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A FAIR Analysis of: Watchman Fellowship
A work by author: Rick Branch

Index, Claims in "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Profile"

Claims made in "Hinckley Claims LDS Worship Different Christ"

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.

Copyright © 2005–2013 Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The content of this page may not be copied, published, or redistributed without the prior written consent of FAIR.

Index of Claims in "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Profile"

Claim
The authors claim that Joseph was told during the First Vision that "all the Christian Church's doctrines 'were an abomination'."

Author's source(s)

Joseph Smith - History 19, Pearl of Great Price.

Response

This is false. Joseph was told that the "creeds" were an abomination, not all the doctrines taught.
For a detailed response, see: Creeds an abomination
For a detailed response, see: Apostasy
For a detailed response, see: Non-biblical and unscriptural ideas in the creeds

Claim
The authors claim that Mormonism is a "polytheistic religion," because of the belief that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct and separate personages.

Author's source(s)

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 370.
McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577.

Response

This is false. The Saints believe that God is "one," but understand this oneness differently than creedal trinitarians.
For a detailed response, see: Polytheism

Claim
According to Joseph Smith, God "was once a man like us."

Author's source(s)

History of the Church, 6:305

Response

For a detailed response, see: "God is a man"?

Claim
Brigham Young said that the birth of Jesus Christ "was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action."

Author's source(s)

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:115.
McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 742.

Response

For a detailed response, see: Conception of Jesus Christ

Claim
Jesus "is the brother of Lucifer."

Author's source(s)

Milton Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, 15.

Response

For a detailed response, see: Jesus Christ the brother of Satan?

Claim
Latter-day Saints make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.

Author's source(s)

McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 752.

Response

In the source cited above, the author notes that the term "Holy Spirit" "is a synonym for the Holy Ghost, that Spirit entity or personage of Spirit who is a member of the godhead." But, two other scriptural uses of the term include the spirit of Christ that entered His physical body, and the power or influence of Christ generally.

Claim
The authors state the "every worthy male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet." The authors state that women are excluded.

Author's source(s)

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 2:48.

Response

Men cannot be exalted without women; women cannot be exalted without men. The critics ignore the fact that human deification (theosis) is a prominent biblical teachings and found among the early Christians.
For a detailed response, see: Human deification
For a detailed response, see: Gods of their own planets?

Claim
There is a "Mother God."

Author's source(s)

Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 3:143-144.

Response

For a detailed response, see: Heavenly Mother

Claim
We are all spiritual offspring of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and we once lived in the pre-existence.

Author's source(s)

McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 589.

Response

This is an accurate reflection of LDS belief.
For a detailed response, see: Heavenly Parents

Claim
The authors claim that "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence."

Author's source(s)

Melvin J. Ballard, Three Degrees of Glory, p. 21.

Response

This claim is false; the critics cite an author from 1922—and here he makes it clear he is only expressing his opinion: "I am convinced."
This idea has since been repeatedly repudiated by leaders of the Church.
For a detailed response, see: Repudiated ideas about race
For a detailed response, see: LDS do not regard their leaders as infallible
For a detailed response, see: Only the LDS President and prophet may declare doctrine

Claim
The authors claim that salvation or exaltation "is based on one's own good works or merit."

Author's source(s)

Lowell Bennion, "The Religion of the Latter-day Saints," p. 160.
Church News, October 8, 1988, p. 23.

Response

Neither the Church News nor Bennion's manual from 1940 are canonized doctrinal sources.
The Book of Mormon teaches that "here is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah...." (2 Nephi 2:8).
That said, the Bible, Book of Mormon, and other LDS scripture teach that we must exercise faith, accept Christ, repent, be baptized, and endure to the end to be saved. These are "good works"—they do not save us, but signal our sincerity and willingness to follow Jesus.
For a detailed response, see: Do LDS neglect grace?
For a detailed response, see: Salvation by faith alone?
For a detailed response, see: Early Christian views on what was required for salvation

Claim
The authors claim that Latter-day Saint consider the Bible "suspect due to its many errors and missing parts."

Author's source(s)

Articles of Faith No. 8, Ensign January 1989, pp. 25, 27.

Response

The article of faith says only that LDS believe the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly." LDS are not bound by transmission or translation errors by non-prophetic authors. They are not scriptural inerrantists.
For a detailed response, see: Scriptural inerrancy and LDS cherish the Bible

Copyright © 2005–2013 Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The content of this page may not be copied, published, or redistributed without the prior written consent of FAIR. The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) is a non-profit organization formed in late 1997 for the purpose of defending the Church. FAIR is staffed completely by volunteers, all of whom are dedicated to defending the Church. FAIR is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief, or practice.
If you have a question or feedback on this article, please feel free to pose your question to the FAIR Apologetics list at "Ask the Apologist"

Countercult ministries/Watchman Fellowship/Section 1

Index of Claims in "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Profile"

Claim
The authors claim that Joseph was told during the First Vision that "all the Christian Church's doctrines 'were an abomination'."

Claim
The authors claim that Mormonism is a "polytheistic religion," because of the belief that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct and separate personages.

Claim
According to Joseph Smith, God "was once a man like us."

Claim
Brigham Young said that the birth of Jesus Christ "was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action."

Claim
Jesus "is the brother of Lucifer."

Claim
Latter-day Saints make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.

Claim
The authors state the "every worthy male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet." The authors state that women are excluded.

Claim
There is a "Mother God."

Claim
We are all spiritual offspring of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and we once lived in the pre-existence.

Claim
The authors claim that "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence."

Claim
The authors claim that salvation or exaltation "is based on one's own good works or merit."

Claim
The authors claim that Latter-day Saint consider the Bible "suspect due to its many errors and missing parts."

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Countercult ministries/Watchman Fellowship/Section 1

Index of Claims in "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Profile"

Claim The authors claim that Joseph was told during the First Vision that "all the Christian Church's doctrines 'were an abomination'."

Claim The authors claim that Mormonism is a "polytheistic religion," because of the belief that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct and separate personages.

Claim According to Joseph Smith, God "was once a man like us."

Claim Brigham Young said that the birth of Jesus Christ "was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action."

Claim Jesus "is the brother of Lucifer."

Claim Latter-day Saints make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.

Claim The authors state the "every worthy male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet." The authors state that women are excluded.

Claim There is a "Mother God."

Claim We are all spiritual offspring of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and we once lived in the pre-existence.

Claim The authors claim that "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence."

Claim The authors claim that salvation or exaltation "is based on one's own good works or merit."

Claim The authors claim that Latter-day Saint consider the Bible "suspect due to its many errors and missing parts."

Views

Personal tools

FAIR Wiki

FAIR Website

Search

Toolbox

In other languages

Claim
The authors claim that Joseph was told during the First Vision that "all the Christian Church's doctrines 'were an abomination'."

Claim
The authors claim that Mormonism is a "polytheistic religion," because of the belief that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct and separate personages.

Claim
According to Joseph Smith, God "was once a man like us."

Claim
Brigham Young said that the birth of Jesus Christ "was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action."

Claim
Jesus "is the brother of Lucifer."

Claim
Latter-day Saints make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.

Claim
The authors state the "every worthy male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet." The authors state that women are excluded.

Claim
There is a "Mother God."

Claim
We are all spiritual offspring of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and we once lived in the pre-existence.

Claim
The authors claim that "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence."

Claim
The authors claim that salvation or exaltation "is based on one's own good works or merit."

Claim
The authors claim that Latter-day Saint consider the Bible "suspect due to its many errors and missing parts."