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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Becoming Gods/Chapter 1: Difference between revisions
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Joseph's family survived by "money digging." | Joseph's family survived by "money digging." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Money digging]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{CriticalWork:Persuitte:Origins|pages=35}} | *{{CriticalWork:Persuitte:Origins|pages=35}} | ||
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Joseph was adept at "occult ritual." | Joseph was adept at "occult ritual." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*No actual reference given by the author: The note simply says "Smith was well-known as a money-digger throughout western New York and northern Pennsylvania." | *No actual reference given by the author: The note simply says "Smith was well-known as a money-digger throughout western New York and northern Pennsylvania." | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
Joseph's neighbors thought that he was "an imposter, hypocrite and liar." | Joseph's neighbors thought that he was "an imposter, hypocrite and liar." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[The Hurlbut affidavits]] | *[[Specific works/The Hurlbut affidavits|The Hurlbut affidavits]] | ||
*[http://lightplanet.com/response/js-family.htm Lightplanet Response] | *[http://lightplanet.com/response/js-family.htm Lightplanet Response] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=17|pages=377, n8(PB)}} | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=17|pages=377, n8(PB)}} | ||
*[[Individual versus organizational | *[[Apostasy/Individual versus organizational]] {{nw}} | ||
*[[ | *[[First Vision/Contradiction about knowing all churches were wrong]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
| Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
Many Mormons believe that "their salvation, to a limited degree, rests upon Smith." | Many Mormons believe that "their salvation, to a limited degree, rests upon Smith." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*In a note on page 332, the author says "I do not mean to say the Mormons hold Joseph Smith on an equal par with Jesus Christ. Smith holds a place just below Christ." | *In a note on page 332, the author says "I do not mean to say the Mormons hold Joseph Smith on an equal par with Jesus Christ. Smith holds a place just below Christ." | ||
| Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{SourceDistortion}}: [[../Use of sources/Turn to Joseph to gain Salvation|Turn to Joseph to gain salvation?]] | *{{SourceDistortion}}: [[../Use of sources/Turn to Joseph to gain Salvation|Turn to Joseph to gain salvation?]] | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{MillennialMessiah1 |start=334}} | *{{MillennialMessiah1 |start=334}} | ||
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:In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. | :In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{Ensign1|author=Dallin Oaks|article=Joseph, the Man and the Prophet|date=May 1996|start=71}} {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=42e47cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1}} | *{{Ensign1|author=Dallin Oaks|article=Joseph, the Man and the Prophet|date=May 1996|start=71}} {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=42e47cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1}} | ||
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Joseph Smith was "harsh and violent." | Joseph Smith was "harsh and violent." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[ | *[[Joseph Smith/Personality and temperament]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
* {{SourceDistortion}}: Note that the author removes all the surrounding text which discusses Jesus Christ (italic text is quoted by author; bold for emphasis): | * {{SourceDistortion}}: Note that the author removes all the surrounding text which discusses Jesus Christ (italic text is quoted by author; bold for emphasis): | ||
:As one of the '''special witnesses of the Lord''', I desire to declare my testimony to you. I am grateful that I have always had a testimony of the gospel. I cannot remember when I did not believe. I have not always understood everything and do not claim to do so now, but through thousands and thousands of spiritual confirmations throughout my life, including my calling to the holy apostleship, I can declare my testimony to you that '''Jesus is the Christ. With every fiber and cell of my being, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer'''. I testify that Joseph Smith ''was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth'' and of great importance to the '''Savior in the work of God''' on the earth. I know this to be true. | :As one of the '''special witnesses of the Lord''', I desire to declare my testimony to you. I am grateful that I have always had a testimony of the gospel. I cannot remember when I did not believe. I have not always understood everything and do not claim to do so now, but through thousands and thousands of spiritual confirmations throughout my life, including my calling to the holy apostleship, I can declare my testimony to you that '''Jesus is the Christ. With every fiber and cell of my being, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer'''. I testify that Joseph Smith ''was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth'' and of great importance to the '''Savior in the work of God''' on the earth. I know this to be true. | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*James E. Faust, "The Importance of Bearing Testimony," ''Liahona'', Mar. 1997, p.3. {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=3063dbdcc370c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD}} | *James E. Faust, "The Importance of Bearing Testimony," ''Liahona'', Mar. 1997, p.3. {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=3063dbdcc370c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD}} | ||
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Joseph Smith may have been a "pious fraud," who believed that he had been called of God while perpetrating fraud. | Joseph Smith may have been a "pious fraud," who believed that he had been called of God while perpetrating fraud. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Psychobiographical analysis of | *[[Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of]] | ||
