The Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum (BMAF) is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization dedicated as an open forum for presentation, dissemination, and discussion of research and evidences regarding Book of Mormon archaeology, anthropology, geography and culture within a Mesoamerican context. Our goals are (1) to increase understanding of the Book of Mormon as an ancient Mesoamerican text, (2) to correlate and publish works of LDS scholars, (3) to help promote unity and cooperation, and (4) to provide humanitarian, educational and employment opportunities for the people of Mesoamerica.
Their indebtedness to the Meso model goes very deep!
The following are some of the staunchest supporters of the Mesoamerican framework:
The largest challenge facing these folks is that their models are all "land prophecy deficient." That is to say, their focus upon "culture, a writing system, or calendar system," etc. are not land related and can be found anywhere. Take the work of R. A. Olsen for example. His "Malay Theory" has more "hits" than all above modelers combined. and yet his model is in the Islamic state of Malaysia!
Without land prophecies, you could have your ladder against the wrong tree and not know it!
People -v- Land
Culture -v- Geography
Land Prophecies -v- People Prophecies
Books claiming to be about the "geography" of the Book of Mormon should stick to the geography. Books touting this that and the other about the culture should entitle their books and the field of study "anthropology."
People become absorbed by other people and their cultures. People migrate, become annihilated, and so on. In other words, cultures are not land based and any person touting culture as the way to identify a land mass are putting the cart before the horse and should stop.
Book of Mormon Archaeological Foundation
Board of Directors
Fundraising Committee Tours / ClassesPrint Media Digital Media Quinn Cook David Parry Joseph L. Allen David C. AsayOrson Wright Ryan D. Williams Glen Sudbury Conrad Gottfredson Brian Utley Blake J. Allen Bruce Warren Nancy Sherwood Les Smith Mont Wooley Ted Stoddard Don Murray Doug Christensen Art Thompson
Tour Schedule 2002:
Please note that it is possible to join the 15-day deluxe tours for just the first or just the second week. The one week options usually are approximately $1995 (including airfare) depending on when you join and leave the group. Please call the office for details: 888-226-5205.
Unless otherwise noted the above prices include a round-trip airfare allowance of $500.
Date Itinerary Director(s) Cost6/27/03 15-day Nephi to Cumorah Mont Wooley $2995 + air7/4/03 Land of Nephi (9-day) Todd Allen $1995 + air7/4/03 15-day Nephi to Cumorah Joseph L. Allen $2995 + air7/11/03 15-day Nephi to Cumorah Robert Norman / Blake J. Allen $2995 + air8/4/03 Land of Nephi / Belize Ryan D. Williams SOLD OUT9/18/03 Convention (Guatemala City) Various Lecturers TBA10/11/03 15-day Nephi to Cumorah Ryan D. Williams $2995 + air10/24/03 15-day Nephi to Cumorah Richard Berrett $2995 + air10/31/03 Jaredite (9-day) Rex Arnett $1995 + air11/1/03 Land of Nephi (9-day) John Lund $1995 + air11/3/03 Imperial (21-day) Ron Jamison $4495 + air11/7/03 Nephi-Zarahemla (10-day) Joseph L. Allen SOLD OUT12/26/03 Jaredite (9-day) Ralph McAfee $1995 + air12/26/03 Land of Nephi (9-day) Todd Allen $1995 + air
Board of Trustees:
David C. Asay - Chairman
Richard F. Gordon - President
Robert L. Sperry - Vice President
Conrad A. Gottfredson - Vice President
Ryan D. Williams - Executive Director
Elder William Bradford
Elder Ted E. Brewerton
Elder Robert E. Wells
Randy S. Mellor
Art Thompson
Dawn ThompsonAdvisory Board:
Bob Ard
Gilbert Blake
Doug Christensen
Milt Hanks
Kraig Higginson
Kent W. Reese
Joe Reyna
Nancy Sherwood
Robert Starling
Eric Turbiville
Margaret WorkmanResearch and Education Board:
Elder William Bradford - Co-chair
Elder Ted E. Brewerton - Co-chair
Elder Robert E. Wells - Co-chair
David Hadlock - BMAF
F. Richard Hauck - ARI
Bruce Warren - AAF
Diane Wirth
Officers and Board of Trustees
David C. Asay - Chairman
Richard F. Gordon - President
Robert L. Sperry - Vice President
Stephen L. Carr - Vice President
Douglas K. Christensen
Randy S. Mellor
Robert StarlingAdvisory Board
Gilbert Blake
Conrad A. GottfredsonKirk MaglebyGlen RawlinsRita RawlinsKent Reese
Ryan Williams
Margaret WorkmanResearch & Education Board
Elder William R. Bradford - Co-Chair
Elder Ted E. Brewerton - Co-Chair
Elder Robert E. Wells - Co-Chair
David Hadlock
F. Richard Hauck, Phd
Garth Norman
Bruce Warren, Phd
Diane Wirth, Phd
Bruce Yerman
It becomes apparent that the Book of Mormon has been a big money maker for many of these individuals, who are heavily invested in Mesoamerica with their books, maps, lectures, tapes, conferences and tours. We dedicate a few pages to correcting their errors.
[Source for all pages: BMAF]