What The Maxwell Institute Controversy Is Really About

[Bill Hamblin]

On my blog

http://mormonscriptureexplorations.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/what-the-maxwell-institute-controversy-is-really-about/

[Kerry A. Shirts]

Just posted this to my Facebook also.........

[SeattleGhostWriter]

I published and quoted you Hamblin, as well as MI and Peterson. Someone asked me on a Facebook Group that I belong to if I had contacted Professor Peterson to do an interview. I have thought about it and with everything going on in his neck of the woods, I am not sure if he would give an interview for my column. I still sent an email and asked if he would like me to interview him or if it would be conducive.

However, here is what I wrote for my column, the Marysville LDS Church Examiner.

[Scott Lloyd]

On my blog

http://mormonscriptu...s-really-about/

This background does bring things into sharper focus Bill.

The first question that comes to my mind is this: Do you see a group -- possibly including Dan and you -- forming an independent organization sometime in the future that recaptures the vision of classic FARMS?

As I recall, even in the old days, FARMS had some loose, perhaps informal, alignment with BYU. Could that be replicated with a new organization, something on the order of what existed before?

Edited June 23, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[why me]

The first question that comes to my mind is this: Do you see a group -- possibly including Dan and you -- forming an organization sometime in the future the recaptures the vision of classic FARMS?

Now this is a very good idea. But it will take much time and energy to do so.

[Scott Lloyd]

Now this is a very good idea. But it will take much time and energy to do so.

Undoubtedly. But even the old FARMS had to begin somewhere.

I'm wondering if the donors funding Maxwell Institute might be persuaded to divert their resources to a new organization, given that the folks now in charge of MI seem to be abandoning the earlier vision of FARMS.

[Freedom]

here is the tribunes take on it

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/54358137-78/mormon-studies-peterson-institute.html.csp

[Bob Crockett]

I'm wondering if the donors funding Maxwell Institute might be persuaded to divert their resources to a new organization, given that the folks now in charge of MI seem to be abandoning the earlier vision of FARMS.

Not likely. Looking anti-church at this point.

I wish Hamblin and Schriver would just put a cork in it.

Who cares that Bradford didn't read the Dehlin work? Probably deemed inappropriate in limine.

Looks like Brant escaped being pilloried.

[Evangeline]

Thanks for this enlightening background on FARMS/MI and its history. In some ways, I'm relieved to learn that the issue is significantly more complex than the pathetic spin on the subject from the Salt Lake Tribune. Dr. Peterson really deserves more than to have his sacking blamed on the relatively insignificant John Dehlin squabble and alleged disapproval from some mysterious general authority.

By the way, I find it particularly disturbing to learn that Dr. Midgley isn't even aware of what is going on right now. This is just so wrong.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Evangeline

[Storm Rider]

Not likely. Looking anti-church at this point.

I wish Hamblin and Schriver would just put a cork in it.

Who cares that Bradford didn't read the Dehlin work? Probably deemed inappropriate in limine.

Looks like Brant escaped being pilloried.

Bobby, you may have a point. The proposition of an article focused solely on Dehlin specifically would be inappropriate for an article or even a mention in the Review. However, not reading the article or understanding the objectives of the article robs anyone of being capable of making an informed decision one way or another.

You posit that it is acceptable to be totally ignorant and make a decision on the article's content. Please understand that I am perplexed by the position. I keep looking for a foundation and all I get is hot air. Again, Dehlin still does not know jack about the article! It appears that neither do you and much worse Bradford himself. How is it acceptable to reject an article only on what one thinks is in the article?

As far as the current situation, I have been grateful that someone with knowledge is providing some type of framework to understand what is happening. There is no need for a knee jerk reaction by anyone. However, Bradford et al would be well served by meeting with the small group that has been directly affected by this poor process of changing directions and explain himself. Then there needs to be a much better explanation of what the future will look like.

As an aside, I can tell you from the position of a business owner, if I had a vice-president making these types of decisions in his department he would already have been fired for gross incompetence. His actions have lead to an inexcusably bad process and harmed something that is vitally important: my reputation.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Storm Rider

[Brant Gardner]

The first question that comes to my mind is this: Do you see a group -- possibly including Dan and you -- forming a private organization sometime in the future that recaptures the vision of classic FARMS?

