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| − | __NOTOC__
| + | #REDIRECT [[Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Becoming Gods]] |
| − | {{FAIRAnalysisHeader
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| − | |title=[[../]]
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| − | |author=Richard Abanes
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| − | |noauthor=
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| − | |section=Index of Claims, p. 1 of 2
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| − | |previous=
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| − | |next=[[Becoming Gods/Index/Page 2|Index—p. 2]]
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| − | |notes={{AuthorsDisclaimer}}
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Index to claims made in ''Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism'' p. 1 of 2==
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| − | This is an index of claims made in this work with links to corresponding responses within the FAIRwiki. An effort has been made to provide the author's original sources where possible.
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| − | | |
| − | ===Claims made in Preface: "Can't We All Just Get Along?"===
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| − | {{BeginClaimsTable}}
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| − | |
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| − | ====13====
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| − | ||Mormons exist in "two distinct groups:" Chapel Mormons and Internet Mormons.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Internet Mormons vs. Chapel Mormons]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Jason Gallentine (a.k.a. "Dr. Shades"), "Internet Mormonism vs. Chapel Mormonism"
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====15====
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| − | ||The ''Journal of Discourses'' was viewed on par with the Standard Works by early Church members.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Journal of Discourses]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====16====
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| − | ||"Gospel Principles" is published by the Church, but contains a disclaimer that states that it is not an official publication of the Church.
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| − | ||
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| − | *We cannot find the disclaimer mentioned by the author about ''Gospel Principles'' not being an official publication. Please {{ContactFAIR}} if you have a source.
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| − | *[[Official Church publications]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *''Gospel Principles''
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====17, 331n35====
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| − | ||Mormons "focus on a minor issue while dismissing the broader point that is being made by a critic of the church."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Becoming Gods#"Celestial sex"|"Celestial sex"]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *The author uses as an example in the endnotes the alleged LDS belief in "Celestial Sex."
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| − | {{EndClaimsTable}}
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| − | | |
| − | ===Claims made in Chapter 1: God's Latter-Day Prophet===
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| − | {{BeginClaimsTable}}
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| − | |
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| − | ====24====
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| − | ||Joseph's family survived by "money digging."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith and money digging]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Persuitte:Origins|pages=35}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====24====
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| − | ||Joseph was adept at "occult ritual."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *No actual reference given by the author: The note simply says "Smith was well-known as a money-digger throughout western New York and northern Pennsylvania."
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====24====
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| − | ||Joseph's neighbors thought that he was "an imposter, hypocrite and liar."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[The Hurlbut affidavits]]
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| − | *[http://lightplanet.com/response/js-family.htm Lightplanet Response]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Howe:Mormonism Unvailed|pages=}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====26====
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| − | ||During the First Vision, Joseph was told that "all Christian creeds" were an abomination and that "all Christian teachers" were corrupt.
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=17|pages=377, n8(PB)}}
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| − | *[[Individual versus organizational apostasy]] {{nw}}
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| − | *[[Contradiction_about_knowing_all_churches_were_wrong|All churches were wrong]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====26====
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| − | ||Many Mormons believe that "their salvation, to a limited degree, rests upon Smith."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *In a note on page 332, the author says "I do not mean to say the Mormons hold Joseph Smith on an equal par with Jesus Christ. Smith holds a place just below Christ."
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Tanner:Case Against|pages=vol. 1, p. 75}}
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| − | *Joseph Fielding Smith, ''Doctrines of Salvation'', p. 302
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====26====
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| − | ||Bruce R. McConkie said that "we must turn to Joseph Smith to gain salvation."
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{SourceDistortion}}: [[../Use of sources/Turn to Joseph to gain Salvation|Turn to Joseph to gain salvation?]]
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{MillennialMessiah1 |start=334}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====26====
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| − | ||Dallin Oaks said that "I have built my life on the testimony and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith."
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| − | ||
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| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: The author omits Elder Oaks' very next words:
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| − | | |
| − | :In all of my reading and original research, I have never been dissuaded from my testimony of his prophetic calling and of the gospel and priesthood restoration the Lord initiated through him. I solemnly affirm the testimony Joseph Smith expressed in the famous Wentworth letter of 1842:
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| − | | |
| − | ::“… The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (''Times and Seasons'', 1 March 1842, 709; quoted in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'', 5 vols. [1992], 4:1754).
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| − | | |
| − | :In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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| − | | |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{Ensign1|author=Dallin Oaks|article=Joseph, the Man and the Prophet|date=May 1996|start=71}} {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=42e47cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====27====
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| − | ||Joseph Smith was "harsh and violent."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Personal failings of Joseph Smith]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====27====
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| − | ||James E. Faust said that Joseph Smith "was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth."
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| − | ||
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| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: Note that the author removes all the surrounding text which discusses Jesus Christ (italic text is quoted by author; bold for emphasis):
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| − | :As one of the '''special witnesses of the Lord''', I desire to declare my testimony to you. I am grateful that I have always had a testimony of the gospel. I cannot remember when I did not believe. I have not always understood everything and do not claim to do so now, but through thousands and thousands of spiritual confirmations throughout my life, including my calling to the holy apostleship, I can declare my testimony to you that '''Jesus is the Christ. With every fiber and cell of my being, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer'''. I testify that Joseph Smith ''was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth'' and of great importance to the '''Savior in the work of God''' on the earth. I know this to be true.
