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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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|summary=Joseph Smith, the founding prophet, stated that "the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." Those appendages include the gift of the Holy Ghost, power of faith, enjoyment of the spiritual gifts, restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth. <ref>{{HoC|vol=3|30}} The passage is quoted frequently: Richard R. Hopkins, ''Biblical Mormonism. Responding to Evangelical Criticism of LDS Theology'' (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, 1994), 123; {{TPJS|pages=121}}; {{Book:Dahl Cannon:Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings|pages=55}}; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 60.; also in {{EoM|author=M. Gerald Bradford and Larry E. Dahl|article=Doctrine: Meaning, Source, and History of Doctrine|vol=1|pages=393–397}}; Tad Callister, ''The Infinite Atonement'' (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 3–4; Keith W. Perkins, "Insights into the Atonement from Latter-day Scriptures," ''Principles of the Gospel in Practice'', Sperry Symposium 1985 (Salt Lake City, Utah;: Randall Book Company, 1985), 91; {{CR|author=Bruce R. McConkie|date=April 1950|pages=130}}; quoted in Richard G. Grant, ''Understanding these Other Christians. An LDS Introduction to Evangelical Christianity'' (self-published, 1998): 42; ''My Errand from the Lord. A personal study guide for Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums 1976-1977'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 1976), 92. The statement was first published in an early LDS publication, the {{EJ|vol=I|pages=28-9|date=1832}} The frequency of appearance of this quotation in LDS literature makes one wonder why it is not to be found in Mormonism 101; indeed, the authors claim to have read the first six references cited here.</ref> The atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the central fact of all LDS theological teaching. | |summary=Joseph Smith, the founding prophet, stated that "the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." Those appendages include the gift of the Holy Ghost, power of faith, enjoyment of the spiritual gifts, restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth. <ref>{{HoC|vol=3|30}} The passage is quoted frequently: Richard R. Hopkins, ''Biblical Mormonism. Responding to Evangelical Criticism of LDS Theology'' (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, 1994), 123; {{TPJS|pages=121}}; {{Book:Dahl Cannon:Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings|pages=55}}; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 60.; also in {{EoM|author=M. Gerald Bradford and Larry E. Dahl|article=Doctrine: Meaning, Source, and History of Doctrine|vol=1|pages=393–397}}; Tad Callister, ''The Infinite Atonement'' (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 3–4; Keith W. Perkins, "Insights into the Atonement from Latter-day Scriptures," ''Principles of the Gospel in Practice'', Sperry Symposium 1985 (Salt Lake City, Utah;: Randall Book Company, 1985), 91; {{CR|author=Bruce R. McConkie|date=April 1950|pages=130}}; quoted in Richard G. Grant, ''Understanding these Other Christians. An LDS Introduction to Evangelical Christianity'' (self-published, 1998): 42; ''My Errand from the Lord. A personal study guide for Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums 1976-1977'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 1976), 92. The statement was first published in an early LDS publication, the {{EJ|vol=I|pages=28-9|date=1832}} The frequency of appearance of this quotation in LDS literature makes one wonder why it is not to be found in Mormonism 101; indeed, the authors claim to have read the first six references cited here.</ref> The atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the central fact of all LDS theological teaching. | ||
|sublink1=Question: Do Latter-day Saints diminish the importance of Jesus Christ and His atonement? | |sublink1=Question: Do Latter-day Saints diminish the importance of Jesus Christ and His atonement? | ||
+ | |sublink2=Question: Why don't Mormons observe Palm Sunday like many other Christian religions? | ||
}} | }} | ||
Summary: Critics seriously understate the position of the Church of Jesus Christ with respect to the atonement. Many of the quotations used by critics regarding the LDS view of the atonement have been taken out of context, or the further comments of the speaker have been ignored. This is an implied a form of "bearing false witness," which is completely against the Gospel that the Savior taught during His earthly ministry. Critics, such as the authors of Mormonism 101, show very little evidence of having "studied the [Latter-day Saint] movement for the greater part of their lives" as they claim. In fact, if one takes up the authors' challenge to check their sources, one finds that in every case they are found wanting, often seriously so. In their "witnessing tip" regarding the Book of Mormon the authors conclude their imaginary dialogue by asking: "If Smith was misleading in this statement, how can I trust his other statements?"
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