The apostles may have become martyrs for their belief in the resurrection of Jesus, but may have known that the Gospel accounts were fabrications. There were three witnesses to the Book of Mormon who claimed to see the golden plates and an angel. These were early leaders of the Church. Maybe the golden plates never existed, but only a cloth-covered heavy bundle and Joseph Smith's cleverness, but the witnesses were deceived by Joseph Smith's claims. They believed Joseph Smith was God's prophet and that the Book of Mormon was inspired, so when Joseph was able to convince them to testify they saw the plates even though none of them did except covered by the cloth and in their mind's eye, they felt justified in signing their names.
Science requires a better way.
Principles of truth should be reproducible by anyone, anywhere with the proper equipment and technique. My Distorted View of Paul. UTC Gays in society should be a nonissue. UTC Don't blame Sheler for my ideas. Thanks for the good article on Thiede.