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *James E. Faust, "The Importance of Bearing Testimony," ''Liahona'', Mar. 1997, p.3. {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=3063dbdcc370c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====28====
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| − | ||Joseph Smith may have been a "pious fraud," who believed that he had been called of God while perpetrating fraud.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Psychobiographical analysis of Joseph Smith]]
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| − | * This is the [[Logical_fallacies#Appeal_to_probability|fallacy of probability]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Dan Vogel in Waterman, p. 50
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====28====
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| − | ||Joseph Smith and other church leaders "often used deception to conceal their activities."||
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| − | *[[Personal failings of Joseph Smith]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====28====
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| − | ||Polygamy was practiced in secret and denied publicly.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith and polygamy]]
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| − | * {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head08|Lying about polygamy?}}
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| − | * {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head09|Lying in Nauvoo era?}}
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| − | ||
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| − | *''Times and Seasons'', Mar 15, 1843, vol. 4, no. 9, p. 143
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====28====
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| − | ||Heber C. Kimball predicted that the world would someday see Joseph Smith as "a god."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | *[[Joseph_Smith's_status_in_LDS_belief/Heber_C._Kimball_on_Joseph_as_"a_god"|Heber C. Kimball on Joseph as "a god"]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Heber C. Kimball, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_5/Oneness_of_the_Priesthood,_etc. ''Journal of Discourses'', 5:88].
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====28====
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| − | ||Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief]]
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| − | *[[Joseph_Smith's_status_in_LDS_belief/Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith|Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Brigham Young, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_8/Light_of_the_Spirit%E2%80%94Course_of_Missionaries ''Journal of Discourses'' 8:176].
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====29====
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| − | ||LDS claim that Joseph Smith "told but one" First Vision.
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| − | ||
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| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
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| − | *[[First Vision accounts]]
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| − | * Church publications have long described the multiple accounts of the First Vision:
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| − | **{{Ensign1|author=Milton V. Backman, Jr.|article=Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision|date=January 1985|start=8}}{{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1985.htm/ensign%20january%201985%20.htm/joseph%20smiths%20recitals%20of%20the%20first%20vision.htm}}
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| − | **{{BYUS|author=Dean C. Jessee|article=Early Accounts of Joseph Smith (1831–1839)|date=1969|vol=9|num=3|start=275|end=294}}{{pdflink|url=http://byustudies.byu.edu/Products/MoreInfoPage/MoreInfo.aspx?prodid=662&type=7}}
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| − | **{{PWJS|start=9|end=20}}<!--Jessee-->
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| − | | |
| − | ||
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| − | *Preston Nibley, ''Joseph Smith the Prophet'' (SLC: Deseret News, 1944), p. 30.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====30====
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| − | ||The 1832 account of the First Vision states that Joseph was in his "sixteenth year," and that he "probably meant when he was 16 years old.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Different age provided in the 1832 text]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====30====
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| − | ||The 1832 account does not mention two personages.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Only one Personage appears in the 1832 account]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====30====
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| − | ||The 1832 account does not mention that "all the churches in Joseph's day were false."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[1832 account doesn't forbid joining a church]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====31====
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| − | ||Joseph claimed that he learned about the errors in Christendom through personal Bible study several years before the First Vision.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Contradiction_about_knowing_all_churches_were_wrong|Contradiction about knowing all churches were wrong?]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:27
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====31====
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| − | ||Orson Pratt said that the two personages "declared themselves to be angels."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Orson Pratt confused about "angel" or Father-Son]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Pratt in "Biography and Journal of William I. Appleby, Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints," 1848 reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, pp. 146-147.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====31====
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| − | ||Church historian Andrew Jenson said that "The angel again forbade Joseph to join any of these churches."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Andrew Jenson called personage an "angel"]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Andrew Jenson, "Joseph Smith, The Prophet," Jan. 1888, vol. 3, nos. 1-3, p. 355.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====31====
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| − | ||Joseph dictated the 1838 account of the First Vision to counter the leadership crisis in Kirtland.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[1838 account modified to offset leadership crisis?]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====31====
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| − | ||The visit of Moroni was confused with the First Vision, and "was probably the real first vision."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[First Vision fabricated to give "Godly authority"]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||"Not a single piece" of literature published in the 1830's mentions a visit by the Father and the Son.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications?]]
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| − | ||
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| − | * No source provided.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||Joseph's mother said that the First Vision was of an angel.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Prophet's mother said First Vision was of an "angel"]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Lucy Mack Smith, letter to Solomon Mack Jr., Jan. 6, 1831, reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 216.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||Joseph privately began reworking the story of seeing an angel into a vision of Christ.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 77-80.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||Without "Mormonism's so-called" Melchizedek Priesthood, no man can see God and live.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{s||DC|84|21-22}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||Nobody knows "when or how" the Joseph received the Melchizedek Priesthood.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Online reference to anti-Mormon site "lds-mormon.com"
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====34====
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| − | ||Joseph "had to backdate" the First Vision to 1820 in response to a leadership crisis.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[1838 account modified to offset leadership crisis?]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=251}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====35====
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| − | ||The First Vision originally stated that the personages were angels.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[The "Angels" of the 1835 account]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *William Smith, Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 495.
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| − | *George A. Smith
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| − | *Lucy Smith
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| − | *Brigham Young, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_2/The_Constitution_and_Government_of_the_United_States,_etc. ''Journal of Discourses'' 2:171].
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| − | *John Taylor, ''Journal of Discourses'' vol. ?, p. 167.
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| − | *Heber C. Kimball, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_6/Truth,_Life,_and_Light,_etc. ''Journal of Discourses'', 6:29].
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | ====35====
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| − | ||There was no 1820 revival in Palmyra that converted "great multitudes" of people.
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| − | ||
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| − | * {{HistoricalError}}
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| − | *[[Religious revivals in 1820]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 42.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====35, 342n78, 348n130====
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| − | ||
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| − | *Joseph Smith is claimed to have joined other churches after having been told that churches were wrong.
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| − | *Joseph is claimed to have become a member of the Baptist Church after his First Vision.
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| − | *Joseph is claimed to have become an "exhorter" for the Methodists after his First Vision.
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith joined other churches]]
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| − | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=1|pages=18, 487n62-63 (PB)}}
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| − | ||
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| − | *Fayette Lapham, "Interview," pp. 305-306, reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'' 1:458.
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| − | *Mitchell Bronk, "The Baptist Church at Manchester," ''The Chronicle: A Baptist Historical Quarterly'' [January 1948], vol. 11, pp. 23-24.
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| − | *Orasmus Turner, ''Lockport Daily Courier'', May 5, 1854.
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| − | *Sophia Lewis, ''Susquehanna Register'', May 1, 1834 reprinted in {{CriticalWork:Howe:Mormonism Unvailed|pages=269}}
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====35, 342n79-80====
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| − | ||Newspapers reported in 1829 that Joseph Smith had a dream in 1827 about a spirit visiting him three times in one night.
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| − | ||
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| − | * [[Joseph reported "a spirit" visiting in him in 1827]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *From the 'Palmyra Freeman: Golden Bible, ''Niagara Courier'', Aug. 27, 1829, vol. 2, no. 18.
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| − | *"The Gold Bible," ''Rochester Advertiser and Telegraph'', Aug. 31, 1829.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====35-36, 343n83====
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| − | ||Joseph Smiths First Vision may have been a dream of a "bloody ghost dressed as a Spaniard.||
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| − | * These supposed "early" accounts comes from hostile statements made forty to fifty years later!
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| − | * The 1870 account from Lapham says only that "a man" with "bloody clothes" appeared in a dream. (He also says this is what Joseph Jr. told his father, so this is hearsay.)
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| − | **{{FR-18-1-5}}
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| − | **{{FR-17-1-4}}
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| − | ||
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| − | *Hiel Lewis, letter to James T. Cobb, ''Amboy Journal'', Apr. 30, 1879, reprinted in Wyl, pp. 79-80
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| − | *Fayette Lapham [May 1870], in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=1|start=459}}
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| − | *{{CitationError}}: the reference to the dream and bloody clothes is on p. 458.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====36, 343n85====
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| − | ||Joseph Smith was an "occultist."
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| − | ||
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| − | * {{Prejudicial}}
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult]]
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| − | ||
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| − | *Lance S. Owens, "Joseph Smith: America's Hermetic Prophet," ''Gnosis'', Spring 1995, no. 35, p. 60
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====36====
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| − | ||Early Mormons believed in "witchcraft."
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| − | ||
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| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult/Early members believed in "witchcraft"|Early members believed in "witchcraft"]]
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| − | *{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything-->
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| − | ||
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| − | *John L. Brooke, ''The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology'', 1644-1844, pp. 71-72.
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| − | |-
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| − | |
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| − | | |
| − | ====36====
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| − | ||Joseph's mother talked about "magic circles" and the "faculty of Abrac."
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| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult/Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"|Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"]]
| |
| − | *{{FR-12-2-16}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 285.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====37, 344n93====
| |
| − | ||Joseph's family had a "magick dagger" that was owned by Hyrum Smith.||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult/Mars dagger|Mars dagger]]
| |
| − | *{{FR-12-2-16}}
| |
| − | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No source given.
| |
| − | *The endnote describes the dagger and its alleged importance to Joseph without acknowledging the source of the information.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====37, 344n94====
| |
| − | ||Joseph's family had "three magick parchments." One of these was owned by Hyrum Smith.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult/Magick parchments|Magick parchments]]
| |
| − | *{{FR-12-2-16}}
| |
| − | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89-90, 519n53-57}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No source given.
| |
| − | *The endnote mentions the ""Holiness to the Lord,"" the ""Saint Peter Bind Them,"" and the ""Jehovah, Jehovah, Jehovah"" parchments without showing how they are related to the Smith family.
| |
| − | *An indirect reference is made to the book ''Occult Sciences''."
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====37, 344n95====
| |
| − | ||Joseph had a "Jupiter talisman" with him the day he died.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: there is no contemporary evidence that the talisman was on Joseph when he died.
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and Jupiter talisman]]
| |
| − | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No source given.
| |
| − | *The endnote simply states the date of Joseph's death.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====38====
| |
| − | ||"Researchers of Mormonism" now believe that Joseph was influenced by "Jewish kabbalism."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult/Kabbalah influence|Joseph influenced by Kabbalah?]]
| |
| − | *{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything-->
| |
| − | *{{FR-6-2-3}} <!--Refiner's fire-->
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * No source provided.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====38====
| |
| − | ||Joseph considered the date April 6th to have "astrological significance."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * The author provides no evidence for what Joseph believed about April 6.
| |
| − | * He fails to mention the one bit of evidence that we ''do'' have for what Joseph may have thought: {{s||DC|20|1}} suggests that April 6 was seen as the date of Christ's birth.{{ref|eom.1}} The author fails to cite D&C 20.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=76-79, 278-280}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====38-39, 346 n. 104-109====
| |
| − | ||Joseph was arrested in 1826 for being a "disorderly person and an imposter."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith's 1826 glasslooking trial]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Dan Vogel, "Rethinking the 1826 Judicial Decision," Mormon Scripture Studies: An E-Journal of Critical Thought.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====39====
| |
| − | ||No "statements of repentance by Smith" for money digging have ever been found.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: in the quoted article, Martin Harris reported that Joseph had told him that the angel Moroni instructed him "...he must quit the company of the money-diggers. That there were wicked men among them. He must have no more to do with them."{{ref|katich.1}}
| |
| − | * In Joseph's time and place, there was nothing shameful or disgraceful about money digging ''per se''—it was the fact that some were wicked that was the problem.
| |
| − | * [[Joseph Smith and money digging]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Sam Katich, "Joseph Smith," {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/morm201/m20117b.html}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====40, 348n123====
| |
| − | ||Gordon B. Hinckley cited false documentation to support the story of an 1820 revival.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Religious revivals in 1820/Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information]]
| |
| − | *[[Religious revivals in 1820]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Gordon B. Hinckley, ''Truth Restored'', pp. 1-2.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====42, 349n126====
| |
| − | ||There is no evidence that Joseph Smith was "persecuted" for telling the story of his vision between 1820 and 1824.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[1832 account doesn't mention persecution]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 29, 46-47.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====42, 43 (sidebar)====
| |
| − | ||Contradictions in the stories of Paul's vision were "long ago resolved by scholars analyzing the Greek texts. The discrepancies in Paul's account involve modern ignorance of the Greek wording used."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * Modern scholars disagree with the author's resolution, and the rule which he appeals to is broken by the NT text more than it is observed. Even Acts violates the author's claimed 'solution' three times!
