View source for Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6

{{FairMormon}} 
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|H=Response to claims made in "Chapter 6: No Rest for the Righteous"
|T=[[../../|One Nation Under Gods]]
|A=Richard Abanes
|<=[[../Chapter 5|Claims made in "Chapter 5: People of Zion"]]
|>=[[../Chapter 7|Claims made in "Chapter 7: Woe In Ohio"]]
}}
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|L=Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6
|H=Response to claims made in One Nation Under Gods, "Chapter 6: No Rest for the Righteous"
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==Quick Navigation==
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 104 - "Mormons, who commonly rejected analytical thought in favor of supernatural experience"|Response to claim: 104 - "Mormons, who commonly rejected analytical thought in favor of supernatural experience"]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 521n2 - A distorted version of the Three Degrees of Glory|Response to claim: 521n2 - A distorted version of the Three Degrees of Glory]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 105, 522n12 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' "haranguing" non-Mormons by threatening them with "imminent destruction" if they did not repent?|Response to claim: 105, 522n12 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' "haranguing" non-Mormons by threatening them with "imminent destruction" if they did not repent?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 105, 522n13 - Did Joseph Smith define the "wicked" as anyone who rejected Latter-day Saint beliefs?|Response to claim: 105, 522n13 - Did Joseph Smith define the "wicked" as anyone who rejected Latter-day Saint beliefs?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 108, 523n26 - Did Latter-day Saints alter their perception as being "adopted into Israel" to being "literal" descendants of Israel because they "were going to end up second-class Israelites"?|Response to claim: 108, 523n26 - Did Latter-day Saints alter their perception as being "adopted into Israel" to being "literal" descendants of Israel because they "were going to end up second-class Israelites"?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 108-109, 523n27-29 - Do Latter-day Saint claim today that they are literal descendants of Israel?|Response to claim: 108-109, 523n27-29 - Do Latter-day Saint claim today that they are literal descendants of Israel?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 110, 523n33 - Were missionaries sent to preach only to "other Caucasians"?|Response to claim: 110, 523n33 - Were missionaries sent to preach only to "other Caucasians"?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 110, 524n35 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and Morning Star'' claiming that Missouri "rightfully belonged to Mormons?"|Response to claim: 110, 524n35 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and Morning Star'' claiming that Missouri "rightfully belonged to Mormons?"]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 116 - In the revelation that Joseph received on August 2, 1833, was it evident that "God also was unaware of the Missouri tragedy"?|Response to claim: 116 - In the revelation that Joseph received on August 2, 1833, was it evident that "God also was unaware of the Missouri tragedy"?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 116, 525n63-64 - Did Joseph receive a revelation which "commanded Mormons to disobey secular law and civil leaders not conforming to the commandments of God"?|Response to claim: 116, 525n63-64 - Did Joseph receive a revelation which "commanded Mormons to disobey secular law and civil leaders not conforming to the commandments of God"?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 117 - "Their only comfort was the hope that Christ would soon deliver them"|Response to claim: 117 - "Their only comfort was the hope that Christ would soon deliver them"]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 122, 526n87 - Did Joseph receive a revelation that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836?|Response to claim: 122, 526n87 - Did Joseph receive a revelation that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 123, 526n91 - Did Joseph restore ceremonies found in ancient Judaism and early Christianity in order to "distance" the Church from "corrupt Christendom"?|Response to claim: 123, 526n91 - Did Joseph restore ceremonies found in ancient Judaism and early Christianity in order to "distance" the Church from "corrupt Christendom"?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 123 - "Joseph knew that nothing short of a spectacular closing to the dedication week would be acceptable to the crowds..."|Response to claim: 123 - "Joseph knew that nothing short of a spectacular closing to the dedication week would be acceptable to the crowds..."]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 124, 526n100 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were at the North Pole?|Response to claim: 124, 526n100 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were at the North Pole?]]
*[[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Chapter 6#Response to claim: 124, 526n101 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were located on a planet by the North Star?|Response to claim: 124, 526n101 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were located on a planet by the North Star?]]
{{parabreak}}

