Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Index


A work by author: Jerald and Sandra Tanner

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 Author's sources

21
  • Joseph Smith stated that the final battle in the Book of Mormon was fought in New York.
  • Mormon Doctrine, p. 175.

21
  • Bruce R. McConkie said that Brigham Young stated that there was a cave in the Hill Cumorah that was full of records.
  • Mormon Doctrine, p. 454.

22
  • Joseph Smith found a seer stone while digging a well.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

22
  • LeGrand Richards claimed that Mormons do not have to rely on the Bible.
  •  Citation error: Page 41 of this work contains a reprint of the Joseph Smith story (i.e., JS-H 1꞉26-28). The word "bible" is used only once in the entire chapter (p. 43), where Richards cites JS-H 1꞉36.
  • It is true, though, that Joseph Smith did not gain all his knowledge about God from the Bible, but through direct revelation.
  • A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, p. 41.

22
  • Mormon leaders taught that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County.
  • Mormon Doctrine, p. 20.

22
  • A remnant of Adam's altar remained in Missouri.
  • Mormon Doctrine, p. 21.

23
  • Joseph Smith described the inhabitants of the moon.
  • Journal of Oliver B. Huntington

25
  • Brigham Young taught that the moon and sun were inhabited.

27
  • Orson Pratt preached against the Catholic Church
  • Pamphlets by Orson Pratt, p. 112

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."
  • Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56), 236.

27
  • Brigham Young claimed that every person that does not confess that Joseph Smith was a prophet is "anti-Christ."
  • Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 7:287. Volume 7 link

27
  • Joseph Fielding Smith taught that there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith.
  • Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56),189–190.

Claims made in Chapter 2: Change, Censorship and Suppression

Page Claim Response Author's sources

29
  • John Taylor said that we are not ashamed of polygamy.
  • Life of John Taylor p. 255

29
  • Brigham Young said the the only men who become gods are those who enter into polygamy.

29
  • Bruce R. McConkie said that plural marriage is not essential to salvation or exaltation.
  • Mormon Doctrine (1958) p. 523.

31
  • Joseph Smith drank beer despite having received the Word of Wisdom.
  • Millennial Star 23:720
  • Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 6:424. Volume 6 link

33
  • Joseph encouraged others to break the Word of Wisdom by drinking whiskey.
  • Millennial Star 21:283
  • Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 5:450. Volume 5 link

33
  • Joseph asked for a pipe and tobacco to settle Willard Richards' stomach.
  • Millennial Star 24:471
  • Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 6:614. Volume 6 link

34
  • Brigham Young ordered the destruction of Lucy Mack Smith's history Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith published by Orson Pratt in 1853.
  • Millennial Star 27:657-58

Claims made in Chapter 3: Changes in Revelations

Page Claim Response Author's sources

38
  • Revelations have been modified after they have been received.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

39
  • Joseph Fielding Smith said that there was no need for "eliminating, changing or adjusting" the revelations.

45
  • Critics claim that 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.

47
  • Joseph Smith claimed to have translated a parchment written by the Apostle John. According to the authors, LDS writers cannot explain why this revelation was changed.
  • Book of Commandments 6; DC 7

52
  • The name "Urim and Thummim" was added to the revelations later.
  • "Urim and Thummim" was a biblical term which members adopted for seeing or revelatory instruments. When the revelations were republished, its use had become common among the Saints.
  • The authors impose their own fundamentalist expectations on the Saints—Joseph and others made no secret that the revelations were edited, expanded, and clarified with reprintings.

59
  • The United Order was simply a form of Communism.
  •  Prejudicial or loaded language
  • The authors' source says nothing about the United Order being "communism." Since Marx and Engel's Communist Manifesto would not be published until 1848, this would be impossible.
  • Some of the many differences between the United Order and Marxist Communism include:
    • voluntary versus involuntary
    • focused on God and Christ versus atheistic
    • private ownership versus no private ownership
  • Communism and the United Order

59
  • The United Order was claimed to have actually been Sidney Rigdon's idea.
  • The authors need to produce actual evidence. Did Sidney ever claim it was his idea, even when estranged from Joseph?
  •  [ATTENTION!]

