From: bunner@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Dana A. Bunner)
Subject: Re: QUESTION
Organization:  University of Wisconsin Academic Computing Center
Date: 13 OCT 92 17:55:59    

In article <1992Oct12.145920.6119@linus.mitre.org>, zobell@lute.mitre.org (Steve Zobell) writes...
>In article <92283.160218IK20050@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> <IK20050@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> writes:
>>3) Why does reading the Book of Mormon bring you good luck (or does it)?
> 
>I've read it, and didn't see any change in my luck!  Do Mormons actually
>claim that reading the BoM brings luck?

I know it can bring sleep, but I'm not so sure about luck.  However 
sometimes sleep is luck so perhaps he is right.  Perhaps Andie is 
confusing reading the BoM with paying tithing.  Indeed many LDS believe
that paying a full tithe will bring good fortune and blessings.

>My approach is to make my life as rich and enjoyable as possible while
>still investigating the many religious philosophies on this earth.

While I am LDS, I agree with this philosophy.  I enjoy reading of other
religious experiences.

>Fortunately I enjoy the study of different religions, I guess I'm
>constantly amazed at what people will believe!

It's not just amazing, it's downright entertaining.  Present religion 
not excluded.

>You can start by examining both sides of the Mormon question.  One of
>my favorite issues in Mormonism is the exclusion of black men from
>holding the priesthood.  The church finally reversed this decision
>which had become a public relations nightmare in the wake of civil
>rights, I think it was sometime in the 70's.  I've asked Mormons about
>this, and their answer generally was that God had his reasons that we
>may not understand and that some spirits may not have been as worthy as
>others.  This all absolutely fails my goodness test! 

Surprise, surprise, I agree with you.  I have studied this issue at
length and attribute the teaching to human failings.  The current
practice of granting the priesthood to all males was instituted in 1978
(I believe ... don't have a reference with me).  A glorious day.  Now
we can work on fixing the rest of the equation.  (let's see what this
paragraph brings about in t.r.m.  ... perhaps I should demand equal 
time from the "Christians" for at least one of them to admit something
in Mormonism doesn't sound all that bad)

>It's probably better to read some books, but finding authors who provide
>good unbiased examinations of religions can be difficult. 

Sometimes you must gather a collection of the least biased works along
with honest books written from opposing perspectives.  LDS books of 
a more neutral slant might include Jan Shipps _Mormonism_, University
of Illinois Press; Marvin Hill's _Quest for Refuge_, Signature Books;
back issues of _Dialogue_ magazine.  There are more but most
focus on narrow aspects of LDS history/doctrine.

Some respectable pro-LDS histories would include Richard Bushman's 
_Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism_ (hope this is right, this
is from memory), University of Illinois Press; Thomas G. Alexander's
_Woodruff_, Signature Books and _Mormonism in Transition_, University of
Illinois Press;  James B. Allen & Glen Leonard's _The Story of the
Latter-day Saints_, Deseret Books.  For non-Mormons wishing to read
a basic LDS history, there's Leonard Arrington & Davis Bitton's _The
Mormon Experience_, University of Illinois Press (brand new edition out)

For traditional doctrinal-based references just look for books published
by Deseret Books or FARMS.  Two recent FARMS publications entitled
_Re-Discovering the BoM_ and _Re-Exploring the BoM_ expound 
traditional LDS beliefs on the BoM in a scholarly fashion.

Another excellent reference which is the McMillan Encyclopedia of 
Mormonism.  Nearly all articles are written by Mormons, but it gives
a good overview of LDS doctrines.  Several thousand copies have been
sold, it should be in your university library.  I recommend it over 
McConkie's _Mormon Doctrine_ which is frequently quoted in this forum.

Please pardon any misinformation, this is all from memory.

Dana
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc