'stoned for his Testimony - Part 1

[_Gadianton]

In 1997, Allan K. Burgess, a well-loved seminary teacher, received the "just dues" of his testimony from the overzealous Amy L. Livingstone, an operative of the FARMS Review. Burgess wrote a book called Timely Truths of the Book of Mormon and according to Livingstone the back cover reads, "focuses on the relevance of the Nephite record to everyday concerns".

Of course, with that admitted upfront, how could Livingstone, following the instructions of the patented Review Method, do anything but set her expectations of the book to contribute a mountain of original research to Near Eastern scholarship and then crush the attempt as a failure while other apologtists look on and yuk it up?

those looking for a scholarly treatment of Book of Mormon themes are likely to be disappointed ... its shallow approach to the subject matter.

Why do the reviewers for FARMS, like an angry mob of Pharasies, stand an guard 24/7 ready to stone anyone who comes within ten feet of uttering the words "Book of Mormon" without supplying groundbreaking scholarship? (as if anything FARMS has published on the Book of Mormon would be considered scholarship by anyone but FARMS)

Readers looking for a motivational (as opposed to instructional) text will fare better than those expecting a new approach to Book of Mormon scholarship

But why would anyone picking up Burgess's book think they are getting a "new approach" to Book of Mormon scholarship?

he relies most heavily on stories and quotations from the Ensign and other anecdotal sources to support his points

An instant failure! Imagine, a dutiful Latter-Day Saint writing on a book which is the "keystone" of his religion is brutally beaten by a fellow Latter-Day Saint for supporting his views from the foremost official LDS publication, The Ensign, and testimony?

The hatred of Chapel Mormonism runs deep in this angry review. This passage nearly qualifies as speaking evil of the Lord's annointed,

Topics ranging from adversity and repentance to missionary work and warfare are brought up but not pursued beyond rote seminary understanding

A heiness crime! Especially coming from a seminary teacher! And a telling commentary on what the author of our stoning feels about the Church's educational system.

I was left feeling unsatisfied and slightly bored, as though I'd been reading a rambling series of Sunday School lessons

What could be worse for an Internet Mormon than Sunday School lessons, which everyone knows are rambling and boring? All that will change though when the apologetic coup is realized.

consideration of the growing body of scholarly literature on the Book of Mormon should also enhance a believer's search for new ways to comprehend and apply these texts

Oh yes, such as the six essays written by Tvedtness? Or the epic, Warfare and the Book of Mormon? A necessary plug for any "Review".

Finally, this "Review" barely followed the ABA formula. The As were very, very thin. About a sentence. The stoning comprised the rest, but that's the fun part, isn't it?

[_harmony]

Who is Amy L Livingstone, and why should I care what she thinks?

Burgess wrote a book. He used approved church resources and testimonies of members. Wow. How heinous. What a sin. Has his excommunication been scheduled yet? It's been 10 years, surely he's come to the attention of his SP by now, for the heretic FARMS at least thinks he is.

[_Mister Scratch]

Yet another incisive and important contribution to the growing body of literature. What's remarkable to me is how utterly similar all of these "thrashings" are: right down to the phrasing and choice of words. Is it possible that there exists a FARMS Prosody Guide? In any event, I was glad for this review, and hope it will tide me over until the online release of the latest "steaming" issue.

[_Trevor]

Who is Amy L Livingstone, and why should I care what she thinks?

Oh, and:

"Has a bachelor of arts degree in Near Eastern studies from Brigham Young University. She is a teaching associate in Arabic language at Cornell University."

[_GoodK]

you're kidding, right Trevor?

[_Trevor]

you're kidding, right Trevor?

About which part?

The text is taken from the NMI website. The picture is undoubtedly what she looked like when she wrote that review. I am dead sure of it.

[_Gadianton]

Even if there is not a secret guide to prose, clearly there is an implicit one. I think everyone knows pretty much what they've been scripted to report given the three choices of publication 1) Chapel Mormon 2) Apologist 3) Critic.

[_Dr. Shades]

Yet again we see the verbal chastisement of someone who dares to publish something about Mormonism without the permission of FARMS.

[_collegeterrace]

Who is Amy L Livingstone, and why should I care what she thinks

Who is harmony? and why should I care what she thinks?

[_ludwigm]

Who is Amy L Livingstone, and why should I care what she thinks

Who is harmony? and why should I care what she thinks?

Harmony is a pleasing combination of elements in a whole.