I did not realize until now how intellectually bankrupt the LDS leadership has become. This man's analogies and explanations of LDS truth claims make him appear to be irrational.
It's not like Brad had to bring any of those "difficult" topics up or was I'll prepared for unscreened questions. He claims people aren't leaving in droves then brings up the reasons people are leaving just to deflect from the issues. Intellectually bankrupt apologetics.
I’m glad that you sent out an apology- it seems like you understood one aspect of why your talk has gotten so many of us up in arms. Please do the work before you publicly speak again. You can’t get by on the excuse that it was a misphrasing when you are a PROFESSIONAL public speaker and an appointed church official. Like it or not, that ‘misphrasing’ represents the lds church in more ways than you seem to understand. Thanks for the apology, it’s not enough.
I’m sharing these everywhere so everyone can see how absolutely horrible so much of Brad’s talk was. This clip specifically. Brad’s defense of racism is gross, made even worse because he defended it by bringing white people “and other races” into it. There is NO comparison to the priesthood not being on the earth in an authorized way for the world and a group of people being given the priesthood only to have it taken away because of the color of their skin. This is not a valid comparison. It’s insulting and reductive. Invalidates the real emotional pain experienced by the BIPOC community. Brad Wilcox, you need to make a formal public apology. Lead out in “abandon[ing] attitudes and actions of prejudice.” Lead the church leaders, general authorities and Q15 in making that important apology. It’s part of the loving process of repentance that the church preaches, right?
The Problem of Text and Language Smith claimed he translated the golden tablets he found into English from a language known as Reformed Egyptian. On the contrary, historians argue that there is no evidence of a language known as Reformed Egyptian and that literary devices (language, phrases, and names) in the BoM provide strong evidence that its text is inauthentic (3). Further, according to the Mormon Church, the BoM claims that some ancestors of Native Americans came from the ancient Near East and specifically from the Jerusalem area. However, linguistic scholars have discovered no Native American language, whether spoken by the Maya or Aztecs, to be relatable to languages from the ancient Near East (4). Textual critics do not view the BoM as a particularly impressive or unique work of writing. Professor Grant Hardy, a specialist in history, language, and literature, says that “If the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon were to function as a sign-as tangible evidence that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God-that mission could have been accomplished much more concisely” (5). Further, the fact that the book has received significant revisions, especially in its grammar, is a challenge to its divine origin and its revered status as being “the most correct of any book on earth” (6). The Problem of Archaeological Corroboration. The BoM proposes that real people existed in specific times and places in history. It attempts to show itself to be a historical record of God’s revelation to humankind. The book claims to be an “account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang” (7). By making this claim, the BoM opens itself to being tested. One of its claims is that the world the book’s occupants lived in was an hourglass-shaped landmass. This land consisted of a ”land southward” surrounded by water except for a “narrow neck” of land connecting it to a “land northward” (Alma 22:32), a necessary detail to know if a researcher intends to engage in archaeological work (8). Despite some theories concerning the true location of this area, much remains uncertain. The traditional view is that this land includes nearly all of North and South America. According to Smith, a party led by the prophet Lehi from Jerusalem arrived in the New World on the coast of Chile. There was also a battle between the Nephites and Lamanites that purportedly took place in Palmyra, New York some 6000 miles away from Lehi’s location of arrival (9). The Nephites and the Lamanites are supposdely descended from a group of Israelites who, under Lehi’s guide, migrated to the Americas around 600 BCE. The Lamanites are also believed by Mormons to be the ancestors of the indigenous peoples found in North, South, and Central America (10). The traditional view is that the landmass included nearly all of North and South America. These lands constitute the two bulges of the hourglass that are connected by the “narrow neck.” The narrow neck being Central America. However, two difficulties confront this traditional view. One difficulty is that according to the BoM, the Nephite and Lamanite civilizations were located somewhere in Central America (the ”narrow neck” of land) and that they did battle at Hill Cumorah (Mormon 6:1-6). Hill Cumorah is thought to be located in New York state, well over a several thousand of miles away from the respective Nephite and Lamanite bases. It seems unrealistic that these armies traveled such an extraordinary distance to engage in battle. The BoM also proposes that native populations of North and South America are the descendants of small immigrant populations including the Jaredites (arriving at some point between 3000 and 2000 BCE, and who later became extinct themselves), Nephites, and Mulekites. However, this is rejected by historians. For example, archaeological research provides evidence that the lands were populated well before the BoM says these peoples arrived. Archaeology has provided evidence of stone tools showing natives existed in the Americas as far back as 13500 years ago. Further, around 10 000 BCE east Asians migrated across the Bering Strait. These migrants are the actual ancestors of the American Indians (11). The DNA evidence supporting this ancestry is strong. Native Americans possess DNA markers similar to the DNA of ancient people from the Altar Mountains in central Asia. No evidence, archaeological or genetic, exists in support of the claims made by the BoM. This had led historians not to view its contents as a work of ancient American history (12). Scholar Michael Coe says that, “as far as I know there is not one professionally trained archaeologist, who is not a Mormon, who sees any scientific justification for believing the foregoing to be true, and I would like to state that there are quite a few Mormon archaeologists who join this group” (13). The Problem of Anachronisms The BoM places a number of historical artifacts and cultures in the wrong era. This includes portraying a Nephite civilization with a metal industry (metal swords, breastplates, and coinage) in Mesoamerica despite the fact that the area is known not to have possessed such industry at the time (14). The BoM presents the Nephites as a people who produced wheat, barley, flax (linen), grapes, and olives, none of which existed in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica (pre-Columbian referring to the Americas before Christoper Columbus’s 1492 voyages to the area). The Nephites also supposedly owned Old World domesticated animals (Old World referring to parts of the world including Africa, Asia, and Europe) such as asses, cows, goats, sheep, horses, oxen, swine, and elephants that did not exist in America at the time (16)
I do recommend listening to the conversation he had with the evangelical guy. They both acted like grown ups - which is not common when people don't agree on religion. It was a good example of how to be civil. It did seen a little one-sided with the other guy showing more curiosity about Brad's religion, but overall good.
