![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
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.
m (→top: Bot replace {{FairMormon}} with {{Main Page}} and remove extra lines around {{Header}}) |
|||
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | {{ | + | {{Main Page}} |
{{H1 | {{H1 | ||
|L=Specific works/DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD)/Hierarchy of doctrinal authority | |L=Specific works/DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD)/Hierarchy of doctrinal authority | ||
− | | | + | |T=DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD); Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences (Seminar): |
+ | |H=Hierarchy of doctrinal authority | ||
|A=The FIRM Foundation | |A=The FIRM Foundation | ||
|<=[[../Index|Index of geographical claims]] | |<=[[../Index|Index of geographical claims]] |
Contents |
Index of geographical claims | A FAIR Analysis of: DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography (DVD); Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences (Seminar):, a work by author: The FIRM Foundation
|
"Discounting" or "disdaining" Joseph Smith |
In the seminar "Introduction to Book of Mormon Evidences," the presenter states that there exists a "research hierarchy" by which something can be determined:
In order to demonstrate the proposed hierarchical order, the presenter notes that “prophets themselves are held accountable to the scriptures.” Citations that are used to back up this claim are:
It should also be noted that this "hierarchy" matches exactly the first testimonial on the "DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography" web site:
...In working for the Church I was told to use for research only: 1) the scriptures 2) Joseph Smith and 3) the words of the Prophets, while they were prophets. All else was to be considered opinion. This is why I couldn't go along with the traditional sites of Book of Mormon Lands, as well as numerous textual evidences within the Book itself... (03.02.08 Name withheld) DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography—Testimonials off-site
There are some serious problems with the "hierarchy" as it is presented:
Setting up the hierarchy in this manner sets the stage for the presenter to apply prophetic weight to any statement made by Joseph Smith that deals with Book of Mormon geography. Ironically, a number of geographical statements made by Joseph that contradict the Heartland model are ignored. (To view statements made by Joseph Smith which contradict the Heartland model, see Joseph Smith's statements regarding Book of Mormon geography) One must therefore assume that only selected geographical statements from Joseph Smith are to be given prophetic weight.
In contrast to the claim that Joseph revealed a geography, the First Presidency has stated that Book of Mormon geography has not been revealed:
The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. Nor are we acquainted with any of the Twelve Apostles who would undertake such a task. The reason is, that without further information they are not prepared even to suggest [a map]. The word of the Lord or the translation of other ancient records is required to clear up many points now so obscure.
—George Q. Cannon, "Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography," The Juvenile Instructor 25/1 (1 January 1890): 18–19.
President James E. Faust recalled the words of George Q. Cannon in 2004.
It is important to know what the Book of Mormon is not...President George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “The Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities … is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work.”
—James E. Faust, “First Presidency Message: The Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Jan 2004, 2–6
The First Presidency Message for January 2004 is clear: the First Presidency has not changed its position regarding the location of a Book of Mormon geography. Attempts to formulate a Book of Mormon geography from Joseph Smith's statements are not the problem—the real issue is assuming that one can definitively say that Joseph claimed a revealed geography in contradiction to claims of current Church leaders. Attempting to create a "hierarchy" that in essence demotes the words of the living prophets below those of Joseph Smith is charting dangerous ground. To borrow the terms employed by the DVD and presentation, to do such a thing "discounts and disparages" the words of the living prophets.
On May 4, 2007 the First Presidency made a significant statement which it published on the Church Website. They clarified what is meant by official Church "doctrine". Church doctrine is only something that is:
The First Presidency went on to say:
"Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church."
The presentation and DVD therefore place what they claim are Joseph Smith's prophetic utterances against the words of later prophets. This places Church members in the untenable situation of having to choose to either accept the statements of modern prophets or to instead accept the presenter's interpretation of the words of Joseph Smith.
Scripture remains, as President Harold B. Lee taught, the standard for doctrine in the Church:
But, even this statement has a caveat—scripture trumps private expression of prophets, but prophets united as the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve may amend, add to, or authoritatively interpret scripture in novel ways. This has no application to the current discussion, since there is no LDS scripture which affirms a revealed Book of Mormon geography.
With regards to the question of modern prophets versus part prophets (such as Joseph Smith), we must investigate further. While President of the Quorum of the Twelve, Ezra Taft Benson taught:
This matches what Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught, as President Benson went on to illustrate:
Contrary to the claims made by the DVD, it has long been taught by Joseph Smith and others that official statements from the living prophet are given precedence to those of past prophets.
Past and president leaders of the Church have all insisted that there is no revealed Book of Mormon geography. It is therefore inappropriate for lay members like the FIRM Foundation (or FAIR or anyone else) to declare that Joseph Smith did give revelation on the topic. If Joseph's revelation or another is to be announced or taught, this will be done by the present leaders of the Church and no one else.
Notes
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.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now