| |
| − | ** [[First_Vision_accounts/Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts|Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *W.E. Vine, ''Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words'', p. 544.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====42====
| |
| − | ||Brodie's idea that the First Vision may have been "the elaboration of some half-remembered dream stimulated by the early revival excitement" is a satisfactory way to "explain things."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{SecondaryFact}}
| |
| − | *[[Psychobiographical analysis of Joseph Smith]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====44====
| |
| − | ||Brodie's idea that the First Vision may have been "created some time after 1830 when the need arose for a magnificent tradition to cancel out the stories of his fortune-telling and money-digging" "further weakens" Mormon claims.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{SecondaryFact}}
| |
| − | *{{FalseStatement}}: elements of the First Vision was being taught by LDS missionaries in 1830 (see [[First_Vision/No_reference_to_First_Vision_in_1830s_publications|References to First Vision in 1830s]]).
| |
| − | *[[Psychobiographical analysis of Joseph Smith]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====45, 351 n. 144====
| |
| − | ||Joseph "continued practicing magick, divination, astrology, and soothsaying long after the LDS Church was founded in 1830."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{HistoricalError}}: The note simply mentions that seer stones continued to be used after the Church was organized in 1830—a fact that could be easily deduced from reading the Doctrine and Covenants.
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No specific reference is provided.
| |
| − | | |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====46====
| |
| − | ||Brigham Young used Oliver Cowdery's divining rod to point out the location where the temple would be built in Salt Lake City.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[One Nation Under Gods/Use of sources/Divining rods to Kimball and Young]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *''Anthon H. Lund Journal'', under July 5, 1901.
| |
| − | *"The Psychological Needs of Mormon Women," ''Sunstone'', volume 6, number 2, page 67.
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=206}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====46====
| |
| − | ||Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball were given divining rods by Joseph Smith.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[One Nation Under Gods/Use of sources/Divining rods to Kimball and Young|Divining rods to Kimball and Young]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *''Anthon H. Lund Journal'', under July 5, 1901.
| |
| − | *"The Psychological Needs of Mormon Women," ''Sunstone'', volume 6, number 2, page 67.
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=206}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====46====
| |
| − | ||Joseph received a revelation praising Oliver's gift of using his divining talents.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{attn}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====48====
| |
| − | ||Joseph continued to discover and use new seer stones.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and seer stones]] {{nw}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=200}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====48====
| |
| − | ||Joseph "never stopped being" an occultist.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{Prejudicial}}
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Author's conclusion.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====49====
| |
| − | ||The activities of Joseph's family may have been "satanic."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{Absurd}}
| |
| − | *{{Prejudicial}}
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and the occult]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Author's conclusion.
| |
| − | {{EndClaimsTable}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Claims made in Chapter 2: And it Came to Pass===
| |
| − | {| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
| |
| − | !width="5%"|Page
| |
| − | !width="40%"|Claim
| |
| − | !width="30%"|Response
| |
| − | !width="25%"|[[Use of sources]]
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====51, 353n2, 354n3====
| |
| − | ||Some Book of Mormon stories are simply reworked from the Bible or the Apocrypha.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SecondaryFact}}
| |
| − | *[[Book_of_Mormon/Plagiarism_accusations/Apocrypha|Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Apocrypha]]
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Bible]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=62-63}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====55, 355n28====
| |
| − | ||The 1839 history of the Church identified the angel who delivered the plates to Joseph as Nephi rather than Moroni.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Nephi or Moroni]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Joseph Smith 1839 History
| |
| − | *''Millennial Star'', vol. 3, no 12, pp. 53, 71.
| |
| − | *1851 Pearl of Great Price, "Joseph Smith History," p. 41
| |
| − | *Lucy Mack Smith, ''Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for many Generations'', p. 79.
| |
| − | *John C. Whitmer, "The Eight Witnesses," published in Andrew Jenson, HR, Oct. 1888, vol. 7, p. 621."
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====56====
| |
| − | ||The name "Nephi" is related to "generic terms used by nineteenth-century occultists for spirit messengers."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SecondaryFact}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=198-199}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====56, 357n34====
| |
| − | ||Joseph used his seer stone to locate the plates.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * [[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Martin Harris, ''Tiffany's Monthly'' interview, 1859.
| |
| − | *Hosea Stout, ''On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout'', Juanita Brooks, ed., vol. 2. p. 593.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====56, 357n33====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith's vision of Moroni may have taken place through his seer stone.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * [[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Steven C. Walker, "Joseph Smith: 'The Gift of Seeing,'" in Bryan Waterman ed., ''The Prophet Puzzle'', p. 97.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====56, 357n35-36====
| |
| − | ||The "golden book" was originally supposed to be about "hidden treasure" — the "religious twist" was added later.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | * These supposed "early" accounts comes from hostile statements made forty to fifty years later!
