When a Reference file is selected there is a registry key that is created: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\e-Sword\Library\History of the Christian Church. This registry key was created the first time I selected "History of the Christian Church" in the reference viewer.
As different pages/chapters/locations are opened, there are registry keys for each location that is within the reference file created - within this hive. The values stored appear to be the last screen location, (the actual bookmark/placeholder)
There is also a separate key called "topic" that shows that last active chapter/location/page. It appears that whenever this is set to "1" the first page will not display. BUT if I change this value to a "0" in Regedit then the first page will display.
The very first time a resource is opened it will display correctly. Leave the resource on the first page. close the reference viewer and open it a gain. the first page will not display.
If you delete that resources registry hive and then reopen the resource in the reference library it will display correctly the first time after is was deleted too.
This is just more info about the problem.