The FIRM Foundation

 

 

News from the FIRM Foundation

 The Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism
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Exciting News From the "Heartland" Book of Mormon Geography Model of North America!

Heartland News                 Dec. 16, 2013

 Greetings!

  
Three months have past since our last newsletter, yet there has not been any shortage of exciting new happenings within the Heartland Research!  Over the past three months we've had our 12th International conference, two week fall tour, a regional conference, several presentations.  There are many updates to share!  Please take a few minutes to find out more...

         

In This Newsletter... 

 

Articles:  

- Heartland Research Enhancing Missionary Work
- A 2nd Hebrew Inscribed Stone Scientifically Verified

News:  

- Bat Creek Stone To Be Returned By Smithsonian

- Christmas Special Offers 2013 - New Catalog!  

- Heartland/Church History Tours for 2014  

- America Unearthed Vindicates Holy Stones  

- "Exploring" Book Success Requires 5th Printing  

- New "Exploring" book Dust Cover Jacket Now Available 

- Elder Harman Rector Recovers From Accident  

       

Brief Summary of Upcoming Newsletters...

- Article: Heartland Research Addresses Causes of Lost Faith

- Article: The Scattering, Gathering and Blossoming of Israel

- LDS Plan of Salvation Encoded in Newark Earthworks
- Events: 12th Conference Report and DVD's Available
- Events: 13th International Conference - 2014 

 

You will find a lot of exciting information in this newsletter.  I hope that you enjoy exploring the many evidences of the Book of Mormon in America's Heartland!   

  

                       - Rod L. Meldrum - President, The FIRM Foundation

Article: Heartland Research Enhances Missionary Work     
The primary goal of every LDS member should be to help others into the gospel.  That is also the goal of the Heartland Research, which offers faithful answers to many previously unanswered questions about the keystone of our religion.  It has been found that through utilizing the Heartland geography evidences, missionaries are finding enhanced success and increased baptisms.  Members are finding missionary work easier when utilizing the Heartland materials and research. Recently nearly all of the Salt Lake Temple Square Sister Missionaries and Senior Couples received personalized copies of  Exploring the Book of Mormon in America's Heartland books. 

Their excitement has inspired the launch of a new FIRM "deep discount" missionary program to help all missionaries, military personnel and Church employee's gain access to Heartland educational materials at reduced prices that can provide powerful answers  to  Book  of  Mormon  questions.    Read  the  online  article Missionary Work Using Heartland Research, by clicking HERE.      
Announcing New Heartland Missionary Program! 

As a result of the opportunity to help the missionaries at Temple Square in their work, we wished that all missionaries worldwide might have a similar opportunity to utilize the Heartland research, with its ability to answer many Book of Mormon related questions.  With this goal in mind, the FIRM Foundation is making available the book Exploring the Book of Mormon in America's Heartland for a deeply discounted rate for specific missionary work purposes.

Those eligible will receive one copy of the book for $20.00, which is 50% off the regular retail price of $39.95 and also includes FREE SHIPPING to any location within the United States (including Hawaii, Alaska and Military Post Boxes).  Books may be sent to locations worldwide with additional postage charges. Parents, family members, friends, local Church leadership, Mission Presidents or others may purchase one copy of the book for each specific eligible person or persons. However, please be sure to ask whether your missionary is allowed to have books that may not be on the Mission Presidents list of approved books before purchasing. Offer ends Dec. 31st, 2014. 

 

ONLY These Groups are Eligible for this special offer:

1. All officially called and set apart current missionaries (Elders and Sisters), including all Senior Missionary Couples (limit one per missionary or one per couple).

2. All Seminary, Institute and CES Instructors, teachers, and administrators.

3. All full-time employee's of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. All full-time active military personnel in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

 

Proof of eligibility must be available at the time of purchase and include the following:

1. For Missionaries:  Name, home address, email and date of mission call and mission location is required.

2. For Church Employee's:  Name, home address, email and proof of current LDS employment.

3. For Members of the Military:  Name, home address, email, branch of service, rank and proof of current military employment. 