* This is the [[Logical_fallacies#Appeal_to_probability|fallacy of probability]] | * This is the [[Logical_fallacies#Appeal_to_probability|fallacy of probability]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
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Joseph Smith and other church leaders "often used deception to conceal their activities." | Joseph Smith and other church leaders "often used deception to conceal their activities." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[ | *[[Joseph Smith/Personality and temperament]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
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Polygamy was practiced in secret and denied publicly. | Polygamy was practiced in secret and denied publicly. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Polygamy]] | ||
* {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head08|Lying about polygamy?}} | * {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head08|Lying about polygamy?}} | ||
* {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head09|Lying in Nauvoo era?}} | * {{Offsite|http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head09|Lying in Nauvoo era?}} | ||
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Heber C. Kimball predicted that the world would someday see Joseph Smith as "a god." | Heber C. Kimball predicted that the world would someday see Joseph Smith as "a god." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief/Heber C. Kimball on Joseph as "a god"|Heber C. Kimball on Joseph as "a god"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Heber C. Kimball, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_5/Oneness_of_the_Priesthood,_etc. ''Journal of Discourses'', 5:88]. | *Heber C. Kimball, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_5/Oneness_of_the_Priesthood,_etc. ''Journal of Discourses'', 5:88]. | ||
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Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith. | Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief/Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith|Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Brigham Young | *{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|vol=8|disc=46|start=176}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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|response= | |response= | ||
* {{FalseStatement}} | * {{FalseStatement}} | ||
*[[First Vision | *[[First Vision/Accounts]] | ||
* Church publications have long described the multiple accounts of the First Vision: | * Church publications have long described the multiple accounts of the First Vision: | ||
**{{Ensign1|author=Milton V. Backman, Jr.|article=Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision|date=January 1985|start=8}}{{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1985.htm/ensign%20january%201985%20.htm/joseph%20smiths%20recitals%20of%20the%20first%20vision.htm}} | **{{Ensign1|author=Milton V. Backman, Jr.|article=Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision|date=January 1985|start=8}}{{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1985.htm/ensign%20january%201985%20.htm/joseph%20smiths%20recitals%20of%20the%20first%20vision.htm}} | ||
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The 1832 account of the First Vision states that Joseph was in his "sixteenth year," and that he "probably meant when he was 16 years old. | The 1832 account of the First Vision states that Joseph was in his "sixteenth year," and that he "probably meant when he was 16 years old. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Different age provided | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1832/Different age provided]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28 | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28 | ||
| Line 196: | Line 196: | ||
The 1832 account does not mention two personages. | The 1832 account does not mention two personages. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Only one Personage appears | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1832/Only one Personage appears]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28 | *Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28 | ||
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The 1832 account does not mention that "all the churches in Joseph's day were false." | The 1832 account does not mention that "all the churches in Joseph's day were false." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[1832 | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1832/Doesn't forbid joining a church]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28 | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:28 | ||
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Joseph claimed that he learned about the errors in Christendom through personal Bible study several years before the First Vision. | Joseph claimed that he learned about the errors in Christendom through personal Bible study several years before the First Vision. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[ | *[[First Vision/Contradiction about knowing all churches were wrong|Contradiction about knowing all churches were wrong?]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:27 | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', 1:27 | ||
| Line 223: | Line 223: | ||
Orson Pratt said that the two personages "declared themselves to be angels." | Orson Pratt said that the two personages "declared themselves to be angels." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Orson Pratt confused about "angel" or Father-Son]] | *[[First Vision/Accounts/Orson Pratt confused about "angel" or Father-Son]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Pratt in "Biography and Journal of William I. Appleby, Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints," 1848 reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, pp. 146-147. | *Pratt in "Biography and Journal of William I. Appleby, Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints," 1848 reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, pp. 146-147. | ||
| Line 232: | Line 232: | ||
Church historian Andrew Jenson said that "The angel again forbade Joseph to join any of these churches." | Church historian Andrew Jenson said that "The angel again forbade Joseph to join any of these churches." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Andrew Jenson called personage an "angel"]] | *[[First Vision/Accounts/Andrew Jenson called personage an "angel"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Andrew Jenson, "Joseph Smith, The Prophet," Jan. 1888, vol. 3, nos. 1-3, p. 355. | *Andrew Jenson, "Joseph Smith, The Prophet," Jan. 1888, vol. 3, nos. 1-3, p. 355. | ||
