… Read the Book of Mormon Without Proper Mormon Grooming!
Social Justice Warrior, Greta “How Dare You!” Thunberg, weighs in on the matter.
by Fred W. Anson
The Book of Mormon is one of the worse pieces of American literature ever published. I say this as someone who has read it cover-to-cover not just once but more than once and then only after studying it for decades prior to that. But hey, don’t take my word for it, take the word of the man who is considered by many to be one of America’s greatest authors and creator of some of the best American literature ever written, Mark Twain, who said of the book:
“All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the “elect” have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so “slow,” so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle—keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, accourding to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason…
The Mormon Bible is rather stupid and tiresome to read, but there is nothing vicious in its teachings. Its code of morals is unobjectionable—it is “smouched” from the New Testament and no credit given.”
(Mark Twain, “Roughing It”, Chapter 16)
Or how about the assessment of Charles H. Spurgeon, one of the most respected and influential preachers of the late 19th Century:
“One of the most modern pretenders to inspiration is the Book of Mormon. I could not blame you should you laugh outright while I read aloud a page from that farrago.”
(C.H. Spurgeon, “Our Manifesto”, April 25th, 1890)
And if you don’t believe Mark Twain, C.H. Spurgeon, or me, consider the words of Harold Bloom, American’s leading 20th Century Literary Critic:
“With the Book of Mormon, we arrive at the center of Joseph Smith’s prophetic mission, but hardly at any center of Mormonism, because of Smith’s extraordinary capacity for speculative development in the fourteen years that remained to him after its publication. The Book of Mormon was not only his first work; it is the portrait of a self-educated, powerful mind at the untried age of twenty-four. It has bravura, but beyond question it is wholly tendentious and frequently tedious. If one compares it closely to Smith’s imaginings in the Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants, it seems the work of some other writer, and I don’t mean Mormon or Moroni.”
(Harold Bloom, “The American Religion”, Chu Hartley Publishers. Kindle Edition, Locations 1184-1189)
And if you’re thinking, “Well, that’s not fair, you and Harold Bloom are critiquing a 19th Century literary style based on today’s modern standards”, consider this from Alexander Campbell, the founder, and leader of Campbellism, who said this of the book only two years after its publication:
“These are but as one drop out of a bucket compared with the amount of Smithisms in this book. It is patched up and cemented with “And it came to pass” — “I sayeth unto you” — “Ye saith unto him” — and all the King James’ haths, dids and doths; in the lowest imitation of the common version; and is, without exaggeration, the meanest book in the English language; but it is a translation made through stone spectacles, in a dark room, and in the hat of the prophet Smith from the reformed Egyptian!!! It has not one good sentence in it, save the profanation of those sentences quoted from the Oracles of the living God. I would as soon compare a bat to the American eagle, a mouse to a mammoth, or the deformities of a spectre to the beauty of Him whom John saw in Patmos, as to contrast it with a single chapter in all the writings of the Jewish or Christian prophets. It is as certainly Smith’s fabrication as Satan is the father of lies, or darkness the offspring of night. So much for the internal evidences of the Book of Mormon.”
(Alexander Campbell, “Delusions an analysis of the Book of Mormon…”, (1832), p.14)
And if that’s still not enough, I would encourage you to speak to anyone who has read the book on its own merits without having Mormon Missionaries or any other Mormon influence hovering around them and telling them what a marvelous work and a wonder this insipid mess of mangled Elizabethan English combined with antiquated 19th Century ideas (such as American Restorationism and American Anglo-Israelism) it really is.
So the question remains, then how and why can millions of Mormons all over the world claim that this horrible book is some kind of inspired glory? Enter the power of suggestion. From the 2004 edition of the current, official LdS Church Missionary Manual:
“This message of the Restoration is either true or it is not. We can know that it is true by the Holy Ghost, as promised in Moroni 10:3–5. After reading and pondering the message of the Book of Mormon, any who desire to know the truth must ask in prayer to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true. In order to do this, we address our Heavenly Father. We thank Him for our blessings and ask to know that the message of the Book of Mormon is true. No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer.