 

To Order: Call 801-429-9751

This offer is not available online, in our bookstore, or in conjunction with any other offer.  We reserve the right to rescind or revoke this offer at any time at our discretion as we do not know what the response will be.  We also reserve the right to extend this offer to other groups and for extended durations. 

Orders may be placed by the individual missionary, Church employee or member of the military themselves, but it is also admissible for others, such as parents, family members, friends, local Church leadership, Mission Presidents or others to purchase one copy of the book for a specific eligible person or persons as a gift.  The honor system will apply in those cases as it is not possible to ensure or verify that every book is being purchased by or will be received by an eligible person. We ask your help by not taking advantage of this offer dishonestly.   

This offer is being made available partially through FIRM missionary work voluntary donation(s).  Please be sure to ask whether your missionary is allowed to have books that may not be on the Mission Presidents list of approved books before purchasing.  The FIRM Foundation is not responsible for return postage should the book need to be returned and any resulting fee's will be charged the purchaser.  

    

 Can You Think Of A Missionary That Might Benefit? 

Our hope is to 'arm' all of our "warriors," both in Missionary and Military Service, with answers to many Book of Mormon questions that they may find useful in their work. Learn more about this deep discount program at the end of the article, Missionary Work Using Heartland Research.  Click HERE!   

Article: Hebrew Language Double Verified Among Hopewell: Book of Mormon Vindicated! 

Scott Wolter, non-LDS forensic geologist and star of the History Channel's new TV series, America Unearthed, recently (Nov. 30th episode) authenticated a second stone having ancient Hebrew inscriptions, thus vindicating the Book of Mormon account of a written Hebrew language in North America, and validating the January 1st, 1842 Times and Seasons "Evidences In Proof of the Book of Mormon" article, edited by the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The stone?  None other than the much debated Newark, Ohio Decalogue Stone. What were Wolter's findings?  Read this important & informative Article HERE to learn more!    

Bat Creek Stone To Be Returned to Cherokee Nation by Smithsonian!   
In a related news story to the verification of the Newark Decalogue Stone, the following information is indeed exciting.  Many of you recognize the Bat Creek Stone as the first stone anywhere in the America's to be scientifically verified as authentic by non-LDS experts and having ancient Hebrew inscriptions on its surface that came out of a Hopewell mound that carbon dates directly into Book of Mormon time frames.  That stone has been on display at the McClung Museum on the campus of the University of Tennessee, as the possession of the Smithsonian Institution. There it has continued to be displayed up-side-down, with the unbelievable insistence that the verified Hebrew characters on the stone are still 'paleo-Cherokee' rather than Hebrew.  Below is a photo of the display as it was when Rod and Tonya Meldrum visited the Museum on Nov. 7th, 2011.  Tonya's hand is in the photo for scale.  

 

We have learned that the Smithsonian Institution has recently agreed to transfer the Stone to the Eastern Band of Cherokee (a federally-recognized Indian tribe).   The Band intends to display the Stone on its reservation at the Museum of the Cherokee.  Tribal Museum Board member Leslie Kalen and other Board members have been instrumental in working with the Smithsonian to achieve this transfer. The Museum is located in Cherokee, North Carolina, just across the border from Tennessee.  Final negotiations are pending, but it is our understanding that the stone may be put on permanent display there - hopefully right-side-up!

 


Want to learn more about the Bat Creek Stone?
Read the article HERE.
Special Offers, Christmas 2013 - New Catalog! 

Christmas is just around the corner and we have been so busy taking and filling orders and doing presentations that we have not been able to let everyone know about the special Christmas offers...yet!  They have been online, but many have asked if there are any special offers available for Christmas this year.  The definitive answer is --- YES!   

First, the original DNA Evidence DVD - Save 75% Only $4.95

Second, "Exploring" is on sale for 35% off - now only $25.95

Third, we are including free shipping when ordering either the book or the book & DVD together.  Shipping for DVD by itself is $3.   