62
  • A section on marriage was removed from the D&C.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

62
  • The Lectures on Faith were removed from the D&C.

62
  • It is claimed that few LDS writers will "admit" to changes made in the D&C.

Claims made in Chapter 4: Joseph Smith and Money-Digging

Page Claim Response Author's sources

67-70
  • Joseph Smith was convicted of "glass looking" in 1826.

72
  • Regarding Joseph's "glass looking trial," 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."
  • Nibley, The Myth Makers, p. 142

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."
  • An interview with Martin Harris, published in Tiffany's Monthly, 1859, p.165

78-79

 Joseph found a seer stone while helping to dig a well.

The Hurlbut affidavits—Willard Chase

  • Comprehensive History of the Church 1:129;

79
  • Joseph said that the angel told him to "quit the company of the money-diggers."
 Joseph Smith and money digging
  • Tiffany's Monthly, 1859, pp. 163-164, 167, 169

80

 Joseph is claimed to have fastened two of his seer stones together to make his "Urim and Thummim."
  • Book of Mormon translation method
  •  History unclear or in error: Joseph removed a stone from the Urim and Thummim to use by itself, since the two joined together were two large for him to look through comfortably.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

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."
  • Affidavit of Isaac Hale, as printed in the Susquehanna Register, May 1, 1834

82
  • The seer stone is sometimes called the "Urim and Thummim."

83
  • Mormon apologists have difficulty explaining Joseph's use of seer stones.

83
  • Mormons aren't sure how to deal with Joseph Smith's "peeping" activities.

84

The plates didn't even have to be present while Joseph was translating.

84
  • Joseph Smith originally wanted to obtain the plates in order to get rich, and he was rebuked by the angel.
  • Joseph's intent was to follow the command of the angel to get the plates. He reported that Moroni "added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me, (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father's family) to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them."[1]
  • However, when he saw them for the first time, Oliver Cowdery says that "a thought would start across the mind on the prospects of obtaining so desirable a treasure--one in all human probability sufficient to raise him above the level of the common earthly fortunes of his fellow men, and relieve his family from want, in which by misfortune and sickness they were placed....his mind would be carried back to its former reflections of poverty, abuse, wealth, grandeur and ease, until before arriving at the place described, this wholly occupied his desire; and when he thought upon the fact of what was previously shown him, it was only with an assurance that he should obtain, and accomplish his desire in relieving himself and friends from want....do not understand me to attach blame to our brother; he was young, and his mind easily turned from correct principles, unless he could be favored with a certain round of experience."[2]
  •  [ATTENTION!]

86
  • Joseph is claimed to have attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's alleged work with a divining rod by changing a revelation.

87
  • Joseph went to Salem, Massachusetts to look for money hidden in a cellar.
  • D&C 111:1-2, 4, 9, 10
  • Comprehensive History of the Church 1:412

89
  • Joseph Smith is claimed to have had a "Jupiter Talisman" in his possession at the time of his death.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

Claims made in Chapter 5: The Book of Mormon

Page Claim Response Author's sources

94
  • Brigham Young claimed that some of the Book of Mormon witnesses doubted that they had ever seen an angel.

94
  • Oliver Cowdery may have had doubts about his testimony.
  • Times and Seasons 1841 vol. 2, p.482

96
  • The witnesses to the Book of Mormon were "very gullible."

97
  • David Whitmer said that God told him to separate himself from among the Latter Day Saints.
  • An Address to All Believers in Christ, pp. 27-28

99-100
  • Some of the Book of Mormon witnesses later followed James Strang.

103
  • Martin Harris changed his religion thirteen times.

108
  • Martin Harris said that he saw the plates with his "spiritual eyes."

108
  • David Whitmer said that he "handled the plates," but that he "did not touch nor handle the plates."
  • Saints Herald, 1882

108
  • Martin Harris said that the eight witnesses never saw the plates.
  • Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Winter, 1972, pp. 83-84

111
  • Material from the Presbyterian "Westminster Confession" is "probably" the source for Alma 40.
  • Westminster Confession; Alma 40

114
  • Joseph copied the name "Nephi" from the Apocrypha.

