By now, readers here know that I support 80-90% of what Book of Mormon Central does because I share their stated objective of making the Book of Mormon more accessible to the world.
It is that objective that leads me not to support 10-20% of what they do because they continue to promote M2C as the only acceptable explanation for the historicity and geography of the Book of Mormon.
I think M2C is a mistake for many reasons, but I also don't think everyone who believes the Book of Mormon has to agree about the geography and historicity issues. I'm fine with people believing whatever they want, so long as it works for them. But I'm not fine with people, especially self-appointed intellectuals, telling everyone else what they have to believe and censoring alternative ideas.
In my view, the only effective approach, given current conditions, is the one the Church has adopted: neutrality.
However, Book of Mormon Central, its management, donors, and employees, are anything but neutral about geography and historicity. I don't have any reason to think that will change anytime soon. However, a course correction is always possible.
I understand that M2C is important to the M2C intellectuals and their followers. So I'm wondering, how can everyone work together to advance the cause of the Book of Mormon, despite differences of opinion about how to interpret and apply the text to issues of historicity and geography?
IOW, how can everyone work together?
_____
It seems obvious that the ideal solution would be to recognize and respect other opinions by offering comparisons and explanations so everyone can make informed decisions for themselves.
I'm not only willing to do that: I've provided such comparisons. I link to the explanations provided by those who promote M2C and other theories.
I think full and open disclosure is the best way to go.
But Book of Mormon Central and the rest of the M2C citation cartel disagree. They believe only they are qualified to interpret the scriptures (hence, Dan P.'s Interpreter), and they don't even want members of the Church to know about alternatives.
If anyone has any ideas about how to get the various groups to work together, email them to me and I'll discuss them on this blog.
_____
The Apostles were persecuted, and with one exception perhaps, were finally martyred. And the churches they established never came to that union which the Savior prayed for, and consequently they failed to stand the tide of opposition.
The Latter-day Saints are trying to do the work that Israel failed to do; and that the former Saints did not accomplish, and we can only do it by becoming one even as the Father and the Son are one, and this in order that the world may believe that we are sent of God. We have got to be perfect, and come to the measure of the stature of Christ Jesus, in order that the world may know that Jesus has sent and commissioned His Apostles, and restored the holy Priesthood.
If we have division in our midst; if we be divided either spiritually or temporally, we never can be the people that God designs us to become, nor can we ever become instruments in His hands of making the world believe that the holy Priesthood has been restored, and that we have the everlasting Gospel. In order for us to effect the purposes of God, we shall have to do as Jesus did—conform our individual will to the will of God, not only in one thing, but in all things, and to live so that the will of God shall be in us.
(1880s1882, LS Lord in teres ¶7 • JD 23:341)
THE LORD INTERESTED IN THE SALVATION OF THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY—HIS PLANS, PURPOSES AND DEALINGS ALL TO THAT END—NECESSITY OF CHARITY, LOVE, UNION, ETC., IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST—THE LOGAN TEMPLE AND A PROPHETIC GLIMPSE AT ITS FUTURE.
Discourse by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, delivered at Logan, on Saturday Afternoon, Nov. 4, 1882.
It is that objective that leads me not to support 10-20% of what they do because they continue to promote M2C as the only acceptable explanation for the historicity and geography of the Book of Mormon.
In my view, the only effective approach, given current conditions, is the one the Church has adopted: neutrality.
However, Book of Mormon Central, its management, donors, and employees, are anything but neutral about geography and historicity. I don't have any reason to think that will change anytime soon. However, a course correction is always possible.
I understand that M2C is important to the M2C intellectuals and their followers. So I'm wondering, how can everyone work together to advance the cause of the Book of Mormon, despite differences of opinion about how to interpret and apply the text to issues of historicity and geography?
IOW, how can everyone work together?
_____
It seems obvious that the ideal solution would be to recognize and respect other opinions by offering comparisons and explanations so everyone can make informed decisions for themselves.
I'm not only willing to do that: I've provided such comparisons. I link to the explanations provided by those who promote M2C and other theories.
I think full and open disclosure is the best way to go.
But Book of Mormon Central and the rest of the M2C citation cartel disagree. They believe only they are qualified to interpret the scriptures (hence, Dan P.'s Interpreter), and they don't even want members of the Church to know about alternatives.
If anyone has any ideas about how to get the various groups to work together, email them to me and I'll discuss them on this blog.
_____
The Apostles were persecuted, and with one exception perhaps, were finally martyred. And the churches they established never came to that union which the Savior prayed for, and consequently they failed to stand the tide of opposition.
The Latter-day Saints are trying to do the work that Israel failed to do; and that the former Saints did not accomplish, and we can only do it by becoming one even as the Father and the Son are one, and this in order that the world may believe that we are sent of God. We have got to be perfect, and come to the measure of the stature of Christ Jesus, in order that the world may know that Jesus has sent and commissioned His Apostles, and restored the holy Priesthood.
If we have division in our midst; if we be divided either spiritually or temporally, we never can be the people that God designs us to become, nor can we ever become instruments in His hands of making the world believe that the holy Priesthood has been restored, and that we have the everlasting Gospel. In order for us to effect the purposes of God, we shall have to do as Jesus did—conform our individual will to the will of God, not only in one thing, but in all things, and to live so that the will of God shall be in us.
(1880s1882, LS Lord in teres ¶7 • JD 23:341)
THE LORD INTERESTED IN THE SALVATION OF THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY—HIS PLANS, PURPOSES AND DEALINGS ALL TO THAT END—NECESSITY OF CHARITY, LOVE, UNION, ETC., IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST—THE LOGAN TEMPLE AND A PROPHETIC GLIMPSE AT ITS FUTURE.
Discourse by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, delivered at Logan, on Saturday Afternoon, Nov. 4, 1882.
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