The Hatchet is Passed On to FAIR

[_Tom]

Speaking of volume 1 of RBBM, I've always wondered how Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert Millet reacted to Louis Midgley's review of their Book of Mormon commentary.

Tom, you're a sneaky devil. I do have a question for you, as one who seems to have kept up on "The Review". How often are books like McConkie's given "the treatment" in current editions?

I looked through all the issues. It seems more common in the early issues (v. 1-5), but I found such reviews here and there in more recent volumes. Books on certain topics, such as Book of Mormon geography or the Book of Abraham, appear to be a common target. For some reason, the latest issues have turned more pages over to publishing lengthy essays on random topics, reviews of 20-year-old articles, and reprinted articles.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

What I see is a "turf war". I think the scholars are trying to remove the influence the self-taught, non-academics types like Meldrum, Yorgason and others have on the LDS population, that challenge the scholar positions.

While they may think their actions, are well-intentioned, and I'm certain they have a long list of reasons for going after these people, I am skeptical that this doesn't come down to plain pride and competition.

It seems that FAIR/FARMS have been quite agressive in attacking these others they are practically labeling "snake oil salesmen" and working to discredit them. While I don't agree with Meldrum' opinions, I believe he has as much right as the scholars to push his theories--not in church meetings, but he has the right to write books and sell DVDs, as much as the academics have to write their books and make their documentaries.

I say, let the members decide who makes a better case for their theories. And I say that LDS should be very careful about contending with other LDS. If they want to point out the problems with Meldrum's research, then do it carefully, without questioning the man's loyalty to the church--a cheap tactic that should not be stooped to.

I should add that anyone putting out work based on a "scholarly" approach should be willing to allow that material to be looked at and critiqued. In turn, any author can critique the work of those critiquing them, as well. The best approach would be one in which insult or offense is avoided as much as possible, but reviewing books and presentations is the right of anyone who actually reads them.

Lastly, I am not aware of anything FAIR has written that questions Meldrum's loyalty to the Church. That would be a pretty cheap tactic that should not be stooped to.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

Who could be hateful to the man who wrote Chester, I Love You?

As a little girl I read that book and sobbed and sobbed, heartbroken from chapter one about the distant, but sure day poor Chester would end up as the main course of Mr. Larson's Thanksgiving dinner.

I read a few other books by Yorgason, but the one I remember best is Chester, I Love You. With an opus like that, who cares what he wrote about evidences of the Book of Mormon?

;)

Kimberly Ann

Agreed.

[_Sethbag]

Lastly, I am not aware of anything FAIR has written that questions Meldrum's loyalty to the Church. That would be a pretty cheap tactic that should not be stooped to.

What do you think of the FAIR attack letter's use of "Mr. Meldrum" consistently throughout the article, rather than the expected "Brother Meldrum"? Do you not think the use of "Mr. Meldrum" was calculated to subvert his co-equal LDS standing amongst the readers of the attack article? When have you ever seen LDS address other known and active LDS, in a discussion about LDS beliefs, in this way?

[_truth dancer]

Hi A.I.,

I believe he has as much right as the scholars to push his theories--not in church meetings,

Why not in church meetings?

Meldrum's "theories" are those of Joseph Smith and other prophets of the LDS church.

If he is reiterating talks and messages from prophets and leaders, (given in official capacity as prophets and leaders), sharing the revelations and inspirations of Joseph Smith and other leaders why is it not appropriate to share this in church?

For example, if Rodney shared Joseph Smith's complete Wentworth letter (rather than the abbreviated one shared in the SS manual), in church would that be somehow inappropriate?

It seems to me that the apologists are the ones not in harmony with church teachings and perhaps should not be sharing their theories in church.

It seems to me that Meldrum is basically only sharing "evidence" to support the prophets' theories.

~td~

[_Daniel Peterson]

It was a solemn moment when the double-bladed executioner's axe was passed from FARMS to FAIR.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

We met for the ceremony on the upper slopes of Mount Doom, in the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie. The director of FARMS, Sauron the Necromancer, bestowed the axe upon the president of FAIR, also known as the Witch-King of Angmar, lord of the Nazgul, while lava flowed all around and lightning flashed in the black skies above and Krispy Kreme doughnuts were distributed freely among the assembled orcs. It was one of the most impressive ritual occasions in which I've ever participated. I think I found the human sacrifices the most moving aspect of the transfer, although I never tire of the wondrous music of Yanni.

[_dblagent007]

It was a solemn moment when the double-bladed executioner's axe was passed from FARMS to FAIR.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

We met for the ceremony on the upper slopes of Mount Doom, in the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie. The director of FARMS, Sauron the Necromancer, bestowed the axe upon the president of FAIR, also known as the Witch-King of Angmar, lord of the Nazgul, while lava flowed all around and lightning flashed in the black skies above and Krispy Kreme doughnuts were distributed freely among the assembled orcs. It was one of the most impressive ritual occasions in which I've ever participated. I think I found the human sacrifices the most moving aspect of the transfer, although I never tire of the wondrous music of Yanni.

ROTFL!!!

[_LifeOnaPlate]

What do you think of the FAIR attack letter's use of "Mr. Meldrum" consistently throughout the article, rather than the expected "Brother Meldrum"? Do you not think the use of "Mr. Meldrum" was calculated to subvert his co-equal LDS standing amongst the readers of the attack article? When have you ever seen LDS address other known and active LDS, in a discussion about LDS beliefs, in this way?

It wasn't an editorial decision I had any input towards. From what I understand, the writers elected to use "Mr." over "brother" to clarify that his dvd was being critiqued from a scholarly standpoint, and elected to use "Mr." rather than simply a last name, as some felt that would be read the wrong way as though it was disrespectful to simply use the last name. Either way, this is an aspect of the letter that could be read as disrespectful no matter what FAIR elected to use. People could complain regardless of how his name was used, and I believe there was absolutely no ill intent or insult meant by using "Mr. Meldrum." It's an easy aspect to get sidetracked on, as evidenced by you, and others who have questioned the "Mr." thing. It was never intended to be insulting or anything of that sort.

[_Sethbag]

Loap, with all due respect, that's b***s***. Sorry, but this is pretty obvious.

The appearance of a bodyslam was all too obvious if they actually considered the pros and cons of using "Mr.", and the perported advantage of the use of "Mr." supporting the scholarliness of the article could not possibly have outweighed the perceived slam in the context of LDS culture.

Not only that, but part of their critique included judgment calls on the religious appropriateness of Meldrum's referencing his own revelations, which pretty conclusively removes the critique from the realm of scholarship and into the realm of religious squabble, submarining the whole justification you just asserted.

I ask again: when have you ever seen two factions of LDS apologists refer to the other as "Mr." rather than "Brother", if a title was used at all, in a discussion about LDS belief and religion?

[_Gadianton]

Lastly, I am not aware of anything FAIR has written that questions Meldrum's loyalty to the Church. That would be a pretty cheap tactic that should not be stooped to.

LoP,

Basically getting in someone's face and saying, "You're an idiot, but I don't question your loyalty to the church" isn't any nicer or more professional. But I don't agree with what you say in the first place. Meldrum's loyalty has been questioned in a number of accusations and gossip debates over whether he is disobeying supposed requests of church leaders to not use church facilities for his presentation. Something that is between him, his leaders, and the Lord, not the gossipers of FAIR/MAD.

And Seth is right, they chose the hatchet. If you want to see the difference between a hatchet job and a curteous and professional scholarly disagreement, please see Volume 1 of the FROB and contrast Hoskisson's review with Tvedtness's.