@@elizabethtesch2332 He did that a bit during this talk here, and I'm not a fan. But did he do that in the video of him talking to the evangelical guy? I remember them both being grown ups there in that conversation. Am I remembering wrong?
@@joelgoldsmith4747 ruclips.net/video/56eloRh500Y/видео.html They were both civil, even while differing on dogma. That was the biggest value in it for me.
There is nothing an anti-mormon could add to this talk. Just play it as is for anyone investigating Mormonism and they'll be running for the hills. Thank you, Brad.
![BabyChiefDoit - Too Slow (feat. STAR BANDZ) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zayaxws7RPg/mqdefault.jpg)
I heard this for the last 70 years. Nothing has changed. Its just that now it sounds like crazy town.
I love that absolutely no one laughed at any of his “jokes”
I love how even when they don’t work he doubles down on the joke lmao
I thought his refreshments joke was a little funny.
I think the audio cut out due to feedback- it could only handle small amounts of sound
It makes me think the kids on the audience have a chance…..
@@abjaaksm huh?
I did not realize until now how intellectually bankrupt the LDS leadership has become. This man's analogies and explanations of LDS truth claims make him appear to be irrational.
It's not like Brad had to bring any of those "difficult" topics up or was I'll prepared for unscreened questions. He claims people aren't leaving in droves then brings up the reasons people are leaving just to deflect from the issues. Intellectually bankrupt apologetics.
He is soo SASSY! I never heard the gospel with so much SASS!
Right. Most terrible talk I have ever heard.
I’m glad that you sent out an apology- it seems like you understood one aspect of why your talk has gotten so many of us up in arms. Please do the work before you publicly speak again. You can’t get by on the excuse that it was a misphrasing when you are a PROFESSIONAL public speaker and an appointed church official. Like it or not, that ‘misphrasing’ represents the lds church in more ways than you seem to understand. Thanks for the apology, it’s not enough.
Amen! This talk is a stand alone peice of work that will convince anyone investigating Mormonism to "walk away" if not RUN.
I’m sharing these everywhere so everyone can see how absolutely horrible so much of Brad’s talk was. This clip specifically. Brad’s defense of racism is gross, made even worse because he defended it by bringing white people “and other races” into it. There is NO comparison to the priesthood not being on the earth in an authorized way for the world and a group of people being given the priesthood only to have it taken away because of the color of their skin. This is not a valid comparison. It’s insulting and reductive. Invalidates the real emotional pain experienced by the BIPOC community.
Brad Wilcox, you need to make a formal public apology. Lead out in “abandon[ing] attitudes and actions of prejudice.” Lead the church leaders, general authorities and Q15 in making that important apology. It’s part of the loving process of repentance that the church preaches, right?
mormonism where circular bullcrap becomes real
No 'Loo Paper' could ever clean the fecal matter they've SPLATTERED everywhere!!!
😔💩💩💩
The Problem of Text and Language
Smith claimed he translated the golden tablets he found into English from a language known as Reformed Egyptian. On the contrary, historians argue that there is no evidence of a language known as Reformed Egyptian and that literary devices (language, phrases, and names) in the BoM provide strong evidence that its text is inauthentic (3). Further, according to the Mormon Church, the BoM claims that some ancestors of Native Americans came from the ancient Near East and specifically from the Jerusalem area. However, linguistic scholars have discovered no Native American language, whether spoken by the Maya or Aztecs, to be relatable to languages from the ancient Near East (4).
Textual critics do not view the BoM as a particularly impressive or unique work of writing. Professor Grant Hardy, a specialist in history, language, and literature, says that “If the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon were to function as a sign-as tangible evidence that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God-that mission could have been accomplished much more concisely” (5). Further, the fact that the book has received significant revisions, especially in its grammar, is a challenge to its divine origin and its revered status as being “the most correct of any book on earth” (6).
The Problem of Archaeological Corroboration.
