An interesting “news” piece has appeared on the Signature Books website in the last few days. The undated piece, entitled Fair-weather Friends at FARMS and FAIR,” is interesting and somewhat amusing. Most interesting is why it would even appear as “news” on the website of a book publisher. It is not about one of their books or one of their authors; it is not about any of their employees; it is not about the company; it is not about the company’s financiers. What, then, makes a mention about FAIR’s analysis of a recent Book of Mormon geography publication news worthy?
I suspect, but cannot say for sure, that the piece was authored by Simon Southerton, of Losing a Lost Tribe fame, who of late has been trying to polarize apologists and others who promote various theories about the Book of Mormon. (The only link in the article to any publication offered by Signature Books is a link to Mr. Southerton’s book. This, despite the fact that the “news” being reported has nothing whatsoever to do with his book.) Such news stories are consistent with Mr. Southerton’s avocation these days.
The news story appears to have been hastily prepared and posted, as it includes several interesting errors that even a cursory reading should have corrected.
- The article refers to “Rod Meldrum and his traveling show called DNA Evidence for the Book of Mormon.” While a series of firesides could, indeed, be derogatorily referred to as a “traveling show,” the news writer demonstrates his or her lack of attention to detail in the name given to Mr. Meldrum’s publication. It is not entitled “DNA Evidence for the Book of Mormon,” but “DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography.”
- We learn in the news story that there is an emeritus general authority named “Harman Rector Jr.” I know of no general authority—living, dead, current, or emeritus—by this name. Of course, the article could be referring to Hartman Rector, Jr., who the author says “accompanies Meldrum around the country to stage symposia on the topic.” This is, undoubtedly, a case of intentional hyperbole as there have, to my knowledge, been only a few out of the dozens of Mr. Meldrum’s firesides that have been attended by Elder Rector. (He certainly wasn’t at the one I attended.)
- Interestingly, Mr. Meldrum apparently “responded by accussing FAIR.” I looked high and low in Mr. Meldrum’s responses to my blog post, and I didn’t see any cussing at all. Perhaps the news writer at Signature Books is aware of some extant cursing of which FAIR should be apprised.
Beyond these easy-to-catch errors (perhaps the regular editors or proofreaders at Signature Books were on vacation?) there are other errors that belie the thinking of either the author or various people at Signature Books.
- The article starts off with a bold declaration, without evidence, that “Traditionally, LDS faithful have assumed that all or most Native Americans are descendants of Lehi and Mulek.” While there are numerous quotes that could be trotted out to evidence such a narrow reading of history, there are also many quotes that could be trotted out to show that such a narrow reading is not warranted. Apparently the news writer has voted for narrowness in his choice of approach without taking the full breadth of LDS thought into account.
- An equally interesting assertion, again without evidence, is that “Meldrum has the backing…of Mormon bishops who send mass e-mails to their congregations trumpeting Meldrum’s claims.” While such e-mails may exist, it would be interesting to see if there was actual “trumpeting” going on. But, perhaps such statements are to be understood, again, as unwarranted hyperbole on the part of the news writer.
- One comment I found personally interesting was that “Allen Wyatt from FAIR ridiculed Meldrum in a formal statement.” I, of course, did no such thing; I simply reported that there are problems with Mr. Meldrum’s presentation, provided a cursory overview of those problems, and directed readers to where they could find more information. There was no ridicule made or intended on my part.
- The comment that Orson Scott Card has penned “his own screed to end all screeds” is amusing. Mr. Card will no doubt be pleased to hear that his writing has achieved the ultimate among screeds. (Do they give awards for such writing excellence?) No doubt there will be, in the future, additional writings that rise to the synonymous level of screeds: essays, discourses, diatribes, etc. What, then, of Mr. Card’s writing? Will it be relegated to simply a “screed to almost end all screeds?” Perhaps a future Signature Books news story will fill us in.
Hyperbole aside, what passes for news at Signature Books—edited or not—seems little more than caricature of a reality that the news writer wishes existed.
-Allen
Update: It appears that the editors and/or proofreaders are back from vacation at Signature Books—the three easy-to-find errors I mention above have been corrected as of 6:45 am on July 11. The more substantial errors remain.
This is, unsurprisingly, a good example of the level of “objectivity” in LDS matters at Signature book.
