopped reading it because I felt like whatever belief I had was completely destroyed by it.

[Dravin]

What is the best way to respond to this question from family or church leaders? There is so much implied by this loaded question. Any issues a person has with the church are because they aren’t reading/praying enough.

Saying “no”just leaves them feeling smug as they tell you to repent.

There are ways to respond ranging from simple sincerity to smug snarkiness, but really anything but, "Yes, and I have seen the light!" is going to result in that smug call to repentance.

Any tips on good ways to respond?

I'm a snarky sorta guy, if someone or someones were pestering me with the question I'd be inclined to respond with something like: "No, I've been feeding my need for fiction with <insert fiction book>." or "Naw, haven't been in the mood for fiction lately. I've been loving <insert non-fiction book> though."

If I was in a more sincere mood I'd probably just lay out the truth, "No. That's probably for the best though, while for you it is a faith affirming experience for me it's a book full of anachronisms, incongruities with Modern Mormon doctrine, and teaches things I find repugnant."

[Thoughtful]

I am fairly certain I read more than most.

[Corsair]

The Young Men's President in my ward has challenged all of the youth to read the Book of Mormon this summer. I may be railroaded into getting into the Book of Mormon for the first time in more than a decade. It might be a good experiment.

[wtfluff]

I am fairly certain I read more than most.

This triggered another goofy response in my noggin:

"I'm pretty sure I've read the first few chapters of 1st Nephi hundreds, if not thousands of times." (Does that count as "reading the BoM"?)

[Raylan Givens]

Just say, "no, I'm good." In a 13 year old matter of fact voice.
They won't know what to say.

[MoPag]

I prefer to listen to it.

BOMmusical.png (97.07 KiB) Viewed 12658 times

[deacon blues]

Check this site out. It will give BOM readers a broader perspective. https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/BoM/index.htm

[GoodBoy]

I say it hurts my testimony to read scriptures because I see the humanness in them... which is true.

[Mahonri Moriancumer]

What do I tell my TBM wife who insists that we read the BOM daily as a family, even though we just finished it (again). She believes it will make our family stronger, but my only kid who is still at home couldn’t be less interested in reading scriptures together as a family, and especially the BOM, which she just suffered through in seminary this past year too.


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[Reuben]

What do I tell my TBM wife who insists that we read the BOM daily as a family, even though we just finished it (again). She believes it will make our family stronger, but my only kid who is still at home couldn’t be less interested in reading scriptures together as a family, and especially the BOM, which she just suffered through in seminary this past year too.


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Our family is enjoying the NIV translation of the New Testament. It's a different take on the gospel than the kids have heard to the point that it's really a different gospel (salvation by grace), punctuated with too many analogies to circumcision and first-century misogyny. Loads of fun. It helps that it's in modern English instead of 19th-century pidgin biblical English.

(Uchtdorf quotes from the NIV when he quotes from the bible, so Mormons aren't allowed to have objections to it. Also, "as far as it is translated correctly" means Mormons should find more of the word of God in the NIV than in the KJV. It's more correct in every respect, if less poetic-sounding.)

[Mahonri Moriancumer]

Our family is enjoying the NIV translation of the New Testament. It's a different take on the gospel than the kids have heard to the point that it's really a different gospel (salvation by grace), punctuated with too many analogies to circumcision and first-century misogyny. Loads of fun. It helps that it's in modern English instead of 19th-century pidgin biblical English.

Is there a NIV translation of the BOM?

[Kalikala]

I just tell people that I’ve never done so much reading in my life. Which is true, even if it’s not ALL scriptures. But in my history research I find myself looking up a lot of things in the scriptures and rereading them as part of my research. So I count it.