In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts.
Feelings that come from the Holy Ghost are powerful, but they are also usually gentle and quiet. As we begin to feel that what we are learning is true, we will desire to know all that we can about the Restoration.
Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true leads to a knowledge that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him.”
(LdS Church, “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service” (2004 edition), p.39)
Not enough? Then how about this from former LdS Church President and “Living Prophet” Thomas S. Monson?
“This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.
We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.
If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.
My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
(Thomas S. Monson, “The Power of the Book of Mormon”, Spring General Conference 2017)
I mean, with over-the-top hyperbole and gushing like that how can it possibly be anything but one of the greatest, most powerful, stunningly inspired, incredible, works of English literature ever produced, right?
Two words in response: Read it. Yes, read it yourself so you can experience “inspired” prose like this, for yourself:
1 Nephi 14
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
Wow, how can you argue with circular, over-blown, repetitious, grammar-challenged, gibberish like that?
Missionaries weigh in on the matter.
Back in December 2019, my Mormon Studies colleague, Kathy Petersen, had the brilliant idea of setting up a Book of Mormon daily reading program so non-Mormons could do just that – read it all in a year, cover-to-cover, just like many Bible reading programs out there do. And to do all that without any Mormon influence or interference, so the group could discuss the book honesty without being told (see above) what we should think and feel about it in advance, during, or after it was read. So she did. And, full disclosure here, I agreed to help her get it established, running and maintained because, candidly, I thought that the idea was pure, absolute, genius (still do!) Here’s how the group description, in part, reads:
“The One Year BOM: Non-Mormons Reading Through the Book of Mormon in a Year (aka “TOYBOM”) is specifically for Non-Mormons reading the Book of Mormon in a year as a group so that we can openly and honestly discuss and deconstruct it without any Mormon interference, umbrage, or offense…
NO MORMONS ARE ALLOWED HERE
Mormons (that is, members of any Latter Day Saint group or denomination) are NOT allowed in this group. Period.
That’s so we can speak freely and deconstruct the Book the Mormon honestly and openly without having to deal with the typical Latter Day Saint agendas, dogmas, thin-skinned offense, spin doctoring, and confirmation bias driven apologetics that typically swirl around the Book of Mormon in public.
Our goal here is to quietly, objectively, civilly and dispassionately consider the Book of Mormon devoid of any of such partisan Latter Day Saint encumbrances.”
(see Facebook, The One Year BOM: Non-Mormons Reading Through the Book of Mormon in a Year)
The wailing, moaning, and gnashing of teeth that we got from Latter-day Saints in general, and Mormon Missionaries was swift and to the point: We were told that no one could possibly understand or appreciate this great, soaring, inspired, paradigm-changing work on its own without Latter-day Saints being in the room to explain it to them. We were told by virtue of the fact that Mormons could not be a part of the discussion and conversation the Book of Mormon would, no doubt, be completely misunderstood and misinterpreted by the non-Mormons in the group.
To all this, my Latter-day Friends and Mormon Missionary friends I just have one question: Why?
After all, if the Book of Mormon is truly everything that you all claim it is, shouldn’t it speak for itself? Shouldn’t its stunning inspiration and clear veracity be apparent simply by cracking its cover and reading it? Shouldn’t it be exactly as the Moroni 10 Challenge states?
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
— Moroni 10:3-5
Latter-day Saint friends, can you please show us where in the Moroni 10 Challenge it says, “Unless, of course, there are no Latter-day Saints around or present to groom and guide you, in which case, fuggedaboutit!”? I can’t seem to find it, and neither can anyone else.
So, back to the “The One Year BOM: Non-Mormons Reading Through the Book of Mormon in a Year” group. We started the daily readings and it didn’t take long before the wailing, moaning, and gnashing of teeth were soon coming from these intrepid non-Mormons who had committed to reading this overwhelmingly boring and dreadfully written book in a year. They were stunned, absolutely stunned from the front cover to the back cover that anyone could come to anything but the obvious conclusion that (to borrow and paraphrase from Lamoni’s queen in Alma 19:5): As for myself, to me it doth truly stink.
