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/Randy Gavin press release"
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+ | <metadesc>Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith Search for the Truth DVD Good News for Mormons</metadesc> | ||
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Jesus Christ / Joseph Smith DVD Distribution Conceived and Carried out by a Broad Consortium of Churches, Ministries and Non-Profit Organizations | Jesus Christ / Joseph Smith DVD Distribution Conceived and Carried out by a Broad Consortium of Churches, Ministries and Non-Profit Organizations | ||
− | Salt Lake City, UT (PRWeb) March 30, 2007 | + | Salt Lake City, UT (PRWeb) March 30, 2007—Since its founding in 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has insisted that it alone represents true Christianity and that all other churches professing the name of Christ are part of a "Great Apostasy," that has incorporated corrupt doctrine and practices. (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2:19) |
− | <font color=blue> | + | <font color=blue> Latter-day Saints believe that there is much of value to be found within other religions and denominations. We respect many of their religious leaders, both ancient and modern. The Latter-day Saints believe we have additional truths to offer the world. We do not believe we are the sole source of truth and we embrace all truth. While we believe the LDS Church contains the "fullness" of the gospel, we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ may be found in many Christian denominations. |
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+ | Latter-day Saints see the apostasy as a very early event in Christian history (probably within the first one to two centuries of the Christian era). The lack of agreement among modern Christian denominations is evidence that modern Christians are ''victims'' of the Apostasy; they are not responsible for its occurrence, or the mistakes made by earlier leaders in response to it. The Latter-day Saints believe that without divine revelation, the effects of apostasy cannot be overcome by human effort, no matter how well-intentioned. Thus, no fault for the apostasy lies with any modern Christian group or leader. | ||
'''To read more:''' | '''To read more:''' | ||
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* {{tg|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai014.html|topic=Apostasy and restoration}} | * {{tg|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai014.html|topic=Apostasy and restoration}} | ||
* {{disarray1|start=1}} | * {{disarray1|start=1}} | ||
+ | * [[Attitude to non-members]] | ||
+ | * [[Salvation of non-members]] | ||
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<font color=blue> The consortium here tries to pretend that they have been accused or attacked by the Latter-day Saints. The Saints do not attack other faiths—they share their own beliefs. | <font color=blue> The consortium here tries to pretend that they have been accused or attacked by the Latter-day Saints. The Saints do not attack other faiths—they share their own beliefs. | ||
− | The DVD contains no analysis of early Christianity, or the evidence for an apostasy as understood by the LDS. Instead, they merely describe their ''own'' version of Christianity, assume | + | The DVD contains no analysis of early Christianity, or the evidence for an apostasy as understood by the LDS. Instead, they merely describe their ''own'' version of Christianity, assume that it represents the only original biblical Christianity, and contrast it unfairly with a caricatured and distorted version of LDS beliefs. The LDS understanding and data on the apostasy and its effects are not even mentioned by the video.</font> |
Members of the consortium frequently receive questions about the differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. This DVD was created to inform people with questions about the differences between the two faiths. | Members of the consortium frequently receive questions about the differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. This DVD was created to inform people with questions about the differences between the two faiths. | ||
− | <font color=blue> The press release | + | <font color=blue> The press release—like the DVD—pretends that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not Christians. The DVD only succeeds in comparing the producer's version of Christianity with a caricature of LDS beliefs. As an attempt to genuinely inform, it fails.</font> |
The groups standing behind this DVD are well aware that members of the LDS Church are sincere about their beliefs. "It is not our desire to belittle those beliefs. In fact, we would be the first to defend the right of every Latter-day Saint to share their faith with others and we hope that they will allow us the same courtesy to clarify our beliefs," said Randy Gavin, spokesman for GoodNewsForLDS.org. | The groups standing behind this DVD are well aware that members of the LDS Church are sincere about their beliefs. "It is not our desire to belittle those beliefs. In fact, we would be the first to defend the right of every Latter-day Saint to share their faith with others and we hope that they will allow us the same courtesy to clarify our beliefs," said Randy Gavin, spokesman for GoodNewsForLDS.org. | ||