| |
| − | **{{FR-18-1-5}}
| |
| − | **{{FR-17-1-4}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Parley Chase, letter to James T. Cobb, Apr. 3, 1879, in {{CriticalWork:Wyl:Mormon Portraits Volume First|pages=276}} , reprinted in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=3|start=135}}
| |
| − | *Hiel Lewis, ''The Amboy Journal'', Apr. 30, 1879, quoted in Wesley P. Walters, "The Mormon Prophet Attempts to Join the Methodists"
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====56====
| |
| − | ||Joseph translated the plates by looking at his seer stone in his hat. The plates were not nearby.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * [[Book_of_Mormon_translation_method|Book of Mormon translation method]]
| |
| − | *[[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Isaac Hale, "Mormonism," ''Susquehanna Register'', and Northern Pennsylvanian, May 1, 1834, p. 1.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====57, 358-9n47====
| |
| − | ||Each sentence and word in the 1830 Book of Mormon "had supposedly come directly from God."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{Fundamentalism}}
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon translation method]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Joseph F. Smith, quoted by Oliver B. Huntington, ''Journal of Oliver Huntington'', p. 168.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====57-58, 359n49====
| |
| − | ||A voice from heaven proclaimed that the translation was correct, therefore no further editing should have been required.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{Fundamentalism}}: a translation may be correct, and yet another way of expressing the idea may be equally (or more) correct. There is no such thing as a perfect or "one true" translation.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon textual changes]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *''History of the Church'', vol. 1, pp. 54-55.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====58, 359n50-51====
| |
| − | ||The use of the word "synagogue" in the Book of Mormon is an anachronism.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon anachronisms/Synagogues]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Book of Mormon, 1830 edition, p. 268
| |
| − | *{{s||Alma|16|13}}
| |
| − | *The ''New International Dictionary of the Bible'', p. 972
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====58, 359n52-53====
| |
| − | ||There are references to cows, oxen, horses, and goats in the New World hundreds of years before Christ.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon anachronisms/Animals]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{s|1|Nephi|18|25}}
| |
| − | *Thomas D.S. Key, ""A Biologist Looks at the Book of Mormon,"" Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, June 1985, XXX-VIII, p. 3."
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====58, 359n53====
| |
| − | ||"LDS apologist John Sorenson has suggested that Smith mistranslated numerous words" from the gold plates and that "cattle and oxen should have been rendered deer and bison," and that "horses should also have been translated deer."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: Sorenson does ''not'' say they are a mistranslation. He says that linguistic patterns of naming new animals show us that the name of a familiar animal is often used to name a new animal that has only passing resemblance to the familiar creature.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon anachronisms/Animals]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *John L. Sorenson, ''An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon'', pp. 191-276, 299.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====58, 359n54====
| |
| − | ||The Book of Mormon "is simply a rehashing" of the speculation in the 19th century regarding Indian origins due to the presence of burial mounds "dotting the land."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon and the Mound Builders]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=34}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====60, 360n58====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith incorporated text from Josiah Priest's ''The Wonders of Nature'' into the Book of Mormon.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon plagiarism accusations/The Wonders of Nature]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Josiah Priest, ''The Wonders of Nature'', 1825
| |
| − | *Abanes, p. 69
| |
| − | *The Tanners are the source of this comparison, although it is not explicitly stated by the author. The author does mention that the Tanners demonstrate that a copy of the book was available in the Manchester library."
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====60-61, 360n59-63====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith plagiarized Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Ethan Smith, ''View of the Hebrews'', 1825
| |
| − | *David Persuitte, p. 107, 122
| |
| − | *Sandra Tanner, "Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas for the Book of Mormon?"
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====61====
| |
| − | ||Anyone who looked on the gold plates would die.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Viewing gold plates would result in death|Viewing the gold plates would result in death?]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Martin Harris, ''Tiffany's Monthly'' interview, 1859.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====62, 361n69-72====
| |
| − | ||The witnesses never actually physically saw the plates - they only saw them in visions.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon witnesses/Spiritual or literal]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=175-176}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====64====
| |
| − | ||Martin Harris said that he never saw the plates with his "natural eyes."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}
| |
| − | *[["Eye of Faith"/"Spiritual Eye" statements by Martin Harris]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *LDS apostle Stephen Burnett, letter to Lyman E. Johnson, April 15, 1838 reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'' 2:291
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====64, 362n81-82====
| |
| − | ||Cowdery, Whitmer and Harris's statements that they actually saw the plates only refer to times that the plates were either covered with a cloth or in a wooden box.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon witnesses/Spiritual or literal]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=198-199}}
| |
| − | *Harris, Tiffany's Monthly interview, 1859."
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====64, 362n83-84====
| |
| − | ||Martin Harris said that none of the eight witnesses had seen or handled the plates.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon witnesses/Spiritual or literal]]
| |
| − | *[[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses/Eight_witnesses|Eight witnesses]]
| |
| − | *[[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses/Eight_witnesses/shown_to_me_by_a_supernatural_power|John Whitmer: shown_to_me_by_a_supernatural_power]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=204-206}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====65====
| |
| − | ||The Book of Mormon "can hardly be considered unique" since James Strang produced a set of plates that were seen by witnesses.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *The author fails to tell us that the Strangite witnesses only testified about how the plates were found, and some of these witnesses (unlike the Book of Mormon witnesses) [[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses/Recant|recanted]] later.
| |
| − | **[[Book of Mormon witnesses/Strangite parallels|Strangite parallels for witnesses?]]
| |
| − | **[[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=208-212}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====65, 362n87====
| |
| − | ||LDS defenders (apologists) have redefined many of the terms that Joseph Smith used in the Book of Mormon text: steel means iron, horses are deer, tents are huts, etc.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SecondaryFact}}: the author quotes no "apologists," but only two critics.
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: LDS defenders argue that such terms have more than one meaning, and that ancient linguistic conventions sometimes apply old terms to new concepts. This version is a straw man and caricature of the argument, which the author has either not understood or misrepresented.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon anachronisms]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Dan Vogel, Brent Metcalfe, ''American Apocrypha'', p. xiii.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====66, 362n88====
| |
| − | ||LDS scholars such as Dee F. Green have stated that Book of Mormon archaeology is a "myth."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: Green argued—''in 1969''—that the requisite work had not been done.
