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Specific works/DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD): Difference between revisions
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|title=DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD); Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences (Seminar)
|L=Specific works/DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD)
|author=The FIRM Foundation
|H=DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD); Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences (Seminar)
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=About this work=
=About this work=
==Quick navigation==
*[[/Index|Index of geographical claims]]—[[/Hierarchy of doctrinal authority|Hierarchy of doctrinal authority]]—[[/"Discounting" or "disdaining" Joseph Smith|"Discounting" or "disdaining" Joseph Smith]]—[[/DNA and religious claims|DNA and religious claims]]—[[/DNA science error and misrepresentation|DNA science error and misrepresentation]]—[[/Joseph had revelation|Joseph had revelation]]—[[/BYU criticized for teaching evolution|BYU criticized for teaching evolution]]
*For FairMormon's detailed review of this DVD, see: [http://www.fairmormon.org/reviews-of-dna-evidence-for-book-of-mormon-geography Reviews of DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography]


==Quotes==
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
''The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.''  
''When attacked by error, truth is better served by silence than by a bad argument.''
<br>
<br>
&mdash;Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher (1844 - 1900)
&mdash;Elder Dallin H. Oaks, [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=369027cd3f37b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “Alternate Voices,”] ''Ensign'' (May 1989): 28.
</blockquote>  
</blockquote>  
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
''Within 48 hours the Lord provided the answer to how this was to be accomplished... What a tremendous blessing!... Within 48 hours again the Lord provided another 'miracle'... So the Lord is watching out for this project! ...I asked my dear friend [an emeritus LDS general authority] if he would give my wife and I a special blessing...The only thing I can share from the blessings is that the overall understanding is that this information will go out to "millions" who will be touched by the work, and that this will "embolden" the saints to open their mouths and declare anew the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that millions will find and enter his kingdom! The spirit was overwhelmingly wonderful and we felt so blessed to have that privilege.''
''Within 48 hours the Lord provided the answer to how this was to be accomplished... What a tremendous blessing!... Within 48 hours again the Lord provided another 'miracle'... So the Lord is watching out for this project! ...I asked my dear friend [an emeritus LDS general authority] if he would give my wife and I a special blessing...The only thing I can share from the blessings is that the overall understanding is that this information will go out to "millions" who will be touched by the work, and that this will "embolden" the saints to open their mouths and declare anew the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that millions will find and enter his kingdom! The spirit was overwhelmingly wonderful and we felt so blessed to have that privilege.''
<br>
<br>
&mdash;"Update and Request to Serve on the FIRM FOUNDATION Counsel," e-mail dated 9 May 2008.
&mdash;{{Meldrum E-mail 9 May 2008}}.
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
''FAIR has claimed that I have said or ‘implied’ that I think I have received revelation from God for the church. That is a blatant untruth that they have been propogating without a shred of evidence, because none exists. I have never thought, claimed, nor said that I have ever received revelation for the church. Ever. They intercepted an email where in I said that I felt that I had had some prayers answered, and they have tried to make that into ‘getting revelation directly from God for the church’. That is their FAIRytale. That is the problem with their attacks, they claim things that are absolutely untrue in order to castigate my character.''  
''FAIR has claimed that I have said or ‘implied’ that I think I have received revelation from God for the church. That is a blatant untruth that they have been propagating without a shred of evidence, because none exists. I have never thought, claimed, nor said that I have ever received revelation for the church. Ever. They intercepted an email where in I said that I felt that I had had some prayers answered, and they have tried to make that into ‘getting revelation directly from God for the church’. That is their FAIRytale. That is the problem with their attacks, they claim things that are absolutely untrue in order to castigate my character.''  
<br>
<br>
&mdash;[http://bookofmormonevidenceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/welcome-to-the-dna-evidence-for-book-of-mormon-blog/ Comment by The FIRM Foundation Blog] — October 4, 2008  
&mdash;[http://bookofmormonevidenceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/welcome-to-the-dna-evidence-for-book-of-mormon-blog/ Comment by The FIRM Foundation Blog] — October 4, 2008  
Line 30: Line 31:
''It is important to know what the Book of Mormon is not...President George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “The Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities … is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work.”''
''It is important to know what the Book of Mormon is not...President George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “The Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities … is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work.”''
<br>
<br>
&mdash;James E. Faust, “The Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Jan 2004, 2–6
&mdash;James E. Faust, [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c47674536cf0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “First Presidency Message: The Keystone of Our Religion,”] Ensign, Jan 2004, 2–6
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
{{parabreak}}
{{parabreak}}


