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.
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* Men cannot be exalted without women; women cannot be exalted without men. The critics ignore the fact that human deification (''theosis'') is a prominent biblical teachings and found among the early Christians. | * Men cannot be exalted without women; women cannot be exalted without men. The critics ignore the fact that human deification (''theosis'') is a prominent biblical teachings and found among the early Christians. | ||
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Revision as of 22:02, 7 March 2010
| A FAIR Analysis of:
Watchman Fellowship |
Section 2 |
Index of Claims in "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Profile"
Claim
The authors claim that Joseph was told during the First Vision that "all the Christian Church's doctrines 'were an abomination'."
Author's source(s)
- Joseph Smith - History 19, Pearl of Great Price.
Response
- This is false. Joseph was told that the "creeds" were an abomination, not all the doctrines taught.
- For a detailed response, see: Creeds an abomination
- For a detailed response, see: Apostasy
- For a detailed response, see: Non-biblical and unscriptural ideas in the creeds
Claim
The authors claim that Mormonism is a "polytheistic religion," because of the belief that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct and separate personages.
Author's source(s)
- Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 370.
- McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577.
Response
- This is false. The Saints believe that God is "one," but understand this oneness differently than creedal trinitarians.
- For a detailed response, see: Nature of God/Polytheism and Polytheism
Claim
According to Joseph Smith, God "was once a man like us."
Author's source(s)
- History of the Church, 6:305
Response
- For a detailed response, see: Nature of God/"God is a man"
Claim
Brigham Young said that the birth of Jesus Christ "was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action."
Author's source(s)
- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:115.
- McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 742.
Response
- For a detailed response, see: Jesus Christ/Conception
Claim
Jesus "is the brother of Lucifer."
Author's source(s)
- Milton Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, 15.
Response
- For a detailed response, see: Jesus Christ/Brother of Satan
Claim
Latter-day Saints make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.
Author's source(s)
- McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 752.
Response
- In the source cited above, the author notes that the term "Holy Spirit" "is a synonym for the Holy Ghost, that Spirit entity or personage of Spirit who is a member of the godhead." But, two other scriptural uses of the term include the spirit of Christ that entered His physical body, and the power or influence of Christ generally.
Claim
The authors state the "every worthy male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet." The authors state that women are excluded.
Author's source(s)
- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 2:48.
Response
- Men cannot be exalted without women; women cannot be exalted without men. The critics ignore the fact that human deification (theosis) is a prominent biblical teachings and found among the early Christians.
- For a detailed response, see: Human deification
- For a detailed response, see: Nature_of_God/Deification_of_man/Gods_of_their_own_planets
Claim
There is a "Mother God."
Author's source(s)
- Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 3:143-144.
Response
- For a detailed response, see: Nature of God/Heavenly Mother
Claim
We are all spiritual offspring of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and we once lived in the pre-existence.
Author's source(s)
- McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 589.
Response
FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources
Claim
The authors claim that "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence."
Author's source(s)
- Melvin J. Ballard, Three Degrees of Glory, p. 21.
Response
FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources
Claim
The authors claim that salvation or exaltation "is based on one's own good works or merit."
Author's source(s)
- Lowell Bennion, "The Religion of the Latter-day Saints," p. 160.
- Church News, October 8, 1988, p. 23.
Response
FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources
Claim
The authors claim that Latter-day Saint consider the Bible "suspect due to its many errors and missing parts."
Author's source(s)
- Articles of Faith No. 8, Ensign January 1989, pp. 25, 27.
Response
FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources