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| − | <div style="font-size:300%;border:none;margin: 0;padding:.1em;color:#000">Joseph Smith's Character: The Occult</div> | + | <div style="border:none;margin: 0;padding:.1em;color:#000">[[Image:FrontSearchDVD.png|frame|DVD cover, click [[Search for the Truth DVD:Credits|here]] for information.]]</div> |
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| | + | <div style="font-size:200%;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;">Jesus Christ / Joseph Smith</div> |
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| − | <!--Placeholder for small text in yellow box.--> | + | <div style="font-weight:bold;text-align:center;">Replies and resources addressing the ''Search for the Truth'' DVD<br /> |
| | + | A collaborative effort of FAIR.</div> |
| | | | |
| | + | 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 much that is inaccurate and very little that is 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 does not address or take those responses into account. |
| | + | |
| | + | 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. |
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Symbols and practices with an "occult" connection?</h2> | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">A Bold Statement of Purpose</h2> |
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| − | This section of the video is a good example of a common error: in their hurry to condemn, critics use modern standards to pass judgement on historical figures. The segment opens with the portrayal of an inverted pentagram, with sinister flames behind the symbol. The DVD obviously hopes that the viewer will conclude this is an "evil" symbol. | + | '''''"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."''''' |
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| − | The inverted pentagram has a long history, and only took on negative connotations in the last one hundred years, well after Joseph Smith's death. Joseph Smith and others of his day would have known the symbol from its use in many aspects of American life. Many Americans were Masons, and used this symbol to represent light from the heavens to man.
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| − | The inverted pentogram is found in many contexts, including the Congressional Medal of Honor, on
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| − | the Great Star Flag of the United States (used from 1837 to 1845), as well as in the cathedrals of Chartes and Amiens in France. Do the producers of this DVD expect us to believe that all these groups are, in fact, part of the "occult"?
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| − | Some occult groups have even used the symbol of the cross as part of their symbolism. Does this make all Christians "occult" by association? Such an idea is laughable.
| + | These words, silently displayed on-screen, serve as the preface to a video that claims to contrast the beliefs of Mormonism and the beliefs of Christianity. Although the producers of this video state that it was produced out of love, the numerous mischaracterizations, misrepresentations, errors, and outright falsehoods found on the DVD make it difficult for believing Latter-day Saints to see that expression of love as sincere. It unfortunately perpetuates the same shopworn criticisms of Mormonism that have been answered time and time again. |
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| − | '''To read more:''' | + | We agree with the unnamed producers of ''Search for the Truth,'' that 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 it is not accurately presented. |
| − | * Matthew B. Brown, [http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/Stars.pdf Inverted Stars on LDS Temples]
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| | + | In your own "search for the truth," we at FAIR invite you to take the time to learn why many people—including those who are familiar with the misinformation and criticisms in this video—remain faithful, practicing Mormons; ordinary people striving daily to model their lives after the extraordinary example of the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: Money digging was an example of Joseph Smith being involved in the occult.</h2> | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Table of Contents</h2> |
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| − | | + | 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. (As you click on the pages, you will find this same table of contents in the upper right corner of each page.) |
| − | The video's first attempt to tie Joseph Smith to the "occult" uses the Smith family's involvement in "money digging." The video takes a practice common to the nineteenth-century, and turns it into something sinister. | |
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| − | During the nineteenth century, belief in folk magic of this kind was common in the United States. Indeed, in parts of New England it is still a common practice with so called "water witches" still listed in the phonebook. (See, for example, the 2007 phone book published by Verizon, Inc., for Augusta, Maine.)
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| − | Dowsing or water witching was—and to some degree still is—used to locate wells, buried objects such as pipes or utility lines, and lost valuables. It was not then, and is not now (where it is still practiced), considered sinister or "occult." For these people, they simply consider it to be "how the world works." By analogy, such people might not understand the principles of magnetism behind a mariner's compass, but still use it because "that's how the world is."