So I will end this article the way that I began it: The Book of Mormon is one of the worse pieces of American literature ever published. Or to put it another way, friends, the Emperor has no clothes! And if you doubt that, then just read it for yourself. With no one else around. It speaks for itself, and it says loudly, “These things are not true.”
I think that anyone who has actually done it can relate to this.
Beggar's Bread 
Even back when I was active, I couldn’t stand the BofM. The syntax is beyond ridiculous, all of the prophets sound like preachy, self-impressed clones of each other, and the “crowning moment” where Jesus visits the Americas that everyone gets gushy over is just him ripping off the Bible with some added group prayer and angel moments.
LikeLike
How interesting, albeit strangely negative from your personal viewpoint. I really am curious about what a person’s reaction would be without any influence, as you said.
Then again, Dawkins said that …I believe it was Churchill’s son… hadn’t read the Bible ever, and had a few, humorous, choice words to say on it.
LikeLike
Thank you for commenting on my article, I appreciate it.
Chel Owens wrote, “How interesting, albeit strangely negative from your personal viewpoint.”
And the personal viewpoint of Mark Twain, Harold Bloom, Charles Spurgeon, and many that I didn’t mention, due to space limitations. You DID read the article before you commented didn’t you? It’s all right there, isn’t it?
Chel Owens wrote, “I really am curious about what a person’s reaction would be without any influence, as you said.”
And the article tells us plainly what such a person’s reaction would be in their own words, doesn’t it? Again, you DID read the article before you commented, didn’t you? It’s all right there. Stated plainly, history, time, and real-world experience all demonstrate that if someone picks up the Book of Mormon without any Mormon influence or grooming of any kind it’s usually put back down before they get through 1 Nephi because the writing is so horrendous and the content of the book is patently absurd.
The ONLY thing that makes this absolutely horrible book of any interest or value to folks is a Mormon somewhere telling them how utterly awesome, great, and potent it is. That’s it.
That’s why I ENCOURAGE non-Mormons to pick up the Book of Mormon and just read it. But do it without outside influence of ANY kind – be it mine, a Mormon’s, or anybody else’s. That is why I have also written this article: https://beggarsbread.org/2021/01/03/why-non-mormons-should-read-the-book-of-mormon/
I WANT non-Mormons to read the Book of Mormon. I push it, in fact. I insist on it whenever I can.
The book really does speak for itself. It’s awful.
Chel Owens wrote, “Then again, Dawkins said that …I believe it was Churchill’s son… hadn’t read the Bible ever, and had a few, humorous, choice words to say on it.”
OK. And? Mark Twain also had some humorous, choice words to say about the Bible but he STILL acknowledged that it was great literature. Ditto for Harold Bloom, who was a Gnostic. And then there’s the fact that there is widespread consensus – even by its critics – that it’s a masterpiece. Leland Ryken, is a professor of English emeritus at Wheaton College, and here’s what he had to say about the Bible as literature ONLY:
“The literary nature of the Bible opens the way to its being studied as part of the literature curriculum of any school. This is not the only place in which to locate the academic study of the Bible, but it is the most natural place. Among other considerations, it is useful to note that there is something prototypical about the Bible. In the Bible we see the essential principles of literature highlighted. This makes the Bible the best possible introduction to literature and its techniques.
But is the Bible important literature? Yes, it is the world’s most famous literary work. In fact, it is the central book of English-speaking cultures throughout the ages. It has provided the cohesive frame of reference (what some literary scholars would call the mythological universe) for England and America. Compared to the Bible, even the collected works of Shakespeare are demonstrably in the second tier.
