Book of Mormon -- commentary wiki?

[Guest tomk]

Are there any wiki's that go verse by verse through the book of mormon?

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Not yet. I'm building one (well, eventually) but it's not exactly an easy process. Figuring out wikimedia is a feat of its own.

I plan to buy a domain name and set up a scripture wiki there, and build a distributable package so other people can run their own wikis wherever for them and their friends to add footnotes, cross-references, and commentary. That's the plan.

If I can get the domain name and wikimedia set up and properly configured on it, I'll post on these forums so people can help me start adding scriptures. No commentary at first, gotta make sure all the scriptures are there first I think. I've got a SQL database of the scriptures that might make it easier to import, but not sure yet...

[Bookmeister]

I'm just glad that I learned how to read and write before the appearance of the computer...this means that I'm not afraid to use an actual book...

[Guest tomk]

I'm just glad that I learned how to read and write before the appearance of the computer...this means that I'm not afraid to use an actual book...

I love to read. That is one area where the computer has not quite filled the space IMHO.

I don't enjoy reading online for enjoyment as much as a PAPER book. Not sure how to explain it.

Where the internet / computers excel is SEARCHING and LINKING stuff together. So I use them for such. I use the appropriate tool for the situation.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

I love to read. That is one area where the computer has not quite filled the space IMHO.

I don't enjoy reading online for enjoyment as much as a PAPER book. Not sure how to explain it.

Where the internet / computers excel is SEARCHING and LINKING stuff together. So I use them for such. I use the appropriate tool for the situation.

Ditto on the books.

My plan for the wiki is to build a complete scripture compendium similar to scriptures.lds.org complete with footnotes and cross links, except in wiki format so I can add my own notes and cross references and interpretations - and leave it open to my friends to do the same. I plan to make a self-contained version that I can distribute so others can do the same, and possibly even leave one up online for (almost) anybody to add to.

I'd also like to see it include study manuals, priesthood manuals, and some of that "extra" literature such as JS's Lectures on Faith and Jesus the Christ etc. However these all have copyright issues, so I won't be able to distribute them in my open package unless or until I get permission from the publishers. But I think I can still get away with it in my personal version

And btw - I'm totally open to suggestions for features, improvements, additions, or even domain names!

[WANDERER]

...a commentary wiki would be great, but a massive undertaking.

I have downloaded books onto my mp3...great for housework and such...but much slower than actual reading...ack...because I'd like to have my library converted to palm size. Also I've d/l some of the literature that is on common license...from the historical library sources...because it's there and nowhere else. I think online libraries and books need to progress more for a portable reader to be worthwhile...as well as wireless services. Someday...perhaps.

[rayhale]

I would like to state that I think a site that everyone can put their own comments down for every verse is great, but I feel I need to add, it shouldn’t be a wiki, in that if you write you ideas on lets say John 3:16, then if someone else doesn’t like what you wrote, then they can erase what you wrote, then put down what they feel. If the site were in the style of a forum like this, then it would be great. Personally like reading, and listening, to other people’s point of view, even if I don’t agree with them.

[poulsenll]

Are there any wiki's that go verse by verse through the book of mormon?

This is not a WIKI but does go through and comment verse by verse.

Book of Mormon Commentary

He has expanded this in book form. Six volumes "Second Witness"

Second Witness

Larry P

[skalenfehl]

I've enjoyed this site.

The Book of Mormon Online

There are all kinds of commentary as you read along. At the very bottom of the page you can select any book, chapter and verse and just listen along and click on the colored dots for the commentary and info.

Edited September 1, 2008 by skalenfehl

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

I would like to state that I think a site that everyone can put their own comments down for every verse is great, but I feel I need to add, it shouldn’t be a wiki, in that if you write you ideas on lets say John 3:16, then if someone else doesn’t like what you wrote, then they can erase what you wrote, then put down what they feel. If the site were in the style of a forum like this, then it would be great. Personally like reading, and listening, to other people’s point of view, even if I don’t agree with them.

Setting it up like wikipedia would be almost disasterous because of all the religious disagreement even among fellow LDS. My plan was to make it a "members only" wiki that only my friends and close associates (including nonmembers) would have access to edit, but everyone could freely view. The forum idea is nice, but I think your threads would quickly get out of hand in terms of length. And a forum has just as much propensity to get hostile as a wiki.... A wiki allows for brevity in the commentary with discussion on a linked page, all with tables of contents and a relatively simple but powerful editor. I suppose it boils down to personal preference.

I'm basically thinking of it as a place for me to take more notes about my scriptures than there is room in the margins (or in my case, 3x5 card bookmarks). Being able to share notes with my friends is an added bonus, IMO. I may try to find a way to link a forum to it where anyone can sign up and discuss what's going on in the wiki and then be able to be invited to join the wiki project. But I don't want 2000 people on the wiki, that's a LOT of commentary... Something more private feels more appropriate to me.