FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Mormonism and church integrity"
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|link= One_Nation_Under_Gods/Use_of_sources/Counterfeiting_apostles_and_Joseph | |link= One_Nation_Under_Gods/Use_of_sources/Counterfeiting_apostles_and_Joseph | ||
|subject=Counterfeiting by Joseph Smith and apostles at Nauvoo? | |subject=Counterfeiting by Joseph Smith and apostles at Nauvoo? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics accuse Joseph and the apostles of "making counterfeit coins" in Nauvoo. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= Joseph Smith | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Land speculation in Nauvoo |
− | |subject= | + | |subject=Land speculation in Nauvoo |
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Did Joseph Smith engage in "land speculation" in Nauvoo? |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
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'''Utah period''' | '''Utah period''' | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= Brigham Young | + | |link=Non-existent quotes/Brigham Young/Pulling the wool over America's eyes |
|subject=Brigham Young—pulling the wool over Americans' eyes? | |subject=Brigham Young—pulling the wool over Americans' eyes? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=I'm told that Brigham Young made the following statement: "We shall pull the wool over the eyes of the American people and make them swallow Mormonism, polygamy and all." Critics say this shows the fundamental dishonesty of LDS leaders. What can you tell me about this? |
}} | }} | ||
'''Present day''' | '''Present day''' | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= Church art | + | |link=Mormonism and history/Accuracy of Church art |
|subject= Church art and historical accuracy | |subject= Church art and historical accuracy | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics charge that the Church knowingly "lies" or distorts the historical record in its artwork in order to whitewash the past, or for propaganda purposes. A commonly used example is the inaccuracy of any Church art representing the translation process of the Book of Mormon. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= | + | |link=Brigham Young/Polygamy/Hiding history |
|subject=Brigham Young manual hides the truth about polygamy | |subject=Brigham Young manual hides the truth about polygamy | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics claim that the Church's manual, ''The Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young'', attempts to "hide history" by portraying Brigham Young (a well-known polygamist) as having only one wife. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= Censorship and revision | + | |link=Mormonism and history/Censorship and revision |
|subject="Censorship" and "revision" of LDS history? | |subject="Censorship" and "revision" of LDS history? | ||
|summary= | |summary= | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
− | |link= | + | |link=Mormonism and history/Censorship and revision/LDS histories over many years omit plural marriage |
+ | |subject=LDS histories over many years omit plural marriage | ||
+ | |summary=Some critics charge that LDS histories have a long history of omitting mention of plural marriage as a cause for the Saints' troubles in Illinois. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
+ | |link=Mormonism and history/Censorship and revision/Sidney Rigdon trial in Times and Seasons versus History of the Church | ||
+ | |subject=Sidney Rigdon trial in Times and Seasons versus History of the Church | ||
+ | |summary=Critics charge that the account of Sidney Rigdon's 'trial' recorded in the Times and Seasons differs markedly from the version available in the History of the Church. They claim that this demonstrates the Church's tendency to "rewrite" history after the fact. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
+ | |link=Mormonism and history/Censorship and revision/Wilford Woodruff criticizes publication of polygamists | ||
+ | |subject=Wilford Woodruff criticizes publication of polygamists | ||
+ | |summary=Some critics charge that the Church's desire to hide its historical plural marriage is exemplified by Wilford Woodruff's criticism of assistant Church Historian Andrew Jenson's decision to publish the names of those who were married to Joseph Smith. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
+ | |link=Mormonism and history/Censorship and revision/Hiding the facts | ||
+ | |subject=Hiding the facts in plain sight using Church publications | ||
+ | |summary=Quite a few items that critics claim were hidden by the Church were actually published in Church magazines such as the ''New Era'', the ''Ensign'' and the ''Friend''. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
+ | |link=Revelation after Joseph Smith/Oliver Cowdery/Orson Hyde promise | ||
+ | |subject=Orson Hyde's blessing altered in the ''History of the Church''? | ||
