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2000
CHANGES IN THE
BOOK OF MORMON.
CONTAINING
The way the book is claimed to have been translated,
The amendments which have been made in the
book. What an
inspired translation
should have been, and the reasons
given by the church for making the
many grammatical changes.
SHOWING
That the claims are inconsistent
and untrue.
---------------------------------------------
BY LAMONI CALL
COMPILER OF "THE GOSPEL IN A SHELL."
---------------------------------------------
BOUNTIFUL, UTAH.
AUG. 1898.
----------------------------
COPYRIGHT BY
---LAMONI CALL---
1898.
----------------------------
PREFACE.
In lifting my pen against the book my friends hold as sacred, I realize, in part, at least, my position. My friends and relatives are mostly in the church, and many of them look with pity upon my position; while I regard my difference of opinion as purely a mental conviction, and cannot see how any person can injure himself in the sight of God if he does only what he thinks is right. To advise one not to think in any particular way would be as inconsistent as to ask the powers of gravitation not to attract. A person may, however, for aught I know, do something which will cause God to withdraw his spirit from him so that he will not then believe as he once did. But I see no difference as to the cause of one's belief, the only thing for we poor mortals is to do as we think we should do. We cannot even follow the convictions of yesterday, nor can we follow those we may have to-morrow. The thing to do is to do what we believe we should do now. Emerson has in his essay oft "Self-reliance" (I should like to incorporate the entire essay as part of this preface.) "If you would be a man; speak what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again; though it contradict everything yott said to-day. A person might be held accountable for doing the thing that caused his mind to change; if it he a crime, he would be held accountable whether his mind changed or not; if honest investigation, that is a praiseworthy-act at any time, and our investigations should be made without fear of being convinced in any particular way.
Since, then, I do. not believe the Book of Mormon is a gift of heaven to man, there are but three reasons why I should not raise my voice and pen to proclaim against it. One of these is the lack of ability. Another is the lack of energy. The other is the lack of courage. The last two have not stood in the way, but I am not so sure but many will say the first should.
What makes me the more anxious to write my views is because I have been unable to satisfy myself that my stand is wrong, and no person with whom I have been able to converse upon the subject has been able to show me the fallacy in my argument. It may exist for all that, and there may be plenty of people able to help me. The publication of this little work will put them in possession of one of my difficulties, which if they can remove, will give me great hope that time others may be removed. If truth is against me I most sincerely hope some person with the spirit of sympathy burning deep in his bosom will step forward and save another soul unto Christ. Be assured, if you come with REASON you will be considered, but do not ask me to lay aside my mind and take that of any other person.
I have endeavored to write without animosity, and to use nothing of a repulsive nature. No vile names are used. But in all cases reference is made to matters of history in the most respectful language at my command. I believe those who hold the Book of Mormon as sacred can read without having their ire aroused by false statements, or abusive accusations.
THE AUTHOR.
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