Planned 40 Acre Park Celebrating Tim Ballard's Writings and The Book of Mormon

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Mormonism sure seems to create more than its fair share of nutjobs, and I'm not talking about Robert Boylan, Mike Parker, William Schryver, Louis Midgely or DCP.

There's The Dream Mine, which is visible from I-15, just south of Provo.

The Dream Mine, or Relief Mine, is a mine in Salem, Utah, built by John Hyrum Koyle in the 1890s and incorporated in 1909. Koyle prophesied that the mine would provide financial support for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Koyle's prophecies were controversial among leaders of the LDS Church, who excommunicated him in 1948.

Koyle died in 1949 and work on the Dream Mine ended in the 1960s, and the mine has not produced any valuable metals. However, Koyle's followers, known as "Dream Miners," have continued to maintain the mine and to trade stock in it. They believe that the mine will produce gold before the Second Coming and that Koyle's other prophecies will be fulfilled.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Mine

Then there's Gilgal Gardens.

Thomas Child, a masonry contractor and Bishop of the 10th Salt Lake LDS ward, conceived of a symbolic sculpture garden that would be a retreat from the world and a tribute to his most cherished religious and personal beliefs.[1] He began building the garden in the backyard, when he was 57 years old, and continued to pour his time and money into the work until his death in 1963. Child named the garden Gilgal after the Biblical location where Joshua ordered the Israelites to place twelve stones as a memorial. The name "Gilgal" is sometimes translated to mean "circle of standing stones," an appropriate appellation for a sculpture garden. Gilgal is also the name of a city and a valley in The Book of Mormon, a sacred scripture in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The famous Joseph Smith Sphinx.



Joseph Smith brickpants.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgal_Sculpture_Garden

Now, there is the proposed 40 acre Book of Mormon Park.

Latter-day Saint plastic surgeon and artist Steven Neal says nearly 30 years ago he received a vision: Images depicting stories from the Book of Mormon formed in his mind with the understanding that he was to sculpt them and someday make them available to the world.

Other textual sources he plans to feature include the Mayflower Compact, as well as several he discovered through the writings of Tim Ballard. Neal said he does not agree with all the conclusions Ballard draws in his books, which have been panned by historians. Nonetheless, he said, he feels “indebted” to the embattled anti-human-trafficking activist for introducing him to historical documents.

The crown jewels will be a monument featuring an 18-foot Jesus standing atop a depiction of the plates church founder Joseph Smith said he used to translate the Book of Mormon, with the Earth below them. On the opposite side of the park will stand a similarly larger-than-life depiction of Book of Mormon warrior-prophet Captain Moroni. Inspired by the iconic World War II photo of Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima, the statue shows Moroni holding the “Title of Liberty,” a declaration of freedom taken from the Book of Mormon, while George Washington and U.S. soldiers offer support.

The grounds will also feature an amphitheater, as well as a neoclassical building that will double as a visitors center and an event space available for rent.

The proposed "Monument of the Americas" park includes plans for a visitors center and amphitheater.



Steven Neal is pictured working on a panel depicting Book of Mormon prophet Nephi along with Christopher Columbus, pilgrims, the Revolutionary War and the Founding Fathers.



https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/11 ... ring-book/

[Gadianton]

That's by far the most gender-neutral rendition of Nephi I've ever seen. I guess we gotta take progress where we can get it.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

That's by far the most gender-neutral rendition of Nephi I've ever seen. I guess we gotta take progress where we can get it.

Good observation, Dean.

Gone are the rippling biceps, chiseled abs and muscular pectoral muscles, replaced by a modest tunic and sensitive features. This Nephi is a woke version of Arnold Friberg's Nephi, one that the #metoo movement generation can get behind.

[Kishkumen]

Well, Joseph Smith made up ancient American history, and Cleon Skousen wrote a phony history of the world, so why not a phony American history memorial cult site?

[Kishkumen]

Other textual sources he plans to feature include the Mayflower Compact, as well as several he discovered through the writings of Tim Ballard. Neal said he does not agree with all the conclusions Ballard draws in his books, which have been panned by historians. Nonetheless, he said, he feels “indebted” to the embattled anti-human-trafficking activist for introducing him to historical documents.

Just think what Tim Ballard could have achieved if he set out to start a boys’ band.

[canpakes]

The proposed "Monument of the Americas" park includes plans for a visitors center and amphitheater.

What’s with the 1960’s automobiles?

[Everybody Wang Chung]

I wasn't even aware that Tim Ballard authored any books. It just so happens that in addition to publicly promoting Tim Ballard's charity and encouraging his readers to donate to Tim Ballard since 2014, DCP has also publicly recommended Tim Ballard's book, The Lincoln Hypothesis.

I’m very proud that this man is a member of my church:

http://ldsmag.com/tim-ballard-and-the-f ... afficking/

He is also, it turns out — and I just realized this a few days ago — the same man who authored this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Hypothesi ... hy+ballard

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... hypothesis

If anyone is interested, here is a list of available books by Tim Ballard: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... hypothesis

[Res Ipsa]

I can neither confirm nor deny that a photo exists of yours truly sitting under the heads of the Joseph Smith Sphinx with a finger inserted in his left nostril.

[Kishkumen]

I can neither confirm nor deny that a photo exists of yours truly sitting under the heads of the Joseph Smith Sphinx with a finger inserted in his left nostril.

Thanks for that image!

[Kishkumen]

Lincoln Hypothesis book blurb:

Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth US president during a very dark time in America's history. Author Timothy Ballard explores the crucial role that President Lincoln played to bring this nation closer to heaven. Readers will see Lincoln as a man inspired of God who invoked a covenant relationship between America and its maker--not unlike the national covenants invoked by righteous leaders in the Book of Mormon. In addition, The Lincoln Hypothesis reveals documented evidence that Abraham Lincoln did, in fact, check out the Book of Mormon as he struggled with making some of the most critical decisions of his presidency. Did he read it? Did it influence him? Was the Book of Mormon a key factor in Lincoln's success and the healing of a nation? The author states, as you read, you will, like a prosecutor reviewing a case, or like a jury determining a verdict, identify valuable pieces of evidence that can be fully substantiated. You will also identify pieces of evidence that cannot. I ask you to consider all the evidence and weigh it all accordingly. Through this study, many questions regarding the interplay between the restored gospel and the Civil War will be answered. New questions may emerge that will not be so easily answered. Either way, in the end you will find yourself on a most exhilarating investigative journey.