| Line 241: | Line 241: | ||
Joseph dictated the 1838 account of the First Vision to counter the leadership crisis in Kirtland. | Joseph dictated the 1838 account of the First Vision to counter the leadership crisis in Kirtland. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[1838 | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1838/Account modified to offset leadership crisis]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
| Line 250: | Line 250: | ||
The visit of Moroni was confused with the First Vision, and "was probably the real first vision." | The visit of Moroni was confused with the First Vision, and "was probably the real first vision." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[First Vision | *[[First Vision/Fabricated to give "Godly authority"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
| Line 259: | Line 259: | ||
"Not a single piece" of literature published in the 1830's mentions a visit by the Father and the Son. | "Not a single piece" of literature published in the 1830's mentions a visit by the Father and the Son. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications | *[[First Vision/No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* No source provided. | * No source provided. | ||
| Line 268: | Line 268: | ||
Joseph's mother said that the First Vision was of an angel. | Joseph's mother said that the First Vision was of an angel. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Prophet's mother said First Vision was of an "angel"]] | *[[First Vision/Accounts/Prophet's mother said First Vision was of an "angel"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Lucy Mack Smith, letter to Solomon Mack Jr., Jan. 6, 1831, reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 216. | *Lucy Mack Smith, letter to Solomon Mack Jr., Jan. 6, 1831, reprinted in Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 216. | ||
| Line 277: | Line 277: | ||
Joseph privately began reworking the story of seeing an angel into a vision of Christ. | Joseph privately began reworking the story of seeing an angel into a vision of Christ. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35]] | *[[First Vision/Accounts/Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 77-80. | *Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 77-80. | ||
| Line 286: | Line 286: | ||
Without "Mormonism's so-called" Melchizedek Priesthood, no man can see God and live. | Without "Mormonism's so-called" Melchizedek Priesthood, no man can see God and live. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[ | *[[First Vision/Doctrine and Covenants 84 says God not seen without priesthood]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{s||DC|84|21-22}} | *{{s||DC|84|21-22}} | ||
| Line 295: | Line 295: | ||
Nobody knows "when or how" the Joseph received the Melchizedek Priesthood. | Nobody knows "when or how" the Joseph received the Melchizedek Priesthood. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Date | *[[Priesthood/Restoration/Melchizedek/Date]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Online reference to anti-Mormon site "lds-mormon.com" | *Online reference to anti-Mormon site "lds-mormon.com" | ||
| Line 304: | Line 304: | ||
Joseph "had to backdate" the First Vision to 1820 in response to a leadership crisis. | Joseph "had to backdate" the First Vision to 1820 in response to a leadership crisis. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[1838 | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1838/Account modified to offset leadership crisis]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=251}} | *{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=251}} | ||
| Line 313: | Line 313: | ||
The First Vision originally stated that the personages were angels. | The First Vision originally stated that the personages were angels. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[ | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1835/Mentions "Angels"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*William Smith, Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 495. | *William Smith, Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 495. | ||
*George A. Smith | *George A. Smith | ||
*Lucy Smith | *Lucy Smith | ||
*Brigham Young | *{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|vol=2|disc=31|start=171}} | ||
*John Taylor, ''Journal of Discourses'' vol. ?, p. 167. | *John Taylor, ''Journal of Discourses'' vol. ?, p. 167. | ||
*Heber C. Kimball | *{{JDfairwiki|author=Heber C. Kimball|vol=6|disc=4|start=29]. | ||
}} | }} | ||
====35==== | ====35==== | ||
| Line 328: | Line 328: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
* {{HistoricalError}} | * {{HistoricalError}} | ||
*[[Religious revivals in 1820]] | *[[First Vision/Religious revivals in 1820]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 42. | *Oliver Cowdery, ''Messenger and Advocate'', Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 42. | ||
| Line 339: | Line 339: | ||
*Joseph is claimed to have become an "exhorter" for the Methodists after his First Vision. | *Joseph is claimed to have become an "exhorter" for the Methodists after his First Vision. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith joined other churches]] | *[[First Vision/Joseph Smith joined other churches]] | ||
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=1|pages=18, 487n62-63 (PB)}} | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=1|pages=18, 487n62-63 (PB)}} | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
| Line 353: | Line 353: | ||
Newspapers reported in 1829 that Joseph Smith had a dream in 1827 about a spirit visiting him three times in one night. | Newspapers reported in 1829 that Joseph Smith had a dream in 1827 about a spirit visiting him three times in one night. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
* [[Joseph reported "a spirit" visiting in him in 1827]] | * [[Moroni's visit/Joseph reported "a spirit" visiting in him in 1827]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*From the 'Palmyra Freeman: Golden Bible, ''Niagara Courier'', Aug. 27, 1829, vol. 2, no. 18. | *From the 'Palmyra Freeman: Golden Bible, ''Niagara Courier'', Aug. 27, 1829, vol. 2, no. 18. | ||