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| − | The fact that Joseph Smith and his family were involved in seeking for buried valuables is not unusual. When Josehp was 16 years old, his local newspaper printed such remarks as the following:
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| − | * "digging for money hid in the earth is a very common thing and in this state it is even considered as honorable and profitable employment"
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| − | * "One gentleman...digging...ten to twelve years, found a sufficient quantity of money to build him a commodious house."
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| − | * "another...dug up...fifty thousand dollars!"
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| − | ::<small>—''Palmyra Herald'' (24 July 1822); cited in Russell Anderson, "The 1826 Trial of Joseph Smith," (2002 FAIR Conference presentation.){{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2002_1826_Trial_of_Joseph_Smith.html}}</small>
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| − | Given how common and respectable such an activity was, it would have been strange for the poverty-stricken Smith family not to take any legitimate opportunity to improve their station in life: despite all their toil, they lost their farm because they could not make the final mortgage payment.
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| − | The historical record is clear on this point, but the DVD producers wish to hide that aspect of the truth.
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * [[Joseph_Smith_and_money_digging|Joseph Smith and Money Digging]]
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: "On March 15th, 1842, Joseph joined the Masons which is an organization that believes Jesus is not divine and is on the same level as Buddha, Muhammad or any other religious teacher."</h2>
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| − | This is a severe misrepresentation of Masonry. Masonry is not a religion and has never claimed to be a religion. Masonry only requires that its members profess belief in a supreme being: Christians, Buddhists, Jews, or Muslims are all eligible. In this respect, Masonry is like many other such fraternal organization, or even the Boy Scouts. The policy of open membership does not make Masonry "an organization that believes Jesus is not divine." The thousands of Christian Freemasons down through the centuries would find such a statement an insult to themselves and Freemasonry. It would appear the DVD producers know as little of Masonry as they do "Mormonism"!
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| − | They ignore, for example, the many prominent Baptists who were also Masons over the last two hundred years. For instance, Robert E. Baylor, founder of Baylor University, was both a Baptist and a Mason. One of the university's presidents, William R. White (served from 1948 to 1961) was a 33rd-degree Mason and served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Austin, First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, First Baptist Church of Lubbock, and Broadway Baptist Church of Fort Worth. He also served as executive secretary, and later as president, of The Baptist General Convention of Texas.
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| − | Geroge W. Truett, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, was also a Mason and remained such as he served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1927 to 1929, president of the Baptist World Alliance from 1934 to 1939, and trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Are these men no longer Christians, or somehow involved in the "occult"?
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| − | These are just a few of the many prominent individuals who saw no conflict between their Baptist brand of Christianity and Freemasonry. Since their participation in Masonry would presumably not taint the roots of the Baptist faith, why would the several Baptist ministers associated with ''Search for the Truth'' find it necessary to insist that Masonry cast a sinister shadow over the roots of the Church?
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * <i>Famous Baptists Who Were Freemasons</i> (Adherents.com) {{link|url=http://www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_bap_freemasons.html}}
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: "Within one day Smith rose to the highest degree which is the sublime degree."</h2>
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| − | Church critics commonly make this error. The visual accompanying this claim shows an old Masonic chart showing the ''supplemental degrees'' of Scottish and York Rite Freemasonry, thereby implyingthat Joseph was a member of these bodies.
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| − | This would have been impossible, since Masonry in Illinois at the time (1842) did not have these supplemental bodies. The video also errs in the name of the degree. Joseph was a Master Mason, which is also refered to in the Masonic rites as "the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason," but never as "the sublime degree." There is no such degree. The critics' lack of research is again apparent.
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| − | The video makes much of the fact that Joseph was raised in a single day, as if this was unusual and a sign of someone of great "occult" status, but fails to point out that Joseph's raising was done in complete accord with the Masonic practice of making a person Mason "upon sight." The ''Sixth Landmark of Freemasonry'' states:
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| − | :"The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant Dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times, is another and a very important Landmark. The statutory law of Masonry requires a month, or other determinate period, to elapse between the presentation of a petition and the election of a candidate. But the Grand Master has the power to set aside or dispense with this probation, and allow a candidate to be initiated at once. This prerogative he possessed in common with all Masters, before the enactment of the law requiring a probation, and as no statute can impair his prerogative, he still retains the power, although the Masters of Lodges no longer possess it."