I would certainly love to see much of the vision and character of classic FARMS reappear. From the outside looking it, it was a place of consistently important scholarship on the Book of Mormon that hadn't been done since Nibley, and which appears to have declined significantly in the move toward a new vision of the Maxwell Institute. I have had some discussions with some who were on the inside, and know that one of the motivations behind classic FARMS was encouraging scholarship on the Book of Mormon from all avenues. I have been amazed at some of the things John Sorenson was willing to share with me. That openness and encouragement was, I believe, at the heart and soul of classic FARMS.

There is something to be said about safe organizations, and it appears that the Maxwell Institute is on its way to becoming very safe. Safe scholarship is valuable. Pushing our understanding is not safe and it seems that is what is really lost in the revisioning of the mission of the Institute.

Using the term apologetics as a weapon in the process unfortunately injects emotion into the topic that obscures the best of apologetics.

The FARMS volume on the Allegory of the Olive Tree was apologetic

The FARMS volume on King Benjamin's Speech was apologetic.

The FARMS volume on Warfare in the Book of Mormon was apologetic.

The FARMS volume on Book of Mormon Authorship was apologetic.

The FARMS volume on Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited was apologetic.

The entire Nibley collection was apologetic.

If the Maxwell Institute is moving away from apologetics--yes, please bring back classic FARMS. That kind of apologetics is incredibly important.

[why me]

There is something to be said about safe organizations, and it appears that the Maxwell Institute is on its way to becoming very safe. Safe scholarship is valuable. Pushing our understanding is not safe and it seems that is what is really lost in the revisioning of the mission of the Institute.

I don't think that the lds church needs another safe organization or another safe journal. The critics have been claiming for years now that the church lies, hides the truth and whitewashes historical events. If the Review becomes safe, the critics will call it a whitewash journal, devoid of true academic research and having articles that are lying for the lord.

Which is one reason why they love that Dan was ousted. They can sense what is ahead.

[jwhitlock]

On my blog

http://mormonscriptu...s-really-about/

Thanks for the update, Bill. Quite informative and good background for the controversy at hand.

When I was at BYU, years ago, I was concerned about the entrenched bureaucracy there. It is lamentable that BYU would force FARMS into the fold through such pressure, and then let the administrators dismantle it.

Betrayal, indeed.

[jwhitlock]

Undoubtedly. But even the old FARMS had to begin somewhere.

I'm wondering if the donors funding Maxwell Institute might be persuaded to divert their resources to a new organization, given that the folks now in charge of MI seem to be abandoning the earlier vision of FARMS.

Time for a mass mailing!

[jwhitlock]

Question - has anyone used the contact e-mail address at the MI on their site to express their concern about what has happened?

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

I'll miss ya, DP. This is such an all-around bummer.

Leaders to Managers: The Fatal Shift by Nibs

Edited June 23, 2012 by JeremyOrbe-Smith

[Nemesis]

Question - has anyone used the contact e-mail address at the MI on their site

Yes critics are using it to send kudos to Dr. Bradford. I wonder how he feels knowing who his real supporters are.

Nemesis

[John Ping Pong]

On my blog

http://mormonscriptu...s-really-about/

Thank you for this background, Professor Hamblin.

It appears FARMS has become another casualty of Church correlation.

My sincerest condolences to Professor Peterson and the other members of the board.

I have a special spot in my heart for Louis Midgley, whose review in the first edition of the ROBOTBOM was transformational to me.

Any word on how Professor Welch is taking the news?

[jwhitlock]

Yes critics are using it to send kudos to Dr. Bradford. I wonder how he feels knowing who his real supporters are.

Nemesis

TIme to send my own e-mail, then. Would be a good thing to point out.

Of course, if it's true as at least one poster has speculated, that the new mission statement is to seek more "rapport" with critics of the Church, the opinions of members of the Church concerned about countering our enemies may be dismissed.

[Peppermint Patty]

Not likely. Looking anti-church at this point.

I wish Hamblin and Schriver would just put a cork in it.

Who cares that Bradford didn't read the Dehlin work? Probably deemed inappropriate in limine.

Looks like Brant escaped being pilloried.

I would tend to agree, Mr. Crockett. It's obvious that feelings have been hurt and that emotions are running high. I just wish that Hamblin, Schriver and Peterson would take some time and cool off. It's always better to assess the situation in a calm and collective manner.

In the long run, I hope that Hamblin, Schriver and Peterson will support and embrace the new direction BYU and the Maxwell Institute are heading. I tend to think everyone will be proud of the future scholarship and efforts from the Maxwell institue.