| Line 379: | Line 379: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
* {{Prejudicial}} | * {{Prejudicial}} | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Lance S. Owens, "Joseph Smith: America's Hermetic Prophet," ''Gnosis'', Spring 1995, no. 35, p. 60 | *Lance S. Owens, "Joseph Smith: America's Hermetic Prophet," ''Gnosis'', Spring 1995, no. 35, p. 60 | ||
| Line 388: | Line 388: | ||
Early Mormons believed in "witchcraft." | Early Mormons believed in "witchcraft." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Early members believed in "witchcraft"]] | ||
*{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything--> | *{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything--> | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
| Line 399: | Line 399: | ||
Joseph's mother talked about "magic circles" and the "faculty of Abrac." | Joseph's mother talked about "magic circles" and the "faculty of Abrac." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"]] | ||
*{{FR-12-2-16}} | *{{FR-12-2-16}} | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
| Line 409: | Line 409: | ||
Joseph's family had a "magick dagger" that was owned by Hyrum Smith. | Joseph's family had a "magick dagger" that was owned by Hyrum Smith. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Mars dagger]] | ||
*{{FR-12-2-16}} | *{{FR-12-2-16}} | ||
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}} | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}} | ||
| Line 421: | Line 421: | ||
Joseph's family had "three magick parchments." One of these was owned by Hyrum Smith. | Joseph's family had "three magick parchments." One of these was owned by Hyrum Smith. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Magick parchments]] | ||
*{{FR-12-2-16}} | *{{FR-12-2-16}} | ||
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89-90, 519n53-57}} | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89-90, 519n53-57}} | ||
| Line 435: | Line 435: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
* {{FalseStatement}}: there is no contemporary evidence that the talisman was on Joseph when he died. | * {{FalseStatement}}: there is no contemporary evidence that the talisman was on Joseph when he died. | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and Jupiter talisman]] | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Jupiter talisman]] | ||
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}} | *{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=5|pages=89}} | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
| Line 446: | Line 446: | ||
"Researchers of Mormonism" now believe that Joseph was influenced by "Jewish kabbalism." | "Researchers of Mormonism" now believe that Joseph was influenced by "Jewish kabbalism." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Kabbalah influence]] | ||
*{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything--> | *{{FR-8-2-12}}<!--Everything is everything--> | ||
*{{FR-6-2-3}} <!--Refiner's fire--> | *{{FR-6-2-3}} <!--Refiner's fire--> | ||
| Line 469: | Line 469: | ||
Joseph was arrested in 1826 for being a "disorderly person and an imposter." | Joseph was arrested in 1826 for being a "disorderly person and an imposter." | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Legal trials/1826 glasslooking trial]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, "Rethinking the 1826 Judicial Decision," Mormon Scripture Studies: An E-Journal of Critical Thought. | *Dan Vogel, "Rethinking the 1826 Judicial Decision," Mormon Scripture Studies: An E-Journal of Critical Thought. | ||
| Line 481: | Line 481: | ||
* {{SourceDistortion}}: in the quoted article, Martin Harris reported that Joseph had told him that the angel Moroni instructed him "...he must quit the company of the money-diggers. That there were wicked men among them. He must have no more to do with them."{{ref|katich.1}} | * {{SourceDistortion}}: in the quoted article, Martin Harris reported that Joseph had told him that the angel Moroni instructed him "...he must quit the company of the money-diggers. That there were wicked men among them. He must have no more to do with them."{{ref|katich.1}} | ||
* In Joseph's time and place, there was nothing shameful or disgraceful about money digging ''per se''—it was the fact that some were wicked that was the problem. | * In Joseph's time and place, there was nothing shameful or disgraceful about money digging ''per se''—it was the fact that some were wicked that was the problem. | ||
* [[Joseph Smith | * [[Joseph Smith/Money digging]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Sam Katich, "Joseph Smith," {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/morm201/m20117b.html}} | *Sam Katich, "Joseph Smith," {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/morm201/m20117b.html}} | ||
| Line 501: | Line 501: | ||
There is no evidence that Joseph Smith was "persecuted" for telling the story of his vision between 1820 and 1824. | There is no evidence that Joseph Smith was "persecuted" for telling the story of his vision between 1820 and 1824. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[1832 | *[[First Vision/Accounts/1832/Doesn't mention persecution]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 29, 46-47. | *Dan Vogel, ''Early Mormon Documents'', vol. 1, p. 29, 46-47. | ||
| Line 512: | Line 512: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
* Modern scholars disagree with the author's resolution, and the rule which he appeals to is broken by the NT text more than it is observed. Even Acts violates the author's claimed 'solution' three times! | * Modern scholars disagree with the author's resolution, and the rule which he appeals to is broken by the NT text more than it is observed. Even Acts violates the author's claimed 'solution' three times! | ||
** [[ | ** [[First Vision/Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts|Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*W.E. Vine, ''Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words'', p. 544. | *W.E. Vine, ''Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words'', p. 544. | ||
| Line 523: | Line 523: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{SecondaryFact}} | *{{SecondaryFact}} | ||
*[[Psychobiographical analysis of | *[[Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}} | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}} | ||
| Line 533: | Line 533: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{SecondaryFact}} | *{{SecondaryFact}} | ||
