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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Index
Index to claims made in The Changing World of Mormonism
This is an index of claims made in this work with links to corresponding responses within the FAIRwiki.
Claims made in Chapter 1: A Marvelous Work?
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Joseph Smith stated that the final battle in the Book of Mormon was fought in New York. | Book of Mormon geography—New World—The Hill Cumorah |
|
| 21 | Bruce R. McConkie said that Brigham Young stated that there was a cave in the Hill Cumorah that was full of records. | Archaeology and the Hill Cumorah—Is there a cave in the Hill Cumorah containing the Nephite records? |
|
| 22 | Joseph Smith found a seer stone while digging a well | Joseph Smith and seer stones | |
| 22 | Mormon leaders taught that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County | Garden of Eden in Missouri? |
|
| 22 | A remnant of Adam's altar remained in Missouri. | Garden of Eden in Missouri?—Adam-ondi-Ahman |
|
| 23 | Joseph Smith described the inhabitants of the moon | Joseph Smith and moonmen |
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| 25 | Brigham Young taught that the moon and sun were inhabited | Brigham Young and moonmen | |
| 27 | Orson Pratt preached against the Catholic Church | Great and abominable church |
|
| 27 | John Taylor taught that "we are the saviors of the world." | ||
| 27 | Joseph Fielding Smith taught that Mormons are "the best people in the world." | ||
| 27 | Brigham Young claimed that every person that does not confess that Joseph Smith was a prophet is "anti-Christ." | Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief |
|
| 27 | Joseph Fielding Smith taught that there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. | Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief |
Claims made in Chapter 2: Change, Censorship and Suppression
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | John Taylor said that we are not ashamed of polygamy. | Joseph Smith and polygamy |
|
| 29 | Brigham Young said the the only men who become gods are those who enter into polygamy. | The only men who become gods are those that practice polygamy? |
|
| 29 | Bruce R. McConkie said that plural marriage is not essential to salvation or exaltation. | Polygamy a requirement for exaltation |
|
| 31 | Joseph Smith drank beer despite having received the Word of Wisdom. | Word of Wisdom |
|
| 33 | Joseph encouraged others to break the Word of Wisdom by drinking whiskey | Word of Wisdom |
|
| 33 | Joseph asked for a pipe and tobacco to settle Willard Richards' stomach. | Word of Wisdom |
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| 34 | Brigham Young ordered the destruction of Lucy Mack Smith's history Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith published by Orson Pratt in 1853. | Censorship and revision of LDS history |
|
Claims made in Chapter 3: Changes in Revelations
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Revelations have been modified after they have been received. | Doctrine and Covenants textual changes | |
| 39 | Joseph Fielding Smith said that there was no need for "eliminating, changing or adjusting" the revelations. | Doctrine and Covenants textual changes | |
| 45 | Joseph Smith was not supposed to do any translating beyond the Book of Mormon, as shown in Book of Commandments 4:2. Changed in D&C 5:4. | Doctrine and Covenants textual changes—Added material or expansions |
|
| 47 | Joseph Smith translated a parchment written by the Apostle John. Mormon writers cannot explain why this revelation was changed. | Doctrine and Covenants textual changes—Added material or expansions |
|
| 62 | The Lectures on Faith were removed from the D&C | Lectures on Faith removed from Doctrine and Covenants | |
| 62 | Few Mormon writers will admit to changes in the D&C | Doctrine and Covenants textual changes—Changes were not hidden from the Church |
Claims made in Chapter 4: Joseph Smith and Money-Digging
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67-70 | Joseph Smith was convicted of "glass looking" in 1826 | Joseph Smith's 1826 glasslooking trial | |
| 72 | Hugh Nibley is claimed to have said that ""...if this court record is authentic it is the most damning evidence in existence against Joseph Smith," and that ""the most devastating blow to Smith ever delivered." | Joseph Smith's 1826 glasslooking trial |
|
| 75 | Joseph Smith was "deeply involved in money-digging" during the years that he was preparing to received the gold plates. | Joseph Smith and money digging [needs work] | |
| 77 | Martin Harris reported stories of treasures "sinking into the earth," and other "strange sights." | Joseph Smith and money digging |
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| 78-79 | Joseph found a seer stone while helping to dig a well. | The Hurlbut affidavits—Willard Chase |
|
| 79 | Joseph said that the angel told him to "quit the company of the money-diggers." | Joseph Smith and money digging |
|
