BYU's Dr. John L. Lund Arrested.

[_jon]

I wonder if he intended to pay tithing on it...

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Hello,

I would love to see the Mopologetic treatment of this incident a la Mr. Smith's glass looking trial...

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

Since we are pouring it on.

My former father in law's father was a well known prof of geology at BYU. He spent much of his emeritus time working for FARMS and conducting tours in Israel and at NHM. I loved Christmas at his home because as a historian I found his (illegal) collection of clay lamps and Astarte goddesses very interesting. They dated back as far as 1000 BC and were personal possessions.

I was convinced then that FARMS scholars had some channels to get such contraband out of the country and this article seems to support my personal hypothesis. If others in FARMS that frequent the tour scene over there are also brushing the edges of the law, I would not be surprised.

For the record, I oppose such laws, unless the artifacts were stolen from private land or owners.

[_jon]

To be fair to Lifty Lund I don't think these were for his personal gain.
I reckon that they were for Ash, who was going to bury them somewhere in the Yucatan...

[_Malcolm]

Whether or not Dr. Lund is guilty of an antiquities crime, I doubt that he could plead ignorance of the law.

Sadly, many of the artefacts which are on show in our national museums, have been plundered over centuries from poorer nations, and are often exhibited in an out of context display.

Our own British Museum in London, has the Elgin Marbles, Rosetta Stone etc.,
neither of which truly belong to the UK. It is time that these 'stolen' antiquities were returned to their respective lands of origin.

LDS Meso-American specialists should stick to looking for Father Lehi's underpants.!

[_Chap]

It is a fact that sovereign countries have an internationally recognized right to make laws prohibiting the export of antiquities, and to enforce them. Further, most people engaged in the scholarly study of the past would agree that it is a good thing that such laws exist and are enforced, since such laws limit the economic advantages gained by those who loot ancient tombs and other sites, thereby rendering scientific studies of the evidence in context more or less impossible. For the gain of a few hundred dollars by a thief, and the benefit of a rich person having a curio on their coffee-table, we lose priceless knowledge of our past. Dr Lund is practically certain to have been fully aware of the relevant laws, and to have understood the reasons for them - though I suppose a defense attorney might always argue that he was ignorant, or confused by reason of early onset of mental infirmity due to age. We shall see in due course.

All that is quite a different matter from arguing that major world collections of antiquities and art accumulated in past centuries, often by means that were quite legal at the time of acquisition, and which are now active centers of scholarship and research should immediately be dispersed, so that, for instance, Greek sculpture could only be studied in Greece, Benin bronzes in Benin, and Chinese paintings in China. That issue is in any case not really relevant to the OP of this thread.

[_Kishkumen]

No, his guilt or innocence is not a matter of satisfaction for me. I'm willing to admit that there is a chance that Lund is totally innocent of all accusations. I think that it is unlikely, though.

Now, Quasi, you know that is not what I meant. I was saying that you appear to be sufficiently convinced by the evidence that has been presented to you thus far. I wasn't accusing you of deriving personal emotional satisfaction from his arrest, potential guilt, and so forth.

[_Quasimodo]

No, his guilt or innocence is not a matter of satisfaction for me. I'm willing to admit that there is a chance that Lund is totally innocent of all accusations. I think that it is unlikely, though.

Now, Quasi, you know that is not what I meant. I was saying that you appear to be sufficiently convinced by the evidence that has been presented to you thus far. I wasn't accusing you of deriving personal emotional satisfaction from his arrest, potential guilt, and so forth.

Sorry Kish. I did actually think that was what you meant. My apologies.

[_Quasimodo]

Hopefully, it's all a big misunderstanding. I hope Lund is innocent of the charges.

From the article in Media Line:

The suspect admitted the offenses ascribed to him and at the conclusion of the investigation was allowed to fly to the United States after he deposited a large bond,” the IAA said.

[_jon]

Am I correct in thinking that a criminal offense/breach of commandment (and he's admitted guilt) results in a member of the Church losing their Temple recommend?

I think the answer is yes so, isn't a Temple Recommend a non-negotiable condition of employment with BYU?

In which case, Light Fingered Lifty Lund just lost his job.

I wonder if Deseret News or Mormon Times will run the story...