The BoM proposes that real people existed in specific times and places in history. It attempts to show itself to be a historical record of God’s revelation to humankind. The book claims to be an “account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang” (7). By making this claim, the BoM opens itself to being tested. One of its claims is that the world the book’s occupants lived in was an hourglass-shaped landmass. This land consisted of a ”land southward” surrounded by water except for a “narrow neck” of land connecting it to a “land northward” (Alma 22:32), a necessary detail to know if a researcher intends to engage in archaeological work (8). Despite some theories concerning the true location of this area, much remains uncertain.
The traditional view is that this land includes nearly all of North and South America. According to Smith, a party led by the prophet Lehi from Jerusalem arrived in the New World on the coast of Chile. There was also a battle between the Nephites and Lamanites that purportedly took place in Palmyra, New York some 6000 miles away from Lehi’s location of arrival (9). The Nephites and the Lamanites are supposdely descended from a group of Israelites who, under Lehi’s guide, migrated to the Americas around 600 BCE. The Lamanites are also believed by Mormons to be the ancestors of the indigenous peoples found in North, South, and Central America (10). The traditional view is that the landmass included nearly all of North and South America. These lands constitute the two bulges of the hourglass that are connected by the “narrow neck.” The narrow neck being Central America. However, two difficulties confront this traditional view.
One difficulty is that according to the BoM, the Nephite and Lamanite civilizations were located somewhere in Central America (the ”narrow neck” of land) and that they did battle at Hill Cumorah (Mormon 6:1-6). Hill Cumorah is thought to be located in New York state, well over a several thousand of miles away from the respective Nephite and Lamanite bases. It seems unrealistic that these armies traveled such an extraordinary distance to engage in battle.
The BoM also proposes that native populations of North and South America are the descendants of small immigrant populations including the Jaredites (arriving at some point between 3000 and 2000 BCE, and who later became extinct themselves), Nephites, and Mulekites. However, this is rejected by historians. For example, archaeological research provides evidence that the lands were populated well before the BoM says these peoples arrived. Archaeology has provided evidence of stone tools showing natives existed in the Americas as far back as 13500 years ago. Further, around 10 000 BCE east Asians migrated across the Bering Strait. These migrants are the actual ancestors of the American Indians (11). The DNA evidence supporting this ancestry is strong. Native Americans possess DNA markers similar to the DNA of ancient people from the Altar Mountains in central Asia.
No evidence, archaeological or genetic, exists in support of the claims made by the BoM. This had led historians not to view its contents as a work of ancient American history (12). Scholar Michael Coe says that, “as far as I know there is not one professionally trained archaeologist, who is not a Mormon, who sees any scientific justification for believing the foregoing to be true, and I would like to state that there are quite a few Mormon archaeologists who join this group” (13).
The Problem of Anachronisms
The BoM places a number of historical artifacts and cultures in the wrong era. This includes portraying a Nephite civilization with a metal industry (metal swords, breastplates, and coinage) in Mesoamerica despite the fact that the area is known not to have possessed such industry at the time (14). The BoM presents the Nephites as a people who produced wheat, barley, flax (linen), grapes, and olives, none of which existed in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica (pre-Columbian referring to the Americas before Christoper Columbus’s 1492 voyages to the area). The Nephites also supposedly owned Old World domesticated animals (Old World referring to parts of the world including Africa, Asia, and Europe) such as asses, cows, goats, sheep, horses, oxen, swine, and elephants that did not exist in America at the time (16)
Religion never saved anyone. Only Jesus saves.
Your belief is a religion. And a cult.
I bear testimony that this mouth breather makes me extremely uncomfortable and I'm absolutely certain I wouldn't leave my children with him
Yuck.
Yup. Double yuck. 🤢
I do recommend listening to the conversation he had with the evangelical guy. They both acted like grown ups - which is not common when people don't agree on religion. It was a good example of how to be civil. It did seen a little one-sided with the other guy showing more curiosity about Brad's religion, but overall good.
Oh yeah yeah and the time when he called out and mocked minorities and other churches
@@elizabethtesch2332 He did that a bit during this talk here, and I'm not a fan. But did he do that in the video of him talking to the evangelical guy? I remember them both being grown ups there in that conversation. Am I remembering wrong?
@@leem3299 : If the debate was with an 'African American evangelical' then that would
be most awesome. Send us the link buddy!!!
@@joelgoldsmith4747 ruclips.net/video/56eloRh500Y/видео.html They were both civil, even while differing on dogma. That was the biggest value in it for me.
Terrible talk.
This guy is creepy, plain and simple.
Great devotional! Thanks for sharing. He always gives powerful yet simple ways of teaching controversial truths.
Ummm did you miss the part where he was racist, sexist, and completely prejudice?
Yup, because so many listeners were converted......
Sad. I hope one day your world opens up and you get to learn empathy and critical thinking.
There is nothing an anti-mormon could add to this talk. Just play it as is for anyone investigating Mormonism and they'll be running for the hills. Thank you, Brad.
So condescending and cringy.... scary you think this was "great" on any level.