The 2016 Sampson Avard Golden Scepter Award

[_Gadianton]

I don't think I have much in common with Sampson Avard, but I'm happy that you've found my FairMormon talk worth commenting on.

I can assure you that this is a prestigious award and you can be proud of it. It was nice of you to show up and accept it with gratitude. It seems that you wield quite a bit of power, which now increases bearing the Sampson Avard Golden Scepter. I was surprised to see the Mopologists so desperate to interpret your words at FAIR favorable to their agenda as they are typically satisfied with their own internal authorities on any subject and just discount what anyone else says. I wish you luck holding the empire together, sir.

[_moksha]

Dr. Hardy has given a gift to us Mormons. Seems like the Clarence Darrow Golden Mortarboard would be a more suitable award

And I've said it before: Poor David Bokovoy's only sin was saying the same thing seven years too early.

He was treated shabbily, but that can be rectified by those members who place accuracy ahead of legend. When the old guard decomposes, it will be time for Dr. Bokavoy to shine.

[_tkv]

Kishkumen (you know, the Book of Mormon name)

Sorry to have to break this to you, Kish, but it's actually Kishcumen. See page 11 of ATV (2004).

[_Doctor Steuss]

[...] I don't agree with many of Dan's interpretations, but his close reading of the Book of Mormon has helped me see new things in the book, and I think the religious climate in Provo might be healthier if alternative viewpoints were dealt with directly and respectfully rather than hidden away in special collections. [...]

Speaking of the Book of Mormon, if it weren't for your Reader's Edition of..., I doubt I ever would have accomplished a cover-to-cover read of the rapscallion.

I ended up picking up a few copies for friends and family (my momma bear loves her copy) -- I especially enjoyed how white and delightsome some of the pages were...

[_Kishkumen]

Kishkumen (you know, the Book of Mormon name)

Sorry to have to break this to you, Kish, but it's actually Kishcumen. See page 11 of ATV (2004).

I know, tkv. I know. But I prefer the version in the LDS scriptures. My wife used to correct waiters who pronounced bruschetta incorrectly. There is a certain point at which pedantry has diminishing returns. Kishkumen is good enough.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Professor Hardy and David Bokovoy have brought much needed sanity to Mormon scholarship.

I wish one of them would have responded to Professor Jenkins last year instead of Bill Hamblin.

I imagine the discussion would have been very brief and in response to Professor Jenkin's question about evidence for the Book of Mormon, they would have answered, "Much like the Bible, Book of Mormon scripture employs similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and figurative language throughout. The Book of Mormon, much like the Gospel of Matthew (and many other parts) which was written by Jews for Jews not as a literal account of Christ’s life, but rather as an interpretative portrait of God’s love. The Book of Mormon itself demands not to be taken literally/historically."

That would have been the end of the "debate."

[_Lemmie]

Professor Hardy and David Bokovoy have brought much needed sanity to Mormon scholarship.

I wish one of them would have responded to Professor Jenkins last year instead of Bill Hamblin.

I imagine the discussion would have been very brief and in response to Professor Jenkin's question about evidence for the Book of Mormon, they would have answered, "Much like the Bible, Book of Mormon scripture employs similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and figurative language throughout. The Book of Mormon, much like the Gospel of Matthew (and many other parts) which was written by Jews for Jews not as a literal account of Christ’s life, but rather as an interpretative portrait of God’s love, the Book of Mormon demands not to be taken literally/historically."

That would have been the end of the "debate."

Or if they had simply said their Book of Mormon position was faith-based, which is, from the outside at least, an admission that the Book of Mormon is, as you said, "not to be taken literally/historically."

Jenkins repeatedly said he had no issue with faith, but only with the assertion that the historicity of the Book of Mormon was factual. That opened the door to a factual discussion (of course), which blew up in Hamblin's face. Why no one took the face-saving position of faith last summer is beyond me- what a rout that was. Agreed, Hardy and Bokovoy would likely have taken a different path.

On another note, as far as I know, Hamblin never posted again after his interaction with Jenkins. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks now.

[_Dr. Shades]

Sorry to have to break this to you, Kish, but it's actually Kishcumen. See page 11 of ATV (2004).

What the Hell is "ATV?"

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

On another note, as far as I know, Hamblin never posted again after his interaction with Jenkins. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks now.

After his epic butt-kicking from Professor Jenkins, Hamblin has been holed-up in Utah County licking his wounds.

Just like DCP, Hamblin's life can be used as a cautionary tale of the evil's of Mopology. Shortly after being purged from the Maxwell Institute for turning it into a "locker room," his wife divorced him due to neglecting his professional career and family in favor of spending his time, money and talents on the fruitless and harmful endeavor of Mopology.

Mopology is truly a harsh mistress.