115
  • The story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt was a source for the book of 1 Nephi.

115
  • The Book of Mormon quotes Malachi many years before it was written.
  • Malachi 4:1
  • 1 Nephi 22:15

116
  • The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead is a source for the story of Ammon.

118
  • The story of Alma was taken from the story of Paul.

119
  • The Book of Mormon contains material found in the New Testament.

122
  • In the Book of Mormon, Jesus quotes a paraphrase of Moses' words found in Acts 3:22-26.

123
  • The Greek terms "Alpha" and "Omega" appear in the Book of Mormon.

124
  • The Book of Mormon contains the Greek name 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.
  • History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, 1954 ed., p.83

127
  • B.H. Roberts concluded that the book View of the Hebrews could have provided a structural foundation for the Book of Mormon.

127
  • B.H. Roberts listed a number of parallels between View of the Hebrews and the Book of Mormon.

128
  • The Book of Mormon may have used Josiah Priest's book The Wonders of Nature as a source.

128-129
  • The Book of Mormon contains changes that altered the original meaning of the text.

132
  • It was claimed that the during the translation process that the proper spelling of words was given by the Lord.

133
  • Members of the Church have claimed that the Smithsonian uses the Book of Mormon in archaeological research.

139
  • Some Mormon archaeologists have begin to "face the truth" regarding Book of Mormon archeology by declaring that it is a "myth."
  • Dee Green, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Summer 1969, pp.76-78

140-141
  • Mormon archaeologist Thomas Stuart Ferguson lost his testimony because he couldn't find any archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon.

141-142
  • Lehi would never have written using an Egyptian language. Jewish scriptures could not have been written in Egyptian.

144
  • None of the characters on the Anthon transcript bear any resemblance to known hieroglypics found in the New World.

Claims made in Chapter 6: The First Vision

Page Claim Response Author's sources

149

Oliver Cowdery's 1834 attempt at writing a history of the Church ignored the First Vision.

149

In 1832 Joseph had a revelation that said that a man could not see God without the priesthood.

  • D&C 84:21-22

150

There were no references to the First Vision in the 1830s.

152

Joseph's 1832 account mentions that he was in the 16th year of his age rather than the 15th.

154

The 1832 account only mentions one personage.

156

The personages in the 1835 version are not explicitly identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ.

157

The 1835 account talks about a visitation of angels instead of the Father and Son.

  • Deseret News, vol. 2, no.15, May 29, 1852
  • History of the Church 11:312

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.

  • Latter Day Saint's Messenger and Advocate 1:42, Feb.1835.

162

"Mormon apologists are beginning to retreat from the idea that God the Father appeared to Joseph Smith"

  • This is an absurd claim on the part of the authors.

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.

164

John Taylor claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision.

164

George A. Smith claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision.

166-171

There was no revival in the area where Joseph Smith lived in 1820.

Claims made in Chapter 7: The Godhead

Page Claim Response Author's 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
  • Book of Mormon, 1830 edition, p. 32
  • 1 Nephi 13:40.

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
  • Book of Mormon, 1830 edition, p. 25
  • 1 Nephi 11:18

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
  • Book of Mormon, 1830 edition, p. 26
  • 1 Nephi 11:21

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
  • Book of Mormon, 1830 edition, p. 26
  • 1 Nephi 11:32

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 Author's sources

192-193

 Mormons consider the fall of Adam a fortunate event. Original sin
  • Doctrines of Salvation 1:114-115

193-195

 Brigham Young preached that Adam was our God. Adam-God

196

 Brigham continued to teach Adam-God. Adam-God
  • Deseret News, June 18, 1873.