*{{FalseStatement}}: elements of the First Vision was being taught by LDS missionaries in 1830 (see [[ | *{{FalseStatement}}: elements of the First Vision was being taught by LDS missionaries in 1830 (see [[First Vision/No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications]]). | ||
*[[Psychobiographical analysis of | *[[Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}} | *{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=25}} | ||
| Line 544: | Line 544: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{HistoricalError}}: The note simply mentions that seer stones continued to be used after the Church was organized in 1830—a fact that could be easily deduced from reading the Doctrine and Covenants. | *{{HistoricalError}}: The note simply mentions that seer stones continued to be used after the Church was organized in 1830—a fact that could be easily deduced from reading the Doctrine and Covenants. | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Seer stones]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*No specific reference is provided. | *No specific reference is provided. | ||
| Line 577: | Line 577: | ||
Joseph received a revelation praising Oliver's gift of using his divining talents. | Joseph received a revelation praising Oliver's gift of using his divining talents. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"]] | *[[Doctrine and Covenants/Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
* {{attn}} | * {{attn}} | ||
| Line 587: | Line 587: | ||
Joseph continued to discover and use new seer stones. | Joseph continued to discover and use new seer stones. | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*[[Joseph Smith | *[[Joseph Smith/Seer stones]] {{nw}} | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=200}} | *{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=200}} | ||
| Line 597: | Line 597: | ||
|response= | |response= | ||
*{{Prejudicial}} | *{{Prejudicial}} | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Author's conclusion. | *Author's conclusion. | ||
| Line 609: | Line 609: | ||
* {{Absurd}} | * {{Absurd}} | ||
*{{Prejudicial}} | *{{Prejudicial}} | ||
*[[Joseph Smith and | *[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic]] | ||
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
*Author's conclusion. | *Author's conclusion. | ||
Revision as of 06:47, 22 February 2010
| Preface | A FAIR Analysis of: Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism A work by author: Richard Abanes
|
Chapter 2 |
Claims made in "Chapter 1: God's Latter-Day Prophet"
24
Claim
Joseph's family survived by "money digging."
Author's source(s)
- David Persuitte, Joseph Smith and the Origins of The Book of Mormon (2nd edition), (McFarland & Company, October 2000), 35 ( Index of claims )
Response
24
Claim
Joseph was adept at "occult ritual."
Author's source(s)
- No actual reference given by the author: The note simply says "Smith was well-known as a money-digger throughout western New York and northern Pennsylvania."
Response
24
Claim
Joseph's neighbors thought that he was "an imposter, hypocrite and liar."
Author's source(s)
- Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, OH, 1834). (Affidavits examined)
Response
26
Claim
During the First Vision, Joseph was told that "all Christian creeds" were an abomination and that "all Christian teachers" were corrupt.
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
- This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 377, n8(PB)
- Apostasy/Individual versus organizational [needs work]
- First Vision/Contradiction about knowing all churches were wrong
26
Claim
Many Mormons believe that "their salvation, to a limited degree, rests upon Smith."
Author's source(s)
- In a note on page 332, the author says "I do not mean to say the Mormons hold Joseph Smith on an equal par with Jesus Christ. Smith holds a place just below Christ."
- Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Case Against Mormonism, 2 vols., (Salt Lake City, 1967), vol. 1, p. 75.
- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, p. 302
Response
26
Claim
Bruce R. McConkie said that "we must turn to Joseph Smith to gain salvation."
Author's source(s)
- Bruce R. McConkie, Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982), 334. ISBN 0877478961. GL direct link
Response
- Misrepresentation of source: Turn to Joseph to gain salvation?
- Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief
26
Claim
Dallin Oaks said that "I have built my life on the testimony and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith."
Author's source(s)
- Dallin Oaks, "Joseph, the Man and the Prophet," Ensign (May 1996): 71. off-site
Response
- Misrepresentation of source: The author omits Elder Oaks' very next words:
- In all of my reading and original research, I have never been dissuaded from my testimony of his prophetic calling and of the gospel and priesthood restoration the Lord initiated through him. I solemnly affirm the testimony Joseph Smith expressed in the famous Wentworth letter of 1842:
- “… The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (Times and Seasons, 1 March 1842, 709; quoted in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 4:1754).
- In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
27
Claim
Joseph Smith was "harsh and violent."
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
27
Claim
James E. Faust said that Joseph Smith "was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth."
Author's source(s)
- James E. Faust, "The Importance of Bearing Testimony," Liahona, Mar. 1997, p.3. off-site
Response
- Misrepresentation of source: Note that the author removes all the surrounding text which discusses Jesus Christ (italic text is quoted by author; bold for emphasis):
- As one of the special witnesses of the Lord, I desire to declare my testimony to you. I am grateful that I have always had a testimony of the gospel. I cannot remember when I did not believe. I have not always understood everything and do not claim to do so now, but through thousands and thousands of spiritual confirmations throughout my life, including my calling to the holy apostleship, I can declare my testimony to you that Jesus is the Christ. With every fiber and cell of my being, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I testify that Joseph Smith was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth and of great importance to the Savior in the work of God on the earth. I know this to be true.