==Response to claim: 104 - "Mormons, who commonly rejected analytical thought in favor of supernatural experience"==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
{{AuthorQuote|"Mindless devotion to Smith's teachings also raised the ire of non-Mormons attempting to reason with the Saints about the folly of their beliefs. Reason and logical thinking meant little to Mormons, who commonly rejected analytical thought in favor of supernatural experience."}}
|authorsources=
Author's opinion.
}}
{{propaganda|How does the author, an evangelical Christian, describe the resurrection of Jesus Christ using "reason and logical thinking" while discounting "supernatural experience"? How was the mob who drove the Latter-day Saints out of their homes and shot them "attempting to reason" with them?
}}
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]

==Response to claim: 521n2 - A distorted version of the Three Degrees of Glory==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
The author provides this description of the three degrees of glory: 
<blockquote>
"The first degree of glory, which provides a very limited amount of glory/reward, is reserved for non-Mormons whose lives are marked primarily by immorality. The second degree, which offers a slightly greater glory/reward, is granted to non-Mormons and Mormons alike who live good lives marked primarily by kindness, goodness, and trying to live the best life possible. Finally, the third degree, which is basically the highest heaven attainable, is reserved for faithful Mormons who lived an exemplary life as "priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizadeck (sic)."
</blockquote>
|authorsources=
{{s||DC|76|70-98}}
}}
{{propaganda|This description is simply a caricature of what Latter-day Saints actually believe regarding the three degrees of glory.
}}
{{:Question: Are there different degrees of glory assigned to "Mormons" versus "non-Mormons"?}}

==Response to claim: 105, 522n12 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' "haranguing" non-Mormons by threatening them with "imminent destruction" if they did not repent?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' "haranguing" non-Mormons by threatening them with "imminent destruction" if they did not repent?
|authorsources=<br>
*"The Last Days," ''Evening and Morning Star'', February 1833, vol. 1, no. 10, 65.
*{{CitationError}}: there is no p. 65 in Vol. 1, No. 10. This error exists in both the hardback and paperback. It should be Vol. 9 for that page and article name.
}}
{{disinformation|This is a false claim.
}}
{{:Question: Was ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' threatening non-Mormon with "imminent destruction" if they did not repent?}}

==Response to claim: 105, 522n13 - Did Joseph Smith define the "wicked" as anyone who rejected Latter-day Saint beliefs?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph Smith define the "wicked" as anyone who rejected Latter-day Saint beliefs?
|authorsources=<br>
*{{s||DC|84|51-53}}
*Grant Underwood, ''The Millenarian World of Early Mormonism'', 44.
*Parley P. Pratt, ''An Answer to Mr. William Hewitt's Tract Against the Latter-day Saints'', 8.
}}
{{misinformation|Grant Underwood (on the page cited) points out that this label had little to do with behavior: "Theologically, then, the Saints used the word "wicked" as a sort of '''generic''' term for ''all'' unbelievers, '''regardless of their personal ethics'''" (italics original, bold added). It is a biblical doctrine that ''all'' are under sin.  ''All'' are wicked, and ''none'' can be saved unless they accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (See, e.g., {{b||Romans|3|23}}, {{b||Colossians|1|21}}.) Accepting the gospel does not mean we do not still sin, but it does mean we will not be damned for our sins, because of the grace of Christ.  This attack is hypocritical, since the author surely believes that anyone who does not accept the proper type of Christianity is likewise "wicked" and damned.  Yet, he condemns Joseph and the Saints for teaching the same doctrine, with the same intention.
}}
<!-- ====106, 523n20 - "Through Independence trekked Shawnees, Kickapoos, and Pottawattamies..."====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|"Through Independence trekked Shawnees, Kickapoos, and Pottawattamies....The old settlers counted the Indian guns and listened uneasily to their lamentation and despair, but the Mormons watched the migration with a kind of ecstasy."}}
|response=
*[[../../Rewording secondary sources|Rewording secondary sources]]
|authorsources=
*{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=121}}
}}
The author loves to reword Fawn Brodie's prose:

