Meldrum Loading for Bear in 2011

[cinepro]

The most recent issue of the Meldrum dispatch looks ahead to the coming year, in which we learn:

Upon returning I practically locked myself in my office for several weeks, working on the two major projects that have been requested most often; a well-made picture "coffee-table" book with beautiful photography including updated information on the research, artifacts, etc. that will make it easier to share without having to find a DVD player, and the book on Joseph Smith and his knowledge of Book of Mormon geography. This is the book which I offered for those of you who filled out the survey early last summer...and which you will still receive upon its completion! It has taken longer than anticipated, so I must thank you for your patience, and I hope to complete it in the next two months and get it out to you because there is so much misinformation and confusing claims going on that I hope it will clear up the issue. It is critical to get the historical documentation and facts correct so that the information is straight forward and reliable.

In the upcoming emails and newsletters I hope to share with you some of the incredibly exciting new research and findings in support of the Book of Mormon.

You'll receive information responding to the growing din of anti-Heartland articles from three well-meaning, but misguided organizations who have become a bit, shall we say, "overzealous" in their promotion of their Mesoamerican theories.

Should be...interesting.

[facie ad faciem]

a well-made picture "coffee-table" book with beautiful photography... that will make it easier to share without having to find a DVD player

Those darn DVD players. You can never find one when you need it.

Well, at least from this "dispatch" we can glean who his audience is. Well, better go check on grandma...

It is critical to get the historical documentation and facts correct so that the information is straight forward and reliable.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Unfortunately, up to this point, his "historical documentation and facts" have been somewhat less than "straight forward and reliable."

Can we hold out for improvement? Eh, probably not.

[Mortal Man]

Should be...interesting.

All that is necessary for apologetics to fail is that critics do nothing.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

All that is necessary for apologetics to fail is that critics to do nothing.

Ha, that is funny.

[Scott Lloyd]

You'll receive information responding to the growing din of anti-Heartland articles from three well-meaning, but misguided organizations who have become a bit, shall we say, "overzealous" in their promotion of their Mesoamerican theories.

OK, I'm stumped. He undoubtedly is taking aim here at FARMS (The Maxwell Institute) and FAIR. But what is the third "misguided" and "overzealous" organization?

[Pahoran]

OK, I'm stumped. He undoubtedly is taking aim here at FARMS (The Maxwell Institute) and FAIR. But what is the third "misguided" and "overzealous" organization?

The Church?

Regards,

Pahoran

[Mortal Man]

OK, I'm stumped. He undoubtedly is taking aim here at FARMS (The Maxwell Institute) and FAIR. But what is the third "misguided" and "overzealous" organization?

Probably the Church News, the random zeal of its staff writers is legendary.

[poulsenll]

OK, I'm stumped. He undoubtedly is taking aim here at FARMS (The Maxwell Institute) and FAIR. But what is the third "misguided" and "overzealous" organization?

Scott

His third nemisis is BMAF. Their conference this fall was targeted directly against Meldrum's claims. Unfortunately for Meldrum, they also have their resident Emeritus General Authorities. Three of them to Meldrum's one champion.

Larry P

[Scott Lloyd]

Scott

His third nemisis is BMAF. Their conference this fall was targeted directly against Meldrum's claims. Unfortunately for Meldrum, they also have their resident Emeritus General Authorities. Three of them to Meldrum's one champion.

Larry P

Ah, OK.

When you mentioned this, I wondered whether the BMAF had a counterpart to Kieth Merrill, but I see from its website that Chris Heimerdinger (Tennis Shoes among the Nephites) is a past BMAF forum speaker. Since he, like Kieth, is an entertainment-media type, maybe he'll do in a duel.

[LifeOnaPlate]

All that is necessary for apologetics to fail is that critics to do nothing.

hahaha!

[poulsenll]

Ah, OK.

When you mentioned this, I wondered whether the BMAF had a counterpart to Kieth Merrill, but I see from its website that Chris Heimerdinger (Tennis Shoes among the Nephites) is a past BMAF forum speaker. Since he, like Kieth, is an entertainment-media type, maybe he'll do in a duel.

With three "well meaning" organizations in opposition, do we call it a duel or are we watching a tag team operation with Meldrum and Porter on one team and MI, FAIR and BMAF on the other.

Larry P

[BookofMormonLuvr]

The amount of animosity towards Rod Meldrum from the members of this board is amusing, yet puzzling at the same time. Seems he is the only one not allowed to have a theory. For one man to ruffle so many feathers is very telling.

[Pahoran]

The amount of animosity towards Rod Meldrum from the members of this board is amusing, yet puzzling at the same time. Seems he is the only one not allowed to have a theory. For one man to ruffle so many feathers is very telling.

