FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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A FAIR Analysis of: "Why People Leave the LDS Church" (2008) A work by author: John P. Dehlin
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"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was a pure, innocent boy.
- What the history/facts tell us: Joseph used a "magical peep stone" to help people find buried treasure.
Things to think about
Quotes to think about
Joseph Smith—History 28, Pearl of Great Price
I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God.
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith turned down alcohol in surgery
- What the history/facts tell us: Joseph drank beer and wine as an adult (his own journal)
Things to think about
- It is true that the story of Joseph's leg operation should not be used as a lesson on the Word of Wisdom.
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus
- What the history/facts tell us: First vision has multiple, and varied accounts (Pres. Hinckley)
Things to think about
- Joseph did see God and Jesus.
- Joseph's 1832 journal account of the First Vision is the only one that does not mention a second personage. The remainder of the "multiple, varied accounts" all claim that Joseph saw two personages.
Additional information
- Joseph's accounts of the First Vision—Joseph Smith gave several accounts of the First Vision. Critics charge that differences in the accounts show that he changed and embellished his story over time, and that he therefore had no such vision. (Link)
- Primary sources: First Vision accounts—We provide the text of all known accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision. (Link)
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon using the "Urim and Thummim"
- What the history/facts tell us:The same "peep stone" was used to translate the Book of Mormon—Stone in the hat, plates not in sight (Russell M. Nelson)
Things to think about
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith had one wife—Emma
- What the history/facts tell us: Joseph had 30 wives, some of them married to other men, several teenagers (familysearch.org)
Things to think about
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was falsely accused and persecuted
- What the history/facts tell us: [Joseph's use of a "magical peep stone"] was the reason for some of the early "trials" and court cases involving Joseph (Court records) Joseph denied polygamy publicly (Oaks)
Things to think about
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith went to the jail in Carthage like a "Lamb to the Slaughter"
- What the history/facts tell us: Exposure of polygamy and destruction of printing press led to martyrdom.
Things to think about
"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
- What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was 2nd to Jesus in Righteousness (no man has done more for the salvation of others except Jesus Christ)
Things to think about