"Your inquiry of [date] concerning the Smithsonian Institution’s alleged use of the Book of Mormon as a scientific guide has been received in this office for response.
"The Book of Mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The Smithsonian Institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect.
"Your interest in the Smithsonian Institution is appreciated."
This is the text of a form letter distributed by the Smithsonian Institution since 1998 whenever they receive queries regarding another Mormon Legend That Will Not Die. An earlier version of the letter listed points on which the Smithsonian Institution’s staff claimed the scientific record differed from the Book of Mormon narrative; that exposition was dropped after John L. Sorenson of FARMS, and perhaps others, disputed the Smithsonian Institution’s points as being out of date.