A further dimension of the literary importance of the Bible is that it is the primary source and influence for English and American literature. The oldest extant piece of English literature (“Caedmon’s Hymn”) takes the story of creation in Genesis 1-2 as its material and is modeled on the Bible’s psalms of praise. A clear line of continuity exists between this poem and a modern novel like Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. We can’t even get past the first sentence of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick without knowing the Bible; that sentence reads, “Call me Ismael.”’
(Leland Ryken, “The Bible as literature”, The Washington Times, December 11, 2014; https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/11/the-bibles-influence-the-bible-as-literature/)
Ms. Owens, you don’t see Atheists teaching classes on “The Book of Mormon as Literature”, but you do see them teaching those classes on the Bible, don’t you?
That’s hardly a coincidence, is it?
Lastly, I see from your blog articles that you are a Latter-day Saint woman. I find it odd that you would be throwing one of your own canonized Standard Works (The Bible) under the bus in order to save the Book of Mormon. After all, doesn’t Article 8 of your church say this?
“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
(see https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?lang=eng)
So why are you throwing God’s Word under the bus to save the words of Joseph Smith? It seems odd to me.
Thank you again, for taking the time to comment on my article, it’s appreciated.
LikeLike
You completely, absolutely misunderstand. THAT reaction is understandable since I dropped out of the blue to comment on your post.
Believe me that I meant no harm nor hypocrisy. I did read your article, and your very long response. I apologize that I haven’t the time to address things as thoroughly as you since I usually read and comment on blogs while nursing my baby.
I am therefore responding to your response to assure you of only good intentions, a sincere curiosity (since you merely stated that the non-Mormons without Mormon influence got bored of the reading exercise and didn’t provide quotes or such other reactions), and a straightforward and honest realization that I had not considered the BOM’s reception to said niche group.
I also did not mean to throw anything under any bus nor am I interested in saving Joseph Smith or the LDS church. I lack the time to find the specific anecdote I referenced, though it’s in The God Delusion. I’m sure I thought to mention it because finding someone who has not been exposed to The Bible until his adult years is rare, and I thought it a similar reaction to the one you described to the BOM.
LikeLike
Thank you for clarifying, it’s appreciated.
Now regarding this, “The God Delusion. I’m sure I thought to mention it because finding someone who has not been exposed to The Bible until his adult years is rare, and I thought it a similar reaction to the one you described to the BOM.”
Yes, I am quite familiar with Richard Dawkin’s book “The God Delusion”. It’s hardly a book without an agenda, is it? Consider this from the same work:
“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”
(Richard Dawkins, “The God Delusion”, p.31; Houghton Mifflin, 2006)
As I said of this work in another article:
“Sadly, Mr. Dawkin’s Neo-Atheist work doesn’t appear to be interested in an honest, nuanced approach to the issues that he raises. Rather, he seems to prefer bombastic, over-heated polemics, hyperbole, and misrepresenting both those he disagrees with and his sources. I would hope that you can be better than that – more thoughtful intellectually honest, to be specific. As the saying goes, there really are two sides to every story.”
(Fred W. Anson, “15 Things Christians are Tired of Hearing from Ex-Mormon Atheists (Part Three)”; https://beggarsbread.org/2020/04/26/15-things-christians-are-tired-of-hearing-from-ex-mormon-atheists-part-three/ )
In a similar vein, I am also quite familiar with the stock and standard Mormon Apologetic against the honest opinions of myself and my sources regarding the Book of Mormon. In fact, you have repeated it yourself only in a more even, civil, and respectful tone than I usually get from Latter-day Saints – which I appreciate, thank you!
But the fact of the matter is this: The Book of Mormon is just a horrible book. It’s a fail by ANY measure. And all one need do to see this is pick it up and read it – which I have now done several times, cover-to-cover. And I can assure you it doesn’t get ANY better after the first run-through, in fact, it just gets worse.
Consider last night’s TOYBOM reading: 2 Nephi 19&20, they are straight plagiarism of Isaiah chapter 9&10 (chapters 19&20 respectively in the Book of Mormon). And, to its credit, the LdS Church implicitly admits as much in the headers for these chapters:
‘Isaiah speaks messianically—The people in darkness will see a great light—Unto us a child is born—He will be the Prince of Peace and will reign on David’s throne—Compare Isaiah 9. About 559–545 B.C.’