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| − | ::<small>—(''The Landmarks of Freemasonry''{{link|url=http://www.jabron.net/lmarks.htm}})</small>
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| − | This was the process followed in Joseph Smith's case. While rare, it is not an unheard of or unprecedented procedure, and Grand Master Johnas (the grand lodge grand master who raised Joseph) was well with in his rights in making Joseph Smith a Mason "upon sight" without any sinister undertones.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: "Joseph's Masonic membership affected the development of the Mormon church in many ways but the most significant area appears to be in the development of the Mormon temple ceremonies."</h2>
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| − | That Masonry and the methods of teaching it employs have had an infulence in the development of the temple endowment is without question. However, the video does the subject a grave disservice, because there is much discussion and debate among scholars as to the actual amount of influence. The endowment took many years to develop, and there are many points where there are no similarities between the endowment and the rites of Freemasonry.
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| − | The video shows re-enactments of some LDS temple rituals (borrowed directly from a classic anti-Mormon film, ''The God Makers II'') and implies that these originated in Masonry. This is simply not the case. The ordinances shown in the video (washing and annointing) actually first appeared in Kirtland, Ohio, years before Joseph's involvement with Masonry.
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| − | Latter-day Saints consider the temple ceremony to be the most sacred expression of their worship of Jesus Christ. To have it held up for public discussion and display in this matter is in extremely poor taste. It is difficult to feel "loved" by those presenting the video when they do something which they know will be offensive and hurtful to most members.
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * [[Temple_endowment_and_Freemasonry|The Temple Endowment and Freemasonry]]
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Statement: "I suggest that enough evidence presently exists to declare the entire institution of the political kingdom of God, including the Council of Fifty, the living constitution, the proposed flag of the kingdom and the anointing and coronation of a king had its genesis in connection with Masonic thoughts and ceremonies." - Dr. Reed Durham</h2>
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| − | It seems that the producers of the ''Search for Truth'' video believe that this statement somehow taints Mormonism. Even if it is true—a supposition open to debate among scholars—that does not mean much within the context of the times.
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| − | Many elements of our society that we take for granted today have their roots in early American practices, and most have Masonic overtones. A quick examination of United States currency, for instance, will find many Masonic elements, such as the all-seeing eye, pyramids, and mottos. These same elements (and more) are found on many governmental buildings. There is evidence that these symbols have their roots in Masonry or were heavily influenced by Masonry. Does such reality of the nineteenth century mean that, somehow, the roots of American society are based in the occult?
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| − | Joseph Smith also spoke English, because it was the language of his time and place, but this does not mean he had no revelation. Prophets—Biblical and otherwise—express themselves in the idiom of their own culture.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Statement: "...included in the actual vocabulary of Joseph Smith’s counsel and instructions to the sisters were such words...indicating that the society’s orientation possessed Masonic overtones." - Dr. Reed Durham</h2>
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| − | Dr. Durham's assertions regarding the formation of the Relief Society are certainly interesting, but they are far from representing a scholarly consensus.
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| − | Dr. Durham, in other places, has suggested a connection between the Relief Society and the Masonic "lodges of Adoption" found in revolutionary France. The problem is that there is no indication that Joseph Smith or anyone else in Nauvoo at the time (in the early 1840s) intended this. Lodges of Adoption never found their way to the United States and disappeared from France within a few years of their formation, well before the establishment of the LDS Church in 1830.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: The Jupiter Talisman was evidence of Joseph's belief and participation in occultic rituals.</h2>
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| − | The final issue of purported "occult" evidence against Joseph Smith used by the video is perhaps the least significant of all. Strangely, it is the one upon which the most time is spent. Joseph Smith's Jupiter Talisman is an item which at one time was on public display in the old Church Museum on Temple Square. The carrying of tokens supposed to bring a person luck (like a rabbit's foot or a four-leaf clover) has been common practice throughout much of American history, and particularly in the nineteenth century.