 

We have also just published a new Catalog with the most popular educational materials on the Heartland Model Geography.  It has only retail prices listed, and many of the items are now discounted, so please check the website or call to check on prices of some items.  

 

Download the printable Catalog HERE.  

(The catalog is a large file and may take some time to download)  

Download the Christmas Specials Order Form HERE

Now Its Your Turn!...
To Take Your Tour of a Lifetime -
Exploring Book of Mormon Evidences and Church History...in America's Heartland!

Tour email header  Make this year your year to tour the sacred and covenant lands of America!

  Learn More or Reserve Your Tour Today! 

Join Rod Meldrum and Wayne May,
 Your Personal hosts for these tours! 
June 1-7, 20147-Day "Evidences" Tour
(If you want to join this tour, call today! Seats are filling fast!) 
  Aug 1 -Sept. 6, 20147-Day "Evidences" Tour
(make your plans to join us now and reserve your seats today)
Oct. 13-25, 2014 -    The Ultimate 13-Day Tour

(The "Ultimate Autumn Leaves" LDS Church History & Book of Mormon Evidence Tour, with Church historian Kay Godfrey!)

 Tours are focused on Book of Mormon Evidences and Church History in America's Heartland  

 

Call Toll Free at 877-221-5161 Now! 

Legacy Tours and Travel - Heartland Approved!
Oct Tour Group, Kirtland Temple
Kirtland Temple, click to watch tour members tell of their experiences and feelings about the tour!

 Call Legacy directly at 801-683-0123 or go to their website at http://www.legacytoursandtravel.com/  

  
Come Tour with Us, Call Today!
Success of "Exploring" Requires 5th Printing - Now 25,000 books! New Dust Jacket Included! 

Warehouse superstore Costco has been carrying Exploring The Book of Mormon In America's Heartland longer than any previous LDS book - more than a year and a half in 13 of its stores in Utah, Idaho and Arizona. It is their best-selling LDS book ever which has become the new standard in defending the Book of Mormon's Historicity and continues to be the most sought-after book on Book of Mormon geography.  Both Deseret Book and now Seagull Book carry Exploring the Book of Mormon in America's Heartland with similar success.   

The newest printing, available beginning Dec. 18th, includes a beautiful new Dust Jacket Cover with the same graphics on front and back, but with interior flaps with new endorsements by Alan Osmond and Kieth Merrill, as well as acknowledgements for the other many researchers who are contributors to the overall Heartland Research. 

      30 Second ad still

Watch the 30 second overview by clicking on the image above! 


Deseret
Click to write a book review for Deseret Book! Please!

Costco Logo 

 

Go to any of these Costco Wholesale locations:

Utah - Lehi, Orem, Murray, Sandy, West Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Spanish Fork, West Valley, South Ogden, St. George

Arizona - Mesa, S.E. Gilber, N.W. Gilbert

Idaho - Boise, Pocatello 

or Order yours ONLINE today!

Announcing New "Exploring" Dust Jacket Covers for Prior Book Printing Editions!   

New Dust Jacket Cover
Is your current copy of Exploring the Book of Mormon In America's Heartland

a little 'rough around the edges?'  

Have you had some of the gold leaf lettering rub off from so much use?   

Get the New Dust Jacket Cover!

These beautiful, durable heavy paper dust jacket covers have a new clear sealer that will keep the shiny gold leaf embossing looking great for years to come, even with heavy use! The new covers include the same front and back graphics as the book cover itself, but include interior 'flaps' with new endorsements by Alan Osmond and Kieth Merrill in the front and contributing research acknowledgements in the back.  These are now coming standard on all books shipped beginning Dec. 18th, but we ordered two thousand additional Dust Jacket Covers for those who already own the book and would like the new, more durable gold lettering on the jacket.  
Order yours today!  We are making these available for our cost of only $.50 each plus S&H until we run out of this inventory.  About the only complaint we've had about the book is that the gold leaf lettering has in some cases worn off the front cover or that the cover has become damaged in some way.  Get your new cover today and make your book look like brand new again!   