| 80 | Joseph fastened two of his seer stones together to make his "Urim and Thummin." | Book of Mormon translation method | |
| 80 | Joseph's father-in-law Isaac Hale claimed that Jospeh's occupation was "pretending to see by means of a stone placed in his hat." | The Hurlbut affidavits—Isaac Hale |
|
| 82 | The seer stone is sometimes called the "Urim and Thummin" | Joseph Smith and seer stones |
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| 83 | Mormon apologists have difficulty explaining Joseph's use of seer stones. | Mormon apologists explain Joseph's use of seer stones | |
| 83 | Mormons aren't sure how to deal with Joseph Smith's "peeping" activities. | Joseph Smith and seer stones | |
| 84 | The plates didn't even have to be present while Joseph was translating. | Book of Mormon translation method | |
| 84 | Joseph Smith originally wanted to obtain the plates in order to get rich, and he was rebuked by the angel. | ||
| 86 | Joseph attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing a revelation. | Joseph Smith and the occult—Working with the rod |
|
| 87 | Joseph went to Salem, Massachusetts to look for money hidden in a cellar. | Joseph Smith's "treasure hunting" trip to Salem |
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| 89 | Joseph Smith had a "Jupiter Talisman" in his possession at the time of his death. | Joseph Smith and Jupiter talisman |
Claims made in Chapter 5: The Book of Mormon
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Brigham Young claimed that some of the Book of Mormon witnesses doubted that they had ever seen an angel. | Book of Mormon witnesses—Recant |
|
| 94 | Oliver Cowdery may have had doubts about his testimony. | Book of Mormon witnesses—Recant |
|
| 96 | The witnesses to the Book of Mormon were "very gullible" | Book of Mormon witnesses—Character | |
| 97 | David Whitmer said that God told him to separate himself from among the Latter Day Saints. | Book of Mormon witnesses—David Whitmer told to leave |
|
| 99-100 | Some of the Book of Mormon witnesses later followed James Strang. | James Strang | |
| 103 | Martin Harris changed his religion thirteen times. | Book of Mormon witnesses—Character | |
| 108 | Martin Harris said that he saw the plates with his "spiritual eyes" | "Eye of Faith"/"Spiritual Eye" statements by Martin Harris | |
| 108 | David Whitmer said that he "handled the plates," but that he "did not touch nor handle the plates." |
| |
| 108 | Martin Harris said that the eight witnesses never saw the plates. | Book of Mormon witnesses—Recant |
|
| 111 | Material from the Presbyterian "Westminster Confession" is "probably" the source for Alma 40. | Was Alma 40 derived from material contained in The Westminster Confession? |
|
| 114 | Joseph copied the name "Nephi" from the Apocrypha. | Book of Mormon plagiarism accusations—Apocrypha | |
| 115 | The story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt was a source for the book of 1 Nephi. | Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Bible | |
| 115 | The Book of Mormon quotes Malachi many years before it was written. | Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Bible [needs work] |
|
| 116 | The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead is a source for the story of Ammon. | Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Bible | |
| 118 | The story of Alma was taken from the story of Paul. | Book of Mormon plagiarized from the Bible | |
| 119 | The Book of Mormon contains material found in the New Testament. | Book of Mormon anachronisms/New Testament text [needs work] | |
| 122 | In the Book of Mormon, Jesus quotes a paraphrase of Moses' words found in Acts 3:22-26. | Book of Mormon anachronisms/New Testament text [needs work] | |
| 123 | The Greek terms "Alpha" and "Omega" appear in the Book of Mormon. | Book of Mormon anachronisms/Greek words | |
| 124 | The Book of Mormon contains the Greek name Timothy. | Book of Mormon anachronisms—Names—Timothy | |
| 125 | Joseph Smith's mother said that he used to entertain them with stories about the ancient inhabitants of the American continent before he translated the Book of Mormon. | Joseph Smith's "amusing recitals" of ancient American inhabitants |
|
| 127 | B.H. Roberts concluded that the book View of the Hebrews could have provided a structural foundation for the Book of Mormon. | Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews | |
| 127 | B.H. Roberts listed a number of parallels between View of the Hebrews and the Book of Mormon. | Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews—Examples of parallels and differences | |
| 128 | The Book of Mormon may have used Josiah Priest's book The Wonders of Nature as a source. | Book of Mormon plagiarism accusations—The Wonders of Nature [needs work] | |
| 128-129 | The Book of Mormon contains changes that altered the original meaning of the text. | Book of Mormon textual changes | |
| 132 | It was claimed that the during the translation process that the proper spelling of words was given by the Lord. | Book of Mormon translation method | |
