Former Head of BYU Anthropology Department thinks Mesoamerican LG theory is "preposterous"

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Thanks Simon!

Most Mormons are content to never waste a single brain cell on the absolute ridiculous logistical circus required to haul a library of heavy metal plates thousands of miles just to bury them in a New York hill.

[Shulem]

That divide is between such a small group of "enthusiasts". Very few ordinary members believe in any form of limited geography, as in the whole Lehite story from landing to burial of the plates, took place in a small geographical region. Even the North American nutters have to accept that the God speaking to Joseph Smith (insert multiple D&C quotes here) thought the "Indians" living all across North America were Lamanites.

But there *is* a divide and that divide can be quite intense in forming and defending their apologetic models as you well know. Ordinary members (Dr. Shade's chapel Mormons) are the dumb ones who don't take the time to collect and analyze facts, hence they are lazy learners They mimic/imitate the prophets who refuse to discuss the issues but rely on testimony alone without a need of evidence or proof. The Church officially refuses to take a stand because it knows it doesn't have a leg to stand on. The academic community outside Mormonism will simply laugh.

When young Joseph was dreaming up ideas for his Lamanite/Indians, he did so with the Indians he knew about -- those who lived in North America, Mound Builders and dark skinned peoples sporting feathers in their hair. The boy didn't know jack about Central and South America.

It’s interesting that 33% of Jasmin respondents believed the events took place in Central America. I doubt many of these folk believe the Sorenson nonsense of the plates being hauled all the way up to New York. I suspect most don’t care enough about geography to tie up all the loose ends.

Because they are stupid and ignorant people having carrot-like testimonies up their asses:

It’s obvious that there’s a very small area in which The Book of Mormon takes place. I prefer not to get into debates about where because it’s a distraction from the spiritual message of the book and how it makes me feel when I read and study it. All things will clarify in time.

The Book of Mormon is not a historical record, especially in light of the Church’s eventual acknowledgment of how Joseph Smith actually “translated” the plates. While I still find spiritual value in the Book of Mormon, I can’t help but find it amusing when members try to prove its historicity or draw connections between Book of Mormon peoples and entirely unrelated civilizations and cultures.

To me, it’s irrelevant because the spiritual landscape is what it’s all about as it testifies all through the entire record of Jesus Christ and his gospel….the same gospel he taught in the Bible.

We need to remember The Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ, not a geography textbook or an atlas.

This planet. All I know is that the whole book is divine and true.

[Doctor Scratch]

Great post, Simon. I wonder if Nuckolls can look forward to a hit-piece from Interpreter sometime in the future, for daring to question their orthodoxy?

[sock puppet]

Thanks for dropping in Simon, and keep up the good work.

The Book of Mormon took place in Smith's mind, so situating it anywhere is just a Texas Sharpshooter fallacy.

Amen