 

Nephite Explorer - Season One
DVD's Now Available!    

Investigative journalist Ryan Fisher has released Nephite Explorer, the acclaimed TV series.  Season One is now available in a 4 DVD set and it still airing on KJZZ-TV in the Northern Utah region every Sunday at 4:30 with a repeat at 6:30 pm.  Ryan, who grew up wanting to be a National Geographic photographer quickly achieved his goal and has turned his talents towards sharing the Heartland research with the world. His specialty of aerial imagery has been used extensively in the Nephite Explorer series.  Ryan wants to reach the both youth and adults of the Church with solid facts and reasonable explanations about the Book of Mormon and its historical efficacy, or historicity in a way that engages their minds.  See interviews with Timothy Ballard, Wayne May, Bruce Porter and many more!  Read a KSL-TV article with video HERE and order your copy of Season One of Nephite Explorer in our Bookstore HERE.  Amazing evidences!   

Heartlanders in the News - The Osmonds !   

David Osmond rocked Glenn Beck's "Believe Again" Christmas program last week, causing Glenn to say of David, "You are amazing.  The most humble, kind, caring and talented man I have EVER worked with."  In case you missed the incredibly beautiful, week, inspirational and spiritual rendition of the Christmas classic hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful, composed by fellow LDS musician Clyde Bawden, from Mesa, Arizona.  Open your heart, grab a tissue and click on the image below.   


 

Nathan Osmond, meanwhile just released an emotional song he titled, The House That Built Me, which is about being blessed to grow up in a caring, loving (LDS) home.  

 

This year he has risen to new heights in the country music scene with his #1 hit music video Stars and Stripes, which reminds of the blessings those of us in the United States enjoy and the price that is paid for our freedom.      

  Nathan Osmond's #1 Patriotic Country Song 

 

 In October Nathan performed at FIRM's Book of Mormon Evidence Conference and included his deeply spiritual song "A Little Boy's Prayer" which should be #1 on every LDS facebook page (in Rod's opinion!) Grab your tissues and click on all of these Nathan Osmond original songs and videos now!    

Watch "The House That Built Me" HERE.    

Watch "Stars and Stripes" HERE.

Alan Osmond had an interview for BYU's The (Digital) Universe titled
Battling MS as a Grandfather and Devoted Mormon, wherein he shares some touching insights into what it is to be in the public spotlight and a Mormon.  Juggling the entertainment industry with LDS morals and a deep desire to share the gospel gave Alan, his siblings and his sons a unique perspective on life and faith. 
News: Elder Hartman Rector Jr. Recovers From Severe Auto Accident     
Hartman and Connie Rector
Emeritus General Authority, fellow Heartland supporter and dear friend Elder Hartman Rector Jr. has recovered from a terrible auto accident involving himself and his sweetheart Connie Rector.  They were returning late from a play in Logan, Utah when their SUV went off the side of the I-15 freeway, down the embankment and through some farmland, coming to a stop against a tree.  Sister Rector miraculously made it through the crash with only a few bruises and bumps, but Elder Rector was rushed to the hospital with broken and cracked ribs and back as well as many severe bruises and scrapes.  Three days following the accident Elder Rector had stabilized sufficiently to allow visitors, so Rod took a motorcycle ride to the Intermountain Medical Center hospital in Murray, Utah.  Upon his arrival he found Elder Rector in a lot of pain but in good spirits, having just received a visit by President Monson, whom he has worked with extensively over many years.  President Monson gave him a blessing of recovery and today that blessing has been fulfilled as Elder Rector is now fully recovered and doing well...but he probably won't be making any more early AM trips back from plays anytime soon!  We are so grateful that his life was spared and that he and his wife are doing so well.  They are a marvelous and wonderful couple.  While at the hospital, Rod did take a photo of his beat-up 89 year old friend, but it wouldn't be appropriate to share that photo - nobody looks good after an accident while laying in a hospital bed!, so a photo of the Rectors at Niagara Falls instead.
FIRM Conclusions          

Our goal is to:

 - enable you to share and defend the gospel more powerfully

- to learn and understand the Book of Mormon in more depth

- to know how and where to find useful information and resources

- to teach how to share this research properly with others

- to learn how we can use this knowledge to bring truthseekers to the gospel of Jesus Christ.   