| 133 | Members of the Church have claimed that the Smithsonian uses the Book of Mormon in archaeological research. | Smithsonian statement on Book of Mormon archaeology | |
| 139 | Some Mormon archaeologists have begin to "face the truth" regarding Book of Mormon archeology by declaring that it is a "myth." | Book of Mormon archaeology |
|
| 141-142 | Lehi would never have written using an Egyptian language. Jewish scriptures could not have been written in Egyptian. | Book of Mormon anachronisms—Reformed Egyptian | |
| 144 | None of the characters on the Anthon transcript bear any resemblance to known hieroglypics found in the New World. | Anthon transcript |
Claims made in Chapter 6: The First Vision
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 149 | Oliver Cowdery's 1834 attempt at writing a history of the Church ignored the First Vision. | Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35 |
|
| 149 | In 1832 Joseph had a revelation that said that a man could not see God without the priesthood. | D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood |
|
| 150 | There were no references to the First Vision in the 1830s. | No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications? | |
| 152 | Joseph's 1832 account mentions that he was in the 16th year of his age rather than the 15th. | Different age provided in the 1832 text | |
| 154 | The 1832 account only mentions one personage. | Only one Personage appears in the 1832 account | |
| 156 | The personages in the 1835 version are not explicitly identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ. | The "Angels" of the 1835 account | |
| 157 | The 1835 account talks about a visitation of angels instead of the Father and Son. | The "Angels" of the 1835 account |
|
| 159 | Joseph's claim of seeing the Father and the Son was not unique. | ||
| 160 | Oliver Cowdery's 1834 history in the Messenger and Advocate did not mention the First Vision. | Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35 |
|
| 162 | "Mormon apologists are beginning to retreat from the idea that God the Father appeared to Joseph Smith" | First Vision accounts |
|
| 162-163 | The Book of Mormon teaches that there is only one God. |
| |
| 164 | Brigham Young denied that the Lord came to Joseph Smith in the First Vision. | Brigham Young said the Lord didn't appear |
|
| 164 | John Taylor claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision. | John Taylor's understanding of the First Vision |
|
| 164 | George A. Smith claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision. | George A. Smith said First Vision was an "angel" |
|
| 166-171 | There was no revival in the area where Joseph Smith lived in 1820. | Religious revivals in 1820 |
Claims made in Chapter 7: The Godhead
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | The Book of Mormon teaches that God is a spirit. | God is a Spirit [needs work] | |
| 173 | The Book of Moses says that God created the earth, but the Book of Abraham says that "the Gods" created the earth. | Polytheism [needs work] | |
| 177 | God is "just an exalted man." | Deification of man | |
| 178 | There is a "Heavenly Mother." | Heavenly Mother | |
| 180 | Jesus Christ was conceived through a physical act rather than by the power of the Holy Ghost. | Jesus Christ's conception | |
| 183 | 1 Nephi 13:40 was changed from "Christ is the Eternal Father" to "the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world." | Book of Mormon textual changes—Significant changes |
|
| 183 | 1 Nephi 11:18 was changed from "the mother of God" to "the mother of the Son of God" | Book of Mormon textual changes—Significant changes |
|
| 183 | 1 Nephi 11:21 was changed from "the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father" to "the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father." | Book of Mormon textual changes—Significant changes |
|
| 183 | 1 Nephi 11:32 was changed from "the Everlasting God" to "the Son of the everlasting God." | Book of Mormon textual changes—Significant changes |
|
| 185 | The Lectures on Faith state that God is a spirit. | Lecture 5 teaches the Father is "a personage of spirit" | |
| 185 | The Lectures on Faith were removed from the Doctrine and Covenants. | Lectures on Faith removed from Doctrine and Covenants | |
| 187 | The Book of Mormon teaches that God is "unchangable," but LDS leaders taught otherwise. | Unchanging Nature of God | |
| 188 | The Lectures on Faith indicate that there are only two personages in the Godhead, and that their mind is the Holy Spirit. | Lecture 5 teaches the Father is "a personage of spirit" | |
| 190 | LDS leaders can't explain why the Holy Ghost should be denied a body since the Father has one. | Identity of the Holy Ghost [needs work] | |
| 190 | The Holy Ghost can't be a God since he doesn't have a body. | Identity of the Holy Ghost [needs work] |
Claims made in Chapter 8: The Adam-God Doctrine
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 192-193 | Mormons consider the fall of Adam a fortunate event. | Original sin |
|
