Comments on: How do you answer: Did Jared and his Brother discover America?

By: JM

JM — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:42:52 +0000

Analysis from Hugh Nibly about how the Jaredite barges were similar to Noah’s ark, and both were submarine in nature:

As for the issue about who discovered America, I think it was Elder Oaks who said that the Book of Mormon was only a partial history of the Americas, and nowhere does it claim to cover all peoples invovled. He seems to suggest that other groups may have come before and during the peoples mentioned directly in the Book of Mormon.

Good resources:

http://farms.byu.edu/display.php?id=30&table=transcripts

Before DNA

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/bookschapter.php?bookid=&chapid=385

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:16:11 +0000

The very best use you can make of the braggy Christmas letters is this:

Ask your friends to bring copies (with names removed) of the most appalling braggy Christmas letter they have received to your holiday party and then:

Each person draws a letter out of the “pile” and takes a turn at a dramatic reading.

By: Mark D.

Mark D. — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:07:18 +0000

I would say:

1. There were lots of people here before Columbus, and we have no idea who if anyone deserves the credit.

2. Of course not. Apparently the boats used were covered to survive severe storms, rogue waves, whatever without getting swamped. That’s it.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:42:32 +0000

Well technically I didn’t call you a name either Nick. I suggested the possibility that you really are a jerk and I noted that a lot of people in the bloggernacle seem to think you are a jerk, but I never actually called you are a jerk. I am open to the possibility that you are a jerk of course if that makes you feel better…

(and I am also open to the possibility that I am a jerk for the snarkiness of this comment… )

By: Nick Literski

Nick Literski — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:35:06 +0000

I don’t know why Jettboy doesn’t like me either, Geoff, since we’ve never met. Of course, he was only repeating the name-calling you already initiated.

I get that you were offended, Geoff, hence my apology. The comment was not really intended as a “potshot at Hinckley,” but rather just a needless smart-alecky remark, which I shouldn’t have made. At least I didn’t call Hinckley names, or argue that it was right to call him names if he said something that irritated me, eh?

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:14:41 +0000

Nick,

Your comment was boorish. You should not be surprised when Latter-Day Saints find it offensive when you take potshots at President Hinckley. Boorish behavior by our guests is generally unwelcome here if you were wondering.

I don’t know why Jettboy doesn’t like you but he specifically say “I think Nick is a jerk” so that is something the two of you can work out elsewhere I guess.

By: Nick Literski

Nick Literski — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:07:10 +0000

See, this is where I really do need to learn by example how to live righteously. I should get it through my thick skull that if someone says something you disagree with, the proper response is to call them names. In fact, even if you agree in part with what someone says, you should jump into the fray and call that person names, just because it’s cool and fun.

I apologize for the offense caused by my needless snarky comment, folks. At the same time, I hope some of you aren’t holding yourselves out as examples of the behavior you believe I should conform to.

By: Jettboy

Jettboy — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:59:20 +0000

On the other hand, 9 out of 10 times, that is the CORRECT answer to most of the silly questions asked about Mormons. That others don’t like the answer is THEIR problem and not a Mormons. Unlike a lot of other religions, Mormonism is not tied down to absolutes and creeds. I think Nick is a jerk, but frankly that quote is probably similar to what I would have said, and what should be said more often.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:37:25 +0000

Nick,

Do you ever wonder why people in the bloggernacle think you’re a jerk sometimes? Let me suggest that it is because you like to take potshots at people like President Hinckley like you did in #14. (Either that or it’s because you really are a jerk…)

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:37:02 +0000

Nick, that’s cheap and tacky. I know we don’t teach being cheap and tacky.