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A response to the seven claims made in the Thomas S. Monson court summons produced by MormonThink editor Tom Phillips

Questions

The complaint alleges that President Monson does not believe the following seven claims, and that he committed fraud by requiring church members to pay 10% of their income to the Church.

1. The Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith.
2. The Book of Mormon was translated from ancient gold plates by Joseph 'Smith is the most correct book on earth and is an ancient historical record.
3. Native Americans are descended from an Israelite family which left Jerusalem in 600 B.C.
4. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed as martyrs in 1844 because they would not deny their testimony of the Book of Mormon.
5. The Illinois newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor had to be destroyed because it printed lies about Joseph Smith.
6. There was no death on this planet prior to 6,000 years ago
7. All humans alive today are descended from just two people who lived approximately 6,000 years ago

SUBTOPICS

Claims that President Monson doesn't bear witness of foundational doctrines

Summary: It has been claimed that President Thomas S. Monson does not bear testimony of such foundational concepts as the truth of the Book of Mormon, the reality of Joseph Smith's First Vision, and so forth. Some have wondered if this means that he intends to downplay such doctrines, or if he does not believe strongly in them.

Detailed Analysis

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "The Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith"

The Introduction to the Pearl of Great Price states:

The Book of Abraham. An inspired translation of the writings of Abraham. Joseph Smith began the translation in 1835 after obtaining some Egyptian papyri. The translation was published serially in the Times and Seasons beginning March 1, 1842, at Nauvoo, Illinois. ^[1]

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "The Book of Mormon was translated from ancient gold plates by Joseph 'Smith is the most correct book on earth and is an ancient historical record"

The Introduction to the Book of Mormon states:

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C. and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. ....

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” ^[2]

President Monson testified on September 11, 2013 that the Book of Mormon was translated from gold plates:

Volumes have been written concerning the life and accomplishments of Joseph Smith, but for our purposes here today perhaps a highlight or two will suffice: He was visited by the angel Moroni. He translated, from the precious plates to which he was directed, the Book of Mormon, with its new witness of Christ to all the world. ^[3]

President Monson said that the Book of Mormon was true on November 1, 2011:

Brothers and sisters, have you read the Book of Mormon? Have you put to the test the promise found in Moroni 10:4, asking your Heavenly Father “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ” whether or not that which is found in that book is truth? ....

Brothers and sisters, many of you probably came to Brigham Young University already knowing that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is indeed a prophet, and that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. Some of you, however, may still be living on the testimony of others—your parents, your friends, your Church leaders. May I suggest that, as Brother Christensen did, you set aside time every day to find out for yourself if the Book of Mormon is a true book, for it will change your heart and change your life. If you seek this knowledge “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,” I promise that you will receive an answer. And once you know that the Book of Mormon is true, then it will follow that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. You will have that burning testimony and knowledge that this church is true. ^[4]

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "Native Americans are descended from an Israelite family which left Jerusalem in 600 B.C."

The Introduction to the Book of Mormon states:

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C. and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians. ^[5]

President Monson said that the Book of Mormon was true in May 2011:

What will protect you from the sin and evil around you? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior and of His gospel will help see you through to safety. If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it. I will not ask for a show of hands. If you do so prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Church is true. If you do not already have a testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. Once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through obedience to the commandments of God and through regular prayer and scripture study. - ^[6]

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed as martyrs in 1844 because they would not deny their testimony of the Book of Mormon"

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "The Illinois newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor had to be destroyed because it printed lies about Joseph Smith"

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "There was no death on this planet prior to 6,000 years ago"

It is claimed the President Monson does not believe that "All humans alive today are descended from just two people who lived approximately 6,000 years ago"

== Notes ==

1. [note] Introduction to the Pearl of Great Price, LDS.org off-site
2. [note] "Introduction," Book of Mormon, off-site
3. [note] Thomas S. Monson, "Testimony of Joseph Smith," LDS.org (September 11, 2013)
4. [note] Thomas S. Monson, Be A Light to the World," BYU Devotional Address, 1 November 2011.
5. [note] "Introduction," Book of Mormon, off-site
6. [note] "Priesthood Power," Ensign (May 2011). off-site