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| − | Commentators in the video draw all sorts of conclusions about the Jupiter Talisman which are not supported by the available facts. (Many scholars even question whether Joseph Smith owned the Jupiter Talisman, as it was not on the Carthage Jail inventory of his possessions before he was murdered.) Even if Joseph did own and carry the Jupiter Talisman, there is no record of what Joseph might have believed or not believed about it.
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| − | One video commentator, Sandra Tanner, states that "The fact that [Joseph] died with the Jupiter Talisman on his body shows that throughout his life he continued to hang on to that hope and that trust in that magic object." Realistically, the only thing that it may show (if Joseph did, indeed, have it on his person when he died, which has not been established) is that he had it in his possession when the mob attacked. We do not know where the talisman came from, who gave it to Joseph, or what significance, if any, he applied to it. The ''Search for Truth'' engages in idle speculation where there are no facts to support that speculation.
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| − | Most damaging for this theory, is the list of items found on Joseph's body after his murder (and signed for by his widow, Emma, who claimed his personal effects). This list ''does not include a Jupiter talisman.''
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| − | It is significant that the only person who claimed that the Jupiter Talisman (a) belonged to Joseph, and (b) was on Joseph's person when he died was Emma's second husband's son. He made this claim over ninety years after the martyrdom when he was trying to sell the item.
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| − | Such circumstances call for more balance and skepticism than the video commentators are willing to muster.
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * [[Joseph_Smith_and_Jupiter_talisman|Joseph Smith and the Jupiter Talisman]]
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| − | * The Jupiter Talisman Myth {{link|url=http://www.angelfire.com/sk2/ldsdefense/talis.html}}
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| | + | {{DVD25March2007-FullToC}} |
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: "Within a few short years, even men who were closest to Joseph like David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, William Law and William McLellin were repulsed by Joseph Smith's multiple adulteries and publicly declared Joseph an adulterer." </h2> | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Other Information</h2> |
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| − | | + | * [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:letter|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. |
| − | It is curious that the DVD producers seem to feel that making a public accusation against someone is sufficient to prove the case against them. Many charges were made against Jesus and the apostles, even by close friends and associates. Are these charges therefore proven?
| + | * [[Search_for_the_Truth_DVD:letter(annotated)|Letter to Distributors (Annotated Version)]]. The same distribution letter, with an annotated commentary included. |
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| − | That Joseph practiced plural marriage is not a matter of debate. But, the video cannot simply presume that the practice is, by definition, immoral. To do so is circular reasoning and begging the question.
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| − | Some members of the Church could not accept plural marriage. It is worthwhile, however, to consider what the historical record can tell us about each of these men and their witness.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Is Sandra Tanner a reliable witness regarding Mormonism?</h2>
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| − | Sandra Tanner and her late husband are certainly among the most prolific anti-Mormon authors. However, non-Mormon scholars of LDS issues have noted that the Tanners display a consistent bias in their work:
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| − | :[The Tanners] always assume the worst possible motives in assessing the actions of Mormon leaders, even when those leaders faced extremely complex problems with no simple solutions...Every bit of evidence, even if it could be most plausibly presented in a positive way, is represented as yet another nail in the coffin being prepared for the Mormon Church. There is no spectrum of colors, only blacks and whites, good guys and villains in the Tanners' published writings...The Tanners have repeatedly assumed a holier-than-thou stance, refusing to be fair in applying the same debate standards of absolute rectitude which they demand of Mormonism to their own actions, writings, and beliefs.
