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Criticism of Mormonism/Video/The God Makers/Cartoon: Difference between revisions
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The portrayal in the cartoon appears to be based upon statements made by early LDS leaders that have been removed from their context in order to falsely make it appear that a belief in Joseph Smith rather than Jesus Christ is the key to salvation.<ref>{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|title=Intelligence, Etc.|date=Oct. 9, 1859|vol=7|disc=45|start=289|end=289}} Brigham clearly states that Joseph Smith is responsible for this dispensation only: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of '''this last dispensation''', and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days...no man or woman '''in this dispensation''' will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. '''From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things''', every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are...He holds the keys of that kingdom for '''the last dispensation'''..." (emphasis added)</ref> | The portrayal in the cartoon appears to be based upon statements made by early LDS leaders that have been removed from their context in order to falsely make it appear that a belief in Joseph Smith rather than Jesus Christ is the key to salvation.<ref>{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|title=Intelligence, Etc.|date=Oct. 9, 1859|vol=7|disc=45|start=289|end=289}} Brigham clearly states that Joseph Smith is responsible for this dispensation only: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of '''this last dispensation''', and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days...no man or woman '''in this dispensation''' will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. '''From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things''', every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are...He holds the keys of that kingdom for '''the last dispensation'''..." (emphasis added)</ref> | ||
{{:Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief}} | |||
==Response to claim: Latter-day Saints are claimed to "expect to become polygamous gods in the Celestial kingdom, rule over other planets, and spawn new families throughout all eternity"== | ==Response to claim: Latter-day Saints are claimed to "expect to become polygamous gods in the Celestial kingdom, rule over other planets, and spawn new families throughout all eternity"== | ||
Revision as of 16:29, 5 July 2017
YouTube cartoon that was "banned by the Mormon Church"
A FAIR Analysis of: The God Makers, a work by author: Ed Decker
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Response to The God Makers cartoon segment
Jump to details:
Question: Is there a YouTube cartoon which was "banned by the Mormon church"?
The cartoon is an excerpt from the 1982 anti-Mormon film The God Makers
Some have seen a video circulating on the Internet that claims to be a cartoon which was banned by the Mormon church. Does this cartoon accurately represent the beliefs of the church?
The cartoon is an excerpt from the 1982 anti-Mormon film The God Makers. The cartoon takes elements of certain LDS beliefs and distorts them in an attempt to make them appear ridiculous. In some cases, the cartoon takes statements made by early church leaders and attempts to portray them as official church doctrine. For every point made, the cartoon attempts to convey its points using crude, offensive and mocking terms in order to shock the viewer.
"The film does not - in our opinion - fairly portray the Mormon Church, Mormon history, or Mormon belief"
The non-denomination National Council of Christians and Jews wrote:
The film does not - in our opinion - fairly portray the Mormon Church, Mormon history, or Mormon belief. It makes extensive use of "half-truth," faulty generalizations, erroneous interpretations, and sensationalism. It is not reflective of the genuine spirit of the Mormon faith.
We find particularly offensive the emphasis in the film that Mormonism is some sort of subversive plot - a danger to the community, a threat to the institution of marriage, and is destructive to the mental health of teenagers. All of our experience with our Mormon neighbors provides eloquent refutation of these charges.
We are of the opinion that The Godmakers relies heavily on appeals to fear, prejudice and other less worthy human emotions. We believe that continued use of this film poses genuine danger to the climate of good will and harmony which currently exists between…neighbors of differing faiths. It appears to us to be a basically unfair and untruthful presentation of what Mormons really believe and practice.
- — The National Council of Christians and Jews (see fulltext).
Claims made in the cartoon
Response to claim: "trillions of planets" are "ruled by countless gods who were once human like us"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that the Church teaches that "trillions of planets" are "ruled by countless gods who were once human like us."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: God the Father was born on a distant planet to an “unidentified god and one of his goddess wives"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Mormons believe that God the Father was born on a distant planet to an “unidentified god and one of his goddess wives," and that He was "later born to human parents" and "through obedience to Mormon teaching" that he was eventually "elevated to godhood."
