Lauren, here. About an hour ago, I recieved this email from my brother.

“If you ever wanted a chance to convey your religious belief to hundreds, thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of people at one time, now is your chance.
On the front page of Reddit: “Can any Mormon explain how it’s possible to believe the story of Joseph Smith?”
Reddit has millions of readers.  http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lvabg/can_any_mormon_explain_how_its_possible_to/

The vast majority of readers will see this on the front page of Reddit since a subscription to “AskReddit” is automatic with an acct.

-Jamey”

I posted the email on my fb page, as well as The Cultural Hall page, and decided I needed to take the time to respond. This is what the Poster asked:

“I’m not really trying to be offensive, just trying to understand. The story of Joseph Smith, at least as I’ve heard it: Joseph Smith reading plates no one saw, then not being able to reproduce the findings when asked to. To a non-believer it’s pretty much saying right there, within the story: Hey, this story very clearly isn’t true. How do you reconcile that? I mean fine, it’s no more or less plausible than any other religious text, but I just want to know.

Edit: This reminds me a lot of the George Carlin bit about the Dole vs. Clinton election. And yes, I know every other religion is equally ridiculous. Not sure why I picked Mormons. Thanks for all the responses. So in short, the religion made sense in the time it was invented, gave people and still gives people answers and thus people are able to make the leap of faith. I think that answers Scientology too: Dianetics came out at a time of widespread Acid and LSD use….”

And below is my response:

“Hey, I am a practicing Mormon, once a Mormon missionary in Cleveland, a journalist, a blogger, and even host a Mormon-Themed Podcast: The Cultural Hall (www.theculturalhall.com). Although I am willing to see your point, (that to someone who has just heard such a story, it doesn’t seem logical), I also want to point out: How many Christians are there who believe Jesus Christ was born to a virgin, and that Moses spoke to a burning bush? Throughout history, God has revealed himself to His prophets and performed miracles that humans have difficulty comprehending. So really, the story of Joseph Smith, receiving a vision of God and Jesus Christ, and being commanded to translate the Book of Mormon, (which are writings of ancient prophets in the America’s, engraved upon gold plates, dating from 600 BC to about 320 A.D., who also proclaim that Jesus Christ is their Savior, and died for them–and proclaims the truth and divinity of the Bible–Is this any harder a belief to swallow that that of a perfect man who died for our sins and is Savior to the world?  As a strong Christian, and also someone who did a study abroad in Jerusalem to study Christ’s life and teachings, it only seems reasonable to think that this sort of vision could happen in the “Latter-Day’s”, if it also happened in Christ’s time, and in Moses’ time. The Bible was written by ancient prophets. So, if you have a belief in the Bible, it shouldn’t be too hard to understand why some people (the Mormons) believe there were also ancient prophets in America, also recording scriptures, and their testimony of Christ, our Savior.

As far as no one seeing the gold plates, that actually is not true. There are numerous witnesses who wrote about seeing them and feeling them, and handling them. Yes, Mormon’s do believe that an angel (The ancient prophet Moroni who is atop each Mormon temple, and who buried the plates in 320 A.D.) took them from Joseph Smith and back to Heaven. But again, where are the original scrolls from the Bible? Yes, we have the Dead Sea Scrolls which proves ancient writings at the time, but we do not have the original writings of those prophets who wrote in the Old and New Testament.

I understand why skeptics and those taking a logical look may struggle with these beliefs Mormons have, and the story of Joseph Smith. But those of the religious nature, and those who understand the meaning of faith (“things hoped for, not seen”) and those who read from the Bible, and cherish the ancient prophets words and teachings, (Thank you for the 10 Commandments, Moses!)  I would think the Mormon beliefs would make sense to many. We too have faith, that Joseph was called as a prophet to restore the Church of Christ after Christ was crucified, and all of the apostles killed. We believe the authority to act in the name of God (the Priesthood) was then taken from the earth at that time, only to be restored at a later date. We believe Joseph Smith was called as that first Latter Day prophet to restore that authority. Then, in addition, more scripture was revealed (the Book of Mormon) that confirmed the truths in the Bible, and that Christ is the Savior of the world.

This is why I believe. Because I believe in Christ. I believe in prophets. I believe in faith: “A thing hoped for, not seen”, and I feel peaceful and loved when I read the Book of Mormon, and the Bible. I also have a belief in modern day prophets. I don’t think God would stop talking to His Children. I don’t think God would not continue to reveal truths to us, His children, or stop leading and guiding us. Just as I believe in prayer and personal revelation, I believe that God could call a prophet to lead and guide His true church. I believe that: “By their fruits ye shall know them.”  I also believe that the “fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, comfort, gentleness, goodness, and faith” If the feelings I get from living a faithful life as a Mormon contain the above feelings of love, joy, and peace, and I have a great desire to lean on my Savior and “take His yoke upon me”, Then for me: I will believe in faith, the story of “Ol Joe Smith and them Golden Plates”–because of the joy they personally bring to me. -Lauren”

What do you think? Would anyone else like to respond? (hit the link above). I got word from a few people that they didn’t want to respond because of the large majority of anti-LDS users and comments on the site. But to me, that was just another reason to know I NEEDED to respond.

In fact, we’ll be having another blogger joining us soon. Molly Mormon herself. And I ask her to also respond. What do you think Molly? And if it is true, that on Reddit, there are a lot of anti-Mormon users, then I’ll also say: From here on out, The Cultural Hall will be making a much larger presence on their website. They obviously need another voice.

Thanks to my brother who sent me the Reddit link. And thank you Reddit user for asking a question dear to my heart, and one I desired to answer.