AND
‘The destruction of Assyria is a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming—Few people will be left after the Lord comes again—The remnant of Jacob will return in that day—Compare Isaiah 10. About 559–545 B.C.’
This book clearly isn’t anything but a man-contrive work. It’s hardly “inspired” by any stretch of the imagination. Stated plainly: These things are not true, not even close to it.
And all you have to do to see this is pick it up and read it.
Thank you again for your clarification. And your continuing even tone and civility are both noted and appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course. And I agree about Dawkins, although the book was entertaining enough that I didn’t mind wading through his tone. :D
LikeLike
LOL. You’re not alone. Even other Atheists took issue with his tone in the book and his tactics in general.
Full disclosure: I’m a former Atheist and I was pretty vocal and militant in my own right, but I NEVER would have dreamed of taking things to the level that Dawkins does. Thankfully, his over-the-top polemics haven’t been ignored by his peers. I thought that this one, in particular, was brilliant:
“There are two reasons to reject the oppositional anti-theism of Richard Dawkins. First, stridency alienates both religious and non-religious communities. When this critique is raised, atheists indignantly respond that we are allowed to be vocal and opinionated in all other spheres of life. The problem with that response is not one of factual inaccuracy but rather of a profound lack of empathy for the subjective importance of faith. This importance does not categorically exclude the possibility of religious criticism but it renders strident criticism counter-productive.
Religious critiques that are not sensitive to this understanding are perceived as violent assaults on the values that religious people hold most dear. It drives religious communities to insularity by vindicating the claims of extremist pedagogues that religion is under threat. On the atheist side, it commands non-believers to view the religious—their family, friends and neighbors—as stupid and immoral. Insofar as the atheist movement can be a force for good, it must have currency and support. This cannot be achieved through insult and verbal abuse.
Further, the Dawkins brand of atheism is overly reliant on science at the expense of other moral and spiritual concerns. The vast majority of moderate religious people are not religious for reasons cleanly reducible to science or rational theology. The very word faith suggests that values like spirituality and the instinctive belief in a higher power shape individuals’ daily engagement with their religion. The problem then is not that Richard Dawkins and the religious communities hold different views but rather that the value systems from which their views arise are incommensurable. Dawkins’ atheism cannot genuinely engage with religion because the importance placed on scientific proof and spirituality, respectively, is not shared on both sides. Genuine engagement requires a conversation based on shared value systems. Richard Dawkins’ narrow focus on science precludes such a possibility.”
(Bo Seo, “Dawkins Is Not Great”; https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/11/21/Harvard-Dawkins-damaging/)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent. At the time that I read it, I would have loved to find criticisms and discussions on it. Now, I haven’t the time.
And, in reply, I also went through an atheist period. I’m hardly apologetic -intentionally selecting known apologist tactics, anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@Chel Owens, thank you again for clarifying. I appreciate it.
Just so you know, throwing the Bible under the bus to save the Book of Mormon is a Mormon Apologist tactic that dates back to… well… Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon itself.
As one analyst said so well:
“In defense of God, Joseph Smith assailed the natural revelation of deism and the static revelation of traditional Christianity. To enable revealed religion to overcome natural religion, however, he supported the deistic attack upon the view that the present Bible is God’s complete and errorless revelation to mankind. Destruction of the traditional view left him free to preserve special revelation by his own means.”
(Robert N. Hullinger, Mormon Answer to Skepticism: Why Joseph Smith Wrote the Book of Mormon, Clayton Publishing House, 1980, p. 150; http://signaturebookslibrary.org/joseph-smith-skepticism/)
And, of course, one need go no further than the pages of the Book of Mormon itself to see this as well:
2 Nephi
3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.
4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.
6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
So there it is. In black & white.
LikeLike