FAIR's Response
Fact checking results: This claim contains propaganda - The author, or the author's source, is providing information or ideas in a slanted way in order to instill a particular attitude or response in the reader
This claim is designed to shock the viewer through the mention of plural wives in association with the Father. Many Latter-day Saints infer that because we, as children of God, now live as mortals in this world and have the potential to become gods through the atonement of Christ, that God the Father must have gone through a similar process to be where He is. Early leaders (including Joseph Smith) taught something to this effect. But... it's something about which we know very little, since nothing formal has been revealed to the Church and very little was explained by early leaders. Could it be so? Logically, yes, but we simply don't know very much about it. As far as we are concerned, God the Father has always been our God and always will be, and we leave it at that. Anything else is really just theological speculation—interesting, but not terribly important.
Response to claim: God the Father is claimed to live with his "many goddess wives on a planet near a mysterious star called Kolob"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
God the Father is claimed to live with his "many goddess wives on a planet near a mysterious star called Kolob."
FAIR's Response
Fact checking results: This claim contains propaganda - The author, or the author's source, is providing information or ideas in a slanted way in order to instill a particular attitude or response in the reader
No such thing is taught in Mormonism
Response to claim: “endless celestial sex” producing “billions of spirit children"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
”Goddess wives” are again mentioned with a reference to “endless celestial sex” producing “billions of spirit children.”
FAIR's Response
- This is again intended to shock the viewer by associating crude terminology with an alleged Mormon belief regarding the Father and the manner in which Jesus Christ was conceived.
- Jesus Christ/Conception
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Response to claim: "Lucifer and his brother Jesus"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film refers to "Lucifer and his brother Jesus."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: Lucifer's plan was to "force everyone to become gods"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that Lucifer's plan was to "force everyone to become gods."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: The “Mormon Jesus"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Jesus Christ is always referred to as the “Mormon Jesus."
FAIR's Response
This is done in order to drive home the idea that Mormons worship a different Jesus than the rest of Christianity.
Response to claim: Those who were neutral in the war in heaven were "cursed to be born with black skin"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that those who were neutral in the war in heaven were "cursed to be born with black skin." The cartoon illustrates this change in appearance.
FAIR's Response
Church leaders have stated explicitly that there were no “neutrals” in the war in heaven – if we received a body, we made the correct choice.[citation needed]
Response to claim: Those who "fought most valiantly" in the war in heaven were "born into Mormon families"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that those who "fought most valiantly" in the war in heaven were "born into Mormon families" and that they would be "lighter skinned people" or "white and delightsome."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: God the Father and "one of his goddess wives came to earth as Adam and Eve"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that "early Mormon prophets" taught that God the Father and "one of his goddess wives came to earth as Adam and Eve."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: God the Father came from “Starbase Kolob” to visit the Virgin Mary in order to "have sex with the virgin Mary, in order to provide Jesus with a physical body"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film again tries to crudely promote the idea that God the Father came from “Starbase Kolob” to visit the Virgin Mary in order to "have sex with the virgin Mary, in order to provide Jesus with a physical body." The cartoon shows God the Father walking through the streets and knocking on Mary's door.
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: Orson Pratt taught that Jesus "took at least three wives"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film notes that Orson Pratt taught that Jesus "took at least three wives: Mary, Martha and Mary Magdeline."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: In 421 AD, that the "dark skinned Indian Israelites" had destroyed "all of the white Nephites"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film claims that in 421 AD, that the "dark skinned Indian Israelites" had destroyed "all of the white Nephites."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: "a young treasure seeker named Joseph Smith, who was known for his tall tales"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film states that "a young treasure seeker named Joseph Smith, who was known for his tall tales" claimed to have found the gold plates.
