FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Criticism of Mormonism/Video/Search for the Truth DVD/Letter (annotated)"
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+ | <metadesc>Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith Search for the Truth DVD Good News for Mormons</metadesc> | ||
{{DVDHeadingBox|Letter of Instruction to Distributors}} | {{DVDHeadingBox|Letter of Instruction to Distributors}} | ||
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{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#f5faff" | {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#f5faff" | ||
− | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">This letter was provided to those who were to distribute the DVD. It provides a glimpse of their attitudes toward the Church of Jesus Christ, and the members whom they claim to be treating with "love." This version of the letter has comments added in <font color="blue">blue</font> by FAIR. Click [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">This letter was provided to those who were to distribute the DVD. It provides a glimpse of their attitudes toward the Church of Jesus Christ, and the members whom they claim to be treating with "love." This version of the letter has comments added in <font color="blue">blue</font> by FAIR. Click [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Letter|here]] to see the letter without comments.</h2> |
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− | : | + | :This statement presents a clear problem for the producers of this video, as it directly conflicts with statements made within the video itself. See that statement, and the problem, [[Search for the Truth DVD/Summary#leaders|see this location]]. See also a later claim made in a press release [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Randy_Gavin_press_release|here]]. |
− | : | + | '''To read more:''' |
+ | * Do Mormons Believe in Blind Obedience? {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Do_Mormons_Believe_in_Blind_Obedience.html}} | ||
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ABOUT THE NATION-WIDE DISTRIBUTION AND EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH: | ABOUT THE NATION-WIDE DISTRIBUTION AND EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH: | ||
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− | :One purpose of the DVD is "boundary maintenance." This means that it is a tool used by some conservative Protestant groups to ensure that ''their flock'' will not become interested in Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ. The DVD is targeted partly at an evangelical audience, | + | :One purpose of the DVD is "boundary maintenance." This means that it is a tool used by some conservative Protestant groups to ensure that ''their flock'' will not become interested in Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ. The DVD is targeted partly at an evangelical audience, to have them remain convinced that the Mormons are an un-Christian cult; nothing must challenge the video's version of what Latter-day Saints "really" believe. |
− | :Therefore, it is important that their distributors not discuss these issues with Latter-day Saints, lest they learn that the Saints believe a great many of the same things as they do about Christ. (See discussion [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD | + | :Therefore, it is important that their distributors not discuss these issues with Latter-day Saints, lest they learn that the Saints believe a great many of the same things as they do about Christ. (See discussion [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Who is Jesus|here]].) |
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::''Members should invite those with questions about Church doctrine and practices to read latter-day scriptures and to study the restored gospel, thus tasting the gospel fruit for themselves. Only then will they know "whether it be of God" (John 7:17). | ::''Members should invite those with questions about Church doctrine and practices to read latter-day scriptures and to study the restored gospel, thus tasting the gospel fruit for themselves. Only then will they know "whether it be of God" (John 7:17). | ||
::''When members lack answers, they should learn what Church leaders and reputable scholars have said and written. There is probably no charge against the Church that has not been adequately refuted by someone. When members can’t find answers on their own, they can turn to home and visiting teachers, quorum leaders, bishops, and stake presidents...Those willing to take time to research anti-LDS claims can find answers.'' | ::''When members lack answers, they should learn what Church leaders and reputable scholars have said and written. There is probably no charge against the Church that has not been adequately refuted by someone. When members can’t find answers on their own, they can turn to home and visiting teachers, quorum leaders, bishops, and stake presidents...Those willing to take time to research anti-LDS claims can find answers.'' | ||
− | :::<small>—{{Ensign1|author=Gilbert W. Scharffs|article=I Have A Question|date=January 1995|start=60}}{{link|url=http:// | + | :::<small>—{{Ensign1|author=Gilbert W. Scharffs|article=I Have A Question|date=January 1995|start=60}}{{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/01/i-have-a-question?lang=eng}}</small> |
:Once again, the video is shown to make false claims about what the Church does and teaches. FAIR hopes to play a role in finding answers for those who take the time to research anti-Mormon claims. | :Once again, the video is shown to make false claims about what the Church does and teaches. FAIR hopes to play a role in finding answers for those who take the time to research anti-Mormon claims. | ||
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− | :Note again the insistence that Mormons don't already have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." This is clearly false. (See discussion [[Search for the Truth DVD | + | :Note again the insistence that Mormons don't already have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." This is clearly false. (See discussion [[Search for the Truth DVD/Eternal Life|here]].) |
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:*Mormonism is a "cult" (they use fear and loaded language to vilify beliefs they do not share or understand) | :*Mormonism is a "cult" (they use fear and loaded language to vilify beliefs they do not share or understand) | ||
