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**D. Michael Quinn claimed that the Encyclopedia of Mormonism "was an official product of the LDS Church." | **D. Michael Quinn claimed that the Encyclopedia of Mormonism "was an official product of the LDS Church." | ||
*Critics claim that some publications are ''not'' official Church publications when in reality they are. | *Critics claim that some publications are ''not'' official Church publications when in reality they are. | ||
− | **Richard Abanes states in ''Becoming Gods'' that the book "Gospel Principles" contains a 1978 copyright by the Church, but the author states that it contains a disclaimer that | + | **Richard Abanes states in ''Becoming Gods'' that the book "Gospel Principles" contains a 1978 copyright by the Church, but the author states that it contains a disclaimer that indicates that it is not an official publication of the Church, and that "the views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not represent the position of the Church." |
===Source(s) of the criticism=== | ===Source(s) of the criticism=== |
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
The author wants to make the Encyclopedia of Mormonism an 'official' work, when the book, its editor, its authors, and publisher all assert that it is not.
The encyclopedia, according to its publisher and board of editors, is not an official publication of the Church. Daniel H. Ludlow, editor-in-chief, emphasized that the encyclopedia is not intended as a substitute for the scriptures, other official publications of the Church or doctrines as taught by the apostles and prophets. [1]
Lest the role of the Encyclopedia be given more weight than it deserves, the editors make it clear that those who have written and edited have only tried to explain their understanding of Church history, doctrines, and procedures; their statements and opinions remain their own. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is a joint product of Brigham Young University and Macmillan Publishing Company, and its contents do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In no sense does the Encyclopedia have the force and authority of scripture. [2]
From the title page of Gospel Principles:
GOSPEL PRINCIPLES
Published by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah 1979.
The next page:
Copyright (c) 1978 Corporation of the President
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America.
We cannot find the disclaimer mentioned by the author in Becoming Gods about Gospel Principles not being an official publication.
Regarding the LDS Bible Dictionary, the Church has been explicit that it is not to be taken as a statement of revealed Church doctrine. The introduction to the Bible Dictionary includes the following statement:
Robert J. Matthews, who was part of the committee in the late 1970s to create the LDS editions of the scriptures, including the study aids, said:
Elder Bruce R. McConkie had this to say regarding "the Joseph Smith Translation items, the chapter headings, Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, footnotes, the Gazetteer, and the maps":
To summarize, entries in the Bible Dictionary are not part of the canon of scripture and are not binding upon anyone, save as they accurately reflect the contents of scripture or joint statements by the prophets, seers, and revelators.
The only part of the Book of Mormon regarded as scripture is the original text as published by Joseph Smith, Jr., with a few changes later made by him or his successors for reasons of clarity or grammar.
Thus, introductory material published in the modern Book of Mormon is not regarded as scripture, and has been modified from time to time. A representative from Church Public Affairs noted:
Critics tend to misrepresent whether or not a publication is officially sanctioned by the Church in order to suit their agenda.
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