=A response to claims made in the DVD and associated seminar presentations=
=A response to claims made in the DVD and associated seminar presentations=
*For FAIR's detailed review of this DVD, see: [http://www.fairlds.org/DNA_Evidence_for_Book_of_Mormon_Geography/ Reviews of DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography]
All of us make assumptions and have beliefs that are not necessarily true. As we learn more, we make adjustments to our beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs are heavily influenced by a particular book, website, DVD, or experience in our life.  Depending on what foundational experiences we have, we may come to differing conclusions and opinions. This is a normal part of the learning process, and thus within the Church we find a variety of opinions on several issues. The Church has clearly identified some areas where there is no revealed doctrine. For example, there is no revealed doctrine on the age of the earth, the role of evolution, or the location of Book of Mormon geography. Church members, and even General Authorities, are free to express a variety of divergent opinions regarding these issues.
All of us make assumptions and have beliefs that are not necessarily true. As we learn more, we make adjustments to our beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs are heavily influenced by a particular book, website, DVD, or experience in our life.  Depending on what foundational experiences we have, we may come to differing conclusions and opinions. This is a normal part of the learning process, and thus within the Church we find a variety of opinions on several issues. The Church has clearly identified some areas where there is no revealed doctrine. For example, there is no revealed doctrine on the age of the earth, the role of evolution, or the location of Book of Mormon geography. Church members, and even General Authorities, are free to express a variety of divergent opinions regarding these issues.


Members of FAIR don't mind there being a healthy debate on any of those issues as we understand that there is no revealed doctrine. We are free to all disagree. The danger comes when an individual starts proclaiming the words of Joseph Smith in one of these areas and, in spite of the Church's claims to the contrary, claims it is revealed doctrine. We also object when there are implications made that scholars who are affiliated with the Church and help write our Sunday School manuals are leading the Church astray.
Members of FAIR don't mind there being a healthy debate on any of those issues as we understand that there is no revealed doctrine. We are free to all disagree. The danger comes when an individual starts proclaiming the words of Joseph Smith in one of these areas and, in spite of the Church's claims to the contrary, claims it is revealed doctrine. We also object when there are implications made that scholars who are affiliated with the Church and help write our Sunday School manuals are leading the Church astray.


With this in mind, we have focused a lot of attention on the writings, presentation, and DVD of one public speaker and fireside presenter who seems to have taken this position. Many have asked us why we single him out. It is not for his beliefs on Book of Mormon geography, rather, it is for the attitude that The Church and its leadership may have been led astray. We find that a dangerous position that must receive a vigorous response.
With this in mind, we have focused a lot of attention on the writings, presentation, and DVD of one public speaker and fireside presenter who seems to have taken this position. Many have asked us why we single him out. It is not for his beliefs on Book of Mormon geography, rather, it is for the implication that the Church and its leadership may have been led astray. We find that a dangerous position that must receive a vigorous response.