  

We are living in exciting and challenging times to be sure.  We must be prepared to answer questions from our friends and neighbors who are not of our faith, to help them into the gospel.  Mormonism has been gaining more world-wide exposure and we now enjoy the largest missionary force in world history!  The Heartland Model geography offers the most effective answers to Book of Mormon authenticity questions available and it is truly sweeping throughout the Church.  Your help is needed in order to educate as many of our brothers and sisters as quickly as possible so that we will all better understand the sacred covenants and judgements that are upon this nation -  the United States of America.  

 

Thank you all again for your marvelous help and support.  We are truly grateful for you and hope that you have found this information to be uplifting, exciting and helpful!  If you have any suggestions, comments or ideas, please let us know.  If you have an article you would like to submit to the FIRM Foundation's Research, Review and Editing Board, please contact us as well.  We are looking for well written articles on Book of Mormon subjects involving the Heartland Model geography. 

 

Your brother in the gospel,

 
Rod L. Meldrum
President

Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism 

The FIRM Foundation
In This Issue
Heartland Missionary Work
New Missionary Program
Hebrew in the Heartland Verified
Bat Creek Stone Returns
Christmas Special Offers
2014 Heartland Tour Schedule
Legacy Travel
5th Printing of "Exploring"
"Exploring" Dust Jacket Cover
Nephite Explorer DVD Set
The Osmonds in the News
Elder Hartman Rector Recovers
Quick Links
  

FIRMLDS.org 

 

  

 NEW ITEM!

For Our Day;  
Divinely Sanctioned Governments

by Joseph Smith Foundation 

 

Click to Order
"For Our Day is scripture in action.  Too many people believe all they need to do is read the word of God - then just go about their lives.  This filim goes much deeper.  It explains what God has been trying to tell us.  It shows how the Book of Mormon is much more than a history of an ancient people - it is a powerful warning of things to come for us today.  If we don't wake up to these warnings, the consequences could be dire.  For Our Day will wake you up! It is perhaps the most important film you can watch in order to truly understand why God made the painstaking efforts He did to ensure the Book of Mormon was delivered to latter-day America."

 - Timothy Ballard, author of The American Covenant Vol I & II and The Covenant as seen on Glenn Beck. 

 

DVD Video Documentary   

 NEW ITEM!

For Our Day 
Covenant on the Land - 
Exploring the prophetic Parallels in the Book of Mormon 

by Joseph Smith Foundation

 

 

 

For Our Day DVD cover art
Click to Order
"This mind expanding DVD film encapsulates, organizes and skillfully aligns centuries of meticulously written and miraculously preserved ancient records that carry a critical warning for us today. This sacred history, recorded by Holy prophets who were shown our day in vision, was preserved by God to guide a specific latter day nation...They tried to warn us.  Our solutions are embedded in their parallel history. For Our Day puts it all together." - Rod Meldrum

 

DVD Video Documentary   

 NEW COMBO
ITEM!
Lost  
American Antiquities -
A Hidden History
in combination with...
The Lost Civilizations of North America DVD! 

by S. Edgar Smoot

Lost American Antiquites, Smoot
Click to Order
S. Edgar Smoot, Executive Producer of the documentary, The Lost Civilizations of North America, comes revealing new research into Americas ancient civilizations and how history has been handed down to our day. Learn how a handful of the early men of science, John Wesley Powell and Lewis Henry Morgan changed nearly every aspect of modern society; and why their philosophies matter today.  With hundreds of referenced works and thousands of quotes this masterpiece of thought will inspire.  360 page HARDcover, with photos, appendices AND DVD! 
Book Reg. Retail  - $23
DVD  Reg. Retail  - $20
Save $13 on the set!

