caspianrex Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 Although I have found The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, edited by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum, to be an interesting addition to my library of different editions of The Book of Mormon, and continue to be impressed by the lavish layout of the edition, I understand that many critics have had some grave misgivings about the book. In fact, I believe it was @Robert F. Smith who brought to my attention a rather extensive analysis and critique of Hocking and Meldrum's work on the AEBOM, in this multi-part article by Stephen O. Smoot, from the Interpreter Foundation's website. The author I recently stumbled on another interesting analysis and critique of the AEBOM, written just last year. This particular critique is from a blog entitled Latter-Day Light and Truth, published by Spencer Kraus. He references the earlier, longer article by Smoot, and seems to hold several of the same opinions. Not being too well versed in the debate over the "Heartland model" of BoM geography, it is difficult for me to understand all the arguments presented in these articles, but I think I get the general gist. As I mentioned above, even though I find the AEBOM to be lavishly illustrated (sometimes a bit too much so), and the typeface is nice and large for my aging eyes, I do take much of the supplementary material in the annotations with a very large grain of salt. I would be interested in hearing feedback on this more recent article by Mr. Kraus from those who are more knowledgeable in the subject. 2
Calm Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) Quote this book, as one Amazon review points out, is "a textbook example for how to desecrate a sacred religious text" That is some critique and unfortunately does not surprise me given the other activities promoted by this group or their associates, such as promoting an herb found at a site claimed to be an ancient Nephite temple site to be an ancient Nephite medicinal herb that could be the solution for Covid, hooking it up with an allegedly miraculous story of it getting through transportation restrictions, and then selling the essential oil as something unique when it was simply a common herb widely available. Quote In this review, following suit of others, I will shorten the name of the title from The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon to the AEBOM (though I personally call it the AEBOMination). Not pulling punches, lol Edited March 9, 2022 by Calm 1
Calm Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) Quote I am, however, critical of their work, ideas, and theories that they are trying to pass off as doctrine even though they have no theological or scholarly backing for such. If they would listen to the prophetic counsel from our current leaders, this review would not be necessary since I personally do not care where in the Americas you believe the Book of Mormon took place, but their blatant disregard for prophetic counsel and authority has merited action to help Latter-day Saints avoid their trap. This is my primary concern with the group as well, they promote drawing doctrinal lines in the sand that do not exist…and by doing so they set themselves up as the purveyors of truth for a price. (Generally speaking, there may be those associated with them that share ideas and products for free or at cost) Edited March 9, 2022 by Calm 1
Calm Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) Read the whole critique now and there is nothing that he says that I am aware of that is inaccurate, though there is a bit of info I can add. Hartman J Rector, Jr was the one former General Authority that had any association with the Firm Foundation (I cringe every time I write that because it means “Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism Foundation”…emblematic of their method of work being all about the easy flash/attention getter with poor follow through and doubling down or ignoring of critiques rather than using them to improve, rarely if ever taking the extra step of actually making the effort to make whatever they are working on both interesting and accurate and making sense with what else relates to the topic). Meldrum made a big deal about Brother Rector’s involvement at the beginning. According to what Meldrum claimed, he appeared to be interested in the theories and supportive of potential research. I remember Meldrum as coloring it as spiritual guidance and approval, constantly referencing inspiration he had received and how God’s hand was at work…a theme repeated in other events like the herbal essential oil promotion I mentioned earlier. (The info I have about Brother Rector was an email Meldrum sent out inviting people to join the new effort and send money.) On their website they posted a talk by Brother Rector after he died with a description that makes the talk appear to be approving of their current work when the talk is from 1974. https://bookofmormonevidence.org/the-united-states-is-the-land-choice-above-all-celebrating-the-work-of-hartman-rector-jr/ Quote Emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy Hartman Rector Jr. shares his thoughts about the Book of Mormon research in the Heartland of America I just briefly scanned through his talk, conveniently highlighted in red where they want you to pay attention, and while I see a belief that the US is the Land Choice Above All Others, I didn’t catch any references to actual research being done on Book of Mormon geography. Be interested if someone else could look at it and confirm whether I am right. If I am, it points out again how they so often just have to reach and make false claims to validate their work rather than using something for its actual value. It is a shame because it taints imo what they have misused and diminishes its actual value in people’s eyes. Brother Rector’s talk was about the purpose of the United States being for the spreading of the gospel and focused on living righteously to be led by the Spirit to be able to share the gospel. Patriotism without righteousness is not true patriotism. Quote It’s not enough just to be good, you know. You have to go the second mile. It’s not enough just to pay your tithing; you’ve got to feel good about it. It’s not enough just to be good; you’ve got to be good for something. We need to be good, but we need to be good for something. We need to be good for everybody that we touch. Quote It comes right back to what the Prophet said: “You cannot be patriotic unless you live righteously.” Nor can you have eternal life unless you live righteously. You can’t represent the Lord unless you live righteously. Righteous living makes it all possible. I’m convinced that this Church is going to be that leaven that leavens the whole loaf. We’re going to be here when the master comes—a people prepared to meet him. We’ll have to do it. It won’t just happen because we’re born here. We have great responsibility, but responsibility that’s a lot of fun. Enjoy it. Edited March 9, 2022 by Calm 1
Robert F. Smith Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 3 hours ago, caspianrex said: Although I have found The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, edited by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum, to be an interesting addition to my library of different editions of The Book of Mormon, and continue to be impressed by the lavish layout of the edition, I understand that many critics have had some grave misgivings about the book. In fact, I believe it was @Robert F. Smith who brought to my attention a rather extensive analysis and critique of Hocking and Meldrum's work on the AEBOM,............. From Rod Meldrum to Julie Rowe, there is certainly a lot of publishing activity within the Mormon community (note that I do not use the term Latter-day Saint community, which would be an oxymoron), and I consider it normal -- given the broad range of views among Mormons as a culture. A lot of Mormons are not very sophisticated in archeology, linguistics, genetics, history, theology, or comparative religion. So there is really no point in being too harsh in reviewing Mormon exploratory efforts. I praised my friend Rod Meldrum for the positive qualities of his huge Book of Mormon (ignored by reviewers), and he knows how I feel about his archeological notions. Years ago, Book of Mormon Central and his organization agreed not to say nasty things about each other, and I think that was a good step along the bumpy road to civility. 1
Hamba Tuhan Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, Calm said: That is some critique and unfortunately does not surprise me given the other activities promoted by this group or their associates, such as promoting an herb found at a site claimed to be an ancient Nephite temple site to be an ancient Nephite medicinal herb that could be the solution for Covid, hooking it up with an allegedly miraculous story of it getting through transportation restrictions, and then selling the essential oil as something unique when it was simply a common herb widely available. Link? Edited March 10, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan
Calm Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 For the herb thing? It was in emails…I will try to find it online. I think I posted about it before.