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
  • Women of Mormondom, p. 180

199

 Brigham taught that Adam was the father of Jesus Christ. Adam-God

Claims made in Chapter 9: Plural Marriage

Page Claim Response Author's sources

205
  • The 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants had a section denouncing polygamy.
  • Doctrine and Covenants (1835), Section 101

207

 Section 101 was replaced with Section 132 in 1876
  • The Saints believe in on-going revelation—Church policy may change from time to time.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

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?
  • Letter from W. W. Phelps to Brigham Young. August 12, 1861

220

 Polygamy is forbidden by the Book of Mormon

220-221

 Joseph F. Smith said that the Book of Mormon forbid polygamy. Book of Mormon condemns polygamy [needs work]
  • Reed Smoot Case, vol. 1, p.480

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

225
  • It is claimed that LDS leaders were worried that the missionaries would "take the best women."
  •  Misrepresentation of source: The quote says nothing about choosing women. Heber C. Kimball warns them simply that they are on the Lord's errand, and should allow the Lord to choose his sheep; they are merely to bring them home:
Let truth and righteousness be your motto; and do not go into the world for anything else but to preach the Gospel, build up the kingdom of God, and gather the sheep into the fold. You are sent out as shepherds to gather the sheep together; and remember that they are not your sheep: they belong to Him that sends you. Then do not make a choice of any of those sheep; do not make selections before they are brought home and put into the fold. You understand that. Amen
  • Journal of Discourses 6:256

226

 Heber C. Kimball remarked on the "great sorrow" of plural marriage. Did early Church leaders speak of plural marriage difficulties? [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses 4:178

226

 Brigham Young spoke of the "problems" of plural marriage. Did early Church leaders speak of plural marriage difficulties? [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses 9:195

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
  • Wilhelm Wyl, Mormon Portraits Volume First: Joseph Smith the Prophet, His Family and Friends (Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing Co., 1886), 57-58.
  • Intimate Disciple, a Portrait of Willard Richards, 1957, p.407

232

 Joseph was sealed to a large number of women after his death. Joseph Smith and polygamy
  • Joseph Smith and Polygamy, p.47
  • Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, Single Volume Edition, 1960, pp.342-43

233

 Brigham Young had "fifty or sixty" wives, and boasted of his ability to obtain more. Brigham Young and polygamy
  • Journal of Discourses 6:180-81
  • Journal of Discourses 8:178
  • Journal of Discourses 5:210

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
  • Wife No. 19, 1876, pp.70-71

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?
  • Journal of Discourses 11:269

289

 Modern Church leaders teach that polygamy is not essential for exaltation. The only men who become gods are those that practice polygamy?
  • Mormon Doctrine, 1958, p.523

Claims made in Chapter 10: Changing the Anti-Black Doctrine

Page Claim Response Author's 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
  • Alma 3:6
  • Race Problems—As They Affect The Church, Address by Mark E. Petersen at the Convention of Teachers of Religion on the College Level, delivered at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, August 27, 1954"

294

 Blacks were said to be the descendants of Cain.
  • History of the Church 4:501
  • Mormon Doctrine, 1958. p.102
  • Journal of Discourses 7:290
  • Mormon Doctrine, 1958, p.477
  • Journal of Discourses 22:304

296

 Brigham Young said the the penalty for marrying a black person was "death."

Claims made in Chapter 11: Fall of the Book of Abraham

Page Claim Response Author's sources

329-330

Joseph claimed that the papyrus was written by Abraham himself.|| Book of Abraham papyri (Long article)

330-331

 Hugh Nibley said that the papyri does not prove the Book of Abraham to be true and the LDS scholars were unprepared.
  • Nibley was not of the opinion that scripture could be provided save by the Holy Ghost.
  • Most scholars were "unprepared" because they had not prepared themselves to study Egyptian: "...a few faded and tattered little scraps of papyrus may serve to remind the Latter-day Saints of how sadly they have neglected serious education....Wholly committed and given fair warning, the Mormons have deserved even the unfair verdict that the world passed against them and the Prophet in 1912, when eight professional scholars condemned Joseph Smith's interpretations of the Facsimiles as utterly absurd; for had any of the Saints during the past century ever taken the pains to check up on the actual state of Egyptian studies in the world, it would have been an easy thing to show how abyssmally inept the performance of Dr. Spalding's panel of experts really was" (BYU Studies article cited by Tanners).

