Difference between revisions of "Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer"

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{{Resource Title|A FairMormon Analysis of Denver Snuffer's Online Claims}}
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{{response format|name=Denver Snuffer|number=???}}
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==Overview==
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|H=A FairMormon Analysis of Denver Snuffer's Online Claims
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Denver Snuffer was excommunicated for apostasy on 11 September 2013 because of the claims made in his book ''[[Criticism_of_Mormonism/Books/Passing_the_Heavenly_Gift|Passing the Heavenly Gift]]''.<ref>Denver Snuffer, “Yesterday,” blog post (11 September 2013), {{antilink|url=http://denversnuffer.blogspot.ca/2013/09/yesterday.html}}</ref> Following his excommunication, Snuffer has declared, among other things, that the Church's First Presidency has lost their authority, and claimed that Jesus appeared to him to instruct him. This wiki page examines his historical and other claims.
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|L1=Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Doctrine
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|L2=Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Historical
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=FairMormon's response=
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|L3=Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Denver Snuffer's Excommunication
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|L4=Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Inconsistencies
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In developing our response, our primary intended audience is not necessarily Snuffer nor his associates, but rather those individuals, perhaps faithful Latter-day Saints, perhaps questioning, perhaps once-faithful but now sincerely doubting, who may have come across his teachings and been troubled by its contents.
 
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{{SnufferItemShort
 
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|claim="You do not need buildings to meet. Tithing is for the poor."<ref>Cited by Tim Malone, "A Few Notes from the Mesa Lecture," ''latterdaycommentary.blog'' (9 September 2014), {{antilink|http://latterdaycommentary.com/2014/09/09/a-few-notes-from-the-mesa-lecture/}}</ref>
 
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The Doctrine and Covenants teaches a different doctrine. For example, tithing is commanded for the building of temples:
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==Overview==
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:10 Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.
 
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:11 Yea, let it be built speedily, ''by the tithing of my people.'' ({{s||D&C|97|10-11}}, italics added)
 
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Likewise {{s||D&C|117|2-3}} commands tithing for a variety of purposes:
 
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:2 For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church.
 
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:3 And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.
 
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Thus, tithing is properly used for temples ''and other activities consistent with building the kingdom of God'' ("laying the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood"). Joseph Smith used tithing for such purposes throughout his administration.
 
  
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"The poor" are nowhere mentioned in these commands, since the scriptures have a different mechanism for providing for them&mdash;the fast ({{b||Isaiah|58|6-7}}).
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Denver Snuffer was excommunicated for apostasy on 11 September 2013 because of the claims made in his book ''[[Criticism_of_Mormonism/Books/Passing_the_Heavenly_Gift|Passing the Heavenly Gift]]''.<ref>Denver Snuffer, “Yesterday,” blog post (11 September 2013), {{antilink|http://denversnuffer.blogspot.ca/2013/09/yesterday.html}}</ref> Following his excommunication, Snuffer has declared, among other things, that the Church's First Presidency has lost their authority, and claimed that Jesus appeared to him to instruct him. This wiki page examines his historical and other claims.
  
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Snuffer has announced that:
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{{SnufferItemShort
 
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|claim="Joseph Smith only built one building&mdash;a temple."<ref>Cited by Tim Malone, "A Few Notes from the Mesa Lecture," ''latterdaycommentary.blog'' (9 September 2014), {{antilink|http://latterdaycommentary.com/2014/09/09/a-few-notes-from-the-mesa-lecture/}}</ref>
 
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This claim is false. The Doctrine and Covenants commands that consecrated Church funds be used for a variety of purposes:
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The Lord has said to me in His own voice, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you." Therefore, I want to caution those who disagree with me, to feel free, to feel absolutely free to make the case against what I say. Feel free to disagree, and make your contrary arguments. If you believe I err, then expose the error and denounce it. But take care; take care about what you say concerning me for your sake, not for mine. I live with constant criticism. I can take it. But I do not want you provoking Divine ire by unfortunately chosen words if I can persuade you against it.<ref>{{CriticalWork:Snuffer:Mesa|pages=4}}</ref>
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:Therefore, the residue [of the funds] shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be appointed by the high council of the church, and the bishop and his council;
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At his invitation, then, FairMormon undertakes to evaluate his public claims, statements, and teachings. We do not curse him, but simply offer the "contrary arguments" that he says that he welcomes:
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:And for the purpose of purchasing lands for the public benefit of the church, and ''building houses of worship'', and building up of the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed...({{s||DC|42|34-35}}, italics added)
 
