FARMS [a.k.a. the Maxwell Institute] published an anonymous “Book Notes” book review on my book, "Breaking the Mormon Code." Not surprisingly, the review could not find one nice thing to say about my book. However, the scathing review does confirm some consistency in FARMS publications, i.e. the LDS apologists have a great difficulty in telling the truth. There are three glaring falsehoods in the anonymous book review published by FARMS.

Distortion #1 Is there a Mormon Code at all?

FARMS Book Notes: “Instead, the 'code' in the title of this book is what Paulson describes variously as 'the Church Education System Honor Code' (p. 271 n. 892), 'their Mormon code' (p. 271), or 'the BYU Honor Code' (p. 271)—that is, the code of behavior required of students attending Brigham Young University.”

Paulson's response: Do the employees of FARMS have any “honor” or “code” requirements!!!??? According to the BYU website “Honor Code” applies to all BYU employees and including the professors. They all must agree to the Honor Code as a condition of their employment!!! FARMS publications are funded by the BYU establishment and most Mormon scholars and writers mentioned in my book are signatory to that honor code.

Distortion #2 Did Matt Paulson know anything about Jesus before he became a Christian?

FARMS Book Notes: “He [Paulson] indicates that he knew virtually nothing of Jesus..."

Paulson's response: People can know a lot about Jesus but they still might not be converted. In my book I never hinted or suggested that I knew almost nothing about Jesus before my conversion!

Distortion #3 Who are the "high" targets of "Breaking the Mormon Code"?

FARMS Book Notes: “High among Paulson's targets are people like Richard Mouw…”

Paulson's response: Richard Mouw was not a HIGH target of my book! He is the president of Fuller Seminary mentioned once in the Introduction. My high targets were not liberal seminaries or their presidents. My "high" targets were the deceptive writers at FARMS. In my almost 900 footnotes I reference the many falsehoods and deceptions by BYU Professors like Louis Midgley, John Tvedtnes, Daniel Peterson, Stephen Ricks, Matthew Roper, Robert J. Matthews, etc. One third of my book is critical evidence that demonstrates the Book of Mormon to be a modern work of fiction. The book review avoids all aspects of this important evidence and the whole premise of the book that Mormons are often being deceived by FARMS publications. Most scholarly book reviews make some favorable statements about the book they evaluate. However, the unnamed FARMS writer could not find one good item within the 287 pages or within the many footnotes. Why not? The Apostle Paul said, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16.

The FARMS review on "Breaking the Mormon Code" is on line at: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/display.php?table=review&id=628

Blessings to all!

Matt Paulson
CARM