The DVD "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" and its associated seminar series make a number of disturbing claims. In order to "prove" what is referred to as the Heartland model of Book of Mormon geography, the audience is first instructed on how to determine truth, and even how to interpret specific words contained in the scriptures. The audience is also presented with examples which are designed to lead the audience to believe that anyone that does not accept this geographical model is "discounting and disdaining" the words of Joseph Smith. Such an approach is insulting to faithful scholars and members who spend a significant amount of time defending Joseph Smith. The following sections provide an overview of some of the more egregious of these claims.  
The DVD "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" and its associated seminar series make a number of disturbing claims. In order to "prove" what is referred to as the Heartland model of Book of Mormon geography, the audience is first instructed on how to determine truth, and even how to interpret specific words contained in the scriptures. The audience is also presented with examples which are designed to lead the audience to believe that anyone that does not accept this geographical model is "discounting and disdaining" the words of Joseph Smith. Such an approach is insulting to faithful scholars and members who spend a significant amount of time and effort defending Joseph Smith against his detractors. The following sections provide an overview of some of the more egregious of these claims.  


It should be noted that some claims are unique to the introductory seminar, and are not made in the DVD.
===Revisions to the DVD===
 
*It should be noted that the revised DVD video includes categorical statements that there is no official Church position on Book of Mormon geography, and has dropped any statements stating or implying that revelation backs the position of the presenter. "There is an explicit statement  by Emeritus General Authority Elder Hartman Rector at the beginning of the DVD, that there is no official Church position on Book of Mormon Geography." <ref>Steven Danderson, [http://www.fairblog.org/2009/03/31/a-look-at-meldrums-revised-dvd/ A look at Meldrum’s revised DVD….] (March 31, 2009)</ref>
==Specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model==
 
The Heartland model makes a number of claims that contradict the Book of Mormon itself. For a discussion and response to specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model, see the main article:
{{Main|Book of Mormon geography/Models/Limited/Meldrum 2003}}
 
==Is there a "hierarchy" for how to determine truth?==
In the seminar "Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences," the presenter states that there exists a "hierarchy" by which something can be proven through research:
 
#Scripture
#Statements of Joseph Smith
#Statements of the current prophet only while he is called as a prophet.
#Everything that does not fit into these three categories is to be considered opinion.  
 
In order to demonstrate the proposed hierarchical order, the presenter notes that “prophets themselves are held accountable to the scriptures.” Citations that are used to back up this claim are:  
 
*Joseph Fielding Smith, ''Doctrines of Salvation'' 3:203
*Harold B. Lee, ''Stand Ye in Holy Places'', pp. 109-110.
*Harold B. Lee, ''Stand Ye in Holy Places'', pp. 162-163.
 
It should also be noted that this "hierarchy" matches exactly the first testimonial on the "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" web site:


*On the back of the cellophane DVD wrapper of the revised DVD is a sticky label imprinted with the following notice:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
...In working for the Church I was told to use for research only: 1) the scriptures 2) Joseph Smith and 3) the words of the Prophets, while they were prophets. All else was to be considered opinion. This is why I couldn't go along with the traditional sites of Book of Mormon Lands, as well as numerous textual evidences within the Book itself... (03.02.08 Name withheld) ''DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography&mdash;Testimonials'' {{link|url=http://www.bookofmormonevidence.org/testimony.php}}
    "Correction Notice: A quote from President Hinckley used in the presentation is used incorrectly and will be removed from the next version of the DVD. It was incorrectly understood that the Prophet was speaking of all people who dismiss Joseph Smith, including LDS scholars; however it has been brought to my attention that President Hinckley spoke specifically of non-members and did not specifically mention scholars. As stated in the presentation, if there are mistakes, they will be corrected."
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


===Problems with the "hierarchy"===
*In an introductory presentation attended by several FAIR members in March 2009 (well after the revision of the DVD), the presenter was still mentioning "LDS scholars discounting or disdaining" Joseph Smith.
There are some serious problems with the "hierarchy" as it is presented:
*It does not allow prophetic statements of Joseph Smith to be distinguished from his opinion.
*It assumes a distinction between words spoken by the same Church leader before and after they are called as a prophet.
*The “hierarchy” is designed to lead to the conclusion that the "statements of Joseph Smith" supersede the "statements of the current prophet while he is a prophet."