[jwhitlock]

I would tend to agree, Mr. Crockett. It's obvious that feelings have been hurt and that emotions are running high. I just wish that Hamblin, Schriver and Peterson would take some time and cool off. It's always better to assess the situation in a calm and collective manner.

In the long run, I hope that Hamblin, Schriver and Peterson will support and embrace the new direction BYU and the Maxwell Institute are heading. I tend to think everyone will be proud of the future scholarship and efforts from the Maxwell institue.

Have you ever been fired in a sleazy manner, Patty? If so, what was your attitude towards those who mistreated you long after the fact?

I think the situation has been rather well assessed. That the enemies of the Church are pleased with the changes at the MI should be a real warning flag as to how valid the new direction is. Crockett is just dead wrong in putting the blame for all of this on the apologists, and misrepresenting the situation at the MI as something just benign.

I see absolutely no reason to support the new direction or the people in charge. As Bill Hamblin has put it so well, the change in direction is nothing more than a betrayal of the original mission of the organization by those who have their own agenda.

And that agenda seems to include more outreach and rapport with enemies of the Church.

And that should be very disturbing to anyone committed to the Church and its mission.

[Bill Hamblin]

For those with ears to hear.

https://mormonscriptureexplorations.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/the-parable-of-the-football-team/

[Kenngo1969]

... In the long run, I hope that Hamblin, Schriver and Peterson will support and embrace the new direction BYU and the Maxwell Institute are heading. I tend to think everyone will be proud of the future scholarship and efforts from the Maxwell institue.

No offense, Patty, but ... is this spoken (written?) as though someone didn't even bother to read this thread before posting?

[Peppermint Patty]

Have you ever been fired in a sleazy manner, Patty? If so, what was your attitude towards those who mistreated you long after the fact?

I think the situation has been rather well assessed. That the enemies of the Church are pleased with the changes at the MI should be a real warning flag as to how valid the new direction is. Crockett is just dead wrong in putting the blame for all of this on the apologists, and misrepresenting the situation at the MI as something just benign.

I see absolutely no reason to support the new direction or the people in charge. As Bill Hamblin has put it so well, the change in direction is nothing more than a betrayal of the original mission of the organization by those who have their own agenda.

And that agenda seems to include more outreach and rapport with enemies of the Church.

And that should be very disturbing to anyone committed to the Church and its mission.

Yeah, when I was a teenager, I was fired from Lagoon. I felt that they had no basis for firing me and it hurt. I was confused and my pride was hurt. I think I learned some valuable lessons from that experience.

Getting fired, unfortunately, can happen to the best of us. It can happen even when it's not your fault. There could be a personality conflict between yourself and your supervisor. Management might want to go in another direction. You could have simply screwed up. It happens. You're not alone.

First, do not insult your former boss or employer. It almost always never changes the situation and tends to reflect badly on the fired employee. No future employer likes to wonder if you will talking about them that way in the future.

Second, don't be angry. Feeling angry after being fired is normal. As hard as it may be, and it is hard, you need to get over getting fired and move on. There are always better opportunities out there.

I have learned that how one reacts when being fired speaks volumes of that individual's character.

[William Schryver]

Therefore, those who were desirous that the course of the Maxwell Institute should be altered were angry with Professor Peterson, and desired that he should no longer be editor of the Mormon Studies Review; therefore there arose a dispute concerning the matter.

And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Professor Peterson should be dethroned from the editorship were called "learned scholars," for they were desirous that the agenda of the Maxwell Institute should be altered in a manner to overthrow those dedicated to defending the Church against the attacks of its enemies, and to establish the rule of the "learned scholars" over the Maxwell Institute.

And those who were desirous that Professor Peterson should remain editor of the Mormon Studies Review took upon them the name of apologists of Sergeant Nibley's Lonely Hearts Club Band; and thus was the division among them, for the apologists had sworn or covenanted to defend the Church against the attacks of its enemies.

And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was settled by the voice of the people. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the apologists, but the voice of the people was ignored, and Professor Peterson and his band of apologists were silenced by the learned scholars.

Now those who were in favor of the learned scholars were those of higher education, and they sought also to be learned scholars; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people.

And behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of the Church, for behold, Dehlin stirred up the hearts of the people of the apostates against the people of the Church, and he was gathering together supporters from all parts of the land, and arming them with talking points, and preparing for war with all diligence; for he had sworn to drink the blood of Professor Peterson and all his band of apologists. And it came to pass that he did fill his cup to overflowing.