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''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:41 am
by _Dr. Shades
BREAKING NEWS:I was just contacted by an "informant" about a breaking story in the world of Mormonism. The informant gave me permission to share his name: Polygamy Porter, with whom one or two of you may be familiar. :-)
No, me being contacted instead of Mister Scratch for a change isn't the breaking news. The breaking news is this: Apparently, the work of Brother Meldrum is reaching a FAR greater audience and resonating far more deeply, and with more people, than any of us had imagined. ANNOUNCING:
The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism (a.k.a. "The FIRM Foundation").
This isn't just some fly-by-night operation, either. This organization is deadly serious and is apparently here to stay. Exhibit A: They're offering tours, complete with stops at Book of Mormon sites in the contiguous U.S.A. Here's just one example among several:
http://www.LDS.travel/index.php?showpage=adventure.php&nav=C&ID=660Exhibit B: Just look at the amount of upcoming seminars that will take place, quite literally, worldwide:
http://www.thefirmfoundationonline.org/index.php?showpage=seminars.phpSo, what does everyone think of this new foundation?
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Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:54 am
by _cinepro
This came up over at MADB:
Promised Land SeminarsI might just go to the one in Los Angeles just to check it out.
As I said in that thread, I suspect they will have great success with people who want to go on a Book of Mormon tour but don't have a passport.
(On a personal note, that was the thread that got me banned, and I never did learn why LDS scholars would be embarrassed for doing mainstream research.)
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:09 am
by _Dr. Shades
Whoa, a thread about the FIRM Foundation has been up at MA&D since January 09. I guess that's what happens when you don't read MA&D anymore.
At any rate, your comments were GREAT, as usual, cinepro. Not to derail my own thread, but did you see the comment that a mod appended to one of your posts? It said:
"in real life emailing to gain information is acceptable. in real life emailing to stick it to Mormons is not. Mod"
We've known that the MA&D mods have sought to control posters on all other LDS-related sites. But now they seek to control the way private citizens use e-mail???
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:15 am
by _Ray A
Dr. Shades wrote:
So, what does everyone think of this new foundation?
I'm tempted to think it's nothing but a money-making scam.
Duration: 8 Days
Date: April 15 - 22, 2009
Price: from $999* per person
Airfare: Airfare not Included
Pre-Tour: None
Hosted By: Rod Meldrum, Bruce Porter, and Wayne May
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:18 am
by _Dr. Shades
Ray A wrote:I'm tempted to think it's nothing but a money-making scam.
Do you think Meldrum
et. al. really believe what they preach regarding the geography of the Book of Mormon?
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:19 am
by _Gadianton
I am completely blown away. Though, to be fair, it's all happening exactly as you predicted it, Dr. Shades, with a clearly deepening divide between the Chapel Mormons and Internet Mormons. It's going to take more than FAIR to blog a "peer review" thumbs-downing Meldrum's work. Meldrum is a connected professional and it looks to me like he knows how to promote his beliefs "positively". It will be interesting to watch how the apologists deal with his success. If they can increase their own market share through promoting their own message, or if they'll have to resort to writing anti-Meldrum literature. FAIR has clearly gone "Ed Decker" already in the mother of all hypocritic moves and attacked Meldrum outright. FARMS to my knowledge has their trigger guard pushed in and keeping Meldrum in their crosshairs, mulling over the decision.
I mean, really, I hope FARMS can see that it will be rather pointless to declare war against FIRM. I honestly believe whether they want to admit it or not, FARMS has learned some hard lesons, and just might handle this without the hatchet.
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:24 am
by _Ray A
Dr. Shades wrote:Do you think Meldrum et. al. really believe what they preach regarding the geography of the Book of Mormon?
It's questionable. My skeptical antennae keep rising. To me it looks like more Mormons being exploited with "sales scams".
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:28 am
by _Ray A
This tour offers so much. You will see some incredible sites, learn cutting-edge research, and create memories to last a lifetime! Read the exciting day-to-day itinerary below for more details.
I smell a rat here.
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:37 am
by _Ray A
Introducing Rod Meldrum
Rod Meldrum For the past 4 years Rod he has been conducting research involving DNA and the Book of Mormon in
scientific journals, historical documents, and the scriptures. The research lead to some rather unexpected DNA findings that then lead to questioning the origin of the theories surrounding the geographical locations of the Book of Mormon.
His live and recorded presentations have now been seen by tens of thousands of individuals from Washington DC to Beverly Hills, CA and across the country. Attendees’ comments have been overwhelmingly positive. It is hoped that this information will strengthen the resolve of each viewer to study more diligently the words of the Book of Mormon itself, as well as help put the 'tools' in the hands of parents, teachers, and leaders to address the false information surrounding the DNA controversy.
He and his wife Tonya have been happily married for 23 years and are the parents of four children. He enjoys running, biking, travel, watching BYU football and doing research, but most of all he looks forward to sharing this incredible journey with you! (My emphasis)
Which "scientific journals" has Meldrum been been researching?
Re: ''The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism''
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:44 am
by _Ray A
More:
Click on the link below the seminar or seminar series to read more about the seminar topic(s), the guest lecturer(s) and to register online and print off your online ticket. Most seminars are offered at no cost, but attendees must register and present their online ticket at the door. The Seminar Series have a nominal $5 charge at the door if unregistered and Symposiums (full-day) will have a fee for attending,which generally include lunch.
A $5 fee just for entry? And a further fee which includes "lunch"? Of course "most seminars" are offered at "no cost", because they've raked in enough money otherwise. Classical sales pitch.