335

 Since the translation of the papyri was turned over to Hugh Nibley, this proves that the prophet does not have the ability to translate ancient records.
  • The Book of Abraham has already been given to us. Why would it need to be "retranslated"? Prophets only translate when no one else is able to do the job (2 Nephi 27꞉15-20).
  • Nibley insisted that the papyri in the Church's possession were not the Book of Abraham.
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.
  •  Author(s) impose(s) own fundamentalism on the Saints
  • Mark Hofmann
  •  [ATTENTION!]

339

 "Mormon elder" Dee Jay Nelson, who claimed to be an Egyptologist, translated the papyri but was unable to find any mention of Abraham. Even though Nelson was later exposed to be a fraud, "This is not to say that his work has no merit."
  •  Absurd claim: the work was a fraud, and Nelson had no qualifications, but since it attacks the Church, Tanners aren't willing to dispense with it!
  •  [ATTENTION!]

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.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

343

 Joseph used four lines from the papyrus to generate 49 verses in the Book of Abraham.
  •  [ATTENTION!]

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."
  •  [ATTENTION!]

358-361

In Facsimile #1, the penciled-in restoration is incorrect.

  •  [ATTENTION!]

Claims made in Chapter 12: Mormon Scriptures and the Bible

Page Claim Response Author's sources

365

 The Bible has secondary status in the Mormon Church.
  • Heber C. Snell, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Spring 1967, pp.56-57
  • David Bitton, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.113

365

 Joseph Smith taught that the Bible contains errors.
  •  Author(s) impose(s) own fundamentalism on the Saints
  • Only the most extreme fundamentalist insists that there can be no errors in a document created by humans.
  • Biblical inerrancy
  • Pearl of Great Price, p.59

365

 Thomas Paine's book The Age of Reason influenced early Church leaders to criticize the Bible, and to question its translation.
  •  Citation error: The authors cite the book, but this book proves nothing about its influence on the Church or its leaders. The authors are merely asserting their opinion instead of evidence.
  • Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason, p.189
  • The Age of Reason, p.32

366-367

Orson Pratt attacked the accuracy of the Bible.

  • Biblical inerrancy
  •  Misrepresentation of source: The Tanners fail to tell us that a speech of Brigham Young's (which they also quote, and also misrepresent) explains both Orson's purpose and the Saints' belief that the Bible is valuable as it stands. (See entry below for p. 385.)
  • Orson Pratt's Works, "The Bible Alone An Insufficient Guide," pp.44-47

368

A phrase concerning baptism was later added to the Book of Mormon quotation of Isaiah 48:1, quoted in 1 Nephi 20:1.

  • Book of Mormon, 1830 ed. p.52
  • 1 Nephi 20:1"

371

The Dead Sea Scrolls "present serious problems" for the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith "Inspired Version" of the Bible.

  •  [ATTENTION!]

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."
  •  Internal contradiction: p. 365: The Tanners have insisted that Joseph was wrong to say the Bible has errors. Now, they admit that at least 5% of the text is not the same between the Dead Sea Scrolls and other versions. One version must be less accurate than the other—so it seems Joseph was right after all.
  • Biblical inerrancy—Old Testament
  • Gleason D. Archer, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, p.19

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."

  • Courage, vol. 1, no. 1, September 1970, p.20
  • Sidney B. Sperry, Progress in Archaeology, pp.52-54"

378-379
  • LDS leaders claimed that "Catholics conspired to alter the Bible," but this is proven wrong by the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • Important source: Noel B. Reynolds (editor), Early Christians in Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 2005), 1–. ISBN 0934893020. off-site See especially, Gee, "Corruption of Scripture in Early Christianity." direct off-site
  • The textual alteration and suppression likely occurred before the Catholic church as such existed (the cited authors were influenced by earlier, Protestant scholarship that has since been superceded: see article in Reynolds by Dursteler, "Inheriting the "Great Apostasy": The Evolution of Latter-day Saint Views on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance." direct off-site.)
  • 1 Nephi 13:26-29
  • Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., Religious Truths Defined, p.175
  • Mark E. Peterson, As Translated Correctly, p.4, 14
  • The Evening and the Morning Star (vol. 1, No. 1, p.3)

