As FIRM Foundation(FF) gears up for our inspirational bi-yearly conference Sept 15-16 in celebrating the Book of Mormon and US Constitution Day, Book of Mormon Central (BMC) gears up for Moroni Day on Sept 22nd. Both are wonderful causes and deserve attention from all members of the Church. We should all be celebrating both events.
The attendees will be different in a few ways, while 95% will probably be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church), and both conferences are scheduled to promote faith and hope in this challenging world. Both FF and BMC are righteous apologetic organizations who promote and support the Church.
FF
Will have over 25 LDS inspirational speakers over a two day event
Will cost $45 per person for both days which money will come from mostly regular Latter-day saints who have saved in many cases for a period of time, and their money will go towards having more conferences to promote faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
BMC
Will have 3 or 4 LDS inspirational speakers on Sept 22, including Elder Dale G. Renlund.
Will charge a donation of $250 per person, which money comes from great organizations that need tax write offs and are very generous to our Church. We are thankful for their contributions to further the work of the Lord.
We realize “money” will be the main reason you attend either one. We as LDS members should not judge either group as we support the organization we choose.
In order to share the critical message to the world of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, we need a firm vision, faith, individual commitment, missionary zeal, and probably in this world today we need or could greatly use, money! That’s correct. Great faith mingled with a little money will help His work go forward. We do know however, that the Lord ultimately needs no money to get His message out. However, the way the world works today, “money” is a key driver to what we do. After all this is Satan’s world for another season, and then the Lord takes over. What a beautiful day to look forward to. Money is not bad, the love of money over God, is the problem.
In my personal life I am driven by these words. “Think of your like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your , that may be rich like unto you. But ye seek for , seek ye for the of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.” Jacob 2:16-19
All believers have absolute faith that His word will permeate the world on His timing and with our help if He chooses. He has chosen to give us our Moral Agency and we will be judged on what type of stewards we are. We are blessed as we have chosen to be on His team to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all we do.
As scripture says, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the of my Father, how great will be your if you should bring many unto me! D&C 18:15-16
“Where there is no , the people : but he that the , is he… A man’s shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the in spirit. Proverbs 29:18, 23
Millions of dollars from wonderful and charitable people and organizations all over the world have been donated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church). I believe when people or organizations want to donate to the Church, the Church contacts faithful organizations who want to assist special causes in the Arts, Business, Biology, Archaeology, Medicine and other worthy causes. The Church then reaches out to worthy organizations. For example, if a donor wanted to donate to the Church to help in archaeological research about the Book of Mormon, the Church would reach out to organizations such as, Book of Mormon Central (BMC), FAIR Mormon (FM), More Good Foundation (MGF), The Interpreter (TI) and Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum (BMAF) as they are all non-profit organizations.
The Firm Foundation, is not a non-profit organization, so I guess the Church has a rule to not support for profit businesses like FIRM, which in some cases makes sense. I would think other worthy organizations like FIRM could get more support in some way from a Church we love. We have not had the privledge of any General Authority or Seventy to ever speak at our FIRM conference even though we don’t ask for donations ever. This is just a Church rule and they of course can do as they choose. I have nothing against anyone and especially the Church who have refused to speak at our conferences. Regardless, we will keep sharing the truth of the Church and the Lord’s Prophets and Apostles. We do continue to have worthy Bishops, Stake Presidents, Temple workers and Presidents, Patriarch’s, Relief Society Presidents, and more speak at our conferences all the time. We are very thankful to each one who does speak.
Our Firm Foundation Mission Statement is below.
FIRM Foundation – Mission Statement
The FIRM Foundation (Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism) is an organization dedicated to showing forth evidence for the Book of Mormon in order to provide LDS Church members with well-researched information enabling them to powerfully and respectfully defend its historicity and thus its truthfulness – with the ultimate goal of bringing people unto Christ.
Firm Foundation CAN receive donations, however the person donating would not get a tax write off. We have had many people support us and donate to us without wanting or needing a tax write off, and we thank them very much. Unfortunately this is how our imperfect government works. The big get bigger and the small get put off to the side often, as the big governments are in charge of the rules, especially when it comes to money. The supportive organizations of the world get rewarded for their obedience to the government, and we little patriots or humble followers of the Savior seem to be made out to look unimportant and not very popular amongst the government elite. I think our Church has a special calling in this world. I am very grateful to the Church for their faithful accounting of Church funds and the many great things they do, without even hearing about it. I would expect our Church to have great blessings of money, to assist so many righteous causes in this world. I am sure some in the Church have made mistakes that reflect poorly on the Church, but the overwhelming use of Church funds is directed by the Lord.
