“A very important contribution to the study of Mormon theology. . . . marvelous”

Here is what Steve Densley actually wrote in Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture:

“A few positive articles appear in the volume, but these few essays do not entirely salvage what may have otherwise been a very important contribution to the study of Mormon theology. It would have been marvelous to see a book that explored the history of Mormon apologetics, the variety of topics that have been addressed, the way in which critics have responded to apologetic arguments, and more important, the way in which apologetics has affected the lives of ordinary Mormons. Unfortunately, we must still await such a volume.”

(See his “Should We Apologize for Apologetics?”)

Here is what he’s represented as having said in an advertisement from the publisher:

“A very important contribution to the study of Mormon theology. . . .  marvelous” 

I first publicly noted the, umm, divergence between what Steve Densley actually said and what he’s claimed to have said in an entry that I posted here on this blog about a week ago:

“Constructing advertising copy and jacket blurbs: art or science?”

At that time, I reported that “the publisher of the book (and of the advertisement) has indicated its gratitude for having this matter called to its attention and has promised that, if its leaders determine that Steve Densley’s statement in his review for Interpreter has, in fact, actually been misrepresented, it will make a correction.”

They were, I was told, planning to meet the next morning to deliberate over that very difficult and complex — indeed, almost impenetrable — question.

As of this writing, the item shown above is still up online:

Perspectives on Mormon Theology: Apologetics

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And here’s something else — from the (very Mormon!) magazine Food & Wine — that’s almost equally cheesy:

“The Best Places to Eat ‘Mormon Funeral Potatoes,’ One of the Greatest American Triumphs”

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“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”  (Albert Einstein, 1879-1955)

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The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny . . . it is the light that guides your way.  (Heraclitus. ca. 535 BC to ca. 475 BC)

Posted from Jerusalem, Israel