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< Criticism of Mormonism | Books | One Nation Under Gods
Claims made in "Introduction: A Thread of Prophecy" | A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Richard Abanes
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Claims made in "Chapter 2: Moroni, Magic, and Masonry" |
Page | Claim | Response | Author's sources |
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6 | "To most of his contemporaries, Joseph Smith was nothing but a charlatan from a family of illiterate wanderers; a shiftless trouble-maker—albeit a charismatic and imaginative one—with a penchant for superstitions, storytelling, and decision-making based on the occult traditions of nineteenth century rural folk magic." |
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9-11 | "[T]he Smiths finally gave up on finding deliverance from their poverty by any means that might be termed legitimate employment. They turned instead to borrowing, fast-talking, and 'money-digging' through occult divination." |
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15 | Local newspapers show no revival occurring in 1820 in the area of Palmyra-Manchester, New York. |
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15 | Smith probably incorporated an 1824 revival into his First Vision story. |
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15 | Joseph's 1832 First Vision account states that he was 15 rather than 14 years old. | ||
15 | Joseph's 1832 account states that he only saw Jesus and doesn't mention God the Father. | ||
15 | The main message of the 1832 account was the forgiveness of Joseph's sins. | ||
15 | The 1832 account omits information about "God condemning Christian churches as corrupt." | ||
16-17 | Orson Pratt said that the two personages were angels. |
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17 | Church historian Andrew Jenson said that "The angel again forbade Joseph to join any of these churches." |
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18 | John Taylor only calls the Father and Son "two glorious personages" and does not mention "this is my beloved son." |
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18 | The 1824 revival caused Joseph's mother, sister and two brothers to join the Presbyterian church. |
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18 | The 1824 revival cause Joseph to join a Baptist church. |
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18 | No publications from the Palmyra or Manchester areas mentioned Joseph's vision. |
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22, 490 n.78 | The vision of Moroni was the only vision that existed for many years. Lucy Mack Smith said that the first vision was that of a "holy Angel" |
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