Brodie: "Through Independence trekked Shawnees, Kickapoos, and Pottawattamies, pitching their tens outside the village for a night before crossing the border. The old settlers counted the Indian guns and listened uneasily to their lamentation and despair, but the Mormons watched the migration with a kind of ectasy."<ref>Fawn Brodie, ''No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith'' 121.</ref> -->
<!-- ====107-108====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|"Contrary to what God had declared through Smith's revelations, peace would not reign in Zion."}}
|response=
|authorsources=
}} -->
==Response to claim: 108, 523n26 - Did Latter-day Saints alter their perception as being "adopted into Israel" to being "literal" descendants of Israel because they "were going to end up second-class Israelites"?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Latter-day Saints alter their perception as being "adopted into Israel" to being "literal" descendants of Israel because they "were going to end up second-class Israelites"?
|authorsources=
*Underwood, 30.
}}
{{misinformation|While Underwood ''does'' discuss how "Mormons could be 'adopted' into the House of Israel through conversion to God's latter-day work and thus became equal participants in the promises of the 'new covenant.'"  He then notes that "With the passage of time, American and European Saints placed increasing emphasis on literally having the "blood of Israel" in their veins and rarely referred to themselves as gentiles needing to be adopted into Israel."  Nowhere on page 30, however, does Underwood explain the reason for this shift, much less attribute it to fear of being "second class Israelites."
}}

==Response to claim: 108-109, 523n27-29 - Do Latter-day Saint claim today that they are literal descendants of Israel?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
*Do Latter-day Saint claim today that they are literal descendants of Israel?
*Brigham Young identified Joseph Smith as a "pure Ephraimite."
|authorsources=
*Brigham Young, April 8, 1855, ''Journal of Discourses'', vol. 2, 268-269.
*{{s||DC|64|36}}
}}
{{misinformation|Daniel H. Ludlow: "Although President Young identified Joseph Smith as a “pure Ephraimite” in the above quotation, so far as the Prophet’s family or blood lines were concerned, Brigham Young and others have recognized that (1) Joseph Smith was from a Gentile nation and (2) some of Joseph Smith’s progenitors may have come from bloodlines other than that of Ephraim. (See Journal of Discourses, 2:268.)" See Ludlow, "Of the House of Israel", ''Ensign'', January 1991. {{link|url=https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/01/of-the-house-of-israel?lang=eng}}
}}
<!-- ====109, 523n30 (PB)====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author states that any Gentiles who might "want to become Mormon without being descended from Israel" would receive a "heavenly blood transfusion."
|response=
*[[../Sarcasm|Sarcasm]]
|authorsources=
*''History of the Church'', vol. 3, 380.
}} -->
==Response to claim: 110, 523n33 - Were missionaries sent to preach only to "other Caucasians"?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=<br>
*Were missionaries sent to preach only to "other Caucasians?"
*Did this make it easier for Joseph to teach that people of African descent were "cursed by God?"
|authorsources=
Jerald and Sandra Tanner, "Excommunication: Mormon Leader Expelled After Charging Church with Racism," ''Salt Lake City messenger'' (#73), October 1989.
}}
{{misinformation|Joseph conferred the priesthood on several black men. The priesthood ban was initiated during the time of Brigham Young. The author fails to note that the "curse of Ham" was a Protestant invention used to justify slavery.
}}
{{:Question: When did a biblical curse become associated with the "Hamites?"}}
{{:Question: When did the "mark of Cain" become associated with black skin?}}
{{:Question: How did the "curse of Ham" or "curse of Cain" become associated with Mormonism?}}

==Response to claim: 110, 524n35 - Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and Morning Star'' claiming that Missouri "rightfully belonged to Mormons?"==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Was the Latter-day Saint periodical ''The Evening and Morning Star'' claiming that Missouri "rightfully belonged to Mormons?"
|authorsources=
"The Far West," ''Evening and Morning Star'', October 1832, vol. 1, no. 5, 37.
}}
{{misinformation|This is a distortion of the source.
}}
{{:Question: Was the Latter-day Saint periodical The Evening and Morning Star claiming that Missouri "rightfully belonged to Mormons?"}}

