It would seem that I have been a bit remiss in my duties as the B.H. Roberts Chair of Mopologetic Studies. We have, perhaps, been dragging our feet a bit, and it has (admittedly) been a somewhat slow year in the world of Mopologetics. There was even some talk amongst the award committee of withholding the award altogether this year, but Dean Robbers insisted. There are precious few opportunities to recognize the (ahem) "accomplishments" of the Mopologists that to pause the Avard Golden Scepter for an entire year would be downright criminal. So, we press on.
This year was a tough call indeed, particularly since the recipient has a tendency to avoid the limelight. But this individual's impact on Mopologetics is undeniable. He was the key, founding, driving (and rather "secretive") force behind FARMS, and he was also the co-founder of Scripture Central. Some students of Mopologetics Studies have referred to him as "The King," and legendary Mormon historian Will Bagley once described him as "extremely belligerent." I am talking, of course, about John W. "Jack" Welch. Please join me in giving him a round of applause!
Welch's status and influence within Mopologetics extend back to roughly half a century, but the Sampson Avard Golden Scepter is not normally a retrospective "Lifetime Achievement" award--instead, it's meant to recognize someone's contributions over the course of the last year. This year, Welch earns the award on the grounds that, under his leadership, Scripture Central has cause enormous upheaval in the world of Mopologetics. Specifically, Scripture Central made very real efforts to heal the relationship with the Heartlanders, which marks a very clear slap in the face to Daniel Peterson, Mike Parker, and others who had been involved in a decades-long conflict with Rodney Meldrum, Jonathan Neville, and other people in the FIRM/Heartlanders camp.
Perhaps more importantly, though, the Welch-led Scripture Central now commands an enormous budget that dwarfs that of Interpreter. Moreover, Scripture Central's "products" are slicker, better-produced, and, simply put, more respectable. By "crushing" competitors such as FAIR Mormon and Mormon Interpreter, Welch has "thrown down the gauntlet," so to speak, challenging the other organizations to "step up their game." Is that possible, though? Welch, it must be remembered, is "The King," and it may be that any competitors will forever be forced to "bend the knee" in deference to his cunning and gamesmanship.
In any case, a hearty congratulations to Brother Welch on his selection as this year's Sampson Avard Golden Scepter Award! Please join me in celebrating this mighty achievement!
Well... 