  
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Through Joseph, the Lord directed the construction of many buildings besides temples:
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I like criticism more than praise. Criticism, particularly well thought through criticism, is appreciated. Never shout down critics.<ref>Denver Snuffer, “Schedule,” blog post (22 September 2013), {{antilink|http://denversnuffer.blogspot.ca/2013/09/schedule.html}}</ref>
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* A house in Kirtland for himself<ref>"it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.({{s||DC|41|7}}).</ref>
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===FairMormon's response===
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* A house in Kirtland for Sidney Rigdon<ref>"it is meet that my servant Sidney Rigdon should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments" ({{s||DC|41|8}}).</ref>
 
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* "a house...for the work of the printing of the translation of my scriptures, and all things whatsoever I shall command you."<ref>the second lot on the south shall be dedicated unto me for the building of a house unto me, for the work of the printing of the translation of my scriptures, and all things whatsoever I shall command you. And it shall be fifty–five by sixty–five feet in the width thereof and the length thereof, in the inner court; and there shall be a lower and a higher court. And this house shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, for the work of the printing, in all things whatsoever I shall command you, to be holy, undefiled, according to the pattern in all things as it shall be given unto you ({{s||DC|94|10-12}}).</ref>
 
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* The Nauvoo House ({{s||D&C|128|55&ndash;75}});
 
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* XXX
 
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* YYY
 
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* ZZZ
 
  
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<!--==Detailed responses by section are found in linked subarticles below==
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In developing our response, our primary intended audience is not necessarily Snuffer nor his associates, but rather those individuals, perhaps faithful Latter-day Saints, perhaps questioning, perhaps once-faithful but now sincerely doubting, who may have come across his teachings and been troubled by their superficial plausibility.
  
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{{:Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer/Doctrinal claims}}
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{{:Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer/Historical claims}}
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{{:Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer/Excommunication}}
 
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|link=Criticism of Mormonism/Online documents/Denver Snuffer/Inconsistent claims
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|subject=Inconsistent claims
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|summary=Anxious to make his case appear plausible, Snuffer sometimes makes claims that either (a) contradict other claims which he has made; or (b) distort documents or citations in an effort to strengthen his case.
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|L1=Misleading citation of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith
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|L2="You will be tempted to have others tell you how to please God"
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[[Category:Denver Snuffer]]
 
[[Category:Denver Snuffer]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 13 April 2024


A FairMormon Analysis of Denver Snuffer's Online Claims


Jump to Subtopic:

Overview

Denver Snuffer was excommunicated for apostasy on 11 September 2013 because of the claims made in his book Passing the Heavenly Gift.[1] Following his excommunication, Snuffer has declared, among other things, that the Church's First Presidency has lost their authority, and claimed that Jesus appeared to him to instruct him. This wiki page examines his historical and other claims.

Snuffer has announced that:

The Lord has said to me in His own voice, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you." Therefore, I want to caution those who disagree with me, to feel free, to feel absolutely free to make the case against what I say. Feel free to disagree, and make your contrary arguments. If you believe I err, then expose the error and denounce it. But take care; take care about what you say concerning me for your sake, not for mine. I live with constant criticism. I can take it. But I do not want you provoking Divine ire by unfortunately chosen words if I can persuade you against it.[2]

At his invitation, then, FairMormon undertakes to evaluate his public claims, statements, and teachings. We do not curse him, but simply offer the "contrary arguments" that he says that he welcomes:

I like criticism more than praise. Criticism, particularly well thought through criticism, is appreciated. Never shout down critics.[3]

FairMormon's response

In developing our response, our primary intended audience is not necessarily Snuffer nor his associates, but rather those individuals, perhaps faithful Latter-day Saints, perhaps questioning, perhaps once-faithful but now sincerely doubting, who may have come across his teachings and been troubled by their superficial plausibility.


Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Doctrine


Jump to details:


Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Historical


Jump to details:


Response to Denver Snuffer's Online Claims: Denver Snuffer's Excommunication


Jump to details:

Inconsistent claims

Summary: Anxious to make his case appear plausible, Snuffer sometimes makes claims that either (a) contradict other claims which he has made; or (b) distort documents or citations in an effort to strengthen his case.

Jump to Subtopic:


Notes


  1. ↑ Denver Snuffer, “Yesterday,” blog post (11 September 2013), http://denversnuffer.blogspot.ca/2013/09/yesterday.html
  2. ↑ Denver Snuffer, "Preserving The Restoration," Lecture 10, Mesa, Arizona (9 September 2014), 4. https://www.scribd.com/doc/239760895/10-Phoenix-Transcript-Preserving-the-Restoration
  3. ↑ Denver Snuffer, “Schedule,” blog post (22 September 2013), http://denversnuffer.blogspot.ca/2013/09/schedule.html
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