− | <font color=blue> Latter-day Saints do not object to Mr. Gavin or anyone else sharing their beliefs. They do object to Mr. Gavin's group presenting itself as the ones to explain what '' | + | <font color=blue> Latter-day Saints do not object to Mr. Gavin or anyone else sharing their beliefs. They do object to Mr. Gavin's group presenting itself as the ones to explain what ''Latter-day Saint'' beliefs are. Mr. Gavin and the others responsible for the DVD are not experts on Latter-day Saint beliefs. They are incapable of even ''describing'' those beliefs in a way which is acceptable and recognizable to a believing Latter-day Saint. |
If Mr. Gavin does not wish to belittle Latter-day Saint beliefs, | If Mr. Gavin does not wish to belittle Latter-day Saint beliefs, | ||
− | * | + | * his group should refrain from telling Mormons they are not Christians. |
− | + | * his group should quote LDS leaders in context, rather than distorting what they say for polemical purposes. | |
− | * | + | * his group should allow Latter-day Saints to describe their own doctrine. |
− | * | + | * his group should not present reenactments of sacred LDS temple ceremonies in their DVD, which any informed person knows Latter-day Saints will find deeply offensive. |
− | Since Mr. Gavin has caused offense | + | Since Mr. Gavin's group has caused offense—even if unintended—an apology is due both to the Latter-day Saints and those whom his group has misinformed about LDS beliefs, history, and doctrine. They should take the necessary steps to correct the misrepresentations which they claim are unintentional. Other non-LDS Christians recognized ahead of time how offensive the DVD would be to members of the Church, but Mr. Gavin seems to have ignored their opinion also. See [http://johnwmorehead.blogspot.com/2007/02/jesus-christjoseph-smith-video_10.html here]. |
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<font color=blue>Pastor McElveen hides the fact that many of the statements taken from Church leaders or scriptures were quoted out of context. The words were not fabricated, but the meaning and import was. If viewers are as ignorant about LDS teachings as Pastor McElveen claims, then the DVD had a responsibility to provide the proper context. It failed to do so. | <font color=blue>Pastor McElveen hides the fact that many of the statements taken from Church leaders or scriptures were quoted out of context. The words were not fabricated, but the meaning and import was. If viewers are as ignorant about LDS teachings as Pastor McElveen claims, then the DVD had a responsibility to provide the proper context. It failed to do so. | ||
− | '''Examples of | + | Either Pastor McElveen is ignorant of how Latter-day Saints understand their own scriptures and writings, or he is deliberately distorting them. In either case, he is not well suited to helping others understand The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
− | *[[Search for the Truth DVD | + | |
+ | '''Examples of misrepresented quotation in the DVD:''' | ||
+ | *[[Search for the Truth DVD/Distorted quotes]] | ||
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− | Latter-day Saints welcome the opportunity hear others' sincere testimonies of Christ and their beliefs about God. | + | Latter-day Saints welcome the opportunity to hear others' sincere testimonies of Christ and their beliefs about God. |
− | However, the GoodNewsForLDS distributors specifically instructed their distributors ''not'' to discuss the DVD with their LDS members, but to simply leave the DVD in the hopes that they would watch it unaware of its source or intent. | + | However, the GoodNewsForLDS distributors specifically instructed their distributors ''not'' to discuss the DVD with their LDS members, but to simply leave the DVD in the hopes that they would watch it unaware of its source or intent. ''See:'' [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD/Letter (annotated)|here]]. |
Latter-day Saints do not want to hear their own beliefs distorted by those who have been misled by the DVD. We all have the right to share what we believe; we do not have the right to define, distort, and interpret others' beliefs. | Latter-day Saints do not want to hear their own beliefs distorted by those who have been misled by the DVD. We all have the right to share what we believe; we do not have the right to define, distort, and interpret others' beliefs. | ||
Such behavior is not an act of love.</font> | Such behavior is not an act of love.</font> | ||
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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>
Distributor Press Release |
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