Everyone involved with the study of the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon owes it to fellow Latter-day Saints, and the world as a whole, to
(i) clarify their unity regarding the facts, and
(ii) clarify their respective assumptions, inferences and theories.
Then everyone can make informed decisions without any contention.
Why is this so difficult for some people to accept?
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| Unity in diversity |
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The distinction between facts and assumptions explains the main difference between
(i) the M2Cers at Scripture Central, FAIRLDS, the Interpreter, etc.
and
(ii) those Latter-day Saints who still believe what the prophets have taught about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon (let's call them Heartlanders even though they have multiple working hypotheses and don't work for any organizations like the M2Cers).
Once everyone recognizes the distinction between Facts and Assumptions (along with inferences, theories, and hypotheses), we can all see clearly, with charity and understanding, and thereby make informed decisions in openness and transparency.
This process eliminates contention because it eliminates the compulsion to convince others. Everyone can freely reach their own conclusions and understand why others reach different conclusions. We can all enjoy unity in diversity.
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Facts. M2Cers and Heartlanders agree that there is a clear, unambiguous set of facts about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon consisting of historical documents that contain direct statements from Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, their contemporaries and their successors in Church leadership. We can all read the documents for ourselves in the Joseph Smith Papers and other sources.
Key point: No one disagrees about the existence of these facts.
Assumptions. The facts--the existence of a document and its contents--do not determine anyone's beliefs. Instead, assumptions about those facts lead to the various theories people develop, the main assumptions being whether or not the contents are reliable, accurate, trustworthy, etc.
This is why, even though M2Cers and Heartlanders agree about the facts, they derive quite different theories from the identical facts. IOW, disagreements between M2Cers and Heartlanders arise from their assumptions and inferences about those facts, not from the facts per se.
For example, M2Cers assume that when Oliver Cowdery declared it was a fact that the hill in New York is the Hill Cumorah/Ramah of the Book of Mormon, he was merely speculating and was wrong. They assume that Lucy Mack Smith falsely reported that the first time he appeared to Joseph Smith, Moroni identified the location of the plates as the Hill of Cumorah. They assume that D&C 128:20 reflects Joseph's adoption of this false narrative, and so on.
Heartlanders, by contrast, assume that Oliver, Lucy, Joseph and others were relating the truth.
This difference in assumptions should be crystal clear for everyone to see.
Those who object to transparency should question their motivations, and it should be clear to everyone who favors transparency and who opposes it.
What drives assumptions. People generally make assumptions to confirm their biases.
Using Oliver as an example, M2Cers and Heartlanders alike assume the veracity of Oliver's testimony about the existence of the plates and the Urim and Thummim, the restoration of the Priesthood, and the restoration of important keys for missionary and temple work.
Where they differ is in their assumptions about Oliver's statements about the hill Cumorah/Ramah. (The SITH issue is similar.)
M2Cers assume that Oliver's statement of fact was actually false because they have convinced themselves that the hill in New York is too far from the Mesoamerican setting they have assumed and therefore cannot be the Hill Cumorah/Ramah of the Book of Mormon.
Heartlanders assume that Oliver told the truth about Cumorah/Ramah because he had good reason to know and because they accept Oliver's testimony about the other events.
Based on those two different assumptions, both groups follow the same systematic approach toward the text and extrinsic evidence:
The text. M2Cers and Heartlanders alike make assumptions about the text of the Book of Mormon and draw inferences (interpretations) that corroborate their respective assumptions about the veracity and reliability of the contents of the historical documents regarding Cumorah.
Extrinsic evidence. M2Cers and Heartlanders alike appeal to extrinsic evidence (archaeology, anthropology, geology, geography, etc.) to corroborate their respective assumptions.
Usually the debates on the setting of the Book of Mormon focus on the respective interpretations and extrinsic evidence, which is a red herring fallacy. It is axiomatic that everyone will find ways to confirm their biases.
The different biases arise from different assumptions about the facts. Secondary differences (interpretations and extrinsic evidence) flow from the different assumptions.
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At the present time, M2Cers and Heartlanders also differ in their approaches to these issues.
Heartlanders welcome and encourage transparent comparisons between the two sets of assumptions, inferences, and theories.
M2Cers (at least those who manage Scripture Central, FAIRLDS, and the Interpreter) discourage and resist transparent comparisons between the two sets of assumptions, inferences, and theories.
Impartial observers can easily see which approach is more effective at enabling people to make informed decisions.
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To repeat, this is why everyone involved with the study of the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon owes it to fellow Latter-day Saints, and the world as a whole, to
(i) clarify their unity regarding the facts, and
(ii) clarify their respective assumptions, inferences and theories.
Then everyone can make informed decisions without any contention.
Why is this so difficult?
