The examples given previously in II and III of the “Overview” section were of edited quotations from scripture or primarily doctrine. The following examples of selectively edited references are mostly from LDS historical sources.
| Claims of the book | Actual facts |
| 1. “Under the alleged direction of an ‘angel’ . . . unbaptized Smith baptized Cowdery; then Cowdery whose baptism was invalid, baptized Smith” (206:19). | This completely ignores the fact that in the previous verses (Joseph Smith— History 1:68-69) the Aaronic Priesthood giving authority to baptize was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist. |
| 2. Joseph Smith said, “God . . . will make me to be god to yoi in His stead” (211:18). | Joseph Smith was referring to that phrase from Ex. 4:16, and saying that a substitute speaker would be his mouth- piece just as Aaron had been Moses’ spokesman. Joseph Smith was not claiming to be a god. |
| 3. “There were to be ‘only’ three witnesses” to the Book of Mormon according to the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants (101:17). | The authors added the word “only” to the scripture they quote. Omitted was the scripture which says that besides three witnesses, the Lord would show them to others. |
