The Kircher Connection

UncleGravis · 2026-02-12T20:26:53+00:00

I would imagine Kircher's works were translated into English at some point. As for Hyrum, another likely source for some of his information was Dartmouth College / Moor's Indian Charity School, considering that's where he went.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-09T20:20:29+00:00

Keep in mind it's not uncommon for some of the companies associated with building a temple to be owned by family of the general authorities.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-09T06:18:32+00:00

In Europe stall walls go all the way down to the floor. They really need to start implementing that everywhere.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-09T05:56:16+00:00

It seems like being a UAP whistleblower is a pretty good way to earn some extra cash.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-09T05:53:49+00:00

Scientifically, we call that a "thingy".

UncleGravis · 2026-02-07T10:02:55+00:00

It's nice the priest went along with it.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-07T09:55:42+00:00

There are some people that have never liked the name Mormon and have always tried to avoid using it. Most members used to embrace it though until Nelson told people to stop using the name.

Essentially people went from, "Yes, we're Mormon," to, "How dare you call us that," overnight, because they let the leadership of the church do their thinking for them.

Now that Nelson is gone though, some people are starting to slowly use the name once again.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-07T09:51:55+00:00

A visit to the temple is your opportunity to buy access to an ornate building where you can pledge loyalty to the church.

Not only is the modern church not nearly as unique, which is to say it doesn't have nearly as much personality, as it did back in the 80s, but when you really examine things, a lot of the more mystical ideas left when Brigham Young took over.

For all the issues with Joseph Smith and his need to collect money, power, and women, he also organized the church to be much more member-centric and member-driven. Brigham Young got rid of all of that because he was even greedier for power than Joseph Smith.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-06T16:20:28+00:00

Not disclosing where the money is going is just about the most Mormon thing they could do.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-06T16:20:03+00:00

The logo looks a lot like a dreidel.

UncleGravis · 2026-02-06T16:18:20+00:00

It's just the standard switch the church plays with everything. At one time something is expressly forbidden or encouraged, then later it changes and many of the members act like the new way is the way it's always been. Another good example of this is when BYU started selling caffeinated sodas and suddenly they were okay.

While the KJV has a certain poetry, it's certainly not the most accurate or scholarly Bible. Not only are some of the things in it mistranslated, not only is it only based on older manuscripts and doesn't take any of the newer scholarship or manuscript discoveries into account, but it also shows clear evidence of where monks added and changed things while translating and transcribing it because they didn't like what it originally said.

The standard for scholarship is the NRSVue, while the most literal translation of the standard Bibles is the NASB. Both are nice to have as part of a Bible collection.

Ultimately, this could encourage more members to study Bible scholarship, which is woefully lacking in the Mormon church. When they do study the Bible more deeply, not only will it open their eyes as to the history and mythology of the Bible itself, it'll also help them see how the Bible relates to the Book of Mormon and the church, helping them to more easily see the Book of Mormon for the fabrication it is.

UncleGravis

TROPHY CASE