DCP, living in the past.

[Markk]

So Bill quotes accurately the specific date of the fax, the specific content of the fax (deleting without attribution the final four words “that has been suggested” for some reason), but (and this must be deliberate on Bill’s part as he was accurate in everything else) says the fax was sent by Watson when he knew it was from Carla Ogden. Why would he do that? Why did nobody correct Bill’s “error”?

The one thing that DCP is being honest about is that Bill authored the article over 30 years ago. 30 years ago the IBM 486 was the premium home computer. The World Wide Web (WWW) was basically introduced. NASA launched their website, NASA.gov.. America Online (AOL) started issuing their own e-mail addresses.

I believe the obvious answer to your question is that Bill, and now by default DCP, thought they could get away with it and that no one would notice. It is in my opinion a Occam's razor scenario. Bill embellished the fax, and DCP agreed to confirm the deep footnote, that neither he nor Bill believed would be challenged.

[Moksha]

So Bill quotes accurately the specific date of the fax, the specific content of the fax (deleting without attribution the final four words “that has been suggested” for some reason), but (and this must be deliberate on Bill’s part as he was accurate in everything else) says the fax was sent by Watson when he knew it was from Carla Ogden. Why would he do that? Why did nobody correct Bill’s “error”?

Back then, nobody knew apologists could be fact-checked so easily with the internet, so lying for the Lord was more tempting to accomplish the goals of apologetics. You might say that was the era of the Book of Mormon tapirs.

[Kishkumen]

Not to jump on the bandwagon here, but am I correct in interpreting the story about the Second Watson letter to be that the First Watson Letter was actually the Second Watson letter, and that what we had assumed was the Second Watson Letter was a piece of "correspondence" that Dr. Hamblin had received in 1985 or thereabouts?

I am having a difficult time understanding the chronology on all of this.

Does this make the Ogden Fax something completely different that was never represented as a Watson communication by Drs. Hamblin and Peterson?

If per Hamblin there was a 1985 Watson letter on the topic then the 1990 one corrected it and stands as the extant FP pronouncement on location of Book of Mormon Hill Cumorah, i.e. in New York state.

Keep in mind, the Ogden Fax was dated 4.26.1993, the very date Hamblin referenced for a Watson correspondence, in Hamblin's published piece.

As I recall, just before Hamblin came clean in December 2009 that the Ogden Fax was the supposed "Second Watson Letter", Hamblin was grasping and made the claim about a 1985 Watson letter on the topic, when Hamblin was in grad school. But once he 'fessed up about the Ogden Fax, there was no further claim to any 1985 or thereabouts letter.

Thank you!

[Kishkumen]

This is a very convoluted tale, but here is my understanding of the timeline:

The First Watson Letter

Sometime in 1990 - A Mormon member, Brother Sparks, writes a letter to 1st Presidency member Gordon B Hinckley about the Hill Cumorah. Hinckley asks his secretary to send the 1st Watson letter.

October 16, 1990 - F Michael Watson sends a letter to Bishop Brooks saying that "The Church has long maintained, as attested to by references in the writings of General Authorities, that the Hill Cumorah in western New York state is the same as referenced in the Book of Mormon." Signed F Michael Watson.



1990-1993 - "Anti-Mormons" use this letter to attack the church. Bill Hamblin feels it necessary to clarify this in order to shore up a potential weakpoint for LDS apologists, and advance his pet Mezoamerica theory that there are Two Hills Cumorah.

The Second Watson Letter

1993 - Bill Hamblin quotes from what he claims is a Second Watson Letter in his possession.



He cites from a letter in his possession that has now conveniently gone missing.



Matt Roper testifies that he has seen the letter, but characterizes it as a FAX from Michael Watson



2009 - Greg Smith announces the letter has been found, located at FARMS by Matt Roper in John Sorrenson's office. He publishes this:

The Carla Ogden Fax



Back around 1993, Brent Hall characterizes the fax as being from Michael Watson:



2009 - DCP starts to worry, and emails Bill Hamblin for clarification.



2022 - Michael Watson testifies that he never sent a clarification


2024 - DCP now claims maybe there wasn't a letter, and the Carla Ogden fax is the 2nd Watson letter. FairMormon also believes the fax is sufficient to address the matter.

I appreciate the documentation!