383

 The "Inspired Version" of the Bible has been a "source of much embarassment"  [check spelling] for leaders of the Church.
  •  Absurd claim: a year after the Tanner's book was published, the Church published its new version of the KJV Bible, with extensive footnotes and appendix material from the JST. The Ensign published articles encouraging the use of the newly-available JST material.[3]
  • See here for Ensign articles published around this time praising the JST. Later uses can be seen via this search link.
  • Joseph Smith Translation as the Church's official Bible
  •  Misrepresentation of source: The Brigham Young quote says nothing about the JST or being ashamed of it. Instead, Brigham Young says:
I will remark that brother Orson has clearly shown how the Bible has come into our hands, in order to convince the people of the necessity of positive proof for the validity of the Book of Mormon, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, and to prove that our testimony, witnesses, evidence and knowledge of these facts are ten thousand times more than can be produced in favor of the Bible, unless a man has the power of God to testify to it, for there can be no proof in its favor short of revelation.
This we have known all the time, we have understood it from the beginning. That made us very anxious, in the days of Joseph, to get the new translation [recall that Emma and the RLDS had the JST manuscripts at this point, so Brigham had no access to them]; but the Bible is good enough just as it is, it will answer it very well when I was preaching in the world....The Bible is good enough as it is, to point out the way we should walk, and to teach us how to come to the Lord of whom we can receive for ourselves.
  •  Internal contradiction: pp. 366-367 above: Brigham's quote contradicts the Tanners' previous efforts to make it appear as if the Latter-day Saints disparage or do not rely upon the Bible.
  • Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 3:116

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."

  •  [ATTENTION!]

385

The contents of the "Inspired Version" of the Bible contradict doctrines taught by the Mormon church.

  •  Absurd claim: the leaders and members do not seem to have noticed. Less than a year later, the Church did publish huge amounts of the JST in the KJV Bible version after years of work. (See above.)
  • See many Ensign articles encouraging the use of, and praising, the JST here.
  • Joseph Smith Translation as the Church's official Bible
  •  [ATTENTION!]

385-386

 Joseph Field Smith said that the King James Bible is "the best version translated by the power of man" and that the "Inspired Version" was never completed, yet Joseph Smith stated that he completed the translation of the Bible.
  •  Author(s) impose(s) own fundamentalism on the Saints
  •  History unclear or in error: Joseph indicated that he had "completed" the translation in the sense that he had gone through the entire Bible. However, Joseph continued to make additional changes until his death, so he did not regard it as "completed" in the sense that no more could be done or added.
  • Joseph had sought to publish the JST, but could never raise the funds.
  • Joseph Fielding Smith's son-in-law, Bruce R. McConkie wrote an article discussing such issues.[4]
  • Since the JST manuscripts were in possession of the RLDS Church, LDS leaders were not certain about their contents or the accuracy of the publications made by the RLDS. As scholarly cooperation allowed LDS scholars to see the originals, LDS confidence in the accuracy and value of the JST increased markedly. Joseph Fielding Smith's remarks must be viewed in this context.
  • Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.191
  • History of the Church 1:324
  • History of the Church 1:368

393

Joseph's "Inspired Version" of the Bible does not restore any of the "lost books" of the Bible.

  •  Author(s) impose(s) own fundamentalism on the Saints
  • The claim is hypocritical, since the Tanners believe the Bible is inerrant and sufficient, and so they would not regard these "lost books" as part of scripture.
  • They also misunderstand the nature of the JST: see JST as textual restoration?
  • Joseph Smith's Revision of the Bible, p. 18

Claims made in Chapter 13: Changes in Joseph Smith's History

Page Claim Response Author's 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
  • Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, p.199
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
  • Brigham Young University Studies, Summer 1971, pp.466, 469, 470, 472
  • Letter from George A. Smith to Woodruff, April 21, 1856, as cited in Brigham Young University Studies, Summer 1971, pp.470-72"
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
  • Times and Seasons, vol. 3, p.753
  • History of the Church, vol. 1, p.11
  • Millennial Star, vol. 3, p.53
  • 1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price
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
  • Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Winter 1972, p.76
  • Paul R. Cheesman, An Analysis Of The Kinderhook Plates, March, 1970, Brigham Young University Library

Claims made in Chapter 14: False Prophecy

Page Claim Response Author's sources

417
  • Joseph Smith gave many false prophecies.

