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 "Detailed response to CES Letter, Other"
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==Response Section== | ==Response Section== | ||
| − | + | ==2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author challenges the truthfulness of the recent change in heading to Official Declaration 2: "Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice." The author then quotes various Church leaders as they offered reasons for the practice, and states that "the 2013 edition Official Declaration 2 Header in the scriptures is not only misleading, it’s dishonest. We do have records – including from the First Presidency itself – with very clear insights on the origins of the ban on the blacks." | |claim=The author challenges the truthfulness of the recent change in heading to Official Declaration 2: "Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice." The author then quotes various Church leaders as they offered reasons for the practice, and states that "the 2013 edition Official Declaration 2 Header in the scriptures is not only misleading, it’s dishonest. We do have records – including from the First Presidency itself – with very clear insights on the origins of the ban on the blacks." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="Zina Diantha Huntington Young"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author notes, "The following is a quick biographic snapshot of Zina:<br> | |claim=The author notes, "The following is a quick biographic snapshot of Zina:<br> | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "In the Church’s Sunday School manual, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, the Church changed the word “wives” to “[wife]”. | |claim=The author states, "In the Church’s Sunday School manual, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, the Church changed the word “wives” to “[wife]”. | ||
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[[File:Brigham the monogamist.jpg|800 px]] | [[File:Brigham the monogamist.jpg|800 px]] | ||
| − | + | =="The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "Not only is the manual deceptive in disclosing whether or not Brigham Young was a polygamist but it’s deceptive in hiding Brigham Young’s real teaching on marriage: “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” – Journal of Discourses 11:269" | |claim=The author states, "Not only is the manual deceptive in disclosing whether or not Brigham Young was a polygamist but it’s deceptive in hiding Brigham Young’s real teaching on marriage: “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” – Journal of Discourses 11:269" | ||
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[[File:Do not speculate on plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation from.jpg|600 px]] | [[File:Do not speculate on plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation from.jpg|600 px]] | ||
| − | + | ==Church Finances== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "Estimated $5 billion megamall City Creek Center: Total Church humanitarian aid from 1985-2011: $1.4 billion | |claim=The author states, "Estimated $5 billion megamall City Creek Center: Total Church humanitarian aid from 1985-2011: $1.4 billion | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | ==Tithing== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "I find the following quote in the December 2012 ''Ensign'' very disturbing: | |claim=The author states, "I find the following quote in the December 2012 ''Ensign'' very disturbing: | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | ==Names of the Church== | |
{{CESLetterItemShort | {{CESLetterItemShort | ||
|claim=The author states, "After deciding “Church of Jesus Christ” on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith made the decision on May 3, 1834 to change the name of the Church to, “The Church of the Latter Day Saints”. Why did Joseph take the name of “Jesus Christ” out of the very name of His restored Church? The one and only true Church on the face of the earth in which Christ is the Head?....Why would Christ instruct Joseph to name it one thing in 1830 and then change it in 1834 and then change it again in 1838?" | |claim=The author states, "After deciding “Church of Jesus Christ” on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith made the decision on May 3, 1834 to change the name of the Church to, “The Church of the Latter Day Saints”. Why did Joseph take the name of “Jesus Christ” out of the very name of His restored Church? The one and only true Church on the face of the earth in which Christ is the Head?....Why would Christ instruct Joseph to name it one thing in 1830 and then change it in 1834 and then change it again in 1838?" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="Criticizing leaders"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "Dallin H. Oaks made the following disturbing comment in the PBS documentary, “The Mormons”: 'It is wrong to criticize the leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true.'" | |claim=The author states, "Dallin H. Oaks made the following disturbing comment in the PBS documentary, “The Mormons”: 'It is wrong to criticize the leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true.'" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="the scary internet"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=After quoting comments from Elder Quentin Cook and Elder Dieter Uchtdorf related to the use of online information, the author responds, "Who cares whether you received the information from a stranger, television, book, magazine, comic book, napkin, and even the scary internet? They’re all mediums or conduits of information. It’s the information itself, its accuracy, and its relevance that you need to focus on and be concerned with. | |claim=After quoting comments from Elder Quentin Cook and Elder Dieter Uchtdorf related to the use of online information, the author responds, "Who cares whether you received the information from a stranger, television, book, magazine, comic book, napkin, and even the scary internet? They’re all mediums or conduits of information. It’s the information itself, its accuracy, and its relevance that you need to focus on and be concerned with. