Yesterday I attended an open house for Book of Mormon Central (http://bookofmormoncentral.org/). I am enthusiastic about this new initiative and warmly congratulate everyone involved with it. I encourage everyone to take a look when it launches on January 1, 2016.
This could do for Book of Mormon studies what the Joseph Smith papers have done for LDS historical studies.
I've also been assured that the site is following the Church policy of neutrality on geography issues, which is encouraging. Book of Mormon Central has the potential to lead to greater unity among all those who love the scriptures.
This could do for Book of Mormon studies what the Joseph Smith papers have done for LDS historical studies.
I've also been assured that the site is following the Church policy of neutrality on geography issues, which is encouraging. Book of Mormon Central has the potential to lead to greater unity among all those who love the scriptures.
Just glancing at it leads me to believe they are only neutral about actual locations in Mesoamerica. The site seems highly Mesoamericanized.
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ReplyDeleteThis is the email I received from Book of Mormon Central...
ReplyDeleteGordon, Here is the current Book of Mormon Central policy regarding geography:
Book of Mormon Central Policy on Book of Mormon Geography – January, 2016
Book of Mormon Central at this time is officially geography neutral. We seek deep understanding of the Book of Mormon text. We hope diligent students work together to achieve working consensus on the geographic correlation issue. Until that happens, our selection of exegetical material is guided by these principles:
· In our hierarchy of evidence, the text itself is primary because it is closest to the divine.
· If profound and compelling location-specific insights shed light on the text, we highlight these regardless of their geographic provenience.
· We favor authors with credentials in their areas of interest.
· We favor formally published works from reputable presses.
We welcome good work from any geographic persuasion that is responsive to these principles. In our collective experience, proposed Book of Mormon correspondences from Mesoamerica tend to satisfy our criteria more consistently than those from other areas.
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In other words, we welcome quality work from anywhere, but most of the research that meets our standard of scholarship continues to come from Mesoamerica just as it has for the last 30 years. Thanks for your interest.
- Kirk Magleby, Exec. Director.
I noticed that Kirk has 50 "followers" of his Book of Mormon Resources site. It would be interesting to know how many "followers" Jonathan gets.
DeleteJonathan has several sites. I think the Bookofmormonwars site would be the primary one of interest.
Jonathan?
My previous comment might have been a bit ambiguous. Just to clarify things. I'm a convert to the Heartland theory. Similar to the one in "Moroni's America."
DeleteIs there a better name than "Heartland Theory?" Sounds lame.
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