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In this episode brother Ash explores the work done by Dr. John Clark and Dr. John Sorenson concerning how the Great Lakes model for the Book of Mormon geography creates a number of inconsistencies and dilemmas that go beyond geographical issues.
The full text of this article can be found at Deseret News online.
Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.
The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon
I find it interesting that Fair Mormon is always trying to defend its Meso America theory and at the same time shows its ignorance of the evidence that has been put forth supporting the Heartland theory. Virtually everyone of the 10 criticisms cited in this podcast can be rebutted. Since the Church has no position as to the exact setting of the Book of Mormon, I think we would be best served if we continue to gather all the information with an open mind and see where that eventually leads us. It’s sad that “Fair Mormon” has had a closed mind on this issue from the “get-go.” It’s not a very scientific approach to assume that one’s theory is right and everyone else’s theory has no merit.
Hi, Greg. Thanks for your comments.
The Mesoamerican model is not FairMormon’s theory (you used the possessive pronoun “its” to describe the relationship between us and that theory). The Mesoamerican model is at least 60 years old in its current form.
Also, as the podcast indicates (at 7:39), “the opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.” They are the views of Michael Ash, who is an author and FairMormon volunteer, and whose Deseret News articles we’ve received permission to post in podcast form.
FairMormon’s objection is not to a Book of Mormon geography based in the continental United States, but rather to the irresponsible research of specific individuals who insist on specific U.S.-based models. For more information on the problems related to the “Heartland” theory, please see:
http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Geography/Models/Limited/Meldrum_2003
So the Great Lakes region is out. North America seems to have not been the place, Zelph notwithstanding. Where did the events described in the Book of Mormon take place, I wonder? I suppose the only answer is Mesoamerica. But doesn’t the Mesoamerican model crumble, too, when it is scrutinized? In my opinion, it’s quite a dilemma.
There is more to come in the series. Stay tuned…
-Ned