Honorable Intentions with an Unreliable Methodology: Lucas’s Response Underscores the Problems

Title

Honorable Intentions with an Unreliable Methodology: Lucas’s Response Underscores the Problems

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2025

Authors

Lindsay, Jeff (Primary)

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

111–148

Volume

64

Publisher

The Interpreter Foundation

Abstract

James Lucas has made a passionate response to the negative review I offered for his and Jonathan Neville’s book By Means of Urim & Thummim. Though we agree on many important issues, there are some troubling gaps that readers of their book need to understand. Some of these issues may be illustrated in the methodology of Lucas’s response. In general, the unreliable methodology and its often extreme, unnuanced approach to dealing with complex, unclear issues must be challenged, as painful as that has been. The complaints in my review remain intact if not further underscored by Lucas’s response. The basic concern remains that the approach taken in the book not only represents inadequate scholarship, but may improperly stir disrespect for the modern Church and its leaders.

Subject Keywords

Urim and Thummim
Nephite Interpreters
Seer stone
Historiography
Book of Mormon Translation

Bibliographic Citation

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