− | :The DVD's Christian audience probably believes that a "Christian" ministry effort would never | + | :The DVD's Christian audience probably believes that a "Christian" ministry effort would never misrepresent or distort, and so will trust what they hear. This is the real tragedy—well-meaning Christians will be misled about what their neighbors believe because of the dozens of deceptions in the ironically named ''Search for the Truth.'' |
− | :Their | + | :Their misrepresentations and distortions are less likely to be discovered by the unsuspecting Christians because the distribution team encourages their Christian distributors ''not'' to discuss the matter with LDS members beforehand. |
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− | :Has God also led the producer and distributors to | + | :Has God also led the producer and distributors to misrepresent and distort? To malign the sincere faith of others? To show enactments of the most sacred ordinances of their faith? |
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:If so many Christians find the Church of Jesus Christ attractive, could it not be that they find that it ''adds'' to their understanding and joy in Christ? | :If so many Christians find the Church of Jesus Christ attractive, could it not be that they find that it ''adds'' to their understanding and joy in Christ? | ||
− | :Thus, the DVD is willing to | + | :Thus, the DVD is willing to misrepresent or distort the Church's beliefs to stem the tide of conversions. |
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− | :The decreased proportion of Mormons in Utah is not due to " | + | :The decreased proportion of Mormons in Utah is not due to "combating" Mormonism, unless the critics are encouraging non-members to move to Utah. |
:It is true, though, that the Church has more room for growth outside of Utah, and is doing so. Small wonder that the critics are worried, and willing to deceive potential converts. | :It is true, though, that the Church has more room for growth outside of Utah, and is doing so. Small wonder that the critics are worried, and willing to deceive potential converts. | ||
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− | :Once again, the Church is made to look impersonal and evil: it is a "machine," and a "cult" of "lost souls." It is much easier to justify deceiving and slandering a "machine" than a religion of | + | :Once again, the Church is made to look impersonal and evil: it is a "machine," and a "cult" of "lost souls." It is much easier to justify deceiving and slandering a "machine" than a religion of committed Christians. In this way, it can be portrayed as "for their own good." |
− | :The | + | :The misrepresentation about a member's lack of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is again presented. (See discussion [[Search for the Truth DVD/Eternal Life|here]] and [[Search for the Truth DVD/Who is Jesus|here]]). |
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We believe that meditation upon JOHN chapter 15 (the entire chapter) will encourage you and answer your questions as to whether you should participate. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP, PLEASE HELP US. | We believe that meditation upon JOHN chapter 15 (the entire chapter) will encourage you and answer your questions as to whether you should participate. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP, PLEASE HELP US. | ||
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+ | For more information or to order quantities of DVDs contact Chip Thompson at: | ||
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+ | E-mail: [email protected] Phone: Office – | ||
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+ | 435-283-0178 or Cell – 435-851-4588 | ||
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<font color="blue"> | <font color="blue"> | ||
:John 15 does indeed provide some food for thought. One wishes the DVD producers and distributors had taken it to heart. | :John 15 does indeed provide some food for thought. One wishes the DVD producers and distributors had taken it to heart. | ||
− | ::This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ({{ | + | ::This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ({{b||John|15|12}}) |
− | :Did Jesus' love for others require Him to | + | :Did Jesus' love for others require Him to misrepresent, slander, or distort their history and beliefs? |
− | ::But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.... ({{ | + | ::But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.... ({{b||John|15|26}}) |
:Does the Holy Spirit truly bear witness to any honest Christian that the tactics, approach, and spirit of the ''Search for the Truth'' effort is from God? | :Does the Holy Spirit truly bear witness to any honest Christian that the tactics, approach, and spirit of the ''Search for the Truth'' effort is from God? | ||
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:And, since Jesus recommends seeking the Holy Ghost, why does the video repeatedly mock the Latter-day Saints for appealing to it in their faith? | :And, since Jesus recommends seeking the Holy Ghost, why does the video repeatedly mock the Latter-day Saints for appealing to it in their faith? | ||
− | :*(See [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD | + | :*(See [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Summary|here]] where the Saints' witnesses from the Holy Ghost are smugly labeled as merely something "felt by simply watching a Hollywood movie.") |
− | :*(See also [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD | + | :*(See also [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Burning_in_the_Bosom|here]] for a detailed treatment of this issue.) |
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+ | '''To read more:''' | ||
+ | * [[Mormonism and the Bible/Basics]] | ||
+ | * [[Mormonism and the Bible/Inerrancy|Biblical inerrancy?]] | ||
+ | * [[Mormonism and the Bible/Completeness|Biblical sufficiency?]] | ||
+ | * [[Mormonism and the Bible/Lost scripture|Lost scripture?]] | ||
+ | * [[Mormonism and the Bible/Open_canon_vs._closed_canon|A closed canon?]] | ||
+ | * {{tg|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai099.html|topic=LDS view of the Holy Bible}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 14:19, 13 April 2024
<metadesc>Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith Search for the Truth DVD Good News for Mormons</metadesc>
Letter of Instruction to Distributors |
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