| |
| − | * [[../Use of sources/Dee F. Green on Book of Mormon archaeology|Dee F. Green on Book of Mormon archaeology]]
| |
| − | * It is telling that the author must resort to a source that is at least 35 years old. A more current assessment is available:
| |
| − | ** {{JBMS-14-2-8}}
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon archeology|Book of Mormon archaeology]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{Dialogue1|author=Dee F. Green|article=Book of Mormon Archeology: The Myths and the Alternatives|date=Summer 1969|vol=4|num=3|start=72-80}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====66, 362n89====
| |
| − | ||Dr. Michael Coe stated that there was no Book of Mormon archaeology.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians as Lamanites/Maya and Olmec]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Michael Coe, "Mormons and Archaeology: An Outside View," ''Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought'' (Winter 1973), vol. 8, p. 44.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====66, 363n92====
| |
| − | ||LDS scholar Terryl L. Givens "admitted" that no connection has been made between the Book of Mormon and cultures or civilizations in the Western hemisphere.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *The author acknowledges in his endnote that Givens "however, also quoted BYU professor Daniel Peterson, who made a statement in support of the BOM's unique character."
| |
| − | *See {{FR-2-1-1}}
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians as Lamanites/Maya and Olmec]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Terryl L. Givens, ''By the Hand of Mormon'', p. 155.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====67, 363n95-96====
| |
| − | ||The limited geography theory "cannot bear rigorous scrutiny" and "does violence" to the text of the Book of Mormon.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{DoubleStandard}}: On p. 66, the author cited Green's opinion from 1969. Green argues that a limited geography should be given serious consideration, and that seeing all Amerindians as only Lamanites is a mistake not supported by the text. But, the author will not accept Green's view of ''this'' matter.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon geography/New World/Limited Geography Theory]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Vogel and Metcalfe, ''American Apocrypha'', pp. viii-ix.
| |
| − | *Deanne G. Matheny, "Does the Shoe Fit? A critique of the Limited tehuantepec Geography," in ''New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology.''
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====67, 363n99====
| |
| − | ||Apologists have suggested that "not a single early Mormon, including Joseph Smith, ever bothered reading the Book of Mormon 'closely enough to grasp the fact' " that the plates were not buried in the hill where the final Nephite battle occurred.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *The author omits the line preceding the quoted phrase, where Sorenson and Roper indicate that "there is no evidence that in the early years any detailed thought was given to geography. Actually, the Book of Mormon was little referred to or used among church members in the first decades except as a confirming witness of the Bible. The writings or preaching of some of the best-informed church leaders of that day show that they did not read the text carefully on matters other than doctrine."
| |
| − | * Early members' preoccupations and interests were almost entirely doctrinal and theological. Since geography is incidental to the Book of Mormon's message, this is to be expected.
| |
| − | * If Joseph Smith was the author of the Book of Mormon, his ignorance on such points would be astonishing. Since he was only a translator, however, the fact that he was unaware of some of the book's nuances is unsurprising.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{JBMS-12-1-2}}, p. 10. <!-- Sorenson and Roper-->
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====70, 365n115====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith said that the angel told him that ''all'' American Indians were "literal descendants of Abraham," but DNA has disproved this.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{DoubleStandard}}: On p. 66, the author cited Green's opinion from 1969. Green argues that seeing all Amerindians as only Lamanites is a mistake not supported by the text. But, the author will not accept Green's view of ''this'' matter. Further, this is evidence for the position (which the author mocks on p. 67) that Joseph did not know his own book's contents.
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: all Amerindians ''are'' descendants of Lehi; they are not ''just'' descendants of Lehi:
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians as Lamanites]]
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians_as_Lamanites#All_From_Lehi|All Amerindians ''are'' descended from Lehi]]
| |
| − | *[[Book_of_Mormon_and_DNA_evidence]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Joseph Smith's 1835 account of the First Vision found in the ''Ohio Journal—1835-1836, Nov. 9, 1835, reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 44.
| |
| − | *Joseph Smith, Mar. 1, 1842, letter to John Wentworth, ''History of the Church'', Vol. 4, p. 537.
| |
| − | *Meldrum, "Children of Lehi"
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====71, 365n120====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith founded the "Restored Church" on the belief that all Native Americans were descendants of the Israelites.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: all Amerindians ''are'' descendants of Lehi; they are not ''just'' descendants of Lehi:
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians as Lamanites]]
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians_as_Lamanites#All_From_Lehi|All Amerindians ''are'' descended from Lehi]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Oliver Cowdery's Speech to the Delawares. Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====72, 366 n.127====
| |
| − | ||All modern Mormons believed that all inhabitants of the New World were descendants of the Lamanites until "science showed it to be erroneous."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{InternalContradiction|66}}: The Green article argued in ''1969'' that Lehites were not the only source of Amerindian stock.
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: The Green article proves that "all modern Mormons" did not think this. There are also many other statements which show that this view was not universal:
| |
| − | ** [[Book_of_Mormon_geography/Statements|Statements about Book of Mormon geography and peoples]]
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon geography/Borders of the Lamanites]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{s||DC|54|8}}—"And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites"
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====72, 366n128====
| |
| − | ||The "updated LDS paradigm" claims that Nephites intermarried with non-Israelite natives, thus diluting their DNA.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * While the LDS are not opposed to new insights and concepts in principle, this is not an example of such—statements show that this "updated paradigm" has had advocates for at least one hundred years: [[Book_of_Mormon_geography/Statements|Statements about Book of Mormon geography and peoples]]
| |
| − | *[[Amerindians as Lamanites]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Cooper Johnson, [http://www.fairlds.org/Book_of_Mormon/DNA_and_the_Book_of_Mormon.html DNA and the Book of Mormon], FAIR web site
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====72, 366n130====
| |
| − | ||The LDS view has ''always'' been that Israelites were the first people to populate the Americas, since the land was "kept from the knowledge of other nations."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{InternalContradiction|66}}: The Green article argued in ''1969'' that Lehites were not the only source of Amerindian stock.
