There is nothing new (to me, anyway) in this video (factually speaking).
However, what’s interesting or of note to me with this is:
- It seems to stick pretty close to the facts/truth regarding Mormon history, which is almost laudable for anti-Mormon publications.
- It tells the BOM/translation story in a fairly accessible way, that can be easily understood by the average person (Mormon or non-Mormon)
- To me, it does a fairly effective job of highlighting the issues w/ the historical facts (why preserve plates to have them not be used in the translation?)
- Most importantly (to me), it provides effective visuals (in video) of Joseph engaging in the “head in the hat with stone” method of translation.
My big question/concern is this: are we adequately equipping our members, and most importantly, our missionaries – to deal with this narrative? Do we know what the official response is or should be to the big chasm between what we all were/are taught, and what the facts convey?
I really, really wish the church would provide some official material to equip us to handle this issue. Missionaries and average members are going to be assaulted with this stuff in the future — and we need guidance (I feel) on how to answer the narrative.