Setting up the hierarchy in this manner sets the stage for the presenter to apply prophetic weight to any statement made by Joseph Smith that deals with Book of Mormon geography. Ironically, a number of geographical statements made by Joseph that contradict the Heartland model are ignored. (To view statements made by Joseph Smith which contradict the Heartland model, see [[Book of Mormon geography/Statements/Joseph Smith|Joseph Smith's statements regarding Book of Mormon geography]]) One must therefore assume that only ''selected'' geographical statements from Joseph Smith are to be given prophetic weight.
===Differences between seminar and DVD===
It should be noted that some claims are unique to the introductory seminar, and are not made in the DVD. Other remarks and claims are also made in e-mails or in on-line forums. These are indicated where appropriate.


In contrast to the claim that Joseph revealed a geography, the First Presidency has stated that Book of Mormon geography has ''not'' been revealed:
==Specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model==


<blockquote>
The Heartland model makes a number of claims that contradict the Book of Mormon itself. For a discussion and response to specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model, see the main article:
''The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. Nor are we acquainted with any of the Twelve Apostles who would undertake such a task. The reason is, that without further information they are not prepared even to suggest [a map]. The word of the Lord or the translation of other ancient records is required to clear up many points now so obscure.''<br>
{{Main|Book of Mormon geography/Models/Limited/Meldrum 2003|l1=Heartland model}}
&mdash;{{JI1|author=George Q. Cannon|article=Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography|vol=25|num=1|date=1 January 1890|start=18–19}}
{{Main|/Index|l1=Index of geographical claims}}
</blockquote>


President James E. Faust recalled the words of George Q. Cannon in 2004.
==Other claims==


<blockquote>
* [[/Hierarchy of doctrinal authority|Hierarchy of doctrinal authority]]
''It is important to know what the Book of Mormon is not...President George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “The Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities … is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work.”''
* [[/"Discounting" or "disdaining" Joseph Smith|"Discounting" or "disdaining" Joseph Smith]]
<br>
* [[/DNA and religious claims|DNA and religious claims]]
&mdash;James E. Faust, “The Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Jan 2004, 2–6
* [[/DNA science error and misrepresentation|DNA science error and misrepresentation]]
</blockquote>
* [[/Joseph had revelation|Joseph had revelation]]
 
* [[/BYU criticized for teaching evolution|BYU criticized for teaching evolution and an 'old earth']]
The First Presidency has ''not changed its position'' regarding the location of a Book of Mormon geography. Attempts to formulate a Book of Mormon geography from Joseph Smith's statements are not the problem&mdash;the real issue is assuming that one can definitively say that Joseph ''claimed a revealed geography'' in contradiction to claims of current Church leaders. Attempting to create a "hierarchy" that in essence demotes the words of the living prophets below those of Joseph Smith is charting dangerous ground. In other words, to do such a thing "discounts and disparages" the words of the living prophets.
 
On May 4, 2007 the First Presidency made a significant statement which it published on the Church Website. They clarified what is meant by official Church "doctrine". Church doctrine is only something that is:
 
#proclaimed under inspiration by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
#when the above individuals authorize it in Church publications.
#it is in the four Standard Works
#official declarations and proclamations
#the Articles of Faith
 
The First Presidency went on to say:
<blockquote>
"Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church."
</blockquote>


The presentation and DVD therefore place what they claim are Joseph Smith's prophetic utterances against the words of later prophets. This places Church members in the untenable situation of having to choose to either accept the statements of modern prophets or to instead accept the presenter's interpretation of the words of Joseph Smith.
{{Endnotes label}}
 
==LDS Scholars "discounting and disdaining" Joseph Smith?==
{{Main|Book of Mormon geography/Disdaining the statements of Joseph Smith|l1=LDS scholars "discounting and disdaining" the statements of Joseph Smith?}}
Both the DVD and presentation "Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences" show unattributed statements from LDS scholars and indicate that these scholars are "discounting and disdaining" Joseph Smith. The presenter claims that the reason that a "two-Cumorah theory" had to be developed was because "we wanted to believe in Central America" as the location for the Book of Mormon.
 
