So why is it so hard to see what Bradford and the brethren have finally seen???

Look, after what - 20-25 yrs of Peterson led apologetics trying to establish the legitimacy of Mormon historicity,  and  trying to justify mormon actual history, what did it do??  It never moved the needle of public perception and only inflamed those with facts to expose the LDS church even more.  

No one outside of obscure message boards ever heard of Peterson, Hamblin, Gardner and the hit parade of those who were elevated to importance in Provo.  It was the classic "I'm Good - You're Good" of insignificance at BYU.  I know because I knew so many from their law and business schools who either never heard of these guys or laughed at their contribution to relevance.  From what I've always known was it was their isolated world to find self importance, get some travel perks and maybe find a way to make some small change getting a book published in West Draper for a potential big sale at Olivewood bookstore in Provo.

Seriously, outside of obscure message boards, where were any of these posers ever heard of in real media circles???  No doubt the brethren has finally figured all this out.  And now they're out. 

For those to naïve to figure it out - why the hell do you think Peterson did the whole "Mormon Scholars Testify" website???  He knew he was in trouble years ago and tried to create an insurance policy to the establishment.  Get those with ego needing emotions to become part of a union and maybe that will buy you needed loyalty for them to overlook your lack of scholarship in your works.  Didn't work folks - same reason unions don't work: "They fail to make an ongoing positive contribution towards success and only stay in existence until they are held accountable to comparative standards."

Peterson started his own downfall when he publicly confessed to me in 2004 that FARMS was ignored by the secular academic community.  No doubt he wishes he could have taken back that confession, but looks like the brethren have finally concluded the same.  Outside of Provo, FARMS, MI and the family of loyal posers are just not relevant to the needs of the LDS Church anymore (sorry Hamblin, Brant, Roper and the rest - but you got played.  Just hope you got paid cuz it's over!)

Where is that Third Watson Letter from Salt Lake when you really need a lifeline now !?!?!?

I'm guessing you don't consider Deseret News to be real media?

To move the needle - do you?

I'm not seeing how it was Dan's task to move the needle of public perception. Shouldn't that be a task handled a little closer to the Brethren than Provo?

What was your question again?

Ok Ms Harmony, wanted to give you a day before I had to bail you out.  You messed up, but that's OK!  You're question was about the relevance of the Deseret News!  (wasn't it????)

No - it's not relevant nor even followed.  That's why Peterson's column there was never followed by anyone outside of Orem.  I sensed you struggled with that so obvious.



Really!!!!!!  What the hell was he trying to do for the past 20 years?!?!?!?!?  Come on now ma'm.  We're talking about the grasp for the obvious again.  Are you suggesting Peterson started his mission of 20 + years thinking someone in Provo would come to liberate him ( Hamblin, Gardner, Roper et al) from the perils of common sense and academia?

I am all ears!!!