==Response to claim: 116 - In the revelation that Joseph received on August 2, 1833, was it evident that "God also was unaware of the Missouri tragedy"?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
In the revelation that Joseph received on August 2, 1833, was it evident that "God also was unaware of the Missouri tragedy"?
|authorsources=
{{s||DC|97|11}}
}}
{{disinformation|D&C 97:24-25 (the same D&C section the author uses for his citation) refers to the problems in Jackson County (Zion) (This text is also found on to 1835 D&C page 210):
:24 For the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works. 
:25 Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.

In addition, the description in the modern edition of D&C 97 states: "Members of the Church in Missouri were at this time subjected to severe persecution, and on July 23, 1833, had been forced to sign an agreement to leave Jackson County."
}}
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]

==Response to claim: 116, 525n63-64 - Did Joseph receive a revelation which "commanded Mormons to disobey secular law and civil leaders not conforming to the commandments of God"?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph receive a revelation which "commanded Mormons to disobey secular law and civil leaders not conforming to the commandments of God"?
|authorsources=<br>
*D&C 98
*{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Mormon Hierarchy|pages=81}}
}}
{{misinformation|The revelation is telling the Saints to support honest and wise men as leaders, not to disobey the law.
}}
{{:Question: Does Doctrine and Covenants 98:4-11 instruct Latter-day Saints to disobey secular law?}}

==Response to claim: 117 - "Their only comfort was the hope that Christ would soon deliver them"==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
{{AuthorQuote|"They had neither provision, nor direction. some fled to nearby Clay County, but most of those exiled remained huddled in the woodlands by the Missouri River. Their only comfort was the hope that Christ would soon deliver them."}}
|authorsources=
None
}}
{{propaganda|The author simply rewords Fawn Brodie's prose and adds the idea that the Saints were waiting for Christ to deliver them:

*Fawn Brodie: "A few <span style="color:blue">fled to Clay County</span>, where they were received with sympathy; the majority <span style="color:blue">huddled for days among the cottonwoods lining the Missouri River</span>, <span style="color:red">hungry, weaponless, and leaderless</span>, <span style="color:blue">praying passionately for a miracle</span>."<ref>Fawn Brodie, ''No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith'', 137.</ref>
*Richard Abanes: "They had <span style="color:red">neither provision, nor direction</span>. some <span style="color:blue">fled to nearby Clay County</span>, but most of those exiled remained <span style="color:blue">huddled in the woodlands by the Missouri River</span>. Their only comfort was the <span style="color:blue">hope that Christ would soon deliver them</span>."<ref>Richard Abanes, ''One Nation Under Gods'', 117.</ref>
*The full list of Brodie rewording can be viewed here: [[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Rewording secondary sources|''One Nation Under Gods'': Rewording Fawn Brodie's ''No Man Knows My History'']]
}}
<!-- ====121, 525n82====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|"Smith ultimately placed blame for the humiliating venture not on his own shoulders, but upon the sinful conduct, lack of faith, and ungodly attitudes of those traveling with him."}}
|response=
*[[../../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||DC|105|}}
*Wilford Woodruff, 1836-1837 Diary, under December 11, 1836, reprinted in Dean Jessee, "The Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff." ''BYU Studies'' (Summer 1972), vol. 12, 374.
}} -->
==Response to claim: 122, 526n87 - Did Joseph receive a revelation that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph receive a revelation that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836?
|authorsources=
Joseph Smith, letter to the High Council of Zion, August 16, 1834, ''History of the Church'', vol. 2:145.
}}
{{information|There were many conditionals placed on this prophecy—its fulfillment relied on the members' faithfulness.
}}
{{:Question: Did Joseph Smith prophesy that Zion, in Jackson County, Missouri, would be redeemed by September 1836?}}

