M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Dissident LDS Scholar's Motivation and Independence Questioned

Provo UT, January 8, 2003 - The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) has released a report questioning dissident LDS scholar Tom Murphy's recent statements regarding his relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the independent nature of his work. The report claims that Murphy is not a "devout" member of the LDS Church - as several national publications have reported - and that Murphy's research was funded by critics of The Church of Jesus Christ and is therefore suspect.

Murphy caused a firestorm of controversy recently when he publicly
announced that he faced excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ due to an essay he wrote about Amerindian DNA, which he says discredits the Book of Mormon as an historic work. Murphy asserts that his work proves that American Indians are not descended from ancient Israelites who traveled to the American continent, a belief he attributes to LDS doctrine. The controversy ensued when Murphy's supporters sent a press release to the media announcing the disciplinary council.

Murphy was interviewed by several media outlets who reported Murphy as saying that he valued his Mormon heritage and would fight excommunication. However, information uncovered by LDS researcher Allen Wyatt shows that Murphy initiated contact with an anti-Mormon organization in Utah, whose website indicates their mission is to fight against and tear down the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Murphy currently appears in a video on the ministry's website denouncing the Book of Mormon. Wyatt also questioned Murphy's "independence" as a scholar, noting that the research in his essay was funded by church critics.

"We have concerns about Mr. Murphy's behind-the-scenes behavior," said Scott Gordon, president of FAIR. "He states publicly that he wants to be associated with the Church and he values his Mormon heritage, but privately he's seeking alliances with anti-Mormons whose stated agenda is to destroy people's faith. Meanwhile, he's conspiring with ex-Mormon activists, utilizing the media to further his agenda." Gordon said that, "His funding was provided by critics of the church and the source of his funding may have affected his conclusions. The tobacco companies funded
a lot of studies also, and it wasn't a big surprise that they all found
that smoking was harmless."

Gordon also said that Murphy's scientific conclusions are overly
simplified and seriously flawed and noted that they were previously
addressed by scholars. FAIR has several items on the subject, including a free video presentation on the topic available at
http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/woodward01/.

ABOUT FAIR The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) is a non profit organization dedicated to providing well documented answers to criticisms of LDS doctrine, belief and practice. Seeking to assist the lay member and scholar alike to respond to intentional and well meaning attacks on individual faith, FAIR helps publish articles and books that defend the LDS church, operates a Web site that receives thousands of visitors each day, and sponsors research projects and conferences that provide the LDS scholarly community an outlet for getting information into the hands of the average member. With a 501C3 tax exempt status from the IRS, FAIR is funded by the generosity of its members and contributors, now grown to more than 1,000.

To learn more about FAIR, visit our Web site: http://www.fairlds.org

You can also write to us at: FAIR 2136 Garden Avenue Redding, CA 96001. List of officers and contacts: http://www.fairlds.org/info.html

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