Absolutes and the Book of Mormon

[Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum Doug Christens]

August, 2015

Please pardon this communication being my personal response to an article on the net, but I think it's important enough to share. Doug Christensen

A blog called Book of Mormon Wars, written by a man who professes neutrality but writes pro-heartlander, nevertheless dispenses some sage advice.  In his blog last weekend he quoted me as stating that “"Whenever anyone uses the words "all" or "none" or other absolutes............ beware, because there are very few absolutes and a person using them is trying to cover their ignorance on the subject."  Doug is right.  The article is at: http://bookofmormonwars.blogspot.com

This author was a Mesoamericanist in the past (or so he says) but now protests the absolutes used of necessity by apologists.  Though accusing both Mesoamerican and Heartland camps of using absolutes in excess, most of his examples are critical of Mesoamericanists.  Note that I did not say in my quote that there are no absolutes, just not many.  For instance, some absolutes required by the book itself,  in this arena are (1.) the Lehites were real people with real children, real problems, etc. (2.) they physically lived somewhere on the American continent (I totally reject the idea that “this land” can only mean the US mainland)  (3.) the Jaredites lived north of the Nephites but in the same general area (Limhi expedition), (4.) both groups were true civilizations  (5.)  both groups experienced almost constant warfare until their eventual destruction.

Just about everything else in the book (except scripture) is subject to interpretation.  Though I believe there is enough content in the book to make educated assumptions, there are no absolutes and so I have to back off my strong opinions of the past.  To me, however, there are some things that are like falling off a log.  The insistence on the Bishop Usher chronology of this earth and the statement there is no evolution and Meldrum’s advice to not read items coming out of BYU and the assertion of inspiration/revelation in the heartland model, leave me unable to investigate further because these statements and beliefs don’t fit in my worldview.

One last thought.  The author of the blog suggests both models may be right.  I warm up to such a statement if chronology is folded into the equation.  Other than being a world class study in pronouns, our Book of Mormon is a family history of Nephi’s family.  It is not intended to present any history only as required, nor any geography only as required, nor anything anthropologic only as required. With this limitation we are fortunate that we learn about multiple groups of dissenters and others not wishing to participate in the Nephite patriarachy who emigrated northward during Book of Mormon times and most likely before and after.

I have been intrigued with reports of artifacts and evidences of Mesoamerican culture being found in the southwest U.S.  Originally regarded as fallacious, these reports appear to have some credibility.  So, I agree at this point that there could be Nephites and Lamanites (Ammonites) living at some point(s) in time in the U.S. East.  Similarity in some areas between Mesoamerica and Moundbuilders is adequately shown.  But, I do not and cannot agree that the geography gleaned out of the Book of Mormon is in the US Heartland.

Is that an absolute?  No, I leave the door of further knowledge open.  If the prophet said the book took place in Texas, I would be on the first bus to Texas.

Recent articles posted to the BMAF website: (www.bmaf.org)  Click to open.

August 2015

• Answers to Letter Questions and Concerns  by  Larsen, Ryan
• The Importance of Locating the Jaredites  by  Stoddard, Ted Dee and Christensen, Doug

July 2015

• (10.) What Role Do “Desolate Cities” Play in Locating Book of Mormon Lands?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (11) . What Advantage Did Mormon Seek by Selecting Cumorah as the Site for the Final Battle?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (12.) Could the Book of Mormon Events Have Taken Place in South America?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (13.) Did Moroni Bury the Plates More Than Once?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (14.) Where Are the “South Countries” Spoken of by Mormon?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (15.) Is There Evidence That Mormon and Moroni Visited the American West?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (6.) How Bad Was the Destruction at the Time of the Crucixion? by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• (7.) Do Remnants of the Maya Language Appear in the Book of Mormon?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• Interpreting “Mormon’s Geographical Map” via Alma 22:27–35 and Alma 50:1–36  by  Andersen, Joe V. and Stoddard, Ted Dee 
• Response to Jerry L. Ainsworth’s Article, “Identifying the Book of Mormon’s Narrow Pass”  by  Andersen, Joe V.
• Revisiting "A Key for Evaluating Nephite Geographies"√  by  Clark, John E.
• The Deuteronomist Reforms and Lehi’s Family Dynamics  by  Rappleye, Neal
• The “Heartland Model”: The Rest of the Story  by  Andersen, Joe V. and Stoddard, Ted Dee 
• Where is the New World somewhere of the Book of Mormon?" by  Stoddard, Ted Dee
• [8]. .Are Ruin Sites on the Yucatan Peninsula Related to the Book of Mormon?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry 
• [9]. Does Cerro Bernal Meet the Description of the Hill Cumorah?  by  Ainsworth, Jerry

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