Testing 1, 2, 3, testing 1, 2, 3, this is Radio Free Mormon on the air broadcasting

behind Enemy Lines. Tonight's episode, Sherlock Holmes vs. Joseph Smith or Book of Mormon Origins

and the process of elimination. Tonight I want to talk about a Mormon apologetic theory that has

risen as of late, the purpose of which is to prove that the Book of Mormon really is divine,

really is inspired, really is from God and really was produced through angelic administration

and translation through the gift and power of God. The apologists have been trying to prove

that true for a long time, but unfortunately as more and more information is discovered about

ancient history both in the Old World and in the New, the quest to prove the Book of Mormon true

by rational argument and evidence continues to recede beyond the apologists' grasp

like chasing the end of the rainbow. Because of that, around 20 years ago or so,

the apologists came up with a new idea, and that idea was not to prove the Book of Mormon true,

but to prove that all the naturalistic explanations for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon

are not true, with the idea in mind that once you have eliminated the competition,

the only man standing i.e. the divine explanation for the Book of Mormon must be correct.

And of course, this is where Sherlock Holmes comes in with one of his two most famous quotes.

This is where he is describing to Watson his process of elimination. When you have eliminated the

impossible, says Sherlock Holmes, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,

however improbable, must be the truth. Now, that is a wonderful statement. It is axiomatic

that that is correct. Indeed, once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,

however improbable, must be the truth. And this is the attack the apologists are taking,

or at least trying to take with this particular argument. I first heard this kind of argument

around 20 years ago, I believe it was, from Daniel C. Peterson. I don't know if he originated

...