A Reader’s Exception to Baja Critique—Part V

Continuing with the reader who identified himself only as Elbeau, who took several exceptions to a previous series of posts about Baja California not qualifying for the site of the Book of Mormon Land of Promise (The Fallacy of Extremist Theories--the Baja California Theory). His critiques of our posts, along with current answering responses, are listed below:

9. Our post said, "the approximately 13,000 years of Earth's existence according to the scriptural record of Moses found in both Genesis and the Pearl of Great Price."

Elbeau's comment regarding 13,000 years: "[this] should not be inserted as if it is an established fact just because this article's author likes that number. When critiquing someone else's assertions, it is poor behavior to insert your own unsubstantiated "facts." Many reasonable arguments can be made for many different time frames. This is minor in the scheme of things, but it is an intentional foul since it's reasonable to assume that the author knows he is not quoting any well-established fact here."

Response: Not certain what "well-established fact" the person wants. Scripture is used for reference on this matter, including the Bible. First of all, Moses, who received his instruction from the Lord in writing the early history of the world, from the creation down to his time, makes it clear that the earth was created in six days and on the seventh day the Lord rested (Genesis 1:1 thru 2:3; PGP Moses 2:3 thru 3:3; Abraham 4 and 5).

Now Moses referred to the creation periods in terms of seven "days," including night and day terms; Abraham referred to it as a period of seven "times," also mentioning night and day as the individual time. When we look into the Biblical record, we find that Peter said, "be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8), and the Psalmist wrote: "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night" (Psalms 90:4).

In Revelations, we learn of seven seals that will be opened by the angels throughout Earth's existence, and in the Doctrine & Covenants those seals are explained to us that each seal represents a day of one thousand years (D&C 77:10), and that each seal represents one of the days of the creation (D&C 77:12). The beginning of the seventh day, or seventh seal, or seventh thousand years, he finished his work, and the seventh thousand years will God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man and judge all things (D&C 77:12). During that time, Satan will be bound in the seventh day, or seven thousandth year for a thousand years (Revelations 20:2).

Joseph Field Smith taught that the earth was created in seven thousand years, which would be through to the time Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, and we know that man has been on the Earth in his mortal state for approximately six thousand years. Thus we talk about the Earth having been created about 13,000 years ago. While this is not meant to be an exact figure, it is close enough under today's scientific beliefs of an Earth that is 4.55 billion years old, to use as a correct and accurate statement. Thus, it is not that "this article's author likes that number," but that the scriptures can lead us to no other number. Perhaps it can also be said, that before someone wants to critique or critcize the author's statements, they should first read the scriptures.

10. Our post said, "Baja's mountains form a largely unbroken barrier running the entire length from north to south."

Elbeau's comment: "Simply false. There are many mountain ranges, but there are breaks between them spanning very large distances. At least GLANCE at Google Earth before posting next time."

The mountain peak Pico del Diablo Sierra San Pedro Martir, and like most of the taller mountains on the Peninsula, less than 100 miles south of the US. Border and about 250 miles north of the "narrow neck"

Response: These mountain ranges are described overall as "a largely unbroken barrier running the entire length from north to south," by geographers, geologists, and other scientists when describing the Baja Peninsula. It seems the key words they use are "largely unbroken." The rest of this earlier post, not quoted by Elbeau, was "The mountains are actually a series of ranges each with their own name. The mountains average between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. The tallest mountains on the peninsula are the twin peaks of Picacho del Diablo, or Devil's Peak, which rise to 10,154 feet. This is 4,000 feet lower than Mesoamerica's highest peak, and almost 13,000 feet lower than the Andes highest peaks. These mountains do not allow for Pacific moisture into the eastern gulf, which is extremely dry and much hotter." Again, all of this was taken directly from the geography of the Baja California Peninsula as published by the Mexican Geological Association.

It seems that our words, "The mountains are actually a series of ranges," is very similar to Elbeau's words, "There are many mountain ranges," that no critiquing comment should have been made. Perhaps it can also be said, that "When critiquing someone else's "facts", it is poor behavior to insert your own beliefs.