| 193-195 | Brigham Young preached that Adam was our God. | Adam-God |
|
| 196 | Brigham continued to teach Adam-God. | Adam-God |
|
| 198 | Adam was not created of the dust of this earth. | Adam-God | |
| 198-199 | Brigham taught that Adam is the only god that we should worship. | Adam-God |
|
| 199 | Brigham taught that Adam was the father of our spirits. | Adam-God |
|
| 199 | Brigham taught that Adam was the father of Jesus Christ. | Adam-God |
|
Claims made in Chapter 9: Plural Marriage
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 207 | A revelation on plural marriage given in 1831 was "suppressed" which said that the Indians would become "white and delightsome" though intermarriage with the Mormons. | Native Americans to become "white and delightsome" through polygamous marriage? |
|
| 220 | Polygamy is forbidden by the Book of Mormon | Book of Mormon condemns polygamy | |
| 220-221 | Joseph F. Smith said that the Book of Mormon forbid polygamy. | Book of Mormon condemns polygamy [needs work] |
|
| 221 | Orson Pratt said that the Book of Mormon condemned polygamy. | Book of Mormon condemns polygamy | |
| 222 | Joseph took wives without his first wife's consent. | Joseph Smith and polygamy | |
| 226 | Heber C. Kimball remarked on the "great sorrow" of plural marriage. | Did early Church leaders speak of plural marriage difficulties? [needs work] |
|
| 226 | Brigham Young spoke of the "problems" of plural marriage. | Did early Church leaders speak of plural marriage difficulties? [needs work] |
|
| 231 | Joseph had between 27 to "sixty or more" wives. | Joseph Smith and polygamy |
|
| 231 | There is a rumor that Emma beat Eliza Snow with a broomstick and caused her to fall down the stairs, preventing her from having Joseph's child. | Joseph Smith and polygamy—Children of polygamous marriages—Snow |
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| 232 | Joseph was sealed to a large number of women after his death. | Joseph Smith and polygamy |
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| 233 | Brigham Young had "fifty or sixty" wives, and boasted of his ability to obtain more. | Brigham Young and polygamy |
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| 239-240 | Some women who were associated with Joseph claimed that they did not know who the father of their children were. | Joseph Smith and polygamy/Children of polygamous marriages |
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| 258 | Brigham Young said that the "only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." | The only men who become gods are those that practice polygamy? |
|
| 289 | Modern Church leaders teach that polygamy is not essential for exaltation. | The only men who become gods are those that practice polygamy? |
|
Claims made in Chapter 10: Changing the Anti-Black Doctrine
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 291-293 | It was taught that the denial of priesthoods to blacks was due to some behavior in the pre-existence. | Blacks and the priesthood/Pre-existence |
|
| 294 | Negroes were said to be the descendants of Cain. | Blacks and the priesthood/Origin of the priesthood ban |
|
| 296 | Brigham Young said the the penalty for marrying a black person was "death." | Brigham Young on race mixing |
|
Claims made in Chapter 11: Fall of the Book of Abraham
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 329-330 | Joseph claimed that the papyrus was written by Abraham himself. | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) | |
| 336 | Facsimile 1 does not show Abraham fastened to an altar being sacrificed, but instead shows Hor being prepared for burial. | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) — Restoring gaps in the drawings | |
| 337 | LDS leaders were unable to detect the Hofmann forgeries. If they were really led be revelation, they should have been able to figure out that the documents were fake. | Mark Hofmann | |
| 342 | Joseph Smith's "Egyptian Alphabet and Grammer" contain text that matches a portion of one of the papyri. Joseph Smith translated a "large number of English words" from each Egyptian character. | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) —The Kirtland Egyptian Papers | |
| 343 | Joseph used four lines from the papyrus to generate 49 verses in the Book of Abraham. | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) —The Kirtland Egyptian Papers | |
| 351 | The papyri have been dated to a much later time than Abraham, therefore they could not have been written by Abraham's "own hand on papyrus." | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) —The date of the Book of Abraham vs. the date of the papyrus | |
| 358-361 | In Facsimile #1, the penciled-in restoration is incorrect. | Book of Abraham papyri (Long article) — Restoring gaps in the drawings |
Claims made in Chapter 12: Mormon Scriptures and the Bible
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 365 | The Bible has secondary status in the Mormon Church. | Bible basics—The Holy Bible |
|
| 365 | Joseph Smith taught that the Bible contains errors. | Biblical inerrancy |