417
  • Joseph Smith received a false revelation to go to Canada and sell the Book of Mormon copyright.
  • David Whitmer, An Address To All Believers In Christ, 1887, pp.30-31
  • B.H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, vol. 1, p.165"

418-419
  • In 1835 Joseph Smith prophesied that the Lord would come in "fifty-six years," or when Joseph was 85 years old.
  • History of the Church 5:336
  • Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.76
  • Daily journal of Abraham H. Cannon, October 14, 1886, BYU Library
  • History of the Church 2:188

420-421
  • Joseph prophesied that a temple in Missouri would be built "in this generation."
  • Doctrine and Covenants 84:2-5, 31
  • George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses 10:344
  • Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses 13:138, 362; 14:275; 17:111, 292
  • Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.74"

424
  • Joseph's "Civil War prophecy" could have been deduced from the news at the time.
  • The Evening and the Morning Star, vol. 1, issue 8

Claims made in Chapter 15: The Arm of Flesh

Page Claim Response Author's sources

431-439

 There has been no new revelation since the time of Joseph Smith.

431

 The Church teaches that you must let the leaders do your thinking for you.

433

 Joseph F. Smith said that he never received revelation.

434

 The Church chose to canonize two "new" revelations in order to counter claims made by the Tanners?
435 The Church has never produced a copy of the revelation granting Blacks the ability to receive the priesthood.

437

Brigham Young claimed that his sermons were the same as scripture.

  • Journal of Discourses 13:95

Claims made in Chapter 16: The Priesthood

Page Claim Response Author's sources
442 The concept of "priesthood" was added later to the Church and was a creation of Sidney Rigdon. Priesthood restoration  [needs work]
  • David Whitmer, An Address To All Believers In Christ, by David Whitmer, p.64
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
  • Hebrews 7:11-14
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
  • History of the Church 1:40, footnote
445-446 The idea of the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordaining men to be High Priests came from Sidney Rigdon. Priesthood restoration  [needs work]
  • Whitmer, An Address To All Believers In Christ, p.35, 62-63

Claims made in Chapter 17: Joseph Smith

Page Claim Response Author's sources
448 No man can enter the Celestial Kingdom without Joseph Smith's consent. Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief
  • Journal of Discourses 7:289
  • Journal of Discourses 3:212
  • Journal of Discourses 8:176"
448 Joseph Smith would be looked upon as a god. Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief
  • Journal of Discourses 5:88
450 Church members elevate Joseph Smith almost to the level of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief
  • Tiffany's Monthly in 1859, p.170
451-452 Joseph Smith liked to fight? Personal failings of Joseph Smith
  • History of the Church 5:316, 524, 531
  • Journal of Discourses 8:317-18
456-457 Joseph Smith was ordained "King on earth" by the Council of Fifty. The Council of Fifty
  • Klaus J. Hansen, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Summer 1966, page 104
  • Brigham Young University Studies, Winter 1968, pp.212-13
  • Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 356. ( Index of claims )
  • Kenneth W. Godfrey, Causes of Mormon Non-Mormon Conflict in Hancock County, Illinois, 1839-1846, Ph.D. dissertation, BYU, 1967, pp.63-65"
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."
  • History of the Church 5:289, 467; 6:78, 408-409
460 Joseph boasted that he was the only one who kept a whole church together. Did Joseph Smith 'boast' of keeping the Church intact
  • History of the Church 6:408-409
462-463 The destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor was illegal. Nauvoo Expositor
  • History of the Church, vol. 6, p.xxxviii
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 Author's sources
468 The admonition not to eat meat is mostly ignored by the Church. Word of Wisdom/Eat meat sparingly  [needs work]
  • John J. Stewart, Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, p.90
469 Joseph Fielding Smith said that drinking tea can bar a person from the Celestial Kingdom. Word of Wisdom/Tea  [needs work]
  • Doctrines of Salvation 2:16
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
  • John J. Stewart, Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, p.90
470 Joseph sometimes drank wine. Word of Wisdom
  • History of the Church 2:369
  • History of the Church 6:616"
470 Joseph smoked a cigar. Word of Wisdom
  • "Joseph Smith As An Administrator," M.A. thesis, Brigham Young University, May 1969, p.161
474 Brigham Young chewed tobacco for many years. Brigham Young and tobacco [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses, vol. 12, p.404 (incorrect page - should be page 29)
475 Brigham built a whisky distillery. Brigham Young's whisky distillery [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses, 10:206

