Rating: 
Summary: Should Have Been: Ferguson Bumps Into The Book of Abraham
Review: A rather "Raiders of the Lost Ark"-esque title. This is actually the story of a man who slowly lost *enthusiasm* in his search for historical support for the Book of Mormon, but not *faith* until the Book of Abraham problems of the mid-1960s shot his Balloon of Faith full of holes. While the story is of general interest to students of contemporary LDS faith history, this is really one man's story. The four stars are for the excellent documentation and the fleshing out of that one man's character. Still, both faithful and faithless can come away with their beliefs fully intact...
Rating:
Summary: A Textbook Example of Extremist Disillusionment
Review: Ferguson's story, as sympathetically reported by Larson, is a textbook study of how one loses religious faith, especially in a Mormon context. So many people want absolute proof that what they believe is true. That's why there were so many alleged sacred relics in the middle ages, like pieces of the true cross. And that's why so many Mormons like Ferguson went on futile trips to South America to try and find physical evidence of the Book of Mormon. It won't be found. God won't allow us to be boxed in a corner by "proof." It would violate our free will. If, like Ferguson, you are fanatical enough to spend 30 years and thousands of dollars looking for it, you court inevitable, bitter disappointment. Larson tells this sad story well, and reminds us that our faith will always be necessarily "existential": that is, we must listen for the spirit in things first and always.
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Summary: Thomas Stewart Ferguson: Man of Conscience
Review: How many people have grappled with a problem earnestly seeking a particular answer to that problem, only to conclude the answer they sought is not the correct one? Thomas Stewart Ferguson did and rather than run from what he concluded was the truth, he dealt with it openly, but in a manner that was designed not to hurt the people closest to him.While educated to be an attorney, Ferguson from an early age determined that as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)it was his destiny to do archaelogical research that would once and for all, prove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Accordingly, Ferguson organized the New World Archaeology Foundation and began excavating a number of cites in the Yucatan area of Mexico where he theorized the Nephites and Lamanites (peoples' spoken of in the Book of Mormon) lived. Ferguson began the task with great enthusiasm. He was finally able to enlist official church support for his project after there were a couple of ambiguous findings at one or two of his "digs" in Central America. In the late 1960's, Ferguson's enthusiasm began to wane. All the excavating being done by his foundation was failing to find anything new that would help "authenticate" the Book of Mormon. Worse, new discoveries were shedding light on other LDS scripture, the Book of Abraham. In short, the original papyri from which this scripture was "translated" came to light. Modern Egyptologists who examined these documents concluded they were from an entirely different time period and about an entirely different subject than Joseph Smith claimed when he "translated" this scripture. At some point, Ferguson lost his faith and began looking at other questions. However, he was very sensitive to the fact that many of his family members were true believers in the church. He refused to become an advocate against the church, believing very strongly that organized religion (whether true or not)had a valid role to play in society. The book obtained and quotes from written correspondence from him to other people about matters of faith. Ferguson never encouraged anyone to leave the LDS faith who was happy. He focused strictly on what evidence showed about historical and scientific claims of the church. In the end, we are presented with the evidence that caused a bright, committed member of the church to leave. We are also presented with the portrait of a man of integrity and conscience who squarely faced the fact that he got an answer to perhaps his most important question in life--and that answer was something totally different than what he anticipated. The book is well worth reading.
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Summary: Insightful Book Of Mormon Archeology
Review: I bought this book while reading and studying the Book of Mormon. I was intrigued by the various aspects of ancient life that Joseph Smith describes in the Book of Mormon from their cities to their great battles to even their coinage, food, and animals (including elephents, horses, sheep, cows). I wondered who was right since I have been taught by non-LDS antropologist that none of the above listed in the Book of Mormon has been found. Then I bought this book. This book is both the story and the findings of Stuart Ferguson in his search for archeological remains of various Book of Mormon listings. He begins his search in Central America (the most common area believed by Mormons to be the site of the Book of Mormon accounts). The books is neither pro-Mormon nor anti-Mormon but is simply Ferguson's own pursuit of the truth. What he finds will amaze you! The book also deals with Ferguson's desire to know the truth concerning the papyrus that Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from Egyptian into the Books of Abraham and Joseph (although he did not publish the Book of Joseph). Modern Egyptianologist have since disproven Smith and his "translation" of the papyrus but Ferguson was bent on disproving the modern findings in favor of Smith. Again, his findings will amaze you. Whether you are a Mormon or not, this book will offer great insight into not accepting the standard answers for faith but willing to search out evidences for your faith and religion to see if they are objectable and clear. You will be glad you read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful Book Of Mormon Archeology
Review: I bought this book while reading and studying the Book of Mormon. I was intrigued by the various aspects of ancient life that Joseph Smith describes in the Book of Mormon from their cities to their great battles to even their coinage, food, and animals (including elephents, horses, sheep, cows). I wondered who was right since I have been taught by non-LDS antropologist that none of the above listed in the Book of Mormon has been found. Then I bought this book. This book is both the story and the findings of Stuart Ferguson in his search for archeological remains of various Book of Mormon listings. He begins his search in Central America (the most common area believed by Mormons to be the site of the Book of Mormon accounts). The books is neither pro-Mormon nor anti-Mormon but is simply Ferguson's own pursuit of the truth. What he finds will amaze you! The book also deals with Ferguson's desire to know the truth concerning the papyrus that Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from Egyptian into the Books of Abraham and Joseph (although he did not publish the Book of Joseph). Modern Egyptianologist have since disproven Smith and his "translation" of the papyrus but Ferguson was bent on disproving the modern findings in favor of Smith. Again, his findings will amaze you. Whether you are a Mormon or not, this book will offer great insight into not accepting the standard answers for faith but willing to search out evidences for your faith and religion to see if they are objectable and clear. You will be glad you read this book.