|
| 365 | Thomas Paine's book The Age of Reason influenced early Church leaders to criticize the Bible, and to question its translation. |
| |
| 366-367 | Orson Pratt attacked the accuracy of the Bible. | Biblical inerrancy |
|
| 371 | The Dead Sea Scrolls "present serious problems" for the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith "Inspired Version" of the Bible. | Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Mormon | |
| 371 | The "Isaiah scroll" is "proved to be word for word identical with our standard Hebrew Bible in more than 95 per cent of the text." | Biblical inerrancy—Old Testament |
|
| 372-373 | The "Isaiah scroll" should have caused "a great deal of joy" among Mormon scholars, but did not because it is not "filled with evidence to support the text of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon." | Joseph Smith Translation as a restoration of the original Bible text |
|
| 383 | The "Inspired Version" of the Bible has been a "source of much embarassment" for leaders of the Church. | Joseph Smith Translation as the Church's official Bible |
|
| 383 | The Church would never ""allow [the Inspired Version of the Bible] to be printed because it would tend to embarrass the church and to show that Joseph Smith was not a prophet of God." | Joseph Smith Translation as the Church's official Bible | |
| 385 | The contents of the "Inspired Version" of the Bible contradict doctrines taught by the Mormon church. | Joseph Smith Translation as the Church's official Bible |
Claims made in Chapter 13: Changes in Joseph Smith's History
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Mormon leaders claim that "Joseph Smith's" 'History of the Church' is the "most accurate history in all the world." | Authorship of History of the Church |
|
| 400-401 | The History of the Church was not written by Joseph Smith himself. Many instances in original documents which referred to Joseph in the third person were changed to first person to make it appear as if Joseph wrote them. | Authorship of History of the Church | |
| 403-404 | Much of the History of the Church was completed after Joseph Smith's death. This means that Joseph Smith's history is not "authentic." | Authorship of History of the Church |
|
| 408 | The angel that gave Joseph Smith the plates was originally identified as "Nephi" rather than "Moroni." History of the Church changed it to "Moroni." | Nephi or Moroni |
|
| 415 | Most of Joseph Smith's history was written by his scribes and modified to read as if it were written in the first person, therefore this history must be a forgery. | Authorship of History of the Church |
|
Claims made in Chapter 14: False Prophecy
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 417 | Joseph Smith gave many false prophecies. | Joseph Smith prophesies | |
| 417 | Joseph Smith received a false revelation to go to Canada and sell the Book of Mormon copyright. | Did Joseph Smith attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright? |
|
| 418-419 | In 1835 Joseph Smith prophesied that the Lord would come in "fifty-six years," or when Joseph was 85 years old. | Joseph Smith prophesied the Second Coming to be in 1890 |
|
| 420-421 | Joseph prophesied that a temple in Missouri would be built "in this generation." | Independence temple to be built "in this generation" |
|
| 424 | Joseph's "Civil War prophecy" could have been deduced from the news at the time. | Joseph Smith prophesies/Civil War prophecy [needs work] |
|
Claims made in Chapter 15: The Arm of Flesh
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 431-439 | There has been no new revelation since the time of Joseph Smith. | Revelation after Joseph Smith | |
| 431 | The Church teaches that you must let the leaders do your thinking for you. | Authoritarianism and Church leaders [needs work] |
|
| 433 | Joseph F. Smith said that he never received revelation. | Revelation after Joseph Smith [needs work] |
|
| 434 | The Church chose to canonize two "new" revelations in order to counter claims made by the Tanners? | Revelation after Joseph Smith [needs work] | |
| 435 | The Church has never produced a copy of the revelation granting Blacks the ability to receive the priesthood. | Blacks and the priesthood—Lifting the ban | |
| 437 | Brigham Young claimed that his sermons were the same as scripture. | General authorities' statements as scripture |
|
Claims made in Chapter 16: The Priesthood
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 442 | The concept of "priesthood" was added later to the Church and was a creation of Sidney Rigdon. | Priesthood restoration [needs work] |
|
| 443 | Revelations on the restoration of the priesthood are not present in the Book of Commandments. | Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood | |
| 443-444 | The Aaronic priesthood was abolished at that death of Christ. | Hebrews 7 and the Aaronic Priesthood |
|
| 445 | The date of the restoration of the Melchizedik Priesthood is not known and the record of the event was added later. | Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood |
|
| 445-446 | The idea of the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordaining men to be High Priests came from Sidney Rigdon. | Priesthood restoration [needs work] |
|
Claims made in Chapter 17: Joseph Smith
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 448 | No man can enter the Celestial Kingdom without Joseph Smith's consent. | Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief |
|
| 448 | Joseph Smith would be looked upon as a god. | Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief |
|
| 450 | Church members elevate Joseph Smith almost to the level of Jesus Christ. | Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief |
|
| 451-452 | Joseph Smith liked to fight? | Personal failings of Joseph Smith |
|
| 456-457 | Joseph Smith was ordained "King on earth" by the Council of Fifty. | The Council of Fifty |
|
| 458 | Joseph Smith ran for president because he thought that he could win and rule as king over the United States. | Joseph Smith and politics | Hansen, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.67 |
| 460 | Joseph Smith felt that he was "almost equal with God" and that God was his "right hand man." |
| |
| 460 | Joseph boasted that he was the only one who kept a whole church together. | Did Joseph Smith 'boast' of keeping the Church intact |
|
| 462-463 | The destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor was illegal. | Nauvoo Expositor |
|
| 465 | Joseph fought his attackers at Carthage using a six-shooter. | Joseph Smith as a martyr |
Claims made in Chapter 18: Word of Wisdom
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 468 | The admonition not to eat meat is mostly ignored by the Church. | Word of Wisdom/Eat meat sparingly [needs work] |
|
| 469 | Joseph Fielding Smith said that drinking tea can bar a person from the Celestial Kingdom. | Word of Wisdom/Tea [needs work] |
|
| 469-470 | Church members feel that Joseph "carefully observed" the Word of Wisdom. Joseph wouldn't be able to get a temple recommend today. | Word of Wisdom |
|
| 470 | Joseph sometimes drank wine. | Word of Wisdom |
|
| 470 | Joseph smoked a cigar. | Word of Wisdom |
|
| 474 | Brigham Young chewed tobacco for many years. | Brigham Young and tobacco [needs work] |
|
| 475 | Brigham built a whisky distillery. | Brigham Young's whisky distillery [needs work] |
|
Claims made in Chapter 19: Old Testament Practices
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 484 | The Book of Mormon teaches that you should bless those that curse you, but the D&C says that you should curse your enemies. | Cursing of enemies [needs work] |
| |
| 484-485 | Cursing of enemies was carried out in the Kirtland Temple. | . | Cursing of enemies [needs work] |
|
| 485 | George A. Smith prayed that the Lord would kill the mob. | . | Cursing of enemies [needs work] |
|
| 486 | Heber C. Kimball cursed the President of the United States. | . | Cursing of enemies [needs work] |
|
| 488 | Joseph Smith taught animal sacrifice. |
|
Claims made in Chapter 20: Blood Atonement
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 490-491 | Brigham Young advocated blood atonement. | Blood atonement |
|
| 491-492 | Jedediah Grant advocated blood atonement. | Blood atonement |
|
| 493 | Murder was worthy of death. | Blood atonement |
|
| 493 | Adultery and immorality were worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 493 | Brigham Young said that he would put a javelin through the heart of an adulterous woman. | Blood atonement |
|
| 496 | Stealing was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 496 | Using the name of the Lord in vain was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 496 | Not receiving the Gospel was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 496 | Marrying and African was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 498 | Breaking covenants was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 498-499 | Apostacy was worthy of death. | Blood atonement |
|
| 500 | Lying was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 500 | Counterfeiting was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 500 | Condemning Joseph Smith was worthy of death. | 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death" [needs work] |
|
| 501-503 | Blood atonement was "put into practice" in Utah. | Blood atonement |
|
| 501 | Modern church leaders have confirmed the principle but denied the practice of blood atonement. | Blood atonement |
|
Claims made in Chapter 21: The Hereafter
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 506 | LDS leaders teach the "endless punishement" won't last forever. | Will "endless punishment" last forever? | |
| 506 | Joseph Smith's later teachings regarding endless punishment contradict the Book of Mormon. | Will "endless punishment" last forever? |
|
| 507 | LDS leaders teach that "very few" will become "sons of perdition." | Fate of the Sons of Perdition |
|
| 508 | The idea of "spirit prison" as an opportunity for the dead to be taught and receive the gospel contradicts the Book of Mormon. | Book of Mormon and the fulness of the gospel |