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="Going after members who publish or share their questions, concerns, and doubts"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author quotes the introduction to the "September Six" Wikipedia article: "The September Six were six members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were excommunicated or disfellowshipped by the LDS in September 1993, allegedly for publishing scholarly work on Mormonism or critiquing Church doctrine or leadership." He then notes that "Boyd K. Packer made the following comment regarding the three “enemies” of the Church: 'The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals.'" | |claim=The author quotes the introduction to the "September Six" Wikipedia article: "The September Six were six members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were excommunicated or disfellowshipped by the LDS in September 1993, allegedly for publishing scholarly work on Mormonism or critiquing Church doctrine or leadership." He then notes that "Boyd K. Packer made the following comment regarding the three “enemies” of the Church: 'The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals.'" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | ==Strengthening the Church Members Committee== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, "Strengthening the Church Members Committee: The spying and monitoring arm of the Church. It is secretive and most members have been unaware of its existence since its creation in 1985 after President Ezra Taft Benson took over. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland admitted it still exists in March 2012. The historical evidence and the September Six points to SCMC’s primary mission being to hunt and expose intellectuals and/or disaffected members who are influencing other members to think and question, despite Holland’s claim that it’s a committee primarily to fight against polygamy." | |claim=The author states, "Strengthening the Church Members Committee: The spying and monitoring arm of the Church. It is secretive and most members have been unaware of its existence since its creation in 1985 after President Ezra Taft Benson took over. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland admitted it still exists in March 2012. The historical evidence and the September Six points to SCMC’s primary mission being to hunt and expose intellectuals and/or disaffected members who are influencing other members to think and question, despite Holland’s claim that it’s a committee primarily to fight against polygamy." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | + | =="When the prophet speaks the debate is over"== | |
{{CESLetterItem | {{CESLetterItem | ||
|claim=The author states, <br>"N. Eldon Tanner, 1st Counselor in the First Presidency, gave a First Presidency Message in the August 1979 Ensign that includes the following statement: “When the prophet speaks the debate is over.”<br><br> | |claim=The author states, <br>"N. Eldon Tanner, 1st Counselor in the First Presidency, gave a First Presidency Message in the August 1979 Ensign that includes the following statement: “When the prophet speaks the debate is over.”<br><br> | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | =={{Endnotes label}} | + | == == |
| + | {{Endnotes label}} | ||
#{{note|katich.1}}Samuel Katich, [http://www.fairlds.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/katich-a-tale-of-two-marriage-systems.pdf "A Tale of Two Marriage Systems: Perspectives on Polyandry and Joseph Smith,"] Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, 2003. | #{{note|katich.1}}Samuel Katich, [http://www.fairlds.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/katich-a-tale-of-two-marriage-systems.pdf "A Tale of Two Marriage Systems: Perspectives on Polyandry and Joseph Smith,"] Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, 2003. | ||
Revision as of 19:39, 9 May 2014
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Contents
- 1 Response to "Other Concerns & Questions"
- 1.1 Quick Navigation
- 1.2 Response Section
- 1.3 2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty
- 1.4 "Zina Diantha Huntington Young"
- 1.5 "Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"
- 1.6 "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"
- 1.7 Church Finances
- 1.8 Tithing
- 1.9 Names of the Church
- 1.10 The Church changed its name twice during its history
- 1.11 "Criticizing leaders"
- 1.12 "the scary internet"
- 1.13 "Going after members who publish or share their questions, concerns, and doubts"
- 1.14 Strengthening the Church Members Committee
- 1.15 "When the prophet speaks the debate is over"
- 1.16
Response to "Other Concerns & Questions"
| [[../Scriptures Concerns & Questions|Scriptures Concerns & Questions]] | A FAIR Analysis of:
[[../|Letter to a CES Director]] |
[[../Conclusion|Conclusion]] |
- Response to section: 2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty
- Response to section: "Zina Diantha Huntington Young"
- Response to section: "Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"
- Response to section: "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"
- Response to section: "Church Finances"
- Response to section: "Tithing"
- Response to section: "Names of the Church"
- Response to section: "Some things that are true are not very useful"
- Response to section: "Criticizing leaders"
- Response to section: "the scary internet"
- Response to section: "Going after members who publish or share their questions, concerns, and doubts"
- Response to section: Strengthening the Church Members Committee
- Response to section: "When the prophet speaks the debate is over"
Response Section
2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty
"Zina Diantha Huntington Young"
"Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"
"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"
Church Finances
Tithing
Names of the Church
The Church changed its name twice during its history
Jump to details:
- Question: How many times was the name of the Church changed through revelation?
- Question: What names did the Church go by prior to the revelation which established the correct one?
- Question: What is the history of name changes of the Church?
"Some things that are true are not very useful"
"Criticizing leaders"
"the scary internet"
Strengthening the Church Members Committee
"When the prophet speaks the debate is over"
Notes
- [note] Samuel Katich, "A Tale of Two Marriage Systems: Perspectives on Polyandry and Joseph Smith," Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, 2003.