I posted the following reply to a post on Mormon Coffee claiming that critics of the Book of Mormon haven't read it.

I have probably read the Book of Mormon 20 times in my life. This includes, of course, Sunday School lessons on the Book of Mormon every four years. As a Gospel Doctrine teacher, I have taught a part or a full year of the course three different times. I even took the Book of Mormon class twice at BYU (by choice not because I had to retake it).

In fact I continue to read it today. (I am just starting on the book of Alma and look forward to reviewing that book's discussion of being born again ("this mighty change in your hearts") and compare it with my experience since coming to Christ through grace not works.

I must admit that the Book of Mormon is an enigma. I know that many non-Mormons who have read it find it difficult to stay awake but I thought it was a good read. The book contains good stories and some good counsel and a sincere attempt at expounding truth. Sometime I will have to relate my experience with the Book of Mormon on the night of September 11th.

But the Book of Mormon is not what it purports to be.

* There is no archaeological evidence of "the ancient inhabitants of the Americas" described in the Book of Mormon.

* The Book of Mormon is not "the most correct of any book on earth" given the revisions with doctrinal significance and the anachronisms.

* The Book of Mormon does not contain "the fulness of the everlasting gospel" . Other essential doctrines of salvation needed to be included in other books in the LDS cannon. The Book of Mormon does not include important salvidic ordinances such as modern temple ordinances and does not endorse the practice of plural marriage which was taught in early Church history to be required for exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom.

There are other reasons and I know that Mormons will dismiss these as the "same old tired" attacks. I know the defenses against these critiques of the Book of Mormon. I used them often as a Mormon including a two-year mission in France. But once I learned to trust the Bible rather than discount it, I could not square the Book of Mormon with what the Bible said.

The bottom line for me: The Bible is the Word of God; the Book of Mormon is a book that talks about God.

Moroni's promise says to ask "if these things are not true." I believe the Holy Spirit tells me it is not. That is, not the Word of God.

I hope that I am never guilty of criticizing or "mocking" LDS people for their sincerity nor the experiences which lead them to their faith. But so many people of different religions claim personal revelation to support their view (in fact, I just did and I hope you find my testimony just as sincere).

But I must put everything to the test (1 Jn 4;1; 1 Thes 5:21) for the sake of my own salvation and preach the true gospel for the salvation of others (Romans 10:10).