28
Claim
Joseph Smith may have been a "pious fraud," who believed that he had been called of God while perpetrating fraud.
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel in Waterman, p. 50
Response
28
Claim
Joseph Smith and other church leaders "often used deception to conceal their activities."
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
28
Claim
Polygamy was practiced in secret and denied publicly.
Author's source(s)
- Times and Seasons, Mar 15, 1843, vol. 4, no. 9, p. 143
Response
- Joseph Smith/Polygamy
- Lying about polygamy? (non-wiki)
- Lying in Nauvoo era? (non-wiki)
28
Claim
Heber C. Kimball predicted that the world would someday see Joseph Smith as "a god."
Author's source(s)
- Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 5:88.
Response
28
Claim
Brigham Young applied 1 John 4:3 to Joseph Smith.
Author's source(s)
- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:176.
Response
29
Claim
LDS claim that Joseph Smith "told but one" First Vision.
Author's source(s)
- Preston Nibley, Joseph Smith the Prophet (SLC: Deseret News, 1944), p. 30.
Response
- The author's claim is false
- First Vision/Accounts
- Church publications have long described the multiple accounts of the First Vision:
- Milton V. Backman, Jr., "Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision," Ensign (January 1985): 8.off-site
- Dean C. Jessee, "Early Accounts of Joseph Smith (1831–1839)," Brigham Young University Studies 9 no. 3 (1969), 275–294. PDF link
- Dean C. Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, revised edition, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 2002), 9–20.
30
Claim
The 1832 account of the First Vision states that Joseph was in his "sixteenth year," and that he "probably meant when he was 16 years old.
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28
Response
30
Claim
The 1832 account does not mention two personages.
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28
Response
30
Claim
The 1832 account does not mention that "all the churches in Joseph's day were false."
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:28
Response
31
Claim
Joseph claimed that he learned about the errors in Christendom through personal Bible study several years before the First Vision.
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:27
Response
31
Claim
Orson Pratt said that the two personages "declared themselves to be angels."
Author's source(s)
- Pratt in "Biography and Journal of William I. Appleby, Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints," 1848 reprinted in Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, vol. 1, pp. 146-147.
Response
31
Claim
Church historian Andrew Jenson said that "The angel again forbade Joseph to join any of these churches."
Author's source(s)
- Andrew Jenson, "Joseph Smith, The Prophet," Jan. 1888, vol. 3, nos. 1-3, p. 355.
Response
31
Claim
Joseph dictated the 1838 account of the First Vision to counter the leadership crisis in Kirtland.
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
31
Claim
The visit of Moroni was confused with the First Vision, and "was probably the real first vision."
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
34
Claim
"Not a single piece" of literature published in the 1830's mentions a visit by the Father and the Son.
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
34
Claim
Joseph's mother said that the First Vision was of an angel.
Author's source(s)
- Lucy Mack Smith, letter to Solomon Mack Jr., Jan. 6, 1831, reprinted in Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, vol. 1, p. 216.
Response
34
Claim
Joseph privately began reworking the story of seeing an angel into a vision of Christ.
Author's source(s)
- Oliver Cowdery, Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 77-80.
Response
34
Claim
Without "Mormonism's so-called" Melchizedek Priesthood, no man can see God and live.
Author's source(s)
Response
34
Claim
Nobody knows "when or how" the Joseph received the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Author's source(s)
- Online reference to anti-Mormon site "lds-mormon.com"
Response
34
Claim
Joseph "had to backdate" the First Vision to 1820 in response to a leadership crisis.
Author's source(s)
- Grant H. Palmer, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2002) 251. ( Index of claims )
Response
35
{{IndexClaim |claim= The First Vision originally stated that the personages were angels. |response=
|authorsources=
- William Smith, Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, vol. 1, p. 495.
- George A. Smith
- Lucy Smith
- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 2:171.
- John Taylor, Journal of Discourses vol. ?, p. 167.
- Heber C. Kimball, [[Journal of Discourses/6/4#29].|Journal of Discourses 6:29].]].
35
Claim
There was no 1820 revival in Palmyra that converted "great multitudes" of people.
Author's source(s)
- Oliver Cowdery, Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 42.
Response
- History unclear or in error
- First Vision/Religious revivals in 1820
35, 342n78, 348n130
Claim
- Joseph Smith is claimed to have joined other churches after having been told that churches were wrong.
- Joseph is claimed to have become a member of the Baptist Church after his First Vision.
- Joseph is claimed to have become an "exhorter" for the Methodists after his First Vision.
Author's source(s)
- Fayette Lapham, "Interview," pp. 305-306, reprinted in Vogel, Early Mormon Documents 1:458.
- Mitchell Bronk, "The Baptist Church at Manchester," The Chronicle: A Baptist Historical Quarterly [January 1948], vol. 11, pp. 23-24.
