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.
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Detailed response to CES Letter, Prophets: Difference between revisions
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*{{Correct}}Certain doctrines that applied to 19th-Century and 20th-Century Latter-day Saints were indeed later repudiated. Two of these were Adam-God and "blood atonement." | *{{Correct}}Certain doctrines that applied to 19th-Century and 20th-Century Latter-day Saints were indeed later repudiated. Two of these were Adam-God and "blood atonement." | ||
*{{Incorrect}}If a doctrine that was once taught by a past prophet is rejected by a later prophet, we do not consider the earlier prophet to be a "heretic": We simply consider him to be human. For example, Brigham Young taught Adam-God and "blood atonement," yet we do not today consider Brigham to be a heretic. We simply disregard those teachings which have been repudiated. Having attended Church in the past, the author must be aware that Brigham is not consider to be a heretic. | *{{Incorrect}}If a doctrine that was once taught by a past prophet is rejected by a later prophet, we do not consider the earlier prophet to be a "heretic": We simply consider him to be human. For example, Brigham Young taught Adam-God and "blood atonement," yet we do not today consider Brigham to be a heretic. We simply disregard those teachings which have been repudiated. Having attended Church in the past, the author must be aware that Brigham is not consider to be a heretic. | ||
*{{Fact}}The idea behind "blood atonement" is that there are certain sins that were so bad that the only thing one could do to fully redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly. Some | *{{Fact}}The idea behind "blood atonement" is that there are certain sins that were so bad that the only thing one could do to fully redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly. Some countercult ministries have even asserted that "blood atonement" applied to those who apostatized from the Church, and that they would have been put to death. Brigham Young's own words contradict this idea. | ||
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|link=Mormonism and doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Blood atonement | |link=Mormonism and doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Blood atonement | ||
|subject=Blood atonement | |subject=Blood atonement | ||
|summary=It is claimed that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly. | |summary=It is claimed by some countercult ministries that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly. | ||
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Revision as of 20:10, 18 April 2014
Response to "Prophets Concerns & Questions"
| [[../Polygamy & Polyandry Concerns & Questions|Polygamy/Polyandry Concerns & Questions]] | A FAIR Analysis of:
[[../|Letter to a CES Director]] |
[[../Kinderhook Plates and Translator & Seer Claims Concerns & Questions|Kinderhook Plates and Translator/Seer Claims Concerns & Questions"]] |
A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find.
The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been” (Ether 12꞉6).
— Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (November 2012).
The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been” (Ether 12꞉6).
— Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (November 2012).
- Response to section: Adam-God
- Response to section: Blood Atonement
- Response to section: Polygamy
- Response to section: Blacks Ban
- Response to section: Mark Hofmann
- Response to question: "Why would I want them following the prophet when a prophet is just a man of his time?"