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: The Green article proves that "all modern Mormons" did not think this. There are also many other statements which show that this view was not universal: [[Book_of_Mormon_geography/Statements|Statements about Book of Mormon geography and peoples]]
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon anachronisms/Demographics]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{s|2|Nephi|1|6}}
| |
| − | *J. Reuben Clark, "Prophecies, Penalties, and Blessings," ''Improvement Era'', July 1940, vol. xliii., no. 7 quoted in Bill McKeever, "DNA and the Book of Mormon Record," Mormonism Research Ministry.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====73, 367n131-135====
| |
| − | ||Not many Christians actually believe that the world was created around 4000 B.C., or that the flood occurred around 2000 B.C. In fact, "[T]he majority of traditional Christians understand that the world is older than 6000 years," therefore the claim that the DNA argument is fundamentalist "suicide bombing" is false.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *The author ignores that many critics who ''use'' DNA evidence against the Book of Mormon ''do'' belong to denominations that advocate a Young Earth and/or a universal Noachian flood. The criticism is therefore valid as it applies to them.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon and DNA evidence#Fundamentalist "suicide bombing"|Fundamentalist "suicide bombing"]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No source is provided by the author for his claim that the "majority of Christians" understand that the world is older than 6000 years.
| |
| − | *Daniel C. Peterson, FAIR Conference, untitled lecture, Aug. 8, 2003, author's private notes.
| |
| − | *David Stewart, [http://www.fairlds.org/Book_of_Mormon/DNA_and_the_Book_of_Mormon_2.html "DNA and the Book of Mormon"]
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====73, 367n136====
| |
| − | ||The Lamanites were supposed to become "white" once they converted ''en masse'' to Mormonism. This was to be accomplished by having LDS men take Indian wives.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Native Americans to become "white and delightsome" through polygamous marriage?]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *W.W. Phelps, "Revelation Received West of Jackson County, Missouri, July 17, 1831," reprinted in H. Michael Marquardt, ''The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text & Commentary'', p. 375.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====73, 367n137====
| |
| − | ||The phrase "white and delightsome" was changed to "pure and delightsome" in the Book of Mormon.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{HistoricalError}}: The change was made by Joseph Smith in 1836; it was not made under the influence of science or DNA.
| |
| − | *[[Book of Mormon textual changes/"white" changed to "pure"]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{s|2|Nephi|30|6}} (pre-1981 edition)
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====73, 367n138====
| |
| − | ||LDS leaders claimed that the alteration to the Book of Mormon had nothing to do with the Indians physically turning white. LDS leaders taught that the curse would one day be removed.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Lamanite curse]]
| |
| − | *{{s|2|Nephi|5|21}}
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * No source provided.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====74====
| |
| − | ||LDS apologists dismiss Church teachings in order to make Mormonism compatible with scientific findings.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: as shown above, leaders and members have not been of one mind on this issue about which there is no official Church position.
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}: The author has failed to account for material in the sources he cites which disprove his claim.
| |
| − | *[[Mormonism and science]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Author's opinion
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====75, 368n142====
| |
| − | |LDS apologist B.H. Roberts "reached a shocking conclusion" that that Book of Mormon wasn't authentic.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}
| |
| − | *[[B.H. Roberts and "Studies of the Book of Mormon"]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *B.H. Roberts, ''Studies of the Book of Mormon'', p. 271, 243.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====76, 368n143====
| |
| − | ||B.H. Roberts "had come to realize that the Book of Mormon was a nonhistorical document."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}
| |
| − | * {{SourceDistortion}}
| |
| − | *[[B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Wesley P. Lloyd statement at www.lds-mormon.com/bhrlettr.shtml
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====76====
| |
| − | ||FARMS claims that Roberts was playing "devils advocate," but have never provided documentation to support this assertion. They only focus on his declarations that he made before he reached his "final conclusion."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: there are statements both before ''and'' after his conclusion, some within weeks of Roberts' death.
| |
| − | *[[B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon]]
| |
| − | *[[../Use of sources/Madsen-B.H. Roberts and the Book of Mormon|Use of sources—Roberts and the Book of Mormon]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Truman G. Madsen, "B.H. Roberts and the Book of Mormon," ''BYU Studies'' (Summer 1979), volume 19, pp. 427-445.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====77 368n145-147====
| |
| − | ||Thomas Stuart Ferguson lost his testimony of the Book of Mormon after failing to find archaeological evidence.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * [[Book_of_Mormon_archaeology/Thomas_Stuart_Ferguson|Thomas Stuart Ferguson]]
| |
| − | * [[Book_of_Mormon_archaeology|Book of Mormon archaeology]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Thomas Stuart Ferguson, ''One fold and One Shepherd''.
| |
| − | *Jerald and Sandra Tanner, "Ferguson's Two Faces," ''Salt Lake City Messenger'' #69, Sept. 1988, p. 3
| |
| − | *Ferguson letter dated Feb. 9, 1976.
| |
| − | *Ferguson letter dated Feb. 9, 1976.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====77 369n150-153====
| |
| − | ||LDS scholars believe that Quetzalcoatl was Jesus Christ. However, Quetzalcoatl's association with a "feathered serpent" constitutes "snake worship," and is therefore inconsistent with worship of Jesus Christ.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: At best, ''some'' LDS scholars see Quetzalcoatl as a cultural memory or corruption of Christ's visit and teachings.
| |
| − | * Other LDS scholars, however, strongly disagree. For example:
| |
| − | ** {{FR-20-1-3}}
| |
| − | ** {{FR-19-1-4}}
| |
| − | ** {{FR-13-2-4}}
| |
| − | ** {{SecondWitness1|vol=4|start=1–}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | *See also: [[Quetzalcoatl and Jesus Christ]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *John L. Sorenson, "The Decline of the God Quetzalcoatl, " in ''Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon'', p. 234.
| |
| − | *Joseph Allen, ''Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon''.
| |
| − | *Joseph Allen, [http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/030926white.html "The White god Quetzalcoatl,"] ''Meridian Magazine'', 2003.
| |
| − | *Adela Fernandez, ''Pre-Hispanic Gods of Mexico'', p. 68
| |
| − | *Quetzalcoatl the Myth, www.weber.ucsd.edu.
| |
| − | |}
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Claims made in Chapter 3: Thus Saith Joseph===
| |
| − | {{BeginClaimsTable}}
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====84, 370n9-11====
| |
| − | ||The revelations in the ''Book of Commandments'' were modified because they were "showing their age," "contained outdated information," "included erroneous statements" and "abandoned doctrines." Some of the revelations "revealed too much information about LDS beliefs."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{Absurd}}: The revelations were "showing their age" between 1833 and 1835?
| |
| − | *[[Doctrine and Covenants textual changes]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Karl F. Best, "Changes in the Revelations, 1833-1835," ''Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought'' (Spring 1992), vol. 25, no. 1, p. 90.
| |
| − | *H. Michael Marquardt, ''The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text & Commentary'', p. 17.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====85, 371n14====
| |
| − | ||Mormons view divine truth as "not absolute or fixed; it is changeable, flexible."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{FalseStatement}}: Latter-day Saints realize that their understanding of divine truth may grow and be enhanced, but this does not mean that the truth is changeable or flexible.
| |
| − | * {{SecondaryFact}}: once again, only a hostile author is cited; there are no quotes from LDS sources used to explore their supposed view.
| |
| − | *[[Changing doctrine]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Ostling:Mormon America|pages=249}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====87, 370n23====
| |
| − | ||Joseph received a "false revelation" through his seer stone to go to Toronto, Canada to sell the Book of Mormon copyright.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{HistoricalError}}
| |
| − | *[[Did Joseph Smith attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright?]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *David Whitmer, ''An Address to All Believers in Christ''.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====87, 371n25====
| |
| − | ||Some of the modified revelations had their meanings "reversed."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Doctrine and Covenants textual changes]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Mormon Hierarchy|pages=5}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====89, 372n28====
| |
| − | ||Joseph modified the revelation now found in D&C 5:4 to add additional gifts. After translating the Book of Mormon he was not supposed to become a prophet or organize a Church.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Doctrine and Covenants textual changes]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Karl F. Best, "Changes in the Revelations, 1833-1835," ''Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Spring 1992), vol. 25, no.1, p. 98.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====89, 372n29-30====
| |
| − | ||Joseph modified what is now D&C 8:6-9 to hide Oliver Cowdery's use of a divining rod.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * {{MindReading}}
| |
| − | *[[Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=206}}
| |
| − | *H. Michael Marquardt, ''The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text & Commentary'', pp. 14-15.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====90, 372n34, 375n35====
| |
| − | ||Apostle William E. McLellin left the Church because he was "shaken by the changes made in the revelations."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | * This explanation (as shown by the dates of the material cited) came long after the fact. The author does not tell us that McLellin said at his excommunication hearing that:
| |
| − | :he said he had no confidence in the presidency of the Church; consequently, he had quit praying and keeping the commandments of the Lord, and indulged himself in his sinful lusts. It was from what he had heard that he believed the presidency had got out of the way, and not from anything that he had seen himself.{{ref|mclellin.1}}
| |
| − | * McLellin had previously been excommunicated for spending time with "a certain harlot" while on a mission.{{ref|mclellin.2}} He had also been out of fellowship for "writing a letter which "cast…censure upon the [first] presidency."{{ref|mclellin.3}}
| |
| − | * [[Joseph Smith and polygamy/Fanny_Alger_and_William_McLellin#McLellin:_Examining_the_Witness|McLellin: Examining the Witness]]
| |
| − | *[[Doctrine_and_Covenants_textual_changes]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *"The Early History of the Saints and Their Enemies," Sept. 28, 1875, ''Salt Lake Daily Tribune'', Dec. 5, 1878 <!-- www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/UT/tribune1.htm -->
| |
| − | *William McLellin, ''Saint's Herald'', vol. 17, pp. 556-557.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====90====
| |
| − | ||Mormons claim that Biblical writers modified revelations, but cannot provide data to support this. This is an "argument from silence."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Becoming Gods#Argument from silence?|Argument from silence?]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Stephen W. Gibson, ''One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Question'', p. 82
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====94====
| |
| − | ||Joseph Smith turned the "Book of Breathings" into the "Book of Abraham." Joseph claimed that the "Book of the Dead" had been written by Joseph of Egypt.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Abraham/Book of the Dead|Hiding ''Book of the Dead'' connection?]]
| |
| − | *[[Book of Abraham/Papyri]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *No source provided.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | | |
| − | ====94-98====
| |
| − | ||The restoration of the missing portions of Facsimile 1 were "terribly wrong."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Book of Abraham/Papyri]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *{{CriticalWork:Larson:By His Own Hand|pages=}}
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====99====
| |
| − | ||LDS apologists' main purpose is to explain away "any and all criticisms that might damage the validity of Smith's writings."
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Apologetics]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Author's opinion.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |
| |
| − | ====100====
| |
| − | ||Documents show how the hieroglyphs from the papyri were matched to the Book of Abraham text. One or two words in Egyptian were expanded to entire paragraphs in English.
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *[[Kirtland Egyptian Papers]]
| |
| − | ||
| |
| − | *Richard L. Bushman, "Joseph Smith as Translator'', in Waterman, p. 81.
| |
| − | {{EndClaimsTable}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ==Endnotes==
| |
| − | #{{note|eom.1}} {{EoM1|vol=1|article=April 6|start=61|end=62|author=John Franklin Hall}}
| |
| − | #{{note|katich.1}} Katich cites {{BeginningsofMormonism1 |start=74}}
| |
| − | #{{note|mclellin.1}} {{MS1|article=History of William E. McLellin|vol=26|date=1864|start=808}}; see also {{HoC1|vol=3|start=31}}
| |
| − | #{{note|mclellin.2}} {{CriticalWork:Quinn:Mormon Hierarchy|pages=44}}
| |
| − | #{{note|mclellin.3}} {{MS1|article=History of William E. McLellin|vol=26|date=1864|start=808}}; see also {{HoC1|vol=3|start=31}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | =Further reading=
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| − | {{FAIRAnalysisWiki}}
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| − | | |
| − | {{Suggestions}}
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