Let's Talk about the Book of Mormon

(yes, I've read it)

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Today I am going to be tackling a topic that may be highly sensitive for readers: The Book of Mormon! We will be talking about the content of the Book of Mormon, the rhetoric surrounding the Book of Mormon, and my personal conclusions about the Book of Mormon. We’re in for a ride!

Right off the bat I want to say: you do not need to read this newsletter if you feel uncomfortable! I will be talking about things that are sensitive and critical of the Book of Mormon, of prophets, and current Church teachings and practices. These are my personal views and opinions, it doesn’t mean they are true, and it doesn’t mean I won’t change my mind later on. My goal in writing this is NEVER to assist someone in losing their faith. Nooo no no NO. I WOULD NOT WISH THAT ON MY WORST ENEMY. It has been the hardest thing I have gone through, and continues to be hard! So if you are wanting to read my writing because you know me personally and want to support me, I completely and totally appreciate that, and I have ZERO hard feelings for people who, for whatever reason, don’t want to read. Whether you read it or not, I don’t really care! (In the most loving way possible <3)

The reason I write is to have a space for 1) me to process my thoughts 2) to give voice to those feeling alone in their faith deconstruction 3) to write what I wish I could have read ~2-3 years ago.

I have not touched the topic of the Book of Mormon since writing my newsletter, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about it.

Holding my Oxford Press Annotated Book of Mormon, my Book of Mormon journal edition, and Book of Mormon English/Mandarin Study Edition

I recently listened to a podcast with an active member of the church debating an ex-Mormon (I could only bear to listen for two minutes, it was horrible, on both sides). In those two minutes, the active member of the Church asked the question, “Have you read the Book of Mormon?” The host said, yes, he had read it, many times, throughout his life. The person responded, “Well, are you currently reading it?” To which the host conceded, no, he was not currently reading the Book of Mormon. The member huffed and responded, “Well, then, how can you talk about a book you are not currently reading?”

My insides coil and squirm at recounting that conversation. Although I didn’t like the tone of either of those people in that debate, I do think it highlights a common rhetoric within the Latter-day Saint community, which is, “If you’re not reading the Book of Mormon everyday, you are at RISK of losing your testimony, losing your faith, and eventually… your family.”

So, before we get into it, I’d like to assure everyone that yes, oh yes, I have read the Book of Mormon.