Journey of Faith DVDs

[_beastie]

I really wonder if you do not realize how foolish you look at times like this.

[Guest]

Not nearly as foolish as I would feel if I devoted hours and hours over the next two weeks to going around and around with you.

You win, beastie.

I give up. You're right.

Your reading of the film is meticulously accurate and your analysis spot on.

I surrender.

[_Mister Scratch]

I thought apologists were upset because Meldrum was selling DVDs... something about priestcrafts? ;-)

I think those who are upset are upset because he seems to be making a living from from his filmed lecture, and because (though I can't confirm this) he was possibly selling his DVDs via appearances in LDS chapels.

Wow. I just love the speculation here. He was "selling his DVDs via appearances in LDS chapels"? Really, is that any better or worse than shamelessly plugging Mopologetic DVDs and CDs on the aptly named MADboard? Do you "push" your product to *your* congregation, Bishop?

Why don't you just reassure people, Prof. Peterson, via a very lengthy, joke-laden thread, that whatever Meldrum has received is a mere pittance, maybe $200 over a period of twenty years, and that to claim that his earnings amount to a "wad of bills" is "idiocy" and "ludicrous"? Or why don't you tell people that his money---could it equal 20K, I wonder?---was (thanks to an unscrupulous/incompetent accountant) funneled back into the Church via some clever means? I'm sure that will put everyone at ease.

[_Chap]

Not nearly as foolish as I would feel if I devoted hours and hours over the next two weeks going around and around with you.

You win, beastie.

I give up. You're right.

Your reading of the film is meticulously accurate and your analysis spot on.

I surrender.

Amusingly enough, in the present context the actual effect of this attempt at irony is to persuade the reader to read it quite literally.

[_Daniel Peterson]

Wow. I just love the speculation here. He was "selling his DVDs via appearances in LDS chapels"? Really, is that any better or worse than shamelessly plugging Mopologetic DVDs and CDs on the aptly named MADboard?

It's worse. Chapels are not places for commercials.

Do you "push" your product to *your* congregation, Bishop?

No. Never.

Why don't you just reassure people, Prof. Peterson, via a very lengthy, joke-laden thread, that whatever Meldrum has received is a mere pittance, maybe $200 over a period of twenty years, and that to claim that his earnings amount to a "wad of bills" is "idiocy" and "ludicrous"?

Because it wouldn't be true.

Or why don't you tell people that his money---could it equal 20K, I wonder?---was (thanks to an unscrupulous/incompetent accountant) funneled back into the Church via some clever means? I'm sure that will put everyone at ease.

Because it wouldn't be true.

[_truth dancer]

Hi DCP...

I thought apologists were upset because Meldrum was selling DVDs... something about priestcrafts? ;-)

I think those who are upset are upset because he seems to be making a living from from his filmed lecture, and because (though I can't confirm this) he was possibly selling his DVDs via appearances in LDS chapels.

Maybe you think that tickets to the Middle East and to Guatemala and camera crews and film editing and lodging in Oman and Jerusalem and Tikal and transporation of people and equipment to remote wilderness ruins are free?

Nope, I think Meldrum's DVDs cost money and time to create as well... only Rodney didn't have professional fundraisers to help him raise millions of dollars to produce his work! ;-) Nor do I get the impression he is wealthy enough to not have to work... (could be wrong).

Rodney Meldrum seems to be giving all his time and talents to building up the church. My impression is that he believes his testimony is giving him the strength and the HG is giving him the guidance to bring forth his work.

There are certainly others in the LDS church who are making a living by spreading/teaching/promoting the gospel.

And from what I have heard he no longer uses LDS buildings to give firesides. (Have not confirmed this however... smile).

~td~

[_Daniel Peterson]

Nope, I think Meldrum's DVDs cost money and time to create as well

No doubt it did -- though I doubt that it costs as much to film a fireside lecture as it does to film on location from Jerusalem across the Arabian Peninsula and down in Mesoamerica.

The question is whether it's appropriate to use LDS chapels for sales or fundraising.

We don't.

And nobody's livelihood rests on sales of the Journey of Faith DVDs.

[_Ray A]

I haven't seen the second one, but I did see the first one, courtesy of Dan, who personally gave me the DVD, in my home. I think I can describe it as "spiritual" (especially hearing and seeing Truman Madsen), and the filming at locations was superb, not to mention all those scholars (i.e., apologist hacks) I've read but never seen. Connecting all the dots was another matter, which seemed, to me, to be kind of "ethereal". But for sheer viewing pleasure, I recommend it (the first one, anyway....must not comment on what I've not seen).

I think it's definitely something that would greatly appeal to me if I could only stop sinning.

[_mentalgymnast]

I haven't seen the second one, but I did see the first one, courtesy of Dan, who personally gave me the DVD, in my home. I think I can describe it as "spiritual" (especially hearing and seeing Truman Madsen), and the filming at locations was superb, not to mention all those scholars (i.e., apologist hacks) I've read but never seen. Connecting all the dots was another matter, which seemed, to me, to be kind of "ethereal". But for sheer viewing pleasure, I recommend it (the first one, anyway....must not comment on what I've not seen).

I think it's definitely something that would greatly appeal to me if I could only stop sinning.

Sin is a distraction isn't it? <g>

I'm curious Ray, what is it about the first DVD that would greatly appeal to you after putting the "spiritual" and "pure viewing pleasure" aspects aside? Specifically what did you think in regards to the botanical, animal, and geological/mineralogical "evidences" found and/or discovered at the purported ship launch site? I think that the site promoted on the DVD as being a possible site for Bountiful is interesting in its possibilities. But yes, the DVD also has its spiritual and pure viewing pleasure aspects also.

Regards,
MG

[_Jersey Girl]

If someone would be willing to send me these DVD's for free, I'd be willing to watch and review them from a never-Mo perspective.

Such a deal.

:-)