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Although I may disagree with much of his methodology (in particular, the use of the scientific method and lack of peer acceptance) I continue to hold open the possibility that Dr. Sorenson’s conclusions are correct. I just did another re-read of Milton R. Hunter’s book, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon, which is, of course, way behind the curve in academic knowledge. It helps me see how the Church may have seen things in the 1950s. There is some hope for a limited Mesoamerican view and I do read Codex for a deeper understanding of the Book of Mormon.
I have not read the book yet, but was looking forward to it. Thanks to this review I will be better able to read it and understand potentially any weaknesses. Thanks to Professor Sorenson for all his work and also to these two reviewers.
I know some people have felt uncomfortable with the review bc they think it was too critical. However, I think people have to realize that the reviewers mainly focused only on the main areas they had concerns/disagreements with. Remember Sorenson’s book was over 700 pages. I think that people should focus on their more general statements on the contributions of Sorenson overall and this book in particular.
Mormon’s Codex: An Ancient American Book is unquestionably a monument to an impressive career defending, defining, and explaining the Book of Mormon. John L. Sorenson has been for the New World setting of the Book of Mormon what Hugh Nibley was for the Old World setting. From his earliest 1952 publications using anthropology and geography to defend the Book of Mormon to the 2013 publication of Mormon’s Codex, Sorenson has been the dominant force in shaping scholarly discussions about the Book of Mormon in its New World setting.1 With an impressive 714 pages of text with footnotes, Mormon’s Codex is physically an appropriate capstone to his long publishing career.