Think me, that my critics seem to be much more knowledgeable, intelligent, and educated than is me. For ‘tis high to criticize that which doth appear before one’s eyes. And though three degrees I do have (2BS and 1MS from Weber State, BYU, and Utah State), they may not be of those that they would approve as scholorly related to the Book of Mormon or other topics that I do choose to write on. So to them they wonder of whom be me to even venture to voice a thought of opinion of my own? For my critics know more than me, and upon this thought I would agree. For, I’ve not known a man who has not known more than me in some respect and from whom I cannot learn. I’ve taught for years and years, in Colleges (even LDS Book of Mormon Classes), High Schools, Business Schools, Gospel Doctrine Sunday Schools (for years and years), High Priest Groups, as a missionary, as a parent, and even more; yet my credentials are inadequate it would seem to yield some thoughts from me for the Internet.

Ah, the Internet, that blissful land where freedom to share your thoughts with man is to abound. Where the sharing of ideas are to be the key to opening the doors of vast strides and advancements in the knowledge tree of man as each is free, to share and display what one understands with their fellow man. Yet some possessed of academia crowns would limit this to only those they would select, and heaven forbid a common man who cannot perfectly type or spell every word, and who is no grand grammarian; of such they would disdain and complain that they have not the right to be heard or converse with another. These Dr. Do Littles, though they all may not be, seem more concerned with how a thought is expressed than what the content of that thought might be. Concerned more with the means than in the ends might be to miss the boat because it was really a ship of sea you see.

Do not misunderstand, given time and means, I to would like to be that great grammarian of whom no fault can be found. To such I owe the completion of my Master’s Paper, for one such man helped me state it all aright. And I do esteem him and thank him too. I do recall how awkward my words were found. Yet in one such case, as it were, after going the rounds of how one such thought should be said; even he had come back to how it had been said by me in my initial draft. And he said not knowing it was mine, alas this is how this sentence should be said.

18^th century phraseology doth to me seem awkward enough for me to stumble as I read the Book of Mormon. My young farm boy prophet hero, Joseph Smith, often faced his own critics of his lack of education and polish. For me to be criticized for lack of credentials, think me to be placed with some good company. Even Brigham Young did pity the man who knew only one way to spell a word. Perhaps more the pity is he that cannot read content from lack of ability to read a word spelt differently.

Often the lofty critic’s word is quite enough a disdain to a fellow’s word to silence that man’s attempt to share a thought of light to others around him be. Yet I am not so learned to let this silence me. And with thanks to my critics, for they have inspired me, and now I am more determined to place more rapidly my pages of thought upon the scene. They have made me realize that at my age, the ‘perfect’ book that some day I would write, may never be. With 15 hour work days, for my lack of time due to an interest in life, and seeing my means are far short for this common folk to even consider to one day be such a great author of such credibility. So I guess if ever my thoughts they'd see, it has to be the Internet for me.

Now a few more words to those who would be a critic of my words, which they might see. My thoughts are mine, they are not thine, and if we don’t agree that’s okay with me. I do not debate nor do I hate. If some find them of worth, then I am rewarded. If not, they are mine still the same. I will not blast you if you differ. I have found some who are profound and who precisely state that I am wrong, and perhaps they are the smarter. Africans are the origin of the Olmec to some, as stone faces to them clearly display. To others it is the faces of the Orient they see, and all Pre-Colombian Americans hath come by way of the Alaskan land bridge as frozen as it may be. I will not change their minds, I clearly see. Yet so vastly removed in time and space, those of the Olmec seem to me to qualify as their own separate race. What tone of skin, I do not know. If the Jaredites were a mixed group, of varying face, I could not say. I did not live then to know for sure and I believe the Book of Mormon, which states their source to me as being from the time of the tower of Babel from which all people sprang and departed. I know them only as Jaredites, and as the people of Jared.

Science says that once the earth was all one land. The Bible says that came to an end lastly in the days of Peleg. So given the choice I will believe the Bible. Believing my church’s scriptures already places me at odds with many of the world. Further, since my ideas do not conform with the current seemingly acceptable and popular thought of the Book of Mormon geography being limited to Central America, I find myself attached by some of my own also. I’ve studied long and read many books concerning the matter, even some of theirs. I’ve found many good and interesting thoughts is all that I have read. Though I do not always agree, I don’t go out of my way to confront or argue the issue. Contention is not my style and hopefully never will be. I have found that the most revealing insights about the Book of Mormon geography come from the scriptures, mainly from the Book of Mormon itself, and from the voice of the prophets.

One final note, my website’s mine, travelers welcome be. If a mistake of mine is found, express it to me. State exactly where and if I agree, eventually it fixed will be. But near a hundred pages of mine have I to peruse with time that’s short so be precise if sincere you are. A generic ‘I think your page doth stink’ is much too general and your opinion is. Keep such to yourself, my advice would be. And if that is the case, you may will wish to no more visit me, as your welcome you’ve infringed with your lack of tolerance for a host who says ‘do come in.’