- Orasmus Turner, Lockport Daily Courier, May 5, 1854.
- Sophia Lewis, Susquehanna Register, May 1, 1834 reprinted in Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, OH, 1834), 269. (Affidavits examined)
Response
- First Vision/Joseph Smith joined other churches
- This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 18, 487n62-63 (PB)
35, 342n79-80
Claim
Newspapers reported in 1829 that Joseph Smith had a dream in 1827 about a spirit visiting him three times in one night.
Author's source(s)
- From the 'Palmyra Freeman: Golden Bible, Niagara Courier, Aug. 27, 1829, vol. 2, no. 18.
- "The Gold Bible," Rochester Advertiser and Telegraph, Aug. 31, 1829.
Response
35-36, 343n83
Claim
Joseph Smiths First Vision may have been a dream of a "bloody ghost dressed as a Spaniard.
Author's source(s)
- Hiel Lewis, letter to James T. Cobb, Amboy Journal, Apr. 30, 1879, reprinted in Wyl, pp. 79-80
- Fayette Lapham [May 1870], in Dan Vogel (editor), Early Mormon Documents (Salt Lake City, Signature Books, 1996–2003), 5 vols, 1:459.
- Citation error: the reference to the dream and bloody clothes is on p. 458.
Response
- These supposed "early" accounts comes from hostile statements made forty to fifty years later!
- The 1870 account from Lapham says only that "a man" with "bloody clothes" appeared in a dream. (He also says this is what Joseph Jr. told his father, so this is hearsay.)
- Mark Ashurst-McGee, "Moroni as Angel and as Treasure Guardian," FARMS Review 18/1 (2006): 34–100. [{{{url}}} off-site] wiki
- Larry E. Morris, "'I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God’: Joseph Smith’s Account of the Angel and the Plates (Review of: "From Captain Kidd’s Treasure Ghost to the Angel Moroni: Changing Dramatis Personae in Early Mormonism")," FARMS Review 17/1 (2005): 11–82. off-site
36, 343n85
Claim
Joseph Smith was an "occultist."
Author's source(s)
- Lance S. Owens, "Joseph Smith: America's Hermetic Prophet," Gnosis, Spring 1995, no. 35, p. 60
Response
- Prejudicial or loaded language
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic
36
Claim
Early Mormons believed in "witchcraft."
Author's source(s)
- John L. Brooke, The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844, pp. 71-72.
Response
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Early members believed in "witchcraft"
- William J. Hamblin, "'Everything Is Everything': Was Joseph Smith Influenced by Kabbalah? Review of Joseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection by Lance S. Owens," FARMS Review of Books 8/2 (1996): 251–325. off-site
36
Claim
Joseph's mother talked about "magic circles" and the "faculty of Abrac."
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, vol. 1, p. 285.
Response
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"
- William J. Hamblin, "That Old Black Magic (Review of Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, by D. Michael Quinn)," FARMS Review of Books 12/2 (2000): 225–394. [{{{url}}} off-site]
37, 344n93
Claim
Joseph's family had a "magick dagger" that was owned by Hyrum Smith.
Author's source(s)
- No source given.
- The endnote describes the dagger and its alleged importance to Joseph without acknowledging the source of the information.
Response
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Mars dagger
- William J. Hamblin, "That Old Black Magic (Review of Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, by D. Michael Quinn)," FARMS Review of Books 12/2 (2000): 225–394. [{{{url}}} off-site]
- This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 89
37, 344n94
Claim
Joseph's family had "three magick parchments." One of these was owned by Hyrum Smith.
Author's source(s)
- No source given.
- The endnote mentions the ""Holiness to the Lord,"" the ""Saint Peter Bind Them,"" and the ""Jehovah, Jehovah, Jehovah"" parchments without showing how they are related to the Smith family.
- An indirect reference is made to the book Occult Sciences."
Response
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Magick parchments
- William J. Hamblin, "That Old Black Magic (Review of Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, by D. Michael Quinn)," FARMS Review of Books 12/2 (2000): 225–394. [{{{url}}} off-site]
- This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 89-90, 519n53-57
37, 344n95
Claim
Joseph had a "Jupiter talisman" with him the day he died.
Author's source(s)
- No source given.
- The endnote simply states the date of Joseph's death.
Response
- The author's claim is false: there is no contemporary evidence that the talisman was on Joseph when he died.
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Jupiter talisman
- This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 89
38
Claim
"Researchers of Mormonism" now believe that Joseph was influenced by "Jewish kabbalism."
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Kabbalah influence
- William J. Hamblin, "'Everything Is Everything': Was Joseph Smith Influenced by Kabbalah? Review of Joseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection by Lance S. Owens," FARMS Review of Books 8/2 (1996): 251–325. off-site
- William J. Hamblin, Daniel C. Peterson, and George L. Mitton, "Mormon in the Fiery Furnace Or, Loftes Tryk Goes to Cambridge] (Review of The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844 by John L. Brooke)," FARMS Review of Books 6/2 (1994): 3–58. off-site
38
Claim
Joseph considered the date April 6th to have "astrological significance."
