Church Historians Censor 

Cumorah – 8b, M2C in the Ensign
“Few Church members realize the Ensign itself published the foundations for M2C (the Mesoamerican/two-Cumorahs theory). This brought M2C into the mainstream and gave cover for M2C intellectuals to openly defy the prophets and apostles. It helps explain why BYU/CES and other Church employees are so deeply invested in M2C, and why they refuse to look at the evidence that supports the teachings of the prophets and apostles regarding the New York Cumorah.” Jonathan Neville

Church historians concede they censored Cumorah in Saints
“I’ve asserted that the editors of Saints censored Cumorah not to “suppress” or “speak against” a “heartland” model, but to accommodate (make room for) M2C. As you’ll see in a moment, they admit that’s exactly what they did.”Jonathan Neville

No-Wise #489 Where is the Hill Cumorah?
No-Wise #489 is a definite keeper. It exposes the paucity of evidence to support M2C’s repudiation of the prophets. Let’s take a look. Here’s the link. Here’s the opening image: They chose an image that makes the Hill Cumorah in New York appear insignificant, which supports their M2C narrative. Notice how Book of Mormon Central Censor (BOMCC) superimposes their Mayan logo. This is the logo that conveys their corporate mission to “to increase understanding of the Book of Mormon as an ancient Mesoamerican codex.” Jonathan Neville

Church historians concede they censored Cumorah in Saints

“…there is no historical evidence that Moroni called the hill “Cumorah” in 1823.” Editors of “Saints”

“This is a very carefully written sentence. It’s both another straw man fallacy and a deflection. The straw man is whether or not Moroni called the hill “Cumorah” in 1823. It’s an irrelevant point. Joseph could have learned the term from Moroni at any point between 1823 and 1827. What is important is that there is historical evidence that in 1827, before he got the plates, Joseph referred to the hill as “Cumorah.” These historians know this, but they word their statement here to deflect from that evidence, without overtly denying it exists.  Joseph’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, quoted Joseph referring to the hill Cumorah in 1827, in a passage these editors deliberately avoided when they wrote Saints, as I showed here.“ Jonathan Neville

Scripture Central Video

Scripture Central has a very well-done video series called, Restoration Revealed. I will share some things in Episode 3 titled, “How Joseph Smith Discovered & Translated the Book of Mormon”, in which I have a few questions and disappointments.

As I said above, this video and the many episodes I have watched are well done and will be a great help to many who are seeking information about our church. However, I explain a few things which I am disappointed about in this episode 3.

1- Calling Hill Cumorah simply “a hill” or “the hill”

In the video at .13 seconds in, they describe Hill Cumorah as “a hill”. The video is obviously done as a narrative and not with the name Cumorah spoken of.

In a hill 4:13
In a hill 4:35
The hill 5:39

To a large hill 5:46 while showing on a map the words “Hill Cumorah”
On top of the hill 5:58
Came to this hill 6:42

To the hill 7:02

2-Why so much Meso geography in the video?
3- Other artifacts in the hill. Why not breastplate and spectacles?
4- Why do we never see the breastplate or hear about it?
5- Why is the brown seer stone shown in the same picture along with the clear spectacles with one ear piece attached to a breastplate? Are they trying to show both sides and wanting to have two separate ideas to cover both bases?
6- Wouldn’t a history written in America be about that location in America?

Scripture Central claims the Hill Cumorah was only called that in about 1830. Before that it was only “a hill” or “the hill” etc. Below we will share with you two places in history where the name Hill Cumorah was used in 1823 and 1827.

1. Lucy Mack Smith’s Journal of 1845

According to Lucy, when Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823, he identified the hill as Cumorah:

“[Moroni, after telling Joseph about the record, said] but you cannot get it until you learn to keep the commandments of God For it is not to get gain. But it is to bring forth that light and intelligence which has been long lost in the Earth.

Now Joseph beware or when you go to get the plates your mind will be filled with darkness and all manner of evil will rush into your mind. To prevent you from keeping the commandments of God that you may not succeed in doing his work and you must tell your father of this for he will believe every word you say.

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— then the angel left him.”  https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/41

2. Early 1827– Joseph Smith (Quoted by his mother Lucy Mack Smith)

“[In January 1827, Joseph] returned with his wife, in good health and fine spirits. Not long after this his father had occasion to send him to Manchester on business. <​And,​> as he started quite early in the morning, we expected him home, at the outside, by 6. o clock in the evening. But when 6. came he did not arrive.— we always had a peculiar anxiety about him whenever he was absent from us; for, it seemed as if something was always taking place to jeopardize his life. But to return, he did not get home till the night was far spent. On coming in, threw himself into a chair, apparently much exhausted. My husband did not observe his appearance, and immediately exclaimed, “Joseph, why have you staid so late? has anything happened you? we have been much distressed about you these three hours. As Joseph made no reply, he continued his interrogations until I finally said: now, father, (as that was the manner in which I commonly addressed him) let him rest a moment— dont trouble him now— you see he is home safe, and he is very tired; so pray wait a little.

The fact is, I had learned to be a little cautious about matters with regard to Joseph; for I was accustomed to see him look as he did on that occasion, and could not easily mistake the cause thereof. Presently he smiled, and said in a very calm tone, “I have taken the severest chastisement, that I have ever had in my life”. My husband, supposing it was from some of the neighbors, was quite angry; and observed, “I would would like to know what business any body has to find fault with you.”

“Stop, father, Stop.” 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; and, that I must be up and doing, and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do: but, Father,’ continued he, ‘give yourself no uneasiness concerning the reprimand that I have received; for I now know the course that I am to pursue; so all will be well.”

It was also made known to him at this interview, that he should make another effort to obtain the plates on the 22nd. of the following September; But this he did not mention to us at that time.” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/111

Why does Scripture Central leave out the full quote about translation method below?

“Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’” JSH 1:75*

Text in bold black above is left out of the Scripture Central video here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcdKOaxDIWI at minute 11:16

In other words, after the word above and in red,“translated”, the words in bold black above were left out of the quote in JSH 1:75*

It seems obvious to me that Scripture Central may have left out the fact that the scripture says Joseph used the Urim and Thummim or the Interpreters. That means their notion of Joseph putting a single stone in a hat is not correct, and I think it is wrong.

You can decide on your own what is truth, about the method of translation and if the NY hill was called Cumorah.