Claims made in Chapter 19: Old Testament Practices

Page Claim Response Author's 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]
  • 3 Nephi 12:43-44
  • Romans 12:14
  • Doctrine and Covenants, 103:24-25"
484-485 Cursing of enemies was carried out in the Kirtland Temple. Cursing of enemies  [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses 2:216
485 George A. Smith prayed that the Lord would kill the mob. Cursing of enemies  [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses 5:107
486 Heber C. Kimball cursed the President of the United States. Cursing of enemies  [needs work]
  • Journal of Discourses 5:32
  • Journal of Discourses 5:133
  • Journal of Discourses 5:95
  • Journal of Discourses 6:38
488 Joseph Smith taught animal sacrifice.
  • History of the Church 4:211
  • History of the Church 4:211
  • Doctrines of Salvation 3:94

Claims made in Chapter 20: Blood Atonement

Page Claim Response Author's sources

490
  • Reed Peck said that Joseph Smith told him of a revelation in which Apostle Peter stated that he had hung Judas.
  • The Reed Peck Manuscript, p.13
  • Journal of Discourses 6:125-26
490-491 Brigham Young advocated blood atonement. Blood atonement
  • Journal of Discourses 4:53-54
491-492 Jedediah Grant advocated blood atonement. Blood atonement
  • Journal of Discourses 4:49-50
493 Murder was worthy of death. Blood atonement
  • History of the Church 5:296
  • Doctrines of Salvation 1:136
  • Mormon Doctrine, 1958, p.314"
493 Adultery and immorality were worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Journal of Discourses 7:20
  • Journal of Discourses 6:38
  • Journal of Discourses 7:19
  • Journal of Discourses 1:97
493 Brigham Young said that he would put a javelin through the heart of an adulterous woman. Blood atonement
  • Journal of Discourses 3:247
496 Stealing was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Times and Seasons, vol. 4, pp.183-84
  • History of the Church 7:597
  • Journal of Discourses 1:108-9
  • Journal of Discourses 1:73"
496 Using the name of the Lord in vain was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Journal of Hosea Stout, vol. 2, p.71; p.56 of the typed copy at Utah State Historical Society
496 Not receiving the Gospel was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Journal of Discourses 3:226
496 Marrying and African was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Journal of Discourses 10:110
  • Wilford Woodruff's Journal, January 16,1852
  • Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Spring 1973, p.26
498 Breaking covenants was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Journal of Discourses 4:49-51
  • Deseret News, July 27, 1854
  • Journal of Discourses 4:375
498-499 Apostacy was worthy of death. Blood atonement
  • Journal of Discourses 1:83
  • Journal of Discourses 4:219-20
  • Journal of Discourses 6:34-35
500 Lying was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • "Manuscript History of Brigham Young," December 20, 1846
500 Counterfeiting was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • "Manuscript History of Brigham Young," February 24,1847
500 Condemning Joseph Smith was worthy of death. 19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
  • Quest for Empire, p.127
  • Daily journal of Abraham H. Cannon,"" December 6, 1889, pp.205-6
501-503 Blood atonement was "put into practice" in Utah. Blood atonement
  • Confessions of John D. Lee, 1880, pp.282-83
  • Utah Historical Quarterly, January 1958, p.62, note 39
501 Modern church leaders have confirmed the principle but denied the practice of blood atonement. Blood atonement
  • Mormon Doctrine, 1958, p.87
  • Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp.133-36

Claims made in Chapter 21: The Hereafter

