Randy: Surely one is left to wonder why a Greek word like “Christ” appears in a text that should have no Greek influence. The name Timothy also has this problem (3 Nephi 19:4).
The answer is not complicated. The Book of Mormon is a translation into English. “Christ” is understood in English to be “Messiah” or “Anointed One.” If Smith had used the word “Messiah,” it would have been a Hebrew term, not Greek. The original language in the Book of Mormon is said to be a short form of Egyptian. In 1830, none of these short forms were known, but now we know they existed in 600 B.C. In fact, the reformed versions were the most popular at that time, coming just before the Babylonian conquest when the link between Egypt and Jerusalem were at their strongest. Since the translation was from an ancient language to modern English, the only thing one needs to be concerned about is whether the translation was accurate; and we maintain it is.
Regarding names, again, Dr. Nibley explains:
The occurrence of the names Timothy and Lachoneus in the Book of Mormon is strictly in order, however odd it may seem at first glance. Since the fourteenth century B.C. at latest, Syria and Palestine had been in constant contact with the Aegean world, and since the middle of the seventh century Greek mercenaries and merchants, closely bound to Egyptian interests (the best Egyptian mercenaries were Greeks), swarmed throughout the Near East. Lehi’s people...could not have avoided considerable contact with these people in Egypt and especially in Sidon, which Greek poets even in that day were celebrating as the great world center of trade. It is interesting to note in passing that Timothy is an Ionian name, since the Greeks in Palestine were Ionians (hence the Hebrew name for Greeks: “Sons of Javanim”), and—since “Lachoneus” means “a Laconian”—that the oldest Greek traders were Laconians, who had colonies in Cyprus (BM Akish) and of course traded with Palestine.
What kind of numpties think the Sabbath is on Sunday anyway?! (The answer to that question is sun worshippers.) Sabbath = Sabbato = Saturday.
Nope. Sabbath = Hebrew šabb³t = š³bat = to rest = Sunday.
Saturday’s sabbath was changed to the first day of the week Sabbath = Sunday. This was confirmed to the church by revelation.
That’s just stupid. ‘Adam and Eve’ are fictitious, and all humans can be traced genetically to Africa and the Middle East.
You mean that's where we jumped out of the trees and began walking upright?
Mormons really believe this shite? They make JW beliefs seem almost sane. It’s always funny when someone comes along to ‘defend’ their ‘entirely rational’ religion by stating things that are just as irrational as the ‘myths’.
Oh, yes, I'm sure about that. Everyone thinks their own crap doesn't stink, and there's no exception of that here. Especially that dark matter stuff scientists promise us is out there. But it's invisible, we have no way of catching it or examining it. Still, I believe in it.