Get BOTH

 NEW ITEM!

5 Scriptures that Validate the Heartland Model for the Location of the Book of Mormon   

by Amberli Nelson

Click to Order
Read the Article On Amberli's previous DVD HERE.

"Every serious student of the Book of Mormon should become familiar with the work of Amberli Nelson, who has brought one of the most unique, significant and essential, yet never before considered, pieces to the puzzle of Book of Mormon geography research.  Her findings will forever alter the landscape of geography theories."
                - Rod L. Meldrum
 
In this compelling presentation you will gain insight into the very significant role that the Law of Moses play in determining the location for the Book of Mormon. When you combine the scriptures presented here along with the findings of the Archeological record of North America, you will come to the conclusion that the most plausible location for the setting of the Book of Mormon is none other than the Heartland of North America.           
DVD Video, 80 min.

Only $19.95
Order Today!
NEW ITEM!

The Lost Stones 

Chasing Down this Treasure Could Cost Everything 

by Paul Rimmasch

The Lost Stones cover graphic
Click to Order
A Heartland Model Geography Book of Mormon Novel!

Ammon and John are searching for the glowing stones that guided the brother of Jared across the ocean--but for very different reasons. Joined by John's daughter, Sariah, they get more than they bargained for as they learn they aren't the only ones searching for these precious artifacts. This thrilling adventure will have your whole family racing to the last page. A great LDS historical fiction that incorporates Book of Mormon history into an exciting latter day fiction novel. Better than the "tennis shoes" series!

 

Author Paul Rimmasch graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminalistics and a minor in Photography. Paul has spent the last fifteen years working as a Crime Scene Investigator for Weber-Metro CSI and is active in Forensic Science education and Law Enforcement training. Paul has parlayed a life long interest in Book of Mormon Archaeology and LDS Church History into his first novel, The Lost Stones.

Watch the book trailer HERE.

 - 183 pages, softcover

 NEW ITEM!
Sailing Close

to the Wind -  
An Epic Voyage Recreating the First Circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenicians in 600 BC.

by Philip Beale and Sarah Taylor  

 Lehi's Voyage Verified!

Sailing Close to the Wind
Click to Order
Non-Mormon Maritime explorer Philip Beale and writer Sarah Taylor collaborated on the only official book chronicling the epic voyage of the Phoenicia, the incredible 20,000 mile circumnavigation of Africa beginning from Salala, Oman around Africa towards North America and into the Mediterranean -finishing in Lebanon. It follows the same path as Lehi and, like him, it was done in a 600 BC era (replica) wooden sailing ship!  Lehi's voyage has now been demonstrated to the world!.

 

- 218 pages, softcover, color photos, notes, references and bibliography.   

Only $22.00
Special Order, Only 100 copies available
Order Yours Today!

 NEW ITEM!

Hidden Cities 
The Discovery and Loss of Ancient North American Civilization 

by Dr. Roger Kennedy 

Hidden Cities, Roger Kennedy
Click to Order
Former director of the Smithsonian's American History Museum, Dr. Roger Kennedy, has written one of the most profound books ever on the hidden archaeology of North America.  How and why was it hidden away for centuries and why is it important to the future of America?  Reprinted by The Free Press, New York after overwhelming demand for its powerful message. 

 

- 302 pages, softcover, appendices, notes, bibliography, & index  

Touring Book of Mormon Lands In North America 

Wayne May, touring BoM land in NA 
Take a Video Tour!

 Ancient American publisher and renown Book of Mormon scholar Wayne N. May has been exploring the Heartland of North America for evidences of the Book of Mormon for decades.   

 

 Wayne May

Now you can have Wayne take you on a "private tour" of these sacred sites of the Book of Mormon  through incredibly beautiful photography and video work that is the next best thing to being there!  This 70 minute  video will take you to many of the sites typically visited during his tours as well as several others inaccessible to the tours.  You'll even be the first to enjoy remote "helicopter" fly-overs of several of the mound structures!

Only $19.95

 

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