|
| 510 | The concept of three degrees of glory is not consistent with the Book of Mormon. | Book of Mormon and the fulness of the gospel |
|
Claims made in Chapter 22: Temple Work
| Page | Claim | Response | Use of sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 512 | Early Mormon leaders were "very confused" about baptism for the dead since they performed a number of them without recording them and had to do them over. | Baptism for the dead |
|
| 514 | Baptism for the dead was not a doctrine in the early church. | Baptism for the dead |
|
| 517 | The Mormon "obsession with the dead" is close to "ancestral worship." | Baptism for the dead |
|
| 517-518 | Paul said to avoid "endless genealogies." | Biblical condemnation of genealogy |
|
| 518 | The Book of Mormon is supposed to contain "the fulness of the Gospel," yet it doesn't teach baptism for the dead. | Book of Mormon and the fulness of the gospel |
|
| 520 | Jesus "taught the opposite" of eternal marriage when he said that people "neither marry, nor are given in marriage" in the afterlife. | Marriage not needed for exaltation |
|
| 530-534 | The endowment has been changed over the years. | Temple endowment changes | |
| 535-547 | The endowment was derived from Freemasonry | Temple endowment and Freemasonry |
Further reading
| Template code | Inserts this reference | Click to edit |
|---|---|---|
| {{To learn more box:responses to: 8: The Mormon Proposition}} | To learn more box:responses to: 8: The Mormon Proposition | edit |
| {{To learn more box:''Under the Banner of Heaven''}} | To learn more about responses to: Under the Banner of Heaven | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Robert Price}} | To learn more about responses to: Robert Price | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Ankerberg and Weldon}} | To learn more about responses to: Ankerberg and Weldon | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Ashamed of Joseph}} | To learn more about responses to: Ashamed of Joseph | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Beckwith and Moser}} | To learn more about responses to: Beckwith and Moser | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Beckwith and Parrish}} | To learn more about responses to: Beckwith and Parrish | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Benjamin Park}} | To learn more about responses to: Benjamin Park | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Bible versus Joseph Smith}} | To learn more about responses to: Bible versus Joseph Smith | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Bible versus Book of Mormon}} | To learn more about responses to: Bible versus Book of Mormon | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: ''Big Love''}} | To learn more about responses to: Big Love | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Brett Metcalfe}} | To learn more about responses to: Brett Metcalfe | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Bill Maher}} | To learn more about responses to: Bill Maher | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Bruce H. Porter}} | To learn more about responses to: Bruce H. Porter | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Carol Wang Shutter}} | To learn more about responses to: Carol Wang Shutter | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: CES Letter}} | To learn more about responses to: CES Letter | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Charles Larson}} | To learn more about responses to: Charles Larson | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Christopher Nemelka}} | To learn more about responses to: Christopher Nemelka | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Colby Townshed}} | To learn more about responses to: Colby Townshed | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Contender Ministries}} | To learn more about responses to: Contender Ministries | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Crane and Crane}} | To learn more about responses to: Crane and Crane | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: D. Michael Quinn}} | To learn more about responses to: D. Michael Quinn | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Dan Vogel}} | To learn more about responses to: Dan Vogel | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: David John Buerger}} | To learn more about responses to: David John Buerger | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: David Persuitte}} | To learn more about responses to: David Persuitte | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Denver Snuffer}} | To learn more about responses to: Denver Snuffer | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Dick Bauer}} | To learn more about responses to: Dick Bauer | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Duwayne R Anderson}} | To learn more about responses to: Duwayne R Anderson | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Earl Wunderli}} | To learn more about responses to: Earl