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 "Criticism of Mormonism/Video/Search for the Truth DVD/Letter (annotated)"
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{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#f5faff" | {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#f5faff" | ||
− | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">This letter was provided to those who were to distribute the DVD. | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">This letter was provided to those who were to distribute the DVD. It provides a glimpse of their attitudes toward the Church of Jesus Christ, and the members whom they claim to be treating with "love." This version of the letter has comments added in <font color="blue">blue</font> by FAIR. Click [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:letter|here]] to see the letter without comments.</h2> |
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− | :The DVD itself claims that LDS leaders were given the video for a chance to respond. | + | :The DVD itself claims that LDS leaders were given the video for a chance to respond. But, here they tell distributors that they are carefully keeping the DVD a secret so that leaders will be unable to prepare their members. |
− | :Why are they lying? | + | :Why are they lying? (See discussion [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Summary|here]].) |
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− | :One purpose of the DVD is "boundary maintenance." This means that it is a tool used by some conservative Protestant groups to ensure that ''their flock'' will not become interested in Joseph Smith and Mormonism. | + | :One purpose of the DVD is "boundary maintenance." This means that it is a tool used by some conservative Protestant groups to ensure that ''their flock'' will not become interested in Joseph Smith and Mormonism. The DVD is targeted partly at an evangelical audience, and to remain convinced that the Mormons are an un-Christian cult, they must not have the video's version of what Mormons "really" believe shaken. |
− | :Therefore, it is important that their distributors not discuss these issues with Latter-day Saints, lest they learn that the Saints believe a great many of the same things as they do about Christ. | + | :Therefore, it is important that their distributors not discuss these issues with Latter-day Saints, lest they learn that the Saints believe a great many of the same things as they do about Christ. (See discussion [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Who Is Jesus?|here]].) |
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:The Church encourages its members not to ''purchase'' anti-Mormon propaganda, for this only contributes money to their cause. | :The Church encourages its members not to ''purchase'' anti-Mormon propaganda, for this only contributes money to their cause. | ||
− | :However, there is no prohibition on reading material critical of the Church. | + | :However, there is no prohibition on reading material critical of the Church. In the ''Ensign'', the Church's official magazine, the question was asked, "Some people say it is best to leave alone materials that claim to "expose" the Church and its teachings. What counsel has been given on this? How do we respond when a friend comes to us with questions found in such materials?" The reply given included these recommendations: |
− | :''[Cautions about those who sell material aiming to destroy the Church] must not be interpreted to mean that the Church is against honest scholarship or has anything to fear or hide. Nor does the Church ban literature, but Latter-day Saints should be wise in choosing what to read.'' | + | ::''[Cautions about those who sell material aiming to destroy the Church] must not be interpreted to mean that the Church is against honest scholarship or has anything to fear or hide. Nor does the Church ban literature, but Latter-day Saints should be wise in choosing what to read.'' |
+ | ::''This cautionary counsel should not be misconstrued to justify laziness on our part in seeking answers, or giving glib, superficial replies when someone sincerely wants to know the truth after being exposed to anti-LDS material. Church critics and enemies should not be permitted to make what Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve has sometimes called "uncontested slam dunks." | ||
+ | ::''Latter-day Saints should be sufficiently grounded in their testimonies and knowledge of Church doctrine and history that they can answer questions in a non-contentious and informative way. Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve has instructed Church members not to retaliate against attacks. "We encourage all our members to refuse to become anti-anti-Mormon," he said (''Ensign'', Nov. 1992, p. 63). Paul taught that coming to Christ requires "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). | ||
+ | ::''The First Presidency has encouraged Church members to convey their response to questions and criticism "in the form of a positive explanation of the doctrines and practices of the Church" (''Church News'', 18 Dec. 1983, p. 2). | ||
+ | ::''Members should invite those with questions about Church doctrine and practices to read latter-day scriptures and to study the restored gospel, thus tasting the gospel fruit for themselves. Only then will they know "whether it be of God" (John 7:17). | ||
+ | ::''When members lack answers, they should learn what Church leaders and reputable scholars have said and written. There is probably no charge against the Church that has not been adequately refuted by someone. When members can’t find answers on their own, they can turn to home and visiting teachers, quorum leaders, bishops, and stake presidents...Those willing to take time to research anti-LDS claims can find answers.'' | ||
+ | :::<small>—{{Ensign1|author=Gilbert W. Scharffs|article=I Have A Question|date=January 1995|start=60}}{{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1995.htm/ensign%20january%201995.htm/i%20have%20a%20question.htm?fn=document-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0#LPTOC2}}</small> | ||
− | + | :Once again, the video is shown to make false claims about what the Church does and teaches. FAIR hopes to play a role in finding answers for those who take the time to research anti-Mormon claims. | |
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− | :Once again, the video is shown to make false claims about what the Church does and teaches. | ||
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− | :Note again the insistence that Mormons don't already have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." This is clearly false. | + | :Note again the insistence that Mormons don't already have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." This is clearly false. (See discussion [[Search for the Truth DVD:Eternal Life|here]].) |
