Reynolds-Pement

Partial statement from LDS writer Noel Reynolds

---- Beginning of excerpt ----

6. Many Book of Mormon research projects have implications for the continuing issues surrounding the authorship of the Book of Mormon. Most Latter-day Saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the United States devoted to refuting Mormonism and to criticizing the Book of Mormon.

It may be of interest for you to hear what two young evangelical scholars recently told their own colleagues in comparing evangelical criticisms to the research published by faithful LDS scholars in recent years. In a paper that they hope to publish in a major theological journal, they pointed out that certain evangelical beliefs about Mormons are nothing more than myths or wishful thinking. For example, their research categorically refutes the following three myths that evangelicals frequently tell each other about Mormons:

Myth #1

1. There are no traditional (faithful) Mormon scholars with training in academic disciplines related to biblical studies or religion.

Myth #2

2. Mormons who seriously study biblical languages, theology, and philosophy abandon belief in the historicity of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's prophethood.

Myth #3

3. Mormonism is crumbling as liberal Mormons have shaken the foundations of LDS belief.

7. These same evangelical scholars then went on to draw several conclusions from their study of the debate between Mormons and evangelicals, much of which focuses on the Book of Mormon:

Conclusion #1

1. There are many qualified Mormon scholars.

Conclusion #2

2. Mormon scholars and apologists have answered most of the evangelical criticisms.

Conclusion #3

3. There are no evangelical books that interact responsibly with contemporary LDS scholarly and apologetic writings.

Conclusion #4

4. At the scholarly level, evangelicals are losing the debate with the Mormons.

And conclusion #5

5. Evangelicals involved in the counter-cult (anti-Mormon) movement lack the skills and training necessary to answer Mormon scholarly apologetic.

They went on to explain, and I quote:

"Having read an immense amount of the scholarly literature published by LDS intellectuals; having read a great deal of apologetic material produced by the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS); and having read or examined most evangelical works on Mormonism, we feel that we are justified in our conclusions."

8. In the time allotted to me today, I would like to cite a small selection of examples of the kind of work that LDS scholars have been doing, particularly with respect to the authorship question. In the process, I hope you will gain new appreciation for the great complexity of the Book of Mormon, for the mounting evidences of its truly ancient origins, and for the creative work being done by faithful LDS scholars here and elsewhere.

---- End of excerpt ----

(To see this lecture for yourself in its entirity, simply click on the URL below.)

<http://www.farmsresearch.com/other/rey97.htm>

Note: The above link is dead. This is likely due to restructuring since FARMS has been taken over by the Maxwell Institute.

As soon as more details become public regarding the identiy of the two unnamed "young evangelical scholars" and their "paper that they hope to publish in a major theological journal" come to light, Apologia hopes post the news here.