I don’t ever expect to be elite in the things of this world, but I am an Elite Son of God, and feel truly blessed every day for it. Do I get frustrated with how (BMC), (FM), (MGF), (TI), and (BMAF) seem to be making millions of dollars from donations, and can afford to pay themselves and others a very nice salary? Yes! It does not make me angry, but humble as I try my best to support a great business of promoting faith, with an absolute trustworthy and good man named Rod Meldrum who owns FIRM, and with other 10’s of thousands who support him including Tim Ballard, Glenn Beck, Hannah & Leah Stoddard, Russ Barlow, Mike and Betty LaFontaine, Dean Sessions, Steve Smoot, Wayne May and many other strong LDS Leaders. I believe this small and humble group of Latter-day Saints and many like them are being spoken of in scripture saying, “the pouring down from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.” D&C 121:33
Book of Mormon Central Vision Statement
“Book of Mormon Central is a non-profit, public charity that helps people everywhere build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Book of Mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible. We are supported by people like you and appreciate all donations, large or small. If you love the Book of Mormon, consider donating to Book of Mormon Central and becoming part of this exciting movement. Why Should You Donate to Book of Mormon Central? General Authorities and Church Officers encourage us to act Hear Church leaders talk about the Book of Mormon, and the importance of supporting organizations such as Book of Mormon Central. Hear inspiring words from President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Chad H. Webb, and President Ezra Taft Benson.” BMC https://bookofmormoncentral.org/content/donate
Book of Mormon Central has invited Elder Dale G. Renlund to be the Key Note Speaker in their Sept 22, 2023 fundraiser. I love and support the Prophet and Apostles. I just think Book of Mormon Central may be held to a different standard. Not that it is wrong, just that it is unusual and ironic in my opinion.
Neutral vs. Saying Your Neutral
BMC says they are neutral on the geography of the book of Mormon which is fine for them to say. Those of us who believe in the Heartland theory are not Neutral on Geography. We believe the events of the Book of Mormon happened in North America which is the Promised Land of the United States.
We don’t have a problem with these Apologists who focus on Mesoamerica as that is their agency. We just wish they would be supportive of other possible theories in their neutral stand about geography and they would consider a translation method not using a stone in a hat, if they are neutral about that. We would appreciate them allowing Heartlanders and other non-Mesoamerican theories to be expressed on their so-called neutral website.
We don’t expect President Nelson to tell anyone where the Book of Mormon events happened, (The Church just says “somewhere in the Americas”). In the same way we don’t expect the Church to come right out and tell us if evolution is correct or not. They are neutral on evolution as well. I don’t expect the Church to tell us if we came from an ape, or how old the earth is, as I know through sound reasoning the answer that makes most sense to me. We can receive personal revelation.
Now if the Brethren receive revelation that geography and evolution are doctrine, I would always listen to them first, and then pray about it, but in my opinion the Church is neutral on difficult issues that exist to help each of us individually come to a knowledge of the “truth of all things”, as promised in the Book of Mormon. I don’t need to be commanded in all things! I have neve spoken ill of the Prophet and Apostles and I wouldn’t, as I know they are men of God in this true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Book of Mormon Central or Scripture Central Moroni Day Announcements
As you can see below BMC has had the Moroni Day for quite a while. Again this is only to give people an awareness. BMC and the Leaders of our Church are not doing anything wrong. I just want the other apologist organizations to know.
2023
2022
https://bookofmormoncentral.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/moroniday2022 2023 Announcement
2016 and 2017
Moroni Day fundraiser by BMC blog by Jonathan Neville
Below is what Jonathan Neville wrote last year about the Moroni Day 2022 fundraiser. I agree with him. You will learn a lot about the Heartland position vs the Meso position. His previous blog is here, or in text below.
“If you haven’t heard, today (Sept 21, 2022) you can spend $250/plate to attend a fundraiser by Book of Mormon Central. $250/plate to add to the millions of dollars Book of Mormon Central is already spending to tell the world that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery misled everyone about Cumorah and the translation of the Book of Mormon.
It’s inexplicable why anyone would donate money to promote the private theories of a handful of scholars who repudiate the teachings of the prophets about Cumorah. The ad for the fundraiser features the M2C logo* along with some historians who, as awesome as they are, will not tell the audience what Moroni first told Joseph Smith, even though we can all read what he said in the Joseph Smith Papers.
These historians know these accounts perfectly well, but they refuse to share them, especially not to the donors who support Book of Mormon Central and its Mesoamerican/two-Cumorahs agenda.
If Book of Mormon Central really wanted to be the central resource for information about the Book of Mormon, it would support and sustain the teachings of the prophets about Cumorah in New York instead of repudiating those teachings. At the very least, it would inform people about those teachings and the evidence that corroborates those teachings, instead of insisting that M2C is the only acceptable approach to understanding the Book of Mormon because Joseph and Oliver misled everyone.
Here are some of the things Moroni told Joseph Smith that the BMC audience will never learn about.