I, for one, am delighted to hear that FAIR has the backing of the public relations department of the Church. While Public Affairs has thought some of FAIR’s material worthy of being linked to on a few issues, I was not aware that FAIR had been given PA’s backing.
It’s nice to see that good old fashioned investigative journalism is not a lost art.
Yeesh, Signature. That’s pretty dang embarrassing.
Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. One would think from their article that the church was was about to split like the Anglican conservative and liberal factions.
I was unaware the scholarly criticism was that newsworthy, especially on a publisher’s site.
I think that, though largely silly, these accusations highlight the need for above-average courtesy in communications between LDS groups on the net, regardless of disagreements on points of doctrine.
Way to get ’em where it hurts — spelling errors! Yeah, FAIR! You show Signature Books just how superior your are in every regard! Yeah!
Superiority? Nobody ever claimed that, Patrick.
-Allen
Patrick: Should Allen and others not expect more from Signature books? I notice you focused only on one area of the post here. What do you think about the other points, and are you standing behind Signature’s news blurb?
I am with Edmund. We have to up our level of courtesy on all sides.
Allen, it’s not what you said, but how you said it.
BHodges, shouldn’t we all expect more from not only Signature Books, but also FAIR? I’m not defending Signature’s news blurb at all, but nor do I find it necessary to cheer on FAIR in their equally ridiculous response.
Sure, I think the post was a little too far on the snarky side. But in addition to that was the more interesting question of why this “news” appeared on the Signature site to begin with, and why they misrepresent Orson Scott Card, etc.
Even more interesting, though, is your response’s snarkiness:
“Way to get ‘em where it hurts — spelling errors! Yeah, FAIR! You show Signature Books just how superior your are in every regard! Yeah!”
Aren’t you stooping as well, then?
Given that Allen is an editor in his day job, such things probably stand out to him. (I know whereof I speak, having felt the sting of the red pen….)
But, I note you failed to mention all the other errors and oversights in Signature’s “news” item:
* They oversimplify what “faithful” members have said and believed about the origin of Amerindians (shades of Southerton, who apparently still hasn’t got it–but, this isn’t surprising, since his whole thesis depends on there being one and only one “Mormon” view of the issue).
* They claim Meldrum has “the backing” of Mormon bishops. What is such backing? How would we know? Does his own bishop “back” him? It isn’t petty to ask for evidence. I’ve seen no e-mails from any Church leader that were favorable toward Meldrum. While some may exist, I would like to see them.
* They claim Wyatt ridiculded Meldrum. Again, evidence? Can anyone show any ridicule from Wyatt or FAIR’s article?
* Failure to engage Card’s article, and dismiss it as merely a ‘screed.’
This couldn’t have anything to do with how Card characterized Signature in the past, could it?
Are these trivial points, unworthy of mention? If not, why focus merely on the (introductory) issues of spelling and fact checking? You wouldn’t want to ignore the meat of the issue you imply Wyatt didn’t mention, would you? 😉
Signature and its authors like to portray themselves as somehow speaking the “objective” (or “functionally objective”) truth about Mormonism. Yet, their standards here don’t seem particularly high.
Which I don’t find surprising, but I do find funny.
Greg
This may be off topic, and if so, I do apologize. I have long been a fan of Mr. Card’s ficitonal work, and would love to be able to read some of his statements along the lines of apologetics and such, if only to get a greater insight into his thinking process. Would anyone happen to know where I can find his blog, or web site? Whaterver help you can give me I would appreciate.
To get back to the thread: I think that this shows (i.e. Signature’s comments) how some people feel the necessity to reach out and latch onto anything even remotely linked to their topic or subject matter to try and prove their point. It would be laughable, if it wasn’t so pitiful.
Mr. Card’s “screed to end all screeds” is located over at Mormon Times. It is worth reading to see if folks agree it is worthy of such an appellation.
-Allen
You can read one of Card’s BoM articles at http://www.nauvoo.com/library/card-bookofmormon.html
Not that this is directly on topic to Signature books, but the AP and Fox News picked up the disciplinary actions against the missionary calendar guy.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,381063,00.html
The fact that this made national news is laughable, let alone being the cover story on foxnews.com. So in the same thought at the original post title, is this really fit to print? Is there nothing else more important to report in the world today?
Fox News picks up any news story with “porn” or sex in it as a matter of course. It’s part of their marketing approach. Since this story was about sex, the fact that Fox ran with it is really not surprising in the least.