Hamba Tuhan Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) On 3/10/2022 at 1:03 PM, Calm said: For the herb thing? It was in emails…I will try to find it online. I think I posted about it before. Thanks. You've pushed my curiosity button! Edited March 11, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan
Calm Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) Not what I saw, but conveys the promotion that the herb was Nephite and sacred: Info on how to purchase: https://bookofmormonevidence.org/spotted-beebalm-zoom-meeting/ More connecting to Nephites and temple site: https://zarahemla.site/f/ancient-medicine-from-zarahemla Edited March 10, 2022 by Calm
Calm Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) I don’t want to dig out the original link so here is the story of the ‘miraculous’ (he doesn’t call it miraculous, that is just the vibe I get from the “life is better than fiction” story, definitely in the faith promoting category) transportation: Edited March 10, 2022 by Calm 1
Calm Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 Here is an advert for the essential oil: https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=405177791007599&id=109165767275471&locale2=ne_NP
Calm Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) Quote In the evening of September 24th, Dana Young, Founder and President of Be Young Total Health will give the second talk on Spotted beebalm. During his presentation he will bring his 25 years of experience in the essential oils business to bear on the plant and how the Zara thym™ essential oil blend was formulated to address a wide variety of health challenges that reaches far beyond even the realms of the Spotted beebalm alone.” Dana Young, Founder Be Young Health https://www.bofm.blog/nephites-were-dying-of-a-seasonal-fever-and-they-treated-it-with-an-herbal-remedy/ In one of the previous links, they talk about the first batch being sold out and there being a waiting list, which may be why it isn’t advertised that I can see outside of this group. $11 for a packet of 25 seeds harvested from the site in contrast to 1000 of the generic version at $3…what a bargain https://www.walmart.com/ip/Everwilde-Farms-1000-Spotted-Bee-Balm-Native-Wildflower-Seeds-Gold-Vault-Jumbo-Bulk-Seed-Packet/325938259? Bee balm is a great plant, tasty infusion and smells great. I have a goodly amount of a non-sacred variation in my yard. Edited March 10, 2022 by Calm 1
caspianrex Posted March 10, 2022 Author Posted March 10, 2022 3 hours ago, Calm said: Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism Foundation LOL...someone should notify the Department of Redundancy Department, which is located in Washington D.C. in the District of Columbia, I believe. 1
Hamba Tuhan Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Calm said: $11 for a packet of 25 seeds harvested from the site in contrast to 1000 of the generic version at $3…what a bargain https://www.walmart.com/ip/Everwilde-Farms-1000-Spotted-Bee-Balm-Native-Wildflower-Seeds-Gold-Vault-Jumbo-Bulk-Seed-Packet/325938259? Bee balm is a great plant, tasty infusion and smells great. I have a goodly amount of a non-sacred variation in my yard. Many thanks! So much interwoven crazy: Hey, we found Zarahemla, and by the way, give us your money for our oil, which is better than other people's oil because we collected the seeds in our Zarahemla. Seeds as talisman? ETA: I see that the video tries to link curing malaria (caused by a parasite) with curing (preventing?) COVID, which is caused by a virus ... Edited March 10, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan 1
Robert F. Smith Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 2 hours ago, Calm said: For the herb thing? It was in emails…I will try to find it online. I think I posted about it before. Essential oils are big in Utah: https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/essential-oils-utahs-whacky-new-religion/ . https://business.utah.gov/news/young-living-essential-oils-continues-grow-utah/ .
Hamba Tuhan Posted March 10, 2022 Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said: Essential oils are big in Utah: Your first link leads to the following: Rachel Monroe, 'How Essential Oils Became the Cure for Our Age of Anxiety: Aromatic oils have become big business. But are they medicine or marketing?', New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2017. It's an interesting, potentially important, read. I personally like good smells (and dislike bad smells). But I hate multilevel 'marketing' companies. From the article, 'According to a public income statement, more than ninety-four per cent of Young Living’s two million active members made less than a dollar in 2016'! Edited March 10, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan 1
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