New Book

I will have a new book out soon and want to clarify a few things in advance of its release. 



First, this is not a book for everyone. Some people have become
aware of problems in church history. They have struggled with what
they've learned. As a result there have been crises of faith among some
of the brightest and most inquisitive among us. This is a tragic
loss. The new book is written to help those who are already aware of
problems to come to grips with the issues and see how it all still makes
sense. There are those who are perfectly content with the oftentimes
fanciful accounts of our history which gloss over problems and ignore
contradictions. For such people reading the new book will be
startling and perhaps a faith challenging experience. The book will perhaps upset
them more than reassure them. I do not want to do that for any
Latter-day Saint. I would hope they would decide to pass on reading
the book and continue to be content with whatever assumptions please them about our past.



Second, I am very concerned that many of the most important points
of the book will be taken completely out of context and shared by
overeager readers who want to show off their new understanding. That
can be destructive. The book is prepared carefully, with precepts
constructed, historic proof gathered, explanations crafted with care and
an overall harmony between parts. Taking some of the information out of context and blurting it out as an
isolated event, quote or idea will not help anyone. The unkind person
doing so may get to show off, but they tear down rather than
build up. None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. (TPJS p. 137.)  



The book will not read like the
traditional accounts of what has happened. The point of departure for
the book is the scriptures. No historian's theme is used to substitute a
retelling of events. Instead the book relies on the scriptures,
primarily the Book of Mormon, as the basis from which to construct the
events of our dispensation. So far as I know, this is the only time our
history has been told with an eye on what the scriptures say about us
instead of our own vanity and pride. Therefore, it is quite different
than what you've been reading about us in other accounts.