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| − | ::<small>—{{Dialogue1|author=Lawrence Foster|article=Career Apostates:Reflections on the Works of Jerald and Sandra Tanner|vol=17|num=2|date=Summer 1984|start=45|end=46}}</small>
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| − | Viewers who want to hear about how evil and wrong the Mormons are will be well served by Sandra Tanner. Those who wish to understand and ''Seek for the Truth'' will have to look elsewhere.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">What do we know about David Whitmer's witness?</h2>
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| − | David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, remained out of the Church for the rest of his long life. Despite this, David repeatedly insisted that the Book of Mormon was scripture.
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| − | Just following their excommunication from the Church, Thomas B. Marsh approached Cowdery and Whitmer about their witness. If there was any time for them to deny their witness, this was it:
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| − | :I enquired seriously at David if it was true that he had seen the angel, according to the testimony as one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He replied, as sure as there is a God in heaven, he saw the angel, according to his testimony in that book...I interrogated Oliver Cowdery in the same manner, who answered me similarly.
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| − | ::<small>—"History of Thomas Baldwin Marsh," ''Deseret News'' (24 March 1858).</small>
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| − | If Whitmer was convinced that Joseph was an adulterer, why did he continue to bear witness that the record Joseph translated was true, for decades after his disaffection from the Church? Whitmer's witness of the Book of Mormon is more impressive ''because'' of his falling out with Joseph. But, viewers will await that information in vain.
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * [[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses:Recant|David Whitmer's faithfulness to his testimony]]
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">What do we know about William McLellin's witness?</h2>
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| − | McLellin was an original member of the Twelve apostles. He was eventually excommunicated. McLellin's character is well illustrated by his desire to whip the imprisoned Joseph Smith:
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| − | :While Joseph was in prison at Richmond, Mo., Mr. McLellin, who was a large and active man, went to the sheriff and asked for the privilege of flogging the Prophet; permission was granted, on condition that Joseph would fight. The sheriff made McLellin's earnest request known to Joseph, who consented to fight, if his irons were taken off. McLellin then refused to fight, unless he could have a club, to which Joseph was perfectly willing; but the sheriff would not allow them to fight on such unequal terms.
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| − | ::<small>— {{LDSBioEncy |vol=1|start=82| end=83}}</small>
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| − | McLellin also took part in mob violence and theft against the Saints:
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| − | : He took an active part with the mob in Missouri, in robbing and driving the Saints. At the time Joseph Smith was in prison, he and others robbed Joseph's house and stable of considerable property.
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| − | ::<small>—{{HR| vol=5|start=38|end=39 }}</small>
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| − | McLellin also tried to form his own Church with himself at the head, and admitted at his excommunication hearing that
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| − | :"he quit praying and keeping the commandments of God, and indulged himself in his lustful desires."
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| − | ::<small>—{{HC1|vol=3|start=91}}</small>
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| − | The reader should be cautious in accepting the testimony of a self-confessed lustful man who would beat a bound prisoner, rob, and drive citizens from their homes by mob violence because of their religion.
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| − | They will not learn these facts about McLellin's behavior from the ''Search for the Truth'' video, because they do not support the its agenda.
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">What do we know about William Law's witness?</h2>
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| − | | style="color:#000"|
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| − | William Law continued to insist that Joseph was a prophet, but a fallen one:
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| − |
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| − | :It was not until perhaps April or May 1844 that he organized his thinking in such a way as to systematically attack his enemy. Even then he was not assailing the validity of the Restoration. The vehemence with which William Law denounced the Prophet in 1844 was not due to disbelief in Mormon polity, but to his conviction that the Mormon leader had plunged into apostate practices.
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| − | ::<small>— {{BYUS1|author=Lyndon W. Cook|article=William Law, Nauvoo Dissenter|vol=22|num=1|date=Fall 1982|start=56| }}{{link|url=https://byustudies.byu.edu/Products/MoreInfoPage/MoreInfo.aspx?Type=7&ProdID=2008}}</small>
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| − |
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| − | Are the video's authors willing for us to accept his witness that Joseph ''was'' a prophet, and the Book of Mormon the word of God?