Author's source(s)
- D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998), 76-79, 278-280 ( Index of claims )
Response
- The author provides no evidence for what Joseph believed about April 6.
- He fails to mention the one bit of evidence that we do have for what Joseph may have thought: DC 20꞉1 suggests that April 6 was seen as the date of Christ's birth.[1] The author fails to cite D&C 20.
38-39, 346 n. 104-109
Claim
Joseph was arrested in 1826 for being a "disorderly person and an imposter."
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, "Rethinking the 1826 Judicial Decision," Mormon Scripture Studies: An E-Journal of Critical Thought.
Response
39
Claim
No "statements of repentance by Smith" for money digging have ever been found.
Author's source(s)
- Sam Katich, "Joseph Smith," FAIR link
Response
- The author's claim is false
- Misrepresentation of source: in the quoted article, Martin Harris reported that Joseph had told him that the angel Moroni instructed him "...he must quit the company of the money-diggers. That there were wicked men among them. He must have no more to do with them."[2]
- In Joseph's time and place, there was nothing shameful or disgraceful about money digging per se—it was the fact that some were wicked that was the problem.
- Joseph Smith/Money digging
40, 348n123
Claim
Gordon B. Hinckley cited false documentation to support the story of an 1820 revival.
Author's source(s)
- Gordon B. Hinckley, Truth Restored, pp. 1-2.
Response
42, 349n126
Claim
There is no evidence that Joseph Smith was "persecuted" for telling the story of his vision between 1820 and 1824.
Author's source(s)
- Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, vol. 1, p. 29, 46-47.
Response
42, 43 (sidebar)
Claim
Contradictions in the stories of Paul's vision were "long ago resolved by scholars analyzing the Greek texts. The discrepancies in Paul's account involve modern ignorance of the Greek wording used."
Author's source(s)
- W.E. Vine, Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 544.
Response
- Modern scholars disagree with the author's resolution, and the rule which he appeals to is broken by the NT text more than it is observed. Even Acts violates the author's claimed 'solution' three times!
42
Claim
Brodie's idea that the First Vision may have been "the elaboration of some half-remembered dream stimulated by the early revival excitement" is a satisfactory way to "explain things."
Author's source(s)
- Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 25. ( Index of claims )
Response
- Quotes another author's opinion as if it were fact
- Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of
44
Claim
Brodie's idea that the First Vision may have been "created some time after 1830 when the need arose for a magnificent tradition to cancel out the stories of his fortune-telling and money-digging" "further weakens" Mormon claims.
Author's source(s)
- Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 25. ( Index of claims )
Response
- Quotes another author's opinion as if it were fact
- The author's claim is false: elements of the First Vision was being taught by LDS missionaries in 1830 (see First Vision/No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications).
- Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of
45, 351 n. 144
Claim
Joseph "continued practicing magick, divination, astrology, and soothsaying long after the LDS Church was founded in 1830."
Author's source(s)
- No specific reference is provided.
Response
- History unclear or in error: The note simply mentions that seer stones continued to be used after the Church was organized in 1830—a fact that could be easily deduced from reading the Doctrine and Covenants.
- Joseph Smith/Seer stones
46
Claim
Brigham Young used Oliver Cowdery's divining rod to point out the location where the temple would be built in Salt Lake City.
Author's source(s)
- Anthon H. Lund Journal, under July 5, 1901.
- "The Psychological Needs of Mormon Women," Sunstone, volume 6, number 2, page 67.
- D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998), 206 ( Index of claims )
Response
46
Claim
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball were given divining rods by Joseph Smith.
Author's source(s)
- Anthon H. Lund Journal, under July 5, 1901.
- "The Psychological Needs of Mormon Women," Sunstone, volume 6, number 2, page 67.
- D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998), 206 ( Index of claims )
Response
46
Claim
Joseph received a revelation praising Oliver's gift of using his divining talents.
Author's source(s)
- [ATTENTION!]
Response
48
Claim
Joseph continued to discover and use new seer stones.
Author's source(s)
- D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, revised and enlarged edition, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998), 200 ( Index of claims )
Response
48
Claim
Joseph "never stopped being" an occultist.
Author's source(s)
- Author's conclusion.
Response
- Prejudicial or loaded language
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic
49
Claim
The activities of Joseph's family may have been "satanic."
Author's source(s)
- Author's conclusion.
Response
- Absurd claim
- Prejudicial or loaded language
- Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic
Endnotes
- [note] John Franklin Hall, "April 6," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow, (New York, Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 1:61–62.
- [note] Katich cites Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism (Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press; Reprint edition, 1987), 74. ISBN 0252060121.