Criticism of Mormonism/Video/Search for the Truth DVD

Jesus Christ / Joseph Smith Replies and resources addressing the Search for the Truth DVD A collaborative effort of FAIR. On 25 March 2007, a ninety-minute video entitled Search for the Truth was distributed to thousands of homes across the United States. The video has excellent production values but unfortunately, its contents are not of a similar quality. Though it purports to be an objective Christian evaluation of the teachings, history, and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it contains very little that is original or balanced. Rather than focus on what they believe, the video's producers have taken it upon themselves to describe and interpret LDS beliefs and teachings, often in ways that would be objectionable or unrecognizable to Latter-day Saints. The video contains many of the same anti-Mormon claims that misguided critics have been repeating for years. The issues it raises have been repeatedly addressed by faithful Latter-day Saints, but the video makes no effort to address those responses. This page provides information that will help you compare the video's claims with the actual history, teachings, and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Bold Statement of Purpose "This video has been produced out of love for our Lord Jesus Christ and love for our Mormon and Christian friends. We pray that it will touch the hearts of all who watch through the grace and truth of Christ Jesus." These words, silently displayed on-screen, serve as the introduction to a video supposedly designed to contrast the beliefs of Mormonism and the beliefs of Christianity. Although the producers of this video claim that it was produced out of love, it is difficult to see that expression of love as sincere, for it contains numerous mischaracterizations, misrepresentations, errors, and outright falsehoods. It perpetuates the same shopworn criticisms of Mormonism that have been answered time and time again. We agree with the unnamed producers of Search for the Truth, only when the truth is known can reasonable decisions be reached. Unfortunately, those who only view this video will never know the whole truth because those who created it do their best to hide any truth that does not fit their preconceptions and prejudices. In your own "search for the truth," we hope you will take the time to learn why many people who already know the information in this video remain faithful, practicing Mormons who try to model their lives after the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Table of Contents The following Table of Contents addresses the charges made in Search for the Truth. These are things you won't hear in a short video, and are definitely things the video's producers don't want you to know. DVD Scene Information Search Introduction Who Is Jesus? Who Is Jesus? Who Is God? Who Is God? Eternal Life Eternal Life Archaeological Evidence Archaeology Prophecies & Revelations Prophecies & Revelations Character of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith's Character - Polygamy The First Vision Joseph Smith's Character - The First Vision The Occult Joseph Smith's Character - The Occult The Translator Joseph Smith's Character - The Translator DNA DNA Book of Abraham Book of Abraham Summary Witnessing to Mormons Summary Call to LDS Leaders Call to LDS Leaders Music Video Credits Special Features: The Good Test The Good Test Special Features: Burning in the Bosom Burning in the Bosom Special Features: The Priesthood? The Priesthood? Special Features: What is Hell? What is Hell? Special Features: A New Beginning A New Beginning Other Information Letter to Distributors. A copy of the letter distributed with the advance copies of the DVD, providing instructions on how it was to be distributed on March 25, 2007. Letter to Distributors (Annotated Version). The same distribution letter, with an annotated commentary included.

About FAIR Who are we? The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) was formed in late 1997 by a group of Mormons in an attempt to defend their faith from detractors who frequented online message boards. Incorporated as a non-profit organization in November 1997, FAIR put up its first Web site in March 1998 and the FAIR Wiki in 2006. FAIR is staffed completely by volunteers. It is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief, or practice. If you would like to be a part of FAIR, we invite you to support FAIR in any way you are able. FAIR only succeeds through the efforts of our gracious volunteers. For more information about FAIR, visit the FAIR Web site.