This is an absurd claim. Despite the omission of the writers names and the DVD narrator's claim that this is "not about the individuals," the quotes from LDS scholars are easily identifiable. The presentation and DVD therefore accuse Kenneth W. Godfrey, Matthew Roper, Jeff Lindsay and John Sorenson, all of whom are strong defenders of the faith, of "discounting or disdaining" Joseph Smith.
*For details on this claim, see: [[Book of Mormon geography/Disdaining the statements of Joseph Smith|LDS scholars "discounting and disdaining" the statements of Joseph Smith?]]
 
*Quotes shown say "name witheld."
*The quotes by LDS scholars are from Matthew Roper, Kenneth W. Godfrey, and John Sorenson.
*The DVD shows a quote by Gordon B. Hinckley, "Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant," Ensign (December 2005).
 
==Genetics==
In the seminar, it is claimed that all races on the earth descended from one of three "supergroups" associated with the sons of Noah:
*All Caucasians are claimed to be descendants of Shem.
*All Asians are claimed to be descendants of Japheth.
*All Blacks are claimed to be descendants of Ham.
The presenter claims that "Ham's descendants went to Egypt" and that "Japeth went into the Asia area."
 
It should be noted that this racial assignment does not even match the traditional assignment of Japeth to the "white" race, Shem to the "red" race and Ham to the "black" race.
 
The designation of race in this manner is overly simplistic and ignores basic principles of population genetics. The "racialization" of Noah's sons is a modern invention, and has nothing to do with genetics. According to Stephen R. Haynes:
<blockquote>
The familiar connection of Noah's sons with Europe, Asia, and Africa (the three regions of the Old World) developed only "slowly and tentatively" in the first centuries of the common era. What became the conventional "three son, three continent view" was elaborated by Alcuin (732-804) and refined in the twelfth century by Peter Comester (ca. 1100-1179). But these medieval associations were unstable, and the assignment of Ham to Africa, Shem to Asia, and Japheth to Europe was not inscribed on the European mind until the Age of Exploration.[9] By the nineteenth century, the same intellectual and social forces that contributed to the racialization of Noah's prophecy came to bear on Genesis 10, which was consistently read as an account of humanity's racial origins and as proof that "racial distinctions and national barriers proceed from God." [10] {{ref|haynes.5}}
</blockquote>


==Endnotes==
<references/>
<!-- Section 1 -->
#{{note|haynes.5}}Stephen R. Haynes, ''Noah's Curse: The Biblical Justification of American Slavery'', (Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 5. {{attn}} Add Haynes refs [9] and [10] here.


=Further reading=
=Further reading=
==External web sites==
{{HeartlandGeographyTables}}
*[http://www.mormonsites.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=468 Dr. Ainsworth responds to Rod Meldrum DVD], blog, 20 September, 2008.

Latest revision as of 21:47, 13 April 2024

DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD); Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences (Seminar)



Index of geographical claims

About this work

Quick navigation

Quotes

When attacked by error, truth is better served by silence than by a bad argument.
—Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Alternate Voices,” Ensign (May 1989): 28.

Within 48 hours the Lord provided the answer to how this was to be accomplished... What a tremendous blessing!... Within 48 hours again the Lord provided another 'miracle'... So the Lord is watching out for this project! ...I asked my dear friend [an emeritus LDS general authority] if he would give my wife and I a special blessing...The only thing I can share from the blessings is that the overall understanding is that this information will go out to "millions" who will be touched by the work, and that this will "embolden" the saints to open their mouths and declare anew the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that millions will find and enter his kingdom! The spirit was overwhelmingly wonderful and we felt so blessed to have that privilege.
—Rod Meldrum, "Update and Request to Serve on the FIRM FOUNDATION Counsel," e-mail dated 9 May 2008 off-site.

FAIR has claimed that I have said or ‘implied’ that I think I have received revelation from God for the church. That is a blatant untruth that they have been propagating without a shred of evidence, because none exists. I have never thought, claimed, nor said that I have ever received revelation for the church. Ever. They intercepted an email where in I said that I felt that I had had some prayers answered, and they have tried to make that into ‘getting revelation directly from God for the church’. That is their FAIRytale. That is the problem with their attacks, they claim things that are absolutely untrue in order to castigate my character.
—Comment by The FIRM Foundation Blog — October 4, 2008

It is important to know what the Book of Mormon is not...President George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “The Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities … is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work.”
—James E. Faust, “First Presidency Message: The Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Jan 2004, 2–6

∗       ∗       ∗

A response to claims made in the DVD and associated seminar presentations

All of us make assumptions and have beliefs that are not necessarily true. As we learn more, we make adjustments to our beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs are heavily influenced by a particular book, website, DVD, or experience in our life. Depending on what foundational experiences we have, we may come to differing conclusions and opinions. This is a normal part of the learning process, and thus within the Church we find a variety of opinions on several issues. The Church has clearly identified some areas where there is no revealed doctrine. For example, there is no revealed doctrine on the age of the earth, the role of evolution, or the location of Book of Mormon geography. Church members, and even General Authorities, are free to express a variety of divergent opinions regarding these issues.

Members of FAIR don't mind there being a healthy debate on any of those issues as we understand that there is no revealed doctrine. We are free to all disagree. The danger comes when an individual starts proclaiming the words of Joseph Smith in one of these areas and, in spite of the Church's claims to the contrary, claims it is revealed doctrine. We also object when there are implications made that scholars who are affiliated with the Church and help write our Sunday School manuals are leading the Church astray.

With this in mind, we have focused a lot of attention on the writings, presentation, and DVD of one public speaker and fireside presenter who seems to have taken this position. Many have asked us why we single him out. It is not for his beliefs on Book of Mormon geography, rather, it is for the implication that the Church and its leadership may have been led astray. We find that a dangerous position that must receive a vigorous response.

The DVD "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" and its associated seminar series make a number of disturbing claims. In order to "prove" what is referred to as the Heartland model of Book of Mormon geography, the audience is first instructed on how to determine truth, and even how to interpret specific words contained in the scriptures. The audience is also presented with examples which are designed to lead the audience to believe that anyone that does not accept this geographical model is "discounting and disdaining" the words of Joseph Smith. Such an approach is insulting to faithful scholars and members who spend a significant amount of time and effort defending Joseph Smith against his detractors. The following sections provide an overview of some of the more egregious of these claims.

Revisions to the DVD

  • It should be noted that the revised DVD video includes categorical statements that there is no official Church position on Book of Mormon geography, and has dropped any statements stating or implying that revelation backs the position of the presenter. "There is an explicit statement by Emeritus General Authority Elder Hartman Rector at the beginning of the DVD, that there is no official Church position on Book of Mormon Geography." [1]
  • On the back of the cellophane DVD wrapper of the revised DVD is a sticky label imprinted with the following notice:

"Correction Notice: A quote from President Hinckley used in the presentation is used incorrectly and will be removed from the next version of the DVD. It was incorrectly understood that the Prophet was speaking of all people who dismiss Joseph Smith, including LDS scholars; however it has been brought to my attention that President Hinckley spoke specifically of non-members and did not specifically mention scholars. As stated in the presentation, if there are mistakes, they will be corrected."

  • In an introductory presentation attended by several FAIR members in March 2009 (well after the revision of the DVD), the presenter was still mentioning "LDS scholars discounting or disdaining" Joseph Smith.

Differences between seminar and DVD

It should be noted that some claims are unique to the introductory seminar, and are not made in the DVD. Other remarks and claims are also made in e-mails or in on-line forums. These are indicated where appropriate.

Specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model

The Heartland model makes a number of claims that contradict the Book of Mormon itself. For a discussion and response to specific geographical claims related to the Heartland model, see the main article:

Main article: Heartland model
Main article: Index of geographical claims

Other claims

Notes (click to expand)
  1. ↑ Steven Danderson, A look at Meldrum’s revised DVD…. (March 31, 2009)


Further reading

Heartland (Meldrum) Geography claims
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