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: Joseph is claimed to have organized the "Mormon Church, because all Christian creeds were an abomination"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Joseph is claimed to have organized the "Mormon Church, because all Christian creeds were an abomination."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: Latter-day Saints "hope to prove their worthiness and thus become gods"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Through "financial and moral requirements" and temple rituals, Latter-day Saints "hope to prove their worthiness and thus become gods."
FAIR's Response
Response to claim: Joseph Smith is depicted as sitting in judgment between the Father and the “Mormon Jesus"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Joseph Smith is depicted as sitting in judgment between the Father and the “Mormon Jesus," contrary to Latter-day Saint belief that Jesus Christ will be our final judge.
FAIR's Response
The portrayal in the cartoon appears to be based upon statements made by early LDS leaders that have been removed from their context in order to falsely make it appear that a belief in Joseph Smith rather than Jesus Christ is the key to salvation.[1]
Life and Character |
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Youth |
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Revelations and the Church |
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Prophetic Statements |
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Society |
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Plural marriage (polygamy) |
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Death |
Must Joseph Smith approve anyone who gets into heaven?
Critics claim that Joseph claimed to be the judge of who received salvation (or that later leaders claimed this for him).
As a result, some critics have even charged that "Mormons worship Joseph Smith."
Jesus is the judge
No mortal's role in the judgment supersedes the role given to Jesus, as the Book of Mormon bears witness: "The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name."(2 Nephi 9꞉41.)
Apostles have a role in judgment
Joseph's participation in the judgment (at the command and sufferance of Jesus) is no more or less than the role assigned to the Lord's apostles. At the Last Supper, Jesus taught that: "Ye [the apostles] are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."(Luke 22꞉28-30; see also Matthew 19꞉28.)
A similar promise to participate in the judgment of those among whom they were called to serve was given to the twelve Nephite Disciples (see 1 Nephi 12꞉9-10). This principle is also reiterated in modern revelation (see D&C 29꞉12).
Similarly, Brigham Young stated:
Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days...no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith.... I will now tell you something that ought to comfort every man and woman on the face of the earth. Joseph Smith, junior, will again be on this earth dictating plans and calling forth his brethren to be baptized for the very characters who wish this was not so, in order to bring them into a kingdom to enjoy...he will never cease his operations, under the directions of the Son of God, until the last ones of the children of men are saved that can be, from Adam till now.... It is his mission to see that all the children of men in this last dispensation are saved, that can be, through the redemption.[2]
Clearly, Joseph's role is to function under the "direction...of the Son of God," and the primary goal is the salvation of all who will accept any degree of Christ and Joseph's witness of Him.
Conclusion
Members of the Church reserve their worship for God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. They do not worship Joseph Smith or any other mortal. Joseph Smith's position is analogous to the role which Peter or Paul plays in traditional creedal Christianity.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated:
Salvation is in Christ. There is no other by whom it comes. He is the Redeemer of men and the Savior of the world. He alone worked out the infinite and eternal atonement whereby all men are raised in immortality while those who believe and obey are raised also unto eternal life. "Salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." None other has ever lived on earth, none other now lives among us, and none other will ever breathe the breath of life who can compare with him. None other, among all the billions of our Father's children, will ever deserve such eternal praise as all the hosts of heaven heap upon him. Yea, "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17-18.)
But Christ and his laws can be known only by revelation. His gospel must come from heaven or remain forever unknown. And his word must go forth by the mouths of his servants the prophets, or the message will never be heard. Christ calls prophets. They represent him. Their voice is his voice; their words are his words; and they say what he would say if he were personally present. "I am the vine, ye are the branches," he says to his legal representatives on earth. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5.)
And thus, for this dispensation of grace, we come to Joseph Smith. He was called of God to reveal anew the doctrines of salvation. He was called of God to stand as the Lord's legal administrator, dispensing salvation to all men—repeat: all men—in the last days. Christ is the True Vine; Joseph Smith is the chief branch for our day. Moroni told him that his "name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." (JS-H 1:33.) And as the Prophet, years later, suffered in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, for the testimony of Jesus and the love of the Lord that was his, the voice of the Lord comforted him with these words: "The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand." (D&C 122:1-2.)
