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Boring

I really would like to say I read the Book of Mormon and did not fall to sleep or did not feel bored but I do. I know its bad but I am looking for ways to enjoy the book what can I do?

Boring

Try to get past the "boring" parts and read it like a story, a novel. Get behind all the "and it came to pass" parts and try to see who the people are, what they did, how the Lord helped them, and how it relates to you personally. Maybe you could use one of the institute manuals to help you study.

Boring Studies Doctrine Mormon

You know, I had that problem at one time and I think as you learn about the characters and their lives it becomes easier to read. The thing that really helped me to get passed thinking it was boring was to listen to a talk by John Bytheway, "Book of Mormon Heroes." I actually bought it for my kids but after I listened to it, it made the Book of Mormon come alive and the way he talks about their stories, you remember them when you read. It was a huge leap for me and since then, I have NEVER fell asleep reading the Book of Mormon--well okay, maybe a couple times but more because of a long day than the material I was reading.
GOOD LUCK!
AlaskanLDS

Boring

Your not alone. I think many members feel your frustration. It is a very hard read using a language that we do not typically use. It is especially hard for new converts to read because of the old English. I really wish we would modernize our scripture's language. I really wish we went to the New revised standard Bible, and update the language of the Book of Mormon and D&C, but unfortunately I do not think that will happen any time soon.

Boring

I have read many "translations" of the Bible. Some are more accurate then others. And some have lost much of the limited purity of the origional KJV.

We run the risk of losing the meaning of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants if we start reinterpreting the words through modernization.

Boring

Dbakers you are right that is a concern. It is in fact the very same concern the catholic church had many years back when it was faced with the decision of changing there mass to English rather then continuing with the Latin. They feared that they would loose something in translation. However they faced a greater problem which is that there members whom they served did not understand the Latin and they were not getting much out of mass, and they were losing members and new converts. So they chose to serve their members by making it understandable even thought they would lose somethings. So I guess the question is this do we change translations in order to help members learn and grow or do we stick to the old language and keep a sacred language or and loose people who may construct false ideas due to the lack of understanding of the written word?
I feel that if we are so worried about loosing something in translation with the D&C and BOM, then why translate it into any language other then the original English? Do we not loose things with each translation? We do read the Bible in Greek. As for other bible translations, there are far superior translations then the King James. I am not sure what purity our are talking about regarding the KJV bible. There is a great book on the creation of the KJV bible. Very fascinating to see how it was created and the proaganda and liberties that were taken during its translation. Older texts have been found in both the Hebrew and the Greek that did not exists during the translation of the KJV. The NRSV for example is a great translation much better then the KJV, and is at times quoted by the brethren in CES and BYU firesides. During Joseph Smith's day the KJV was the best text of the day, but know our language in Hebrew and Greek is much better as well as the texts that we have. I remeber my undergrad when I was wet behind the ears and I brought in a KJV bible into my Hebrew class, and how out dated it was to the new versions (from a grammatical not theological view) From that day on if I was not using the original text I used a NRSV to help in my translating.
There is a new LDS commentary on the KJV available now by BYU affiliates. It is a commentary on the old English verse by verse to help us read it properly. I find it ironic that we need a translation or commentary to clarify a translation of the Bible so that we can read it. Besides with revelation why can we not get a modern translation divinely inspired?

Boring

Is there not a difference between the Catholic Church which was an apostate church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which we both believe is the only true church on the Earth led by prophets?

I had thought that this concern might come up, and I can understand that concern.

When translating the BOM and D&C it is usually put in the more formal language that corresponds to the English. There is usually only one official translation in these language, though they occasionally change because of accuracy (especially when they are first translated). Still, once the translation is made there is one official Book of Mormon in that language.

I believe the reason a modern English Version of the Book of Mormon or D&C is not created is that it would create two versions of these sacred books in the same language. I believe (and this is my opinion) that the Lord wants the BOM and D&C to be consistent in each person's Language, something that may be difficult if there were a "different" BOM or D&C.

Boring Mormon Doctrine Studies

Interesting concerns,

I believe (and this is my opinion) that the Lord wants the BOM and D&C to be consistent in each person's Language, something that may be difficult if there were a "different" BOM or D&C.

My point exactly, I feel that the old language that we use (and prayer for that matter) is not consistent with most American's language. That is why so many youth, new converts and old members do not understand our scriptures. A couple of weeks in gospel doctrine classes will show you that. When I teach institute I always allow a different translation in my Bible classes to be used. It really makes a difference with the kids that I am teaching most of which are RMs. However I do not see a change coming anytime soon. I have heard in some symposiums in Mormon studies argue that the church will not change there stance on this because some of the scriptural ideas of doctrine are based on the old language KJV, so by switching would change some doctrinal insights. But I am not to sure on that opinion.
I personally believe that the main reason is because we have created a sacred language to communicate to the divine, which separated us from other religious groups, thus such language makes our prayers, and scripture creates a false idea of being more divine then others. But that is my opinion.