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| − | William Law is also not in a position to cast stones at Joseph's moral character. Alexander Neibaur's diary recorded:
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| − |
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| − | :"Mr William Law wished to be married to his wife for eternity. Mr. [Joseph] Smith said he would inquire of the Lord, [who] answered, "No," because Law was an Adulterous person. Mrs. Law wanted to know why she could not be married to Mr. Law, who said he would wound her feeling by telling her…
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| − | ::<small>—Journal of Alexander Neibaur, 24 May 1844, Church archives</small>
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| − | This contemporaneous record suggests that William may have had his own moral failings, which kept him from desired blessings. Rather than repent, he sought for a reason to rebel against the teachings of Joseph Smith.
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| − |
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| − | William helped publish the ''Nauvoo Expositor'', which stirred up hatred and the potential for mob violence by describing Joseph Smith as a
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| − | :“blood thirsty and murderous…demon…in human shape” and “a syncophant, whose attempt for power find no parallel in history… one of the blackest and basest scoundrels that has appeared upon the stage of human existence since the days of Nero, and Caligula.”
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| − | ::<small>—Nauvoo Expositor (7 June 1844)</small>
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| − |
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * [[Nauvoo Expositor]]
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| − |
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| − | |-
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Claim: “In 1843, Joseph Smith had a revelation and penned D&C 132 outlining the necessity of entering into a new and everlasting covenant of plural marriage.”</h2>
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| − | |-
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| − | | style="color:#000"|
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| − | The evidence is quite clear that Joseph mentioned the doctrines of plural marriage as early as 1831—the ideas were well-developed in his mind long before 1843.
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| − |
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| − | The video also distorts the contents of D&C 132. Doctrine and Covenants 132 teaches of “the new and everlasting covenant” which includes ''marriage'', since celestial marriage is a gospel ordinance:
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| − |
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| − | :The gospel is the everlasting covenant because it is ordained by Him who is Everlasting and also because it is everlastingly the same. In all past ages salvation was gained by adherence to its terms and conditions, and that same compliance will bring the same reward in all future ages. Each time this everlasting covenant is revealed it is new to those of that dispensation. Hence the gospel is the new and everlasting covenant. All covenants between God and man are part of the new and everlasting covenant. ({{s||DC|22||}}, {{s||DC|132|6-7}}.) Thus celestial marriage is "a new and an everlasting covenant" ({{s||DC|132|4}}) or the new and everlasting covenant of marriage...
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| − | ::<small>{{MD|start=529|end=530}}</small>
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| − | The key doctrine described in D&C 132 is not ''plural marriage'', but ''eternal'' or ''celestial'' marriage, which may (if so commanded) include plural marriage. While plural marriage was practiced, some members of the Church interpreted D&C 132 as applying exclusively to polygamy, which is understandable given that they were under a duty to obey the commands given to them.
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| − |
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| − | However, as Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:
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| − |
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| − | :Plural marriage is not essential to salvation or exaltation... In our day, the Lord summarized by revelation the whole doctrine of exaltation and predicated it upon the marriage of one man to one woman. ({{s||DC|132:1-28}}.) Thereafter he added the principles relative to plurality of wives with the express stipulation that any such marriages would be valid only if authorized by the President of the Church. ({s||DC|132|7,29-66}}.)
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| − | ::<small>{{MD1|start=578}}</small>
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| − |
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| − | The video misunderstands LDS doctrine, garbles the history of Joseph's revelations on plural marriage, and distorts LDS teaching on the matter.
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| − |
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * LINKS HERE
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| − | |-
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Question</h2>
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| − | |-
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| − | | style="color:#000"|
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| − |
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| − | ANSWER
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| − |
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| − | '''To read more:'''
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| − | * LINKS HERE
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| − |
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| − | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#003366;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Jump to...</h2> | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#003366;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">About FAIR</h2> |
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| − | | style="color:#000"| <small>{{DVD25March2007-ToC}}</small> | + | | style="color:#000"| {{About FAIR}} |
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