And thus, all men—every living soul who has lived or shall live on earth between the spring of 1820 and that glorious future day when the Son of God shall return to reign personally on earth—all men in the latter days must turn to Joseph Smith to gain salvation. Why? The answer is clear and plain; let it be spoken with seven thunders. He alone can bring them the gospel; he alone can perform for them the ordinances of salvation and exaltation; he stands, as have all the prophets of all the ages in their times and seasons, in the place and stead of the Heavenly One in administering salvation to men on earth....
[335] We do not pretend to have authority and gospel knowledge because we read in holy writ that those anciently were so endowed. Ours is a modern commission; ours is a present-day power; the message we declare has been revealed anew to us. That it conforms to the ancient word is apparent, for it is the same gospel given again....
[338] The Lord sends men to match the message, and Joseph Smith, as a revealer of Christ and a restorer of eternal truth, has been the instrument in the hands of the Lord of preparing the way before him.[3]
Elder McConkie's intent is clear—salvation is only through Christ, and Christ can only be known through prophets, and only legal administrators can perform the necessary ordinances. Thus, to come to Christ, one must use what Joseph Smith offers. But, this is not to say that Joseph is the source of salvation, or that we must turn to Joseph in preference to Jesus. Joseph simply provides what we need so that we can completely turn to Jesus and receive all that He wishes to give us.
Critical sources |
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Notes
- ↑ Brigham Young, "Intelligence, Etc.," (Oct. 9, 1859) Journal of Discourses 7:289-289. Brigham clearly states that Joseph Smith is responsible for this dispensation only: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days...no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are...He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation..." (emphasis added)
- ↑ Brigham Young, "Intelligence, etc.," (9 October 1859) Journal of Discourses 7:289-289.
- ↑ Bruce R. McConkie, Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982), 333–335, 338.
Response to claim: Latter-day Saints are claimed to "expect to become polygamous gods in the Celestial kingdom, rule over other planets, and spawn new families throughout all eternity"
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
Latter-day Saints are claimed to "expect to become polygamous gods in the Celestial kingdom, rule over other planets, and spawn new families throughout all eternity."
FAIR's Response
Fact checking results: This claim contains propaganda - The author, or the author's source, is providing information or ideas in a slanted way in order to instill a particular attitude or response in the reader
No such thing is taught in Mormonism
Response to claim: Joseph Smith claimed that he did more for us than any other man, including Jesus Christ
The author(s) of The God Makers cartoon make(s) the following claim:
The film states that Joseph Smith claimed that he did more for us than any other man, including Jesus Christ, and that Joseph Smith shed his blood for us in order for us to become gods.
FAIR's Response
Fact checking results: This claim is false
This claim is nonsense. The implication is that Mormons worship Joseph Smith as their savior rather than Jesus Christ.
Book of Abraham Facsimile 2: The hypocephalus
Summary: The illustration represented by Facsimile 2 is a hypocephalus, a disc made of linen, papyrus, or bronze, covered with inscriptions and images which relate to one of the last spells in the Book of the Dead. Joseph Smith's notes to Facsimile 2 identify it as representing God sitting in the heavens among the stars and others of his creations.
Jump to details:
- Question: What is Book of Abraham Facsimile 2?
- Question: What is the light which comes from the presence of God?
- Question: Do the statements in the Book of Abraham regarding Kolob's revolution time make any sense?
- Question: Did Joseph Smith identify any elements of Facsimile 2 that are in agreement with what Egyptologists say they represent?
- Question: Were missing portions of Facsimile 2 incorrectly restored?
- Joseph Smith identified the ithyphallic Egyptian god "Min" as representing "God sitting upon his throne"
Notes