Criticism of Mormonism/Books/No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith/Index/Chapter 19

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Claims made in "Chapter 18: Nauvoo"

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books/No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith A work by author: Fawn Brodie Index of claims: Claims made in "Chapter 19: Mysteries of the Kingdom"

Claims made in "Chapter 20: In the Quiver of the Almighty"

Note: This is a review of claims and/or responses to misrepresentations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found in this work. The inclusion of an author's work here does not imply that he or she is "anti-Mormon," or that none of his or her works have value. Those who do not wish to examine the claims contained in what some would consider an "anti-Mormon" work are advised to proceed no further.

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Claim

• When recounting his history, Joseph's "[d]ream images came easily to him and with such intense color and luxuriant detail that the matter of accuracy or chronology was of no importance."

Author's source(s)

• Author's conjecture.

Response

•  Mind reading: author has no way of knowing this.
• Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of

Claim

• Everything in Joseph's past was reinterpreted to "enhance the glory of the present."

Author's source(s)

• Author's conjecture.

Response

•  Mind reading: author has no way of knowing this.
• Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of

Claim

• The Book of Mormon was a "secret source of worry" to Joseph, and in response he published extracts from View of the Hebrews, Wonders of Nature, and other books that supported the Book of Mormon's story.

Author's source(s)

• Author's conjecture.

Response

•  Mind reading: author has no way of knowing this.
• Book of Mormon/Plagiarism accusations

Claim

• Joseph said regarding the Book of Mormon manuscript that he had "had trouble enough with this thing."

Author's source(s)

• The Return 2:315 (Aug. 1890)

Response

• This quote is only known from the hostile Ebenezer Robinson's account of Joseph placing the printer's manuscript of the Book of Mormon in the cornerstone of the Nauvoo house. There is no contemporary record of Joseph making this remark. If he did so, it could be seen in a variety of ways—including a rather rueful, somewhat humorous acknowledgment that the Book of Mormon had brought persecution upon him.
• Even if true, it is not clear what the author hopes to prove. Joseph clearly did not abandon the Book of Mormon, or regret its production. On the evening before his death, the prophet bore testimony of its truth to his guards (History of The Church, 6:600. BYU Studies link).

Claim

• Joseph Smith claimed that the word "Mormon" meant "more good."

Author's source(s)

• Times and Seasons 4:194 (May 15, 1843)

Response
 FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources

Claim

• Much of the endowment ritual was borrowed from the Freemasons.

Author's source(s)

• Author's conjecture.

Response

• Temples/Endowment/Freemasonry

Claim

• Joseph rose to the "sublime degree" of Masonry within one day.

Author's source(s)

•  ^[ATTENTION!]

Response

• Temples/Endowment/Freemasonry