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Summary: Enjoyable Reading On Mormon Archeology
Review: I bought this book while studying archeology of the Book of Mormon. This book is neither pro-Christian nor pro-Mormon. It is simply one Mormon man's search for the truth. Stuart Ferguson searched for archeology to verify the Book of Mormon. Like any faithful person, he wanted evidence for his faith and he believed that the Book of Mormon could easily be verified of its truth if enough archeology could be found. What he found is in this book. You will follow Ferguson on his search for the truth of the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price. I think you will be shocked at the ending.
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Summary: The truth sometimes really hurts. . .
Review: It must be tough being a Mormon. To believe in something that makes no sense and has tons of evidence to disprove it. The fact is that any open minded person with just a little research can discover that Mormon belief is false. I realize that it's tough to turn your back on something that many grew up believing is true but one day Mormons will discover that they have been following a false religion.
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Summary: Excellent account of Ferguson's search for the gold plates
Review: Leaving the faith of one's parents is often a very difficult thing. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in Thomas Stuart Ferguson's position. Here we have a man who devoted so much in the way of time and treasure to prove that the Book of Mormon was true. He wrote many books defending the Book of Mormon from an archeological point of view. Yet he came to see that archeology and history will not vindicate the book of Mormon. He lost faith in the Book of Mormon completely. I had the good fortune some years past to meet the author of this book. He gave a presentation on his findings with regards to Ferguson. I came away from that presentation somewhat amazed at the chameoleon nature of Thomas Stuart Ferguson. He had no faith in the Book of Mormon and even indicated so to Jerald and Sandra Tanner. Yet, he still continued to attend church regularly. To those who had questions about the Book of Mormon, he could give answers in either direction. To faithful Mormons seeking faith building material, he could and would give out much information that would confirm them in their faith. To Mormons questioning the historical veracity of the Book of Mormon, he could and would give out much information that would demonstrate the historical and archeological problems involved in the Book of Mormon. He was a complex character. However, his story is very much worth telling. He is fortunate to have found a sympathetic biographer in Stan Larson.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent account of Ferguson's search for the gold plates
Review: Leaving the faith of one's parents is often a very difficult thing. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in Thomas Stuart Ferguson's position. Here we have a man who devoted so much in the way of time and treasure to prove that the Book of Mormon was true. He wrote many books defending the Book of Mormon from an archeological point of view. Yet he came to see that archeology and history will not vindicate the book of Mormon. He lost faith in the Book of Mormon completely. I had the good fortune some years past to meet the author of this book. He gave a presentation on his findings with regards to Ferguson. I came away from that presentation somewhat amazed at the chameoleon nature of Thomas Stuart Ferguson. He had no faith in the Book of Mormon and even indicated so to Jerald and Sandra Tanner. Yet, he still continued to attend church regularly. To those who had questions about the Book of Mormon, he could give answers in either direction. To faithful Mormons seeking faith building material, he could and would give out much information that would confirm them in their faith. To Mormons questioning the historical veracity of the Book of Mormon, he could and would give out much information that would demonstrate the historical and archeological problems involved in the Book of Mormon. He was a complex character. However, his story is very much worth telling. He is fortunate to have found a sympathetic biographer in Stan Larson.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful look at conflicts of faith
Review: This book is an easy read, in part because a huge part is footnotes. However, the footnotes -- if you don't skip them -- hold some interesting tidbits themselves. Since others have described the content -- one man's attempt to prove the truthfulness of his faith, only to find the proof nonexistent -- I'd like to bring up an issue that the book doesn't address. The book's subject, Tom Ferguson, after years of devout faith, came to realize the Mormon religion was based on fiction and lies. He expressed this opinion to many fellow doubters. But to people who continued to believe, including his own family, he kept up a facade. To me, this was disrespectful, as if his loved ones were too feeble-minded to withstand his honest opinions. And in the end, it hurt them even more when they rereleased his old book with his old beliefs, only to have readers approach them with letters from Tom showing they'd been misled. Honesty, it can't be overrated. As for why only three stars, it's because the book isn't compellingly enough written to interest anyone without a deep interest in Mormonism and especially Book of Mormon archaeology. For those who care, though, it's a must.
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