Revisionist history project to be launched by LDS Corporatio

Post by **_Mercury** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:59 pm

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7920147&nav=menu554_2_3

This project smacks of revisionism. It appears as if they are trying to strengthen the skewed Mormon view of history by instituting a "scholarly" historical program.

Your thoughts?

Post by **_Sethbag** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:03 pm

Personally I see it as the early stages of creation of what will be, for future generations of Mormons, a litmus test of history. If it was in a book published by the Church Historian's Press, then it was "unbiased" and truthful, and can be trusted, mostly. If it was published by any other press, it's not "official", it's subject to bias, and will essentially be ignored.

As such, faithful LDS writing books will have filter them through the "what will the Church Historian's Press editorial staff accept" filter, and thus the church itself will have a hand in determining what gets published that faithful members will actually read, and what doesn't.

Post by **_silentkid** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:06 pm

the article wrote:Church elder Marlin K. Jensen says the establishment of the Church Historian's Press underscores the value church leaders place on history.

LOL!

_rcrocket · Post by **_rcrocket** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:15 pm

OK. So the unanimous opinion from this Board is that the Church should not publish its history.

Gee, I've been following this Board for over a year now and all I read is demands that the Church publish its history. You guys are really twits. Posting anonymously, I guess you can say whatever you want.

rcrocket

Post by **_moksha** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:19 pm

Wouldn't it be better to see the results before issuing a review of the books? Otherwise, you would find yourself being like the FAIR book reviewers.

Post by **_Bond...James Bond** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:31 pm

A few questions/thoughts.

1) Is this going to be strictly controlled by the Church or have some autonomy (loosely speaking)?

2) Are they going to print just the documents are they going to do commentaries/analysis (of the mentioned Joseph Smith papers?

---2A) If so, will it be purely apologist commentators or will there be critics involved?

Post by **_silentkid** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:34 pm

rcrocket wrote:Posting anonymously, I guess you can say whatever you want.

Yep. Thanks, man.

Post by **_silentkid** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:37 pm

Bond...James Bond wrote:Are they going to print just the documents are they going to do commentaries/analysis (of the mentioned Joseph Smith papers?

It would be awesome if they only printed the journals/letters/documents. I prefer to let the primary sources speak for themselves, with no spin attached. I'll be surprised if that's what they do, though. The PR department won't let them. :)

Post by **_John Larsen** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:24 am

I think this shows that the Church is running into real problems with credibility. Unfortunately for the Church, by the time each publication goes through the GA vetting process, they will each be gutted. It will be too little to late. All indications are that the Church is starting to get worried.

Post by **_Scottie** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:43 am

There are lots of LDS history books out there, and the majority of LDS don't care to read them.

The ones that will read these books are going to most likely be the ones that already know the warts. Nothing new there.

Church elder Marlin K. Jensen says the establishment of the Church Historian's Press underscores the value church leaders place on whitewashed history.