People are asking me why I haven't written in a while. The short answer: I've been busy.
:)
But we're all busy, and that's no excuse. So here are my explanations.
1. I've said what needs to be said about Mesoamerica already.
Sure, I could critique more of the Mesoamericanist arguments, but they are so fundamentally flawed that it's like beating a dead horse. Plus, I like those people and I don't want to pile on. All I ever wanted was for them to come to their senses. Many of them have; many more are; and I hope the rest will soon enough.
2. I've said what needs to be said about Church history already.
The reaction from Mesoamericanists to my research on Church history has been fascinating. Some have done everything possible to challenge my conclusions, which is fine. As a trial lawyer, I respected my opponents--especially the smartest ones--and enjoyed the back-and-forth. In this arena, though, I was surprised that so many perceived this as a competition. In my view, it's a search for truth, wherever it leads. I'm not representing a client. I don't have an ulterior motive. I just want everyone to focus on discovering the truth as best we can.
A lot of Mesoamericanists have contacted me to say they agree with what I found about Church history. Some of them see the implications for the geography issue, while others don't. I'm fine either way. Like I've always said, I'm not trying to convince anyone; I just want everyone to know the facts as much as possible.
That said, I've been disappointed by some of the critics. I have enough material on the Church history issues--including the authorship of the Times and Seasons articles--to write another book. Maybe two books. I doubt I'll ever have the time to publish it, although I'd like to. If my critics had been more focused on discovering the truth instead of debating me, they would have found the same material I have. I trust at some point someone will, and maybe that person will publish it. Maybe I'll write an article or two. But I think the point has been made: Joseph Smith never once said or wrote anything that linked the Book of Mormon to Central America (or anywhere outside of the United States circa 1842).
3. I've been working on Book of Mormon geography.
It seems like everyone who heard about the Church history issue had a follow-up question: Then where did the Book of Mormon take place? I've addressed that briefly in the books, but I go into the topic in depth in Moroni's America, which my publisher says should be out soon. At that point, I'm going to comment on the bookofmormonconsensus blog.
In the meantime, keep reading and studying and praying and working at whatever you're doing.
:)
:)
But we're all busy, and that's no excuse. So here are my explanations.
1. I've said what needs to be said about Mesoamerica already.
Sure, I could critique more of the Mesoamericanist arguments, but they are so fundamentally flawed that it's like beating a dead horse. Plus, I like those people and I don't want to pile on. All I ever wanted was for them to come to their senses. Many of them have; many more are; and I hope the rest will soon enough.
2. I've said what needs to be said about Church history already.
The reaction from Mesoamericanists to my research on Church history has been fascinating. Some have done everything possible to challenge my conclusions, which is fine. As a trial lawyer, I respected my opponents--especially the smartest ones--and enjoyed the back-and-forth. In this arena, though, I was surprised that so many perceived this as a competition. In my view, it's a search for truth, wherever it leads. I'm not representing a client. I don't have an ulterior motive. I just want everyone to focus on discovering the truth as best we can.
A lot of Mesoamericanists have contacted me to say they agree with what I found about Church history. Some of them see the implications for the geography issue, while others don't. I'm fine either way. Like I've always said, I'm not trying to convince anyone; I just want everyone to know the facts as much as possible.
That said, I've been disappointed by some of the critics. I have enough material on the Church history issues--including the authorship of the Times and Seasons articles--to write another book. Maybe two books. I doubt I'll ever have the time to publish it, although I'd like to. If my critics had been more focused on discovering the truth instead of debating me, they would have found the same material I have. I trust at some point someone will, and maybe that person will publish it. Maybe I'll write an article or two. But I think the point has been made: Joseph Smith never once said or wrote anything that linked the Book of Mormon to Central America (or anywhere outside of the United States circa 1842).
3. I've been working on Book of Mormon geography.
It seems like everyone who heard about the Church history issue had a follow-up question: Then where did the Book of Mormon take place? I've addressed that briefly in the books, but I go into the topic in depth in Moroni's America, which my publisher says should be out soon. At that point, I'm going to comment on the bookofmormonconsensus blog.
In the meantime, keep reading and studying and praying and working at whatever you're doing.
:)
Thanks for the update. I was wondering where you had been. :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading Moroni's America. I think it will be interesting.