Wunderli | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Ed Decker}} | To learn more about responses to: Ed Decker | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Erikson and Giesler}} | To learn more about responses to: Erikson and Giesler | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Ernest Taves}} | To learn more about responses to: Ernest Taves | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Fawn Brodie}} | To learn more about responses to: Fawn Brodie | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: George D Smith}} | To learn more about responses to: George D Smith | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Grant Palmer}} | To learn more about responses to: Grant Palmer | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Hank Hanegraaff}} | To learn more about responses to: Hank Hanegraaff | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Hurlbut-Howe}} | To learn more about responses to: Hurlbut-Howe | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: James Brooke}} | To learn more about responses to: James Brooke | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: James Spencer}} | To learn more about responses to: James Spencer | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: James White}} | To learn more about responses to: James White | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Jerald and Sandra Tanner}} | To learn more about responses to: Jerald and Sandra Tanner | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Jesus Christ-Joseph Smith or Search for the Truth DVD}} | To learn more about responses to: Jesus Christ-Joseph Smith or Search for the Truth DVD | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: John Dehlin}} | To learn more about responses to: John Dehlin | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Jonathan Neville}} | To learn more about responses to: Jonathan Neville | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Kurt Van Gorden}} | To learn more about responses to: Kurt Van Gorden | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Laura King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery}} | To learn more about responses to: Laura King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Loftes Tryk aka Lofte Payne}} | To learn more about responses to: Loftes Tryk aka Lofte Payne | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Luke WIlson}} | To learn more about responses to: Luke WIlson | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Marquardt and Walters}} | To learn more about responses to: Marquardt and Walters | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Martha Beck}} | To learn more about responses to: Martha Beck | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Mcgregor Ministries}} | To learn more about responses to: Mcgregor Ministries | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: McKeever and Johnson}} | To learn more about responses to: McKeever and Johnson | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: New Approaches}} | To learn more about responses to: New Approaches to the Book of Mormon | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Richard Abanes}} | To learn more about responses to: Richard Abanes | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Richard Van Wagoner}} | To learn more about responses to: Richard Van Wagoner | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Richard and Joan Ostling}} | To learn more about responses to: Richard and Joan Ostling | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Rick Grunger}} | To learn more about responses to: Rick Grunger | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Robert Ritner}} | To learn more about responses to: Robert Ritner | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Rod Meldrum}} | To learn more about responses to: Rod Meldrum | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Roger I Anderson}} | To learn more about responses to: Roger I Anderson | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Ronald V. Huggins}} | To learn more about responses to: Ronald V. Huggins | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Sally Denton}} | To learn more about responses to: Sally Denton | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Simon Southerton}} | To learn more about responses to: Simon Southerton | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Thomas Murphy}} | To learn more about responses to: Thomas Murphy | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Todd Compton}} | To learn more about responses to: Todd Compton | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Vernal Holley}} | To learn more about responses to: Vernal Holley | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Walter Martin}} | To learn more about responses to: Walter Martin | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Wesley Walters}} | To learn more about responses to: Wesley Walters | edit |
| {{To learn more box:responses to: Will Bagley}} | To learn more about responses to: Will Bagley | edit |