An Oral translation of the Book of Mormon.

[deacon blues]

I just finished Visions In A Seer Stone by William L. Davis. The main point of the book is that Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon was greatly influenced by the culture of oral sermons in the burned over district of New York where he grew up. The author points out that many preachers at the time spoke with few or no notes. Yet using a process called "laying down heads" they were able to speak extemporaneously for hours. This process of relying on few or no notes was encouraged by the scriptural injunction "Take no thought beforehand... it shall be given you in the very hour" what to say. (Mark 13:11) Speakers of the time felt moved to use a method where they would briefly present a scripture or topic, break it into a few 'heads' -key points- (written or memorized) and then speak extemporaneously.
It's interesting that the BOM starting with Ist Nephi has similar brief introductions to many sections, and these introductions were dictated by Joseph, who would then tell the story initially outlined.
The book is not an easy read, and I'd need to go through it more than once to fully understand Davis's ideas, but it is well documented. It seems to me that Davis, like some apologists, sometimes stretches the evidence to match his specific ideas, but the main point is very well supported. I recommend the book.

[jfro18]

I want to find the time to start reading some of these books that have been coming out - I am primarily confined to podcasts while I work since I can't read these in front of my wife.

There's a Mormon Stories interview on the book which I thought was really great as well: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/v ... m-l-davis/

Obviously won't have nearly the info as the book, but maybe it would give some extra layers to the book or, if this is the first exposure like me, gives an introduction to the deeper dive that would be the book.

[Hagoth]

Yet using a process called "laying down heads" they were able to speak extemporaneously for hours.

The really fascinating thing about this is that Joseph SAYS in the Book of Mormon that's how he did it!

Jacob 1:4 And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible...

[Palerider]

Yet using a process called "laying down heads" they were able to speak extemporaneously for hours.

The really fascinating thing about this is that Joseph SAYS in the Book of Mormon that's how he did it!

Jacob 1:4 And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible...

Nice catch Hagoth! You're the man.

I think Joseph had these Freudian slips much more than we realize.

No matter how much we try to hide it, we write what we know.

[jfro18]

FAIR Mormon/FairLatterDaySaints already has an under construction reply to this book, which has the strongest reply from Brian Hales who argues that Davis is starting with unreasonable assumptions as Hales continues to make his own... unreasonable assumptions.

https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/ans ... Down_Heads

[Hagoth]

I think Joseph had these Freudian slips much more than we realize.

Slippery treasures!

[moksha]

Slippery treasures!

The ways of the White Salamander are a mystery to us mortals. Elevating buried treasure one minute then causing it to slip further in the earth, even after those nice men paid Joseph to show them where to dig, the next minute. Very mysterious indeed.

[LSOF]

Isn't it indeed weird that there is so much talk in the Book of Mormon of disappearing treasures.

[Palerider]

Isn't it indeed weird that there is so much talk in the Book of Mormon of disappearing treasures.

And it serves no real purpose. It's like an attempt to add a bit of excitement or thrill to a cheap dime novel.