re: #124 Zimriel

I call unethical conduct on your part.

“Noted historian”, wherever it appears, is always code for “someone who claims to write history, whose origin I want to hide”. Never, ever use the term “noted historian” in a debate.

Turley works for the Church and his title there is “Church Historian”. There is no such thing as an “Church Historian” any more than “Party Historian”; this term is an oxymoron. The title signals that he is anything but a historian. His duty is to the Church and he finds the facts to fit his narrative. His proper title is “LDS propagandist”.

Your handwaving afterward about how wonderful individual Mormons are, I’m also calling out as attempts to evade the issue. None of these Mormons now excuse or - more importantly - explain what happened in history.

First of all, i’m an ethics educator, and so I would never do anything unethical. LDS history is being throughly researched including by projects at major universities. Including Harvard. In addition:

Turley, an accomplished author who currently serves as the president of the Genealogical Society of Utah, said that in his new position “attention will be given to the way Church history is collected and preserved, not only in the United States but also worldwide.”

Today’s announcement follows on the heels of the creation of The Church Historian’s Press just two weeks ago. The new imprint will publish works related to the Church’s origin and growth, such as The Joseph Smith Papers, a documentary series that will eventually comprise 25–30 volumes.

The construction of the 230,000-square-foot Church History Library in downtown Salt Lake City is further evidence of the Church’s desire to make its history available to scholars and the public. The new library, to be completed in the spring of 2009, will include a collection of 270,000 books, pamphlets and magazines, as well as 240,000 original unpublished records.

The LDS church welcomes independent research on it’s history. Turley’s points can be verified. He was only recently made Church Historian, a new position.

“Richard Turley is uniquely suited to make a very significant contribution to the collection, preservation and publishing of Church history,” Church historian Marlin K. Jensen said. “He has a base of historical and doctrinal knowledge that qualifies him to be the assistant Church historian and recorder. He also has the respect and credibility of those outside the Church who are scholars and academics working in the area of Mormon studies and Mormon history.”

Note: Association of Contemporary Church Historians