Comments about ‘Mormon geography conferences to compete this weekend’

My question is where are the real experts? Seems like a lot of amateur (not trained) people who become keenly interested buffs start these 'enterprises.' Show me some archeologists who have published in peer reviewed outlets rather than a collection of apologists at dueling 'conferences.' LDS leadership is wise to remain 'neutral' here.

Truthfully, I don't care where the events in the Book of Mormon occurred. There is evidence supporting many theories, but the location of events doesn't change the truthfulness of them. Plain and simply, I know the doctrines of the Book of Mormon are true, and the people were real, and the events were real. Where did it happen? I don't know, and it doesn't matter to me. Eventually I hope to be able to ask Nephi and others just where everything was, but until then I choose not to be concerned about it. When the time is right, I will find out those answers.

What a load of rubbish. Bring on General Conference and lets hear from those who hold the Priesthood keys.

Unlike the previous poster I do care where the events took place and if they took place. People get so defensive about those who have questions. This is a lot to swallow and we aren't all gullable to the core. Stop acting so annoyed people.

The problem with this guy is, no matter how sincere he is, his theory doesn't really hold water.

Joseph Smith stated on more than one occassion that the events of the Book of Mormon were to be found in Central America. How he, or any of the others, get around this, I have no idea. In addition, he uses the discovery of artifacts that have been proved to be forgeries to make his case. This makes a lot of scholars nuts.

No true scholars put any real creedence into his theories. Most scholars find the Mesoamerican model to be the most persuasive based on the evidence.

Although I am most persuaded by the Mesoamerican theory, it doesn't matter where these events took place. They happened somewhere, I know that.

The real point of the Book of Mormon is the message about Christ and his dealings with his people in the Western Hemisphere. Since I have received a spiritual confirmation of its truth, that's all that really matters.

However, I hope people will be really careful in approaching these guys with their theories.

Speculative geography floats some peoples' boat; I hope that this helps them in the long run, learning and producing.

Otherwise, the message is bigger than the physical container that holds it.

The spiritual message of Jesus, His scriptures and gospel.

I think it does matter, funny the church can't answer this simple question.

I am totally satisfied that Book of Mormon sites are in Central America after taking a sponsored LDS Travel tour with Dr. Joseph Allen and his son, Blake, in 2005. As scholars for 50 years, they have devoted their lives to this study with marvelous books, travel, and teaching. After having been there with them and being taught in daily classes on the ship and then seeing the evidence on land, I was thrilled. I will save my money on other theories. I, too, know that the Book of Mormon is true no matter where it happened! I am satisfied for now.

If it doesn't matter why do you want to hook up with Nephi and the others to ask where they were ?

Response to Jesse: Good question, but remember that sometimes being "trained" can actually cloud judgment and restrict freedom to express opinion for fear of peer retaliation. A person can gain much more pertinent knowledge, much faster through personal study than from formal classes laced with professionally entrenched biases. I was an Anthropology major. I learned first hand that professors can tell a different srory in private than from the podium. Everybody has a right to be heard.

Unlike the previous poster (1:44am)I know the events took place. I don't agree that people get defensive when others have questions. I do believe that we should listen to those who receive revelation for the church membership and not listen to those who speculate.
It's all interesting sure, but is it relevant? It definately shouldn't be a point of contention.

So far, there is no evidence that a written phoenetic language existed in Meldruum's theory. So far, there is no evidence that history and culture consistent with the Book of Mormon existed in Meldruum's theory. So far, there is no archeological evidence in Meldruum's theory. So far, the geography of Meldrum's model is not consistent with the Book of Mormon. All he has are conclusions he draws on a vague study of DNA of people after the Book of Mormon time period and of selected statements attributed to Joseph Smith. He accuses other theorists and church authorities of ignoring statements by Joseph when he, himself, ignores that Joseph wrote in the Times and Seasons in 1842 that the Mayans ought to be considered as possible progenitors of the Book of Mormon. The brethren have said that joseph made no authorittive claims as to the geography of the Book of Mormon. I agree with them. And his motivation is $$$. That says a lot. Perhaps someday more will be discovered to support him. I love to hear and rad about these new theories. I look forward to great learning in the years to come by all these scholars.

The two groups have an axe to grind. They are not unbiased researchers. As is clear from their comments in the article, propounding this theory is how they make their living.
I found the series of articles published by FAIR LDS on their website to be interesting. They discuss Meldrum's work and his DVD and illuminate its weaknesses.

The question was asked where the real experts are (rather than the amateurs there for the money)? The real experts, the ones who have extensive training in history, archealogy, etc. are to be found at the Maxwell Institute and also Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). They are the experts and they are almost unanimous that the Book of Mormon took place in Mesoamerica.

Mr. Meldrum needs to visit Southern Mexico, Belize, and northern Guatemala.

When you meet your maker, you be sure to tell Him that you felt that the location of Book of Mormon lands was so important that you could not listen to His doctrine. I'm sure that will serve you well.

No need to fight about it. I love reading and watching all of this stuff. It is incredibly interesting, and makes absolutely no difference as to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

I have learned a lot from reading what all sides have to contribute to this discussion. I have not chosen one side or another, because it doesn't matter, but it sure is interesting.

During the last year I have done much study on questions pertaining to the Bok of Mormon. I have a strong feling that the Bok of Mormon has no basis in reality. I believe that Joseph Smith wrote the bok with the help of other materials in circulation at the time as wel as healthy plagarism from the King James Version of the Bible, It sems reasonable to me that no one has found any archaeological, geographical, anthropological, or DNA evidence. Joseph Smith was teling stories to his family about Native Americans and there past adventures long before he obtained the Gold Plates. He didn't even have to translate the plates-he used a stovepipe hate and a couple of ser stones.

There is so much proof, we almost don't even need faith anymore.
Archeology and language prooved its true a long time ago.

As one who studies this from the perspective of interest, not really having a stake in the answer, I would be interested in the references to where Joseph Smith said on more than one occasion that it was in Central America.

I am familiar with the Zelph story and the statement Joseph made about the plains of the Nephites, but I am not familiar with any statements made by Joseph Smith about Central America.

Please tell me where that is...

"one who is truly interested"