Excommunication/Scholars

From FAIRMormon

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Contents 1 Criticism 1.1 Source(s) of the criticism 2 Response 3 Conclusion 4 Further reading 4.1 FAIR wiki articles 4.2 FAIR web site 4.3 External links 4.4 Printed material

Criticism

• Critics claim that the Church excommunicates or disfellowships scholars who publish historical information that is embarrassing to Church leaders.
• It is often claimed, despite the fact that these discplinary actions are carried out by local leaders, that they are in reality instigated by general authorities.
• Critics claim that the Church is silencing honest people for telling the truth.
• The Church is claimed to take a "dim view" of intellectuals.

Source(s) of the criticism

• Richard N. and Joan K. Ostling, Mormon America: The Power and the Promise, (New York:HarperCollins Publishers, 2000), Chapter 21. ( Index of claims )
• Simon Southerton, Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church (Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 2004) 207. ( Index of claims )

Response

 ^{[needs work]}

Conclusion

 ^{[needs work]}

Further reading

FAIR wiki articles

Accusations of dishonesty wiki articles

Joseph Smith period

• Joseph Smith land speculation
• Lying for the Lord?
• Joseph Smith taught 'it was right to steal'

Utah period

• Brigham Young—pulling the wool over Americans' eyes?
• Lying for the Lord?

Present day

• Church art and historical accuracy
• Brigham Young manual hides the truth about polygamy
• "Censorship" and "revision" of LDS history?
  • Wilford Woodruff criticizes publication of polygamists
  • Lucy Mack Smith letter about First Vision suppressed?
• Cognitive dissonance
• History of the Church—authorship?
• Hypocrisy claimed in Church financial holdings
• Lying for the Lord?
  • Gordon B. Hinckley cited false information on the First Vision?
• Paid clergy
• Testimony and doubt reconciliation

FAIR web site

Accusations of dishonesty FAIR articles

• FAIR Topical Guide: Apologetics and scholars FAIR link
  
• FAIR Topical Guide: Changes in the historical record FAIR link
  
• Davis Bitton, "I Don't Have a Testimony of the History of the Church," (FAIR Conference, 2004). FAIR link
• Scott Gordon, "Dealing with Difficult Issues." FAIR link
• L. Ara Norwood, "Nehors in the Land: A Latter-day Variation of an Ancient Theme." FAIR link
• Daniel C. Peterson, "Easier Than Research, More Inflammatory Than Truth." FAIR link
• Juliann Reynolds, "Critics in Wonderland: Through the Liberal Looking Glass." FAIR link
• John A. Tvedtnes, "Scholarship in Mormonism and Mormonism in Scholarship." FAIR link
• Allen L. Wyatt, "Response to the "Shotgun Approach" of Anti-Mormon Argumentation." FAIR link

External links

Accusations of dishonesty on-line articles

• Howard C. Searle, "Authorship of the History of Brigham Young: A Review Essay," Brigham Young University Studies 22:3 (1982): 367.
• Howard C. Searle, "Authorship of the History of Joseph Smith: A Review Essay," Brigham Young University Studies 21:1 (1981): 101. PDF link off-site
• Dean C. Jessee, "The Writing of Joseph Smith's History [1839–46]," Brigham Young University Studies 11:4 (1972): 439. PDF link off-site
• Dean C. Jessee, "I have heard that Joseph Smith didn't actually write his history—that it was prepared by clerks under his direction. If so, how reliable is it?," Ensign (July 1985): 15. off-site
• Dean C. Jessee, "Priceless Words and Fallible Memories: Joseph Smith as Seen in the Effort to Preserve His Discourses," Brigham Young University Studies 31:2 (1991): ?. off-site

Printed material

Accusations of dishonesty printed materials

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teachings About Lying,” BYU Fireside Address, 12 September 1993, typescript, no page numbers; also printed in Clark Memorandum [of the J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Brigham Young University] (Spring 1994).