Moroni to Joseph Smith, 1823. “the record is on a side hill on the Hill of Cumorah 3 miles from this place remove the Grass and moss and you will find a large flat stone pry that up and you will find the record under it laying on 4 pillars of cement.” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/41
Moroni to Joseph Smith, 1823. He [Moroni] then proceeded and gave a general account of the promises made to the fathers, and also gave a history of the aborigenes of this country, and said they were literal descendants of Abraham. He represented them as once being an enlightned and intelligent people, possessing a correct knowledge of the gospel, and the plan of restoration and redemption. He said this history was written and deposited not far from that place, and that it was our brother’s privilege, if obedient to the commandments of the Lord, to obtain and translate the same by the means of the Urim and Thummim, which were deposited for that purpose with the record. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/68
Joseph to his parents, 1827. said Joseph, “it was the angel of the Lord— as I passed by the hill of Cumorah, where the plates are, the angel of the Lord met me and said, that I had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord; that the time had come for the record to <be> brought forth… https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/111
Oliver Cowdery, with the assistance of Joseph Smith. I must now give you some description of the place where, and the manner in which these records were deposited. You are acquainted with the mail road from Palmyra, Wayne Co. to Canandaigua, Ontario Co. N.Y. and also, as you pass from the former to the latter place, before arriving at the little village of Manchester, say from three to four, or about four miles from Palmyra, you pass a large hill on the east side of the road. Why I say large, is because it is as large perhaps, as any in that country. To a person acquainted with this road, a description would be unnecessary, as it is the largest and rises the highest of any on that rout. The north end rises quite sudden until it assumes a level with the more southerly extremity, and I think I may say an elevation higher than at the south a short distance, say half or three fourths of a mile. As you pass toward canandaigua it lessens gradually until the surface assumes its common level, or is broken by other smaller hills or ridges, water courses and ravines. I think I am justified in saying that this is the highest hill for some distance round, and I am certain that its appearance, as it rises so suddenly from a plain on the north, must attract the notice of the traveller as he passes by.
At about one mile west rises another ridge of less height, running parallel with the former, leaving a beautiful vale between. The soil is of the first quality for the country, and under a state of cultivation, which gives a prospect at once imposing, when one reflects on the fact, that here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed. By turning to the 529th and 530th pages of the book of Mormon120 you will read Mormon’s account of the last great struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah. (it is printed Camorah, which is an error.) In this vally fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites—once so highly favored of the Lord, but at that time in darkness, doomed to suffer extermination by the hand of their barbarous and uncivilized brethren. From the top of this hill, Mormon, with a few others, after the battle, gazed with horror upon the mangled remains of those who, the day before, were filled with anxiety, hope or doubt.
A few had fled to the South, who were hunted down by the victorious party, and all who would not deny the Saviour and his religion, were put to death. Mormon himself, according to the record of his son Moroni, was also slain. But a long time previous to this disaster it appears from his own account, he foresaw approaching destruction. In fact, if he perused the records of his fathers, which were in his possession, he could have learned that such would be the case. Alma, who lived before the coming of the Messiah, prophesies this. He, however, by divine appointment, abridged from those records, in his own style and language, a short account of the more important and prominent items, from the days of Lehi to his own time, after which he deposited, as he says, on the 529th page, all the records in this same hill, Cumorah and after gave his small record to his son Moroni, who, as appears from the same, finished, after witnessing the extinction of his people as a nation. …
This hill, by the Jaredites, was called Ramah: by it, or around it pitched the famous army of Coriantumr their tents. Coriantumr was the last king of the Jaredites The opposing army were to the west, and in this same vally, and near by, from day to day, did that mighty race spill their blood, in wrath, contending, as it were, brother against brother, and father, against son. In this same spot, in full view from the top of this same hill, one may gaze with astonishment upon the ground which was twice covered with the dead and dying of our fellow men. Here may be seen where once sunk to nought the pride and strength of two mighty nations; and here may be contemplated, in solitude, while nothing but the faithful record of Mormon and Moroni is now extant to inform us of the fact… In this vale lie commingled, in one mass of ruin the ashes of thousands, and in this vale was destined to consume the fair forms and vigerous systems of tens of thousands of the human race—blood mixed with blood, flesh with flesh, bones with bones and dust with dust! http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/90
“And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. (Doctrine and Covenants 128:20) For more references, see http://www.lettervii.com/p/byu-packet-on-cumorah.html
The difference between the “Cumorah” taught by Book of Mormon Central and the real Cumorah taught by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and their successors in Church leadership is evident from the map below, taken from the Spanish edition of Book of Mormon Central. https://geografia.centralldm.es/mapa-modelo/?playlist=3db12fa&video=c33c342
* The M2C logo (Mesoamerican 2 Cumorah) features a Mayan glyph to represent the Book of Mormon. This teaches everyone that Joseph and Oliver misled us by saying that the hill Cumorah of Mormon 6:6 was in New York. Instead, the brilliant scholars at Book of Mormon Central have decided that the “real Cumorah” is in southern Mexico, while the idea of Cumorah in New York was a false tradition that Joseph, Oliver and their successors in Church leadership ignorantly promoted for decades. If Book of Mormon Central was an honest and accurate organization, their logo would represent the actual language of the Book of Mormon, which is English.”