[Marcus]

So Bill quotes accurately the specific date of the fax, the specific content of the fax (deleting without attribution the final four words “that has been suggested” for some reason), but (and this must be deliberate on Bill’s part as he was accurate in everything else) says the fax was sent by Watson when he knew it was from Carla Ogden. Why would he do that? Why did nobody correct Bill’s “error”?

What I find also interesting is that when Peterson called the First Pres office, they had no record of any such 1993 correspondence. Why not?

[Moksha]

I could see Dr. Peterson calling and forestalling Carla's explanation by stating, "Just the fax Ma'am". Strange that he would suggest it was the Malignant Stalker who had called.

[sock puppet]

If per Hamblin there was a 1985 Watson letter on the topic then the 1990 one corrected it and stands as the extant FP pronouncement on location of Book of Mormon Hill Cumorah, i.e. in New York state.

Keep in mind, the Ogden Fax was dated 4.26.1993, the very date Hamblin referenced for a Watson correspondence, in Hamblin's published piece.

As I recall, just before Hamblin came clean in December 2009 that the Ogden Fax was the supposed "Second Watson Letter", Hamblin was grasping and made the claim about a 1985 Watson letter on the topic, when Hamblin was in grad school. But once he 'fessed up about the Ogden Fax, there was no further claim to any 1985 or thereabouts letter.

Thank you!

I think some corrections to my post above are in order. Just before DCP relayed on the then aptly named MAD board that Hamblin came clean in December 2009 that the Ogden Fax was the supposed second "Watson" correspondence, DCP reported that Hamblin made the claim about a 1985 Watson letter on the topic, when Hamblin was in grad school. But once DCP 'fessed up about the Ogden Fax (per Hamblin), there was no further claim to any 1985 or other pre-1990 letter. Not by DCP, not by Hamblin, not by anyone. The '1985 Watson letter' rabbit hole was no more.

[Kishkumen]

Thank you for the clarification!

[drumdude]

DCP recently lamented that his passing might be celebrated in “certain circles.”

I asked ChatGPT to generate an obituary for him, and I think it hits the mark pretty well:

**Obituary: Daniel C. Peterson (1953–2025)**

**Provo, Utah**—Daniel C. Peterson, noted scholar, apologist, and professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic at Brigham Young University, passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 71.

Born in 1953 in Southern California, Peterson demonstrated an early passion for languages and religious studies. After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland and Germany, he earned degrees in Greek, philosophy, and Middle Eastern studies, culminating in a Ph.D. from UCLA. His academic pursuits led him to become one of the foremost LDS scholars of his generation, specializing in Islamic theology and its intersections with Christianity.

Dr. Peterson taught at BYU for over three decades, mentoring countless students and building bridges between faith traditions through his work on interreligious dialogue. In addition to his academic contributions, he became a key figure in Mormon apologetics, founding and editing *The Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship* and serving for many years with the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS).

Known for his quick wit and prolific writing, Peterson penned numerous books, articles, and essays defending the faith of the Latter-day Saints. His phrase, "I can’t manage to disbelieve," became a defining summary of his conviction and intellectual approach to religion. His sharp humor and unapologetic style often made him a polarizing figure, but those who knew him personally admired his kindness, humility, and devotion to family and faith.

Outside of his academic and apologetic work, Peterson had a love for travel, food, and storytelling. He delighted audiences with tales of his adventures abroad, peppered with humor and insight into the cultures he so deeply respected.

Dr. Peterson is survived by his wife, Debbie, their children, and numerous grandchildren, all of whom he cherished deeply.

Services will be held at the Provo Utah Stake Center on January 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Interpreter Foundation to support continued scholarly endeavors.

His legacy of faith, intellect, and humor will endure through the lives he touched and the work he left behind.

How many of us are noteworthy enough to have such a nice obituary automatically generated? I think that’s a pretty laudable accomplishment and one DCP should be proud of.

The work that Interpreter does, though.. I don’t think that will hold up well over time. And I expect the project won’t last long after the proprietor’s passing. The new MI seems to be doing a much better and more respectable job.

[I Have Questions]

The work that Interpreter does, though.. I don’t think that will hold up well over time. And I expect the project won’t last long after the proprietor’s passing. The new MI seems to be doing a much better and more respectable job.

I completely agree.