Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer

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A FairMormon Analysis of Denver Snuffer's Online Claims

This set of articles comprises approximately [PENDING] questions or sources assigned to the response to Denver Snuffer. A full list of these articles may be found here: Category:Denver Snuffer. New questions and sources are periodically added to this list.

This page is still under construction. We welcome any suggestions for improving the content of this FAIR Answers Wiki page.

Overview

Denver Snuffer was excommunicated for apostasy on 11 September 2013 because of the claims made in his book Passing the Heavenly Gift. Following his excommunication, Snuffer has declared, among other things, that the Church's First Presidency has lost their authority, and claimed that Jesus appeared to him to instruct him. This wiki page examines his historical and other claims.

Snuffer has announced that:

The Lord has said to me in His own voice, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you." Therefore, I want to caution those who disagree with me, to feel free, to feel absolutely free to make the case against what I say. Feel free to disagree, and make your contrary arguments. If you believe I err, then expose the error and denounce it. But take care; take care about what you say concerning me for your sake, not for mine. I live with constant criticism. I can take it. But I do not want you provoking Divine ire by unfortunately chosen words if I can persuade you against it.

At his invitation, then, FairMormon undertakes to evaluate his public claims, statements, and teachings. We do not curse him, but simply offer the "contrary arguments" that he says that he welcomes:

I like criticism more than praise. Criticism, particularly well thought through criticism, is appreciated. Never shout down critics.

FairMormon's response

In developing our response, our primary intended audience is not necessarily Snuffer nor his associates, but rather those individuals, perhaps faithful Latter-day Saints, perhaps questioning, perhaps once-faithful but now sincerely doubting, who may have come across his teachings and been troubled by their superficial plausibility.

Quick Navigation

Doctrinal claims

Jump to Subtopic:

• Church has lost priesthood authority
• Accusing First Presidency of transgression
• Priesthood authority not necessary
• "Deviated" from proper wording for baptism
• "Tithing is for the poor"
• "If you knew what God was up to, you could prevent it"
• "You should ordain no one to an office" in the priesthood

Excommunication of Denver Snuffer

Jump to Subtopic:

• "I quoted from past church leaders’ diaries, journals, talks, letters or writings. But I did not criticize."
• Claims to be temple worthy
• LDS leaders cannot bear proper testimony of the resurrection
• Claims God has told him to preach his ideas
• Sustaining Church leaders
• Excommunication is "unrighteous dominion"

Historical claims

Jump to Subtopic:

• Passing the Heavenly Gift is "the most correct account of our dispensation written so far"
• "Joseph Smith only built one building-a temple"

Inconsistent claims

Summary: Anxious to make his case appear plausible, Snuffer sometimes makes claims that either (a) contradict other claims which he has made; or (b) distort documents or citations in an effort to strengthen his case.

Jump to Subtopic:

• Misleading citation of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith
• "You will be tempted to have others tell you how to please God"

Notes