+ | |summary=Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Orson Hyde is an example of false prophecy. They also claim that Hyde's blessing was altered in the History of the Church for propaganda reasons. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SummaryItem | ||
+ | |link=Lucy Mack Smith/Biography | ||
|subject=Brigham Young destroys Lucy Mack Smith's history of Joseph? | |subject=Brigham Young destroys Lucy Mack Smith's history of Joseph? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Did Brigham Young attempt to suppress and destroy all copies of Lucy Mack Smith's Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith because it contained information which would embarrass the Church? Critics claim that Brigham Young inserted the reference to Joseph Smith's First Vision into Lucy's book. Critics also try to prove that the silence of Joseph's mother and siblings in her history prove that the First Vision did not take place, and is a later fabrication by Joseph, and not well known to the early members of the church. |
}} | }} | ||
− | {{ | + | {{SummaryItem |
|link= Non-existent quotes/Haight: assistance of the moon | |link= Non-existent quotes/Haight: assistance of the moon | ||
|subject=Did David B. Haight use astrological ideas about the moon, only to be censored later? | |subject=Did David B. Haight use astrological ideas about the moon, only to be censored later? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics claim that Elder David B. Haight "reinvoked the astrological principle that people should 'do nothing without the assistance of the moon'" in a talk that he gave during General Conference in 1998. One critic takes this a step further by claiming that the phrase "do nothing without the assistance of the moon" was deleted from the transcribed version of Elder Haight's talk. This claim has evolved over time due to successive misinterpretation of the original sources. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
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|link= Cognitive dissonance | |link= Cognitive dissonance | ||
|subject= Cognitive dissonance | |subject= Cognitive dissonance | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Many critics of the Church are fond of portraying all members as either naive, ill-informed dupes or cynical exploiters. Fortunately, most fair-minded people realize that—just as in any religion—there are many intelligent, well-informed people who become or remain members of the Church. To get around this, some critics appeal to the psychological concept of 'cognitive dissonance' to try to 'explain away' the spiritual witness of intelligent, articulate members. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link= Authorship_of_History_of_the_Church | |link= Authorship_of_History_of_the_Church | ||
|subject=History of the Church—authorship? | |subject=History of the Church—authorship? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=I've heard that the History of the Church, though credited to Joseph Smith, was not actually authored by him. What can you tell me about this, and what does this mean for the History's accuracy? |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link= Religious_revivals_in_1820/Gordon_B._Hinckley_cited_false_information | |link= Religious_revivals_in_1820/Gordon_B._Hinckley_cited_false_information | ||
|subject=Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information on the First Vision? | |subject=Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information on the First Vision? | ||
− | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics claim that there were no religious revivals in the Palmyra, New York area in 1820, and that Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information in a book called Truth Restored. |
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem |
Revision as of 22:24, 23 May 2011
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Contents
- 1 Mormonism and church integrity
- 1.1 Topics
- 1.1.1 Accusations of hypocrisy in Church practices
- 1.1.2 "Lying for the Lord"
- 1.1.3 Crime in Nauvoo
- 1.1.4 Counterfeiting by Joseph Smith and apostles at Nauvoo?
- 1.1.5 Land speculation in Nauvoo
- 1.1.6 Joseph Smith taught 'it was right to steal'
- 1.1.7 Orson Hyde says Spirit of Lord may influence to steal
- 1.1.8 Hiding Joseph's use of a gun at the martyrdom?
- 1.1.9 Brigham Young—pulling the wool over Americans' eyes?
- 1.1.10 Church art and historical accuracy
- 1.1.11 Brigham Young manual hides the truth about polygamy
- 1.1.12 "Censorship" and "revision" of LDS history?
- 1.1.13 Brigham Young destroys Lucy Mack Smith's history of Joseph?
- 1.1.14 Did David B. Haight use astrological ideas about the moon, only to be censored later?
- 1.1.15 Cognitive dissonance
- 1.1.16 History of the Church—authorship?
- 1.1.17 Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information on the First Vision?
- 1.1.18 Immigration reform in the U.S.A.
