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 history"
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| − | |link= | + | |link=Authorship of History of the Church |
| − | |subject= | + | |subject=Authorship of ''History of the Church'' |
| − | |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 | ||
| + | |link=B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon | ||
| + | |subject= B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon | ||
| + | |summary=Critics charge that the 'problems' with the Book of Mormon made Brigham H. Roberts (an early LDS apologist and member of the First Quorum of Seventy) lose his faith in the its historicity. The primary source upon which this criticism is based originates with Roberts' manuscripts detailing his critical study of the Book of Mormon, which was published under the title Studies of the Book of Mormon years after his death. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| + | |link=Becoming Gods/Use of sources/Madsen-B.H. Roberts and the Book of Mormon | ||
| + | |subject=Use of sources—Roberts and the Book of Mormon in Richard Abanes' book ''Becoming Gods'' | ||
| + | |summary=The book asserts that FARMS claims that B.H. Roberts was only playing "devils advocate" when he wrote the critical documents now contained in Studies of the Book of Mormon. The book goes on to claim that FARMS has have never provided documentation to support this assertion, and that FARMS only focuses on Roberts' declarations that were made before he reached what the book calls his "final conclusion." | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=Garden of Eden in Missouri? | ||
| + | |subject= Garden of Eden in Missouri? | ||
| + | |summary=Is it true Mormons believe the original Garden of Eden was located in Missouri? What can you tell me about this? | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=Mormonism and the nature of God/Graven images | ||
| + | |subject= Graven images and statues of angel Moroni | ||
| + | |summary=It is claimed that the Church violates the Biblical command against "graven images" because it displays sculptures of Christ, statues of the angel Moroni on the spires of our temples, or paintings showing scriptural scenes, within temples, chapels, visitors' centers, and publications. (See Exodus 20:3-4.) | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=Name of the Church | ||
| + | |subject= Name of the Church | ||
| + | |summary=Why did the Church change its name twice during its history? Shouldn't the name have been given by revelation? | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | ||
| + | |subject= Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | ||
| + | |summary=Were there really spiritual manifestations attending the dedication of the Kirtland temple? I have heard allegations that it was in fact a drunken orgy. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=The Seer | ||
| + | |subject=''The Seer'' (periodical by Orson Pratt) | ||
| + | |summary=Some critics of the Church quote from a newspaper called ''The Seer''. Was this newspaper published by the Church? Are its contents considered official Church doctrine? | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem | ||
| + | |link=Mormonism and church leadership/Succession in the Presidency of the Church | ||
| + | |subject= Succession in the Presidency of the Church | ||
| + | |summary=There was much contention regarding who Joseph Smith's successor was supposed to be after his death, and some claim that Joseph Smith designated his son Joseph III as his successor. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| + | |link=Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve | ||
| + | |subject= Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve | ||
| + | |summary=What is the seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve? | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
</onlyinclude> | </onlyinclude> | ||
Revision as of 12:33, 26 April 2014
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Contents
- 1 Mormonism and history
- 1.1
- 1.2 Topics
- 1.3 Accuracy of Church history
- 1.4 Attitude of the Church toward historians
- 1.5 Other Church history topics
- 1.5.1 "Magic" in Mormon history
- 1.5.2 Hugh Nibley
- 1.5.3 Authorship of History of the Church
- 1.5.4 B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon
- 1.5.5 Garden of Eden in Missouri?
- 1.5.6 Graven images and statues of angel Moroni
- 1.5.7 Name of the Church
- 1.5.8 Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication
- 1.5.9 The Seer (periodical by Orson Pratt)
- 1.5.10 Succession in the Presidency of the Church
Mormonism and history
Topics
Accuracy of Church history
The Church's Gospel Topics essays
Summary: The Church has posted a series of Gospel Topics essays on LDS.org which discuss a variety of issues related to Church History and belief.Elder Oaks on Church History
Summary: Elder Dallin Oaks discusses the issue of church history and facts that are not discussed frequently in church approved curriculum during an interview with Helen Whitney (HW) for the PBS documentary, The Mormons [1].Accuracy of Church art
Summary: It is claimed 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.- REDIRECT Approaching history
Authorship of the History of the Church
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?
Attitude of the Church toward historians
Boyd K. Packer: "Some things that are true are not very useful."
Summary: Elder Packer gave an address to religious educators called "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect." The following quote is a favorite of critics who wish to demonstrate that the Church wishes to suppress its history and independent thought: "There is a temptation for the writer or the teacher of Church history to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith promoting or not. Some things that are true are not very useful.""I have a hard time with historians because they idolize the truth."
Summary: There is much that critics do not reveal about this quote or its context, which is attributed to Elder Packer. The source of this quote is the now excommunicated D. Michael Quinn, who wrote in a footnote that, "When Elder Packer interviewed me as a prospective member of Brigham Young University's faculty in 1976, he explained: 'I have a hard time with historians because they idolize the truth.'" This quote is not from any recorded address by Elder Packer, nor is it in any of his writings.Church discipline of scholars: The "September Six"
Summary: Some claim that the Church excommunicates or disfellowships scholars who publish historical information that is embarrassing to Church leaders. Despite the fact that these disciplinary actions are carried out by local leaders, some critics insist that they are in reality instigated by general authorities.Other Church history topics
"Magic" in Mormon history
Hugh Nibley
Summary: Nibley was a pioneer in LDS scholarship and apologetics.Authorship of History of the Church
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?B.H. Roberts' testimony of the Book of Mormon
Summary: Critics charge that the 'problems' with the Book of Mormon made Brigham H. Roberts (an early LDS apologist and member of the First Quorum of Seventy) lose his faith in the its historicity. The primary source upon which this criticism is based originates with Roberts' manuscripts detailing his critical study of the Book of Mormon, which was published under the title Studies of the Book of Mormon years after his death.- Use of sources—Roberts and the Book of Mormon in Richard Abanes' book Becoming Gods—
Brief Summary: The book asserts that FARMS claims that B.H. Roberts was only playing "devils advocate" when he wrote the critical documents now contained in Studies of the Book of Mormon. The book goes on to claim that FARMS has have never provided documentation to support this assertion, and that FARMS only focuses on Roberts' declarations that were made before he reached what the book calls his "final conclusion." (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Use of sources—Roberts and the Book of Mormon in Richard Abanes' book Becoming Gods—
Garden of Eden in Missouri?
Summary: Is it true Mormons believe the original Garden of Eden was located in Missouri? What can you tell me about this?Graven images and statues of angel Moroni
Summary: It is claimed that the Church violates the Biblical command against "graven images" because it displays sculptures of Christ, statues of the angel Moroni on the spires of our temples, or paintings showing scriptural scenes, within temples, chapels, visitors' centers, and publications. (See Exodus 20:3-4.)Name of the Church
Summary: Why did the Church change its name twice during its history? Shouldn't the name have been given by revelation?Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication
Summary: Were there really spiritual manifestations attending the dedication of the Kirtland temple? I have heard allegations that it was in fact a drunken orgy.The Seer (periodical by Orson Pratt)
Summary: Some critics of the Church quote from a newspaper called The Seer. Was this newspaper published by the Church? Are its contents considered official Church doctrine?Succession in the Presidency of the Church
Summary: There was much contention regarding who Joseph Smith's successor was supposed to be after his death, and some claim that Joseph Smith designated his son Joseph III as his successor.- Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve—
Brief Summary: What is the seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve—
== Notes ==