Please share your insights

[firefighter007]

I was hoping you guys on this forum could help me out. I had a long talk with a friend of mine today about the gospel. He has some questions that I had a hard time answering simply because I have not really looked into or studied the subjects. Here are some of the questions he has...

1- Why did the church seem to be racist toward blacks in it's early days?
2- Why have there been changes made to the Book of Mormon over the years?
3- Is there really any archeological evidence of the Lamanites and Nephites living in the Americas?

Many of you on this forum are much more knowledgeable than I, and I would appreciate it very much if some of you would give me some insight on some of these questions.

Thank you!!!

[linj2fly]

FAIR LDS is the best place I know of that addresses all of these concerns...

http://en.fairmormon.org/Main_Page

http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_ ... priesthood
http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Archaeology
http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Textual_changes

[Mahonri]

What is "racist"? Is the Church "sexist" since women can't be Bishop? The Lord has restricted His priesthood to groups of people through out time, and is talked about throughout the scriptures. Is God a racist?

changes in the Book of Mormon is covered quite well by the Ensign http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?local ... 82620aRCRD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tons of evidence for the Book of Mormon. From paintings including both white and dark skinned people , to the tree of life artifacts and so much more

[JohnnyL]

I was hoping you guys on this forum could help me out. I had a long talk with a friend of mine today about the gospel. He has some questions that I had a hard time answering simply because I have not really looked into or studied the subjects. Here are some of the questions he has...

1- Why did the church seem to be racist toward blacks in it's early days?
2- Why have there been changes made to the Book of Mormon over the years?
3- Is there really any archeological evidence of the Lamanites and Nephites living in the Americas?

Many of you on this forum are much more knowledgeable than I, and I would appreciate it very much if some of you would give me some insight on some of these questions.

Thank you!!!

My quick POV:
1. Racist? Not really, especially compared to the times. Priesthood? Yes, limited.
2. Most changes are pretty much insignificant, or for clarification.
3. What would you be looking for?
First we have to find out where they were... New York? Mesoamerica? elsewhere?
I'm sure there's evidence... somewhere. It would be easier to take a look at Jerusalem and the Book of Mormon, such as by Nibley.