- 1.1.19 Paid clergy
- 1.1.20 Testimony and doubt reconciliation
- 1.1.21 City Creek Center Mall in Salt Lake City
- 1.1.22 Claims that church membership numbers distorted
- 1.1.23 Accusations of plagiarizing C.S. Lewis in General Conference
- 1.1 Topics
Mormonism and church integrity
==Topics
==
Accusations of hypocrisy in Church practices
Summary: Critics claim that the Church, as a corporate entity, controls business properties that are not consistent with its stated purposes. Examples include claims that the Church owns controlling stock in the Coca-Cola company, tobacco companies, and alcohol companies."Lying for the Lord"
Summary: Critics have long charged the LDS with organizationally and systematically “lying for the Lord,” equating such with a policy of using any means necessary to achieve some “good” goal. This claim is false, and a biased reading of Church history. One must not use ethically questionable tactics because one believes the “end justifies the means.”Joseph Smith period
Crime in Nauvoo
Counterfeiting by Joseph Smith and apostles at Nauvoo?
Summary: Critics accuse Joseph and the apostles of "making counterfeit coins" in Nauvoo.Land speculation in Nauvoo
Summary: Did Joseph Smith engage in "land speculation" in Nauvoo?Joseph Smith taught 'it was right to steal'
Orson Hyde says Spirit of Lord may influence to steal
Hiding Joseph's use of a gun at the martyrdom?
Utah period
Brigham Young—pulling the wool over Americans' eyes?
Summary: I'm told that Brigham Young made the following statement: "We shall pull the wool over the eyes of the American people and make them swallow Mormonism, polygamy and all." Critics say this shows the fundamental dishonesty of LDS leaders. What can you tell me about this?Present day
Church art and historical accuracy
Summary: Critics charge that the Church knowingly "lies" or distorts the historical record in its artwork in order to whitewash the past, or for propaganda purposes. A commonly used example is the inaccuracy of any Church art representing the translation process of the Book of Mormon.Brigham Young manual hides the truth about polygamy
Summary: Critics claim that the Church's manual, The Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, attempts to "hide history" by portraying Brigham Young (a well-known polygamist) as having only one wife."Censorship" and "revision" of LDS history?
- LDS histories over many years omit plural marriage—
Brief Summary: Some critics charge that LDS histories have a long history of omitting mention of plural marriage as a cause for the Saints' troubles in Illinois. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Sidney Rigdon trial in Times and Seasons versus History of the Church—
Brief Summary: Critics charge that the account of Sidney Rigdon's 'trial' recorded in the Times and Seasons differs markedly from the version available in the History of the Church. They claim that this demonstrates the Church's tendency to "rewrite" history after the fact. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Wilford Woodruff criticizes publication of polygamists—
Brief Summary: Some critics charge that the Church's desire to hide its historical plural marriage is exemplified by Wilford Woodruff's criticism of assistant Church Historian Andrew Jenson's decision to publish the names of those who were married to Joseph Smith. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Hiding the facts in plain sight using Church publications—
Brief Summary: Quite a few items that critics claim were hidden by the Church were actually published in Church magazines such as the New Era, the Ensign and the Friend. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Orson Hyde's blessing altered in the History of the Church?—
Brief Summary: Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Orson Hyde is an example of false prophecy. They also claim that Hyde's blessing was altered in the History of the Church for propaganda reasons. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- LDS histories over many years omit plural marriage—
Brigham Young destroys Lucy Mack Smith's history of Joseph?
Summary: Did Brigham Young attempt to suppress and destroy all copies of Lucy Mack Smith's Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith because it contained information which would embarrass the Church? Critics claim that Brigham Young inserted the reference to Joseph Smith's First Vision into Lucy's book. Critics also try to prove that the silence of Joseph's mother and siblings in her history prove that the First Vision did not take place, and is a later fabrication by Joseph, and not well known to the early members of the church.Did David B. Haight use astrological ideas about the moon, only to be censored later?
Summary: Critics claim that Elder David B. Haight "reinvoked the astrological principle that people should 'do nothing without the assistance of the moon'" in a talk that he gave during General Conference in 1998. One critic takes this a step further by claiming that the phrase "do nothing without the assistance of the moon" was deleted from the transcribed version of Elder Haight's talk. This claim has evolved over time due to successive misinterpretation of the original sources.- Lucy Mack Smith letter about First Vision suppressed? (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ - President Boyd K. Packer on the truth (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ - Elder Packer address to CES (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ : "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater than the Intellect" - Sidney Rigdon trial in Times and Seasons versus History of the Church (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ - Wilford Woodruff criticizes publication of polygamists (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗
- Lucy Mack Smith letter about First Vision suppressed? (Click here for full article)