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− | :As noted above, the DVD producers want to 'protect' their own flocks from considering the message of modern prophets and witnesses of Jesus Christ. | + | :As noted above, the DVD producers want to 'protect' their own flocks from considering the message of modern prophets and witnesses of Jesus Christ. It is therefore vital that they convince their Christian audience that: |
− | * LDS teachings are false (and so, they must distort those teachings)'' | + | :*LDS teachings are false (and so, they must distort those teachings)'' |
− | * Mormonism is a "cult" (they use fear and loaded language to vilify beliefs they do not share or understand) | + | :*Mormonism is a "cult" (they use fear and loaded language to vilify beliefs they do not share or understand) |
− | :The DVD's Christian audience probably believes that a "Christian" ministry effort would never use lies and distortion, and so will trust what they hear. | + | :The DVD's Christian audience probably believes that a "Christian" ministry effort would never use lies and distortion, and so will trust what they hear. This is the real tragedy—well-meaning Christians will be misled about what their neighbors believe because of the dozens of deceptions in the ironically-named ''Search for the Truth.'' |
:Their lies are less likely to be discovered by the unsuspecting Christians because the distribution team encourages their Christian distributors ''not'' to discuss the matter with LDS members beforehand. | :Their lies are less likely to be discovered by the unsuspecting Christians because the distribution team encourages their Christian distributors ''not'' to discuss the matter with LDS members beforehand. | ||
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− | :Has God also led the producer and distributors to lie, deceive, and distort? | + | :Has God also led the producer and distributors to lie, deceive, and distort? To malign the sincere faith of others? To provide enactments of the most sacred rituals of their faith? |
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− | :Again, the loaded word "cult" is used. | + | :Again, the loaded word "cult" is used. This is essentially name calling, in which the speaker smears another religion with which he does not agree, without the trouble of having to discuss actual doctrines and beliefs. |
− | :See | + | :*(See {{Offenders1| start=1}}) |
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− | :The producers' fears are again demonstrated: Christians are becoming Latter-day Saint Christians. | + | :The producers' fears are again demonstrated: Christians are becoming Latter-day Saint Christians. Most LDS converts are Christians, and yet the letter wishes us to believe that all those Christians are seduced by the Mormons into thinking that the Church is Christian, when it really isn't. |
:If so many Christians find the Church of Jesus Christ attractive, could it not be that they find that it ''adds'' to their understanding and joy in Christ? | :If so many Christians find the Church of Jesus Christ attractive, could it not be that they find that it ''adds'' to their understanding and joy in Christ? | ||
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:This claim is likewise false. | :This claim is likewise false. | ||
− | :The ''number'' of members of the Church in Utah has risen from XXX in DATE1 to XXX in DATE2. | + | :The ''number'' of members of the Church in Utah has risen from XXX in DATE1 to XXX in DATE2. However, over the same time period the ''percentage'' of the state of Utah that is LDS has decreased. The percentage has droped because of non-Mormon immigration ''into'' Utah. {{nw}} |
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− | :Unlikely; will await confirmation on the above bit. | + | :Unlikely; will await confirmation on the above bit. {{nw}} |
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− | :Once again, the Church is made to look impersonal and evil: it is a "machine," and a "cult." It is much easier to justify deceiving and slandering a "machine" than a religion of commited Christians. | + | :Once again, the Church is made to look impersonal and evil: it is a "machine," and a "cult." It is much easier to justify deceiving and slandering a "machine" than a religion of commited Christians. In this way, it can be portrayed as "for their own good." |
− | :The lie about members lack of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is again presented. | + | :The lie about members lack of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is again presented. (See discussion [[Search for the Truth DVD:Eternal Life|here]] and [[Search for the Truth DVD:Who Is Jesus?|here]]. |
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− | :John 15 does indeed provide some food for thought. | + | :John 15 does indeed provide some food for thought. One wishes the DVD producers and distributors had taken it to heart. |
− | : | + | ::This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ({{s||John|15|12}}) |
:Did Jesus' love for others require Him to lie, slander, and distort their history? | :Did Jesus' love for others require Him to lie, slander, and distort their history? | ||
− | : | + | ::But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.... ({{s||John|15|26}}) |
:Does the Holy Spirit truly bear witness to any honest Christian that the tactics, approach, and spirit of the ''Search for the Truth'' effort is from God? | :Does the Holy Spirit truly bear witness to any honest Christian that the tactics, approach, and spirit of the ''Search for the Truth'' effort is from God? | ||
− | :And, since Jesus recommends seeking the Holy Ghost, why does the video repeatedly mock the Latter-day Saints for appealing to it in their faith? | + | :And, since Jesus recommends seeking the Holy Ghost, why does the video repeatedly mock the Latter-day Saints for appealing to it in their faith? |
− | *(See [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Summary|here]] where the Saints' witnesses from the Holy Ghost are smugly labelled as merely something "felt by simply watching a Hollywood movie.") | + | :*(See [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Summary|here]] where the Saints' witnesses from the Holy Ghost are smugly labelled as merely something "felt by simply watching a Hollywood movie.") |
− | *(See also [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Burning_in_the_Bosom|here]] for a detailed treatment.) | + | :*(See also [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:Burning_in_the_Bosom|here]] for a detailed treatment.) |
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Revision as of 16:23, 20 March 2007
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