Call for references, please. Where do you see all this alleged animosity? Who argues that he shouldn't have a theory?

Regards,

Pahoran

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Call for references, please. Where do you see all this alleged animosity? Who argues that he shouldn't have a theory?

Regards,

Pahoran

Uh, this thread and another thread where I recommended reading his book. I am sure if I dug further I could find plenty of anti-Meldrumism. The mere mention of his name seems to conjure up several post of derision towards him and his ideas.

[Pahoran]

Uh, this thread and another thread where I recommended reading his book. I am sure if I dug further I could find plenty of anti-Meldrumism. The mere mention of his name seems to conjure up several post of derision towards him and his ideas.

Okay, let's focus on this thread. It's a fairly short one, so far; care to quote something that strikes you as displaying animosity towards Meldrum?

Regards,

Pahoran

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Gee, the obviously dismissive attitude of Meldrum throughout the entire thread.

Spare me, Pahoran.

Clean up the attitude. You have been asked a straight forward question so either answer straight forward or leave the thread.

[poulsenll]

First of all, the heartland model is not original with Meldrum. It has been proposed by both antis (to discredit Joseph Smith) and TBMs (because of the Hill Cumorah in New York and statements by previous Church leaders that it is the site of the final battles). In its present form it was first proposed by May and Goble. Goble being the author of the model. Goble has since repudiated the theory and parted with May. Meldrum has joined up with May and together are again promoting this theory. Unfortunately, Meldrum has added his interpretation to exclude everyone outside the Borders of the United States from the blessings promised in the Book of Mormon. This is a revival of the political doctrine of Manifest Destiny and is better known as American Exclusivism. There is nothing wrong with Meldrum picking up and advocating an old theory of Book of MOrmon Geography but to promote American exclusivism relative to Book of Mormon promises is contrary to the teachings of the Church for the past 180 years.

Larry P

[ERayR]

The amount of animosity towards Rod Meldrum from the members of this board is amusing, yet puzzling at the same time. Seems he is the only one not allowed to have a theory. For one man to ruffle so many feathers is very telling.

No he is very much entitled to and allowed to have a theory. Nobody has a problem with that. The problem comes when he presents it as revealed doctrine and if you question it you are apostate.

[Bob Crockett]

Call for references, please. Where do you see all this alleged animosity? Who argues that he shouldn't have a theory?

Regards,

Pahoran

I've been called a jerk on this board for tepidly defending his theories as being more consistent with church pronouncements, and I think he's kind of a nut job. So there's one reference fer ya.

[Tarski]

The Church?

Regards,

Pahoran

The church itself is promoting mesoamerican theories? Hmm. That would be interesting.

[Joseph Antley]

The amount of animosity towards Rod Meldrum from the members of this board is amusing, yet puzzling at the same time. Seems he is the only one not allowed to have a theory. For one man to ruffle so many feathers is very telling.

People's problems with Meldrum isn't that he has a theory. It's the self-righteous way in which he presents his theory and his suggesting than anyone who disagrees with him is denying the Prophets.

[Bob Crockett]

People's problems with Meldrum isn't that he has a theory. It's the self-righteous way in which he presents his theory and his suggesting than anyone who disagrees with him is denying the Prophets.

Perhaps. But I find his points very intriguing about all the statements the Brethren have made in support of a hemispheric model, and one or two outright condemnations of the limited Mesoamerican model. And nothing of "equal dignities" on the other side. And, although I have read Sorenson's book a couple of times and it has vastly improved my understanding of the Book of Mormon's internal complexities, I just shake my head at his speculation as to actual geography.

[Scott Lloyd]

People's problems with Meldrum isn't that he has a theory. It's the self-righteous way in which he presents his theory and his suggesting than anyone who disagrees with him is denying the Prophets.

That pretty well sums up my problem with him. If he would cease casting the aspersions and clearly acknowledge that the Church takes no institutional position on specific Book of Mormon geography and therefore, no one's theory on that subject is binding on the Latter-day Saints, I'd be OK with him.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Gee, the obviously dismissive attitude of Meldrum throughout the entire thread.

Spare me, Pahoran.

Clean up the attitude. You have been asked a straight forward question so either answer straight forward or leave the thread.

Uh ok?

My attitude should vastly improve as Pahoran has become the first honorary member of my ignore list, even beating out Ahab.

[Scott Lloyd]

Uh ok?

My attitude should vastly improve as Pahoran has become the first honorary member of my ignore list, even beating out Ahab.

So are you going to answer the question? I believe it was, "Where [on this particular thread] do you see all this alleged animosity? Who argues that he shouldn't have a theory?"

Or do you plan to put me on "ignore" as well?