billthekirk musings

AI overview of questions…Did Joseph and Brigham Young traffick young girls to themselves… Whether Joseph Smith or Brigham Young engaged in human trafficking of young girls is a complex question with a range of interpretations and historical evidence:  Regarding Joseph Smith:  Evidence of relationships with young women: Historical records show that Joseph Smith married or was sealed to several young women, including some who were 14 years old.  Controversial aspects: Some interpretations and criticisms of his actions, especially by today's standards, suggest potential for human trafficking. One source specifically states that Smith could be considered a sexual predator for approaching these women and using his influence to pressure them into marriage. It is important to remember, however, that these interpretations are based on modern definitions of human trafficking and the historical and cultural context of the time needs to be considered.  No conclusive documentation of co...

 I recently wrote an email to a friend who said he was on the fence with the Mormon church.  I told him that I'd be happy to share with him what broke my shelf with the church and he agreed.  This is what I wrote him and I've done edits for this audience. Hi <friend>.  Thought it'd be easier to email you about this.  After I was mistreated after my divorce, I had stopped reading the doctrine and the Book of Mormon.  After a time, I came across the ex mormon community and particularly this podcast, Mormon Stories.  Pretty much the first 3 videos is what started breaking my shelf.  Here are the links... https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=6p7gAxwsM_k&t=15s https://www.youtube.com/live/ SpACeC3i85Q?si= X4FLm6gxNloNhATf https://youtu.be/NB8WE6ipM4k? si=wGb8JYkEa498Tale After that, I came across information on the church's website that further caused doubts.  For example, the translation process being presented as more of a dictation...

  Written 7/5/2025 Watched the Truman Show again, probably for my fifth time, and I am struck how closely it parallels growing up and being brainwashed by the Mormon church. Your entire life is planned for you and you are expected to follow it and not veer from it. If you do, you are threatened just like Truman was. And…everything is run by a corporation with the sole purpose of making money. Real freedom doesn’t exist as everything is manufactured for you and you are promised happiness if you just stay true to the world you are in. Your entire life is controlled, including what you should do and what relationships you should have. Even the prophets of the church tell you that "There's no more truth out there than there is in the world <we> created for you". But just like the Truman show, it’s all a lie and the real truth it outside the bubble you are put in.

  This is a transcript from a ChatGPT question I posed on 7/4/2025... What 1800s influences are in the Book of Mormon? 1. Religious Revivalism and the Second Great Awakening Context : The early 1800s, especially in western New York (the so-called "Burned-over District"), were a hotbed of religious fervor, revivals, and new Christian movements. Influence in the Book of Mormon : Frequent calls to repentance , conversion narratives, and emotional religious experiences align with revivalist preaching. The focus on personal salvation , baptism by immersion , and anti-universalism reflect major debates in that era. 📚 2. King James Bible Language and Style Context : The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, published in 1611, was the dominant religious text in Joseph Smith's time. Influence in the Book of Mormon : The text uses Elizabethan English —"thee," "thou," "ye," etc.—which was already outdated by 1830. There are ...

I had this discussion with Chat GPT on 7/1/2025.  The reason I asked this specific question is because I know AI has access to a vast array of knowledge on multiple subjects and it tells you things straight.  It made perfect sense to ask it. Based on the content and how the Book of Mormon is written...do you think it was made up? That's a thoughtful and important question — and you're not the first to wonder. Here's the honest answer: From a scholarly and historical perspective , there is strong evidence suggesting that the Book of Mormon was written in the 19th century by Joseph Smith , rather than being an ancient text translated from golden plates. Why do many scholars believe it's made up (or created in the 19th century)? Language and Writing Style The Book of Mormon uses King James English , including entire passages lifted from the King James Bible, even with translation errors unique to the 1611 version. An ancient...