The mission and purpose of the newly formed entity called “Book of Mormon Central” is to save The Holy Book of Mormon from becoming even more obscure than it already is. Some professors at BYU and the leadership of the Church have stopped believing in the historicity of the sacred record and are no longer willing to support it as they once did.
The symbolism of this shift manifested when Moroni’s trumpet curiously dislodged in a recent earthquake that rattled the Wasatch Front. The correct view is not that the earthquake caused it to fall, but that its falling caused the earth to shake as a sign of wickedness and disregard for The Holy Book of Mormon.
That fact is evident by the cancellation of the New York Hill Cumorah Pageant after 81 years:
“The goal of every activity in the Church should be to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to share His gospel message throughout the world. Local celebrations of culture and history may be appropriate. Larger productions, such as pageants, are discouraged” (Updated Statement on Local Celebrations, Including Pageants – Three pageants will continue, four will end“).
It’s possible to be a working professor at BYU and not believe in the historicity of the sacred record (or perhaps the account of the First Vision and the angel visits). Soon, it will be possible to be a “faithful” member of the upper echelon of the Church and yet not believe in the true account of The Holy Book of Mormon at all.
While Book of Mormon Central is fighting to defend the holy record from becoming MORE obscure, they are in fact (along with others holding to a “two Cumorah” theory) the reason the Church has been forced to take the position that it has.
When Thomas Stuart Ferguson conceded that there was no evidence for The Book of Mormon south of the U.S. border, John Sorenson et al. should have acknowledged the same and moved on to other lands (for example, where the record came forth). Sorenson’s final work (Mormon’s Codex) was unable to redeem the Church and the Mesoamerican theorists from the DNA fallout (see Losing a Lost Tribe), but at least Church leadership conceded there is no way “all inhabitants” of the Americas descended from Book of Mormon people and changed the Introduction from saying so.
We encourage the staff at BMC to stop all geography efforts immediately and focus solely on: a) identifying all of its teachings, b) determine which Mormon teachings are contrary to the sacred record, and c) motivate Church leaders, members, and educators to cling to the Book of Mormon—since that is what Book of Mormon “Central” claims to be about—and bring them out from the Church-wide curse of D&C 84:54-57. Let those of us who have already come out from the curse, and who have been shown the true geography, handle the geography.
About BMC
“We build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Book of Mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. “
“Its mission is to increase understanding and faithful engagement with the Book of Mormon.”
“…using materials from FARMS, the Religious Studies Center, the Maxwell Institute, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and more”
“Additional Projects…Pearl of Great Price Central
“The legal organization behind Book of Mormon Central is the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit public charity chartered in the state of Utah in 2004” (https://bookofmormoncentral.org/about).
About BMAF
“This past year BMAF was acquired by Book of Mormon Central”
Officers and Board of Trustees
- Tyler Livingston – President
- Douglas K. Christensen, Vice President, Internet specialist
Research & Education Board
- Joseph V. Anderson, J.D.
- Kirk Magleby, M.A.
- Garth Norman, M.A.
- F. Richard Hauck, PhD.
- Diane Wirth, M.A.
- Shirley Heater, B.A.
- Ted D. Stoddard, PhD.
Advisory Board
- Elder Ted E. Brewerton, Emeritus General Authority
- Elder Robert E. Wells, Emeritus General Authority
- Elder Merrill C. Oaks, Former General Authority
- Elder Clate W. Mask, Former General Authority
(http://bmaf.org)
TOUR OPERATORS1
Recommended Book of Mormon Tour Operators
- LDS Guided Tours
- Liahona Tours
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- Bountiful Travel
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