==Response to claim: 123, 526n91 - Did Joseph restore ceremonies found in ancient Judaism and early Christianity in order to "distance" the Church from "corrupt Christendom"?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph restore ceremonies found in ancient Judaism and early Christianity in order to "distance" the Church from "corrupt Christendom"?
|authorsources=
{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=176}}
}}
{{propaganda|If Joseph claimed to be ''restoring'' early Christianity, why is it strange that he would re-institute practices from early Christianity?  And, how did Joseph know of these authentic practices of the early Christians?
}}
* {{Nibley4_1|start=1&ndash;}}
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]
*[[../Mind reading|Mind reading]]

==Response to claim: 123 - "Joseph knew that nothing short of a spectacular closing to the dedication week would be acceptable to the crowds..."==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
{{AuthorQuote|"Joseph knew that nothing short of a spectacular closing to the dedication week would be acceptable to the crowds. So during the final April 3 service, Smith and Oliver Cowdery, with great ceremonial show, disappeared from the congregation behind two special veils that had been lowered in front of them..."}}
|authorsources=<br>
*{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=180}}
*Brodie states that her primary source for these events is ''History of the church'', vol. II, pp. 379-83, 420-36.
}}
{{propaganda|The author is rewording Brodie's prose again. 

Fawn Brodie: "But all the ecstasy that had been flaming for a fortnight paled before the <span style="color:blue">dramatic effulgence of the final services</span>. The temple was filled and overflowing. <span style="color:blue">Joseph and Oliver Cowdery climbed to their pulpits and motioned for the veils to be lowered about them. The audience sat enrapt...</span>"

Richard Abanes: "Joseph knew that nothing short of a <span style="color:blue">spectacular closing to the dedication week</span> would be acceptable to the crowds. So during the final April 3 service, <span style="color:blue">Smith and Oliver Cowdery, with great ceremonial show, disappeared from the congregation behind two special veils that had been lowered in front of them. No one knew what would happen...</span>"

No primary sources are provided to indicate what Joseph was thinking, or that he disappeared behind the veil "with great ceremonial show." This is the author's prose.
}}
*[[../Mind reading|Mind reading]]
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]
*[[../Rewording secondary sources|Rewording secondary sources]]

==Response to claim: 124, 526n100 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were at the North Pole?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were at the North Pole?
|authorsources=<br>
*{{s||DC|110|11}}
*{{s||DC|133|26-34}}
}}
{{information|A late, second-hand account attributed to Joseph Smith states that he believed that the ten tribes were at the "north pole," but this was not a revelation.
}}
{{:Question: Did Joseph Smith believe that the lost Ten Tribes were living under the polar ice cap?}}

==Response to claim: 124, 526n101 - Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were located on a planet by the North Star?==
{{IndexClaimItemShort
|title=One Nation Under Gods
|claim=
Did Joseph believe that the ten lost tribes were located on a planet by the North Star?
|authorsources=
*Wandle Mace, ''Journal'', 1809-1890, 38-39.
*Eliza R. Snow, "Address to Earth", ''MS'', vol. 13, Sep 1, 1851.
*Charles L. Walker, ''Journal'' in ''Diary of Charles Lowell Walker'', vol. 2, 532, 539, 540, 868.
*Wilford Woodruff, ''Wilford Woodruff Journal'', September 8, 1867; September 25, 1859.
*Bathsheba W. Smith, "Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith." ''The Juvenile Instructor'', June 1, 1892, vol. 27, 34.
*Orson Pratt, Letter Box of Orson Pratt, LDS Church Historian's Office, letter to John C. Hall, December 13, 1875. Quoted in R. Clayton Brough, "The Lost Tribes," 50.
}}
{{information|According to one of the sources quoted, Orson Pratt said, "The Prophet Joseph once in my hearing advanced his opinion that the Ten Tribes were separated from the Earth; or a portion of the Earth was by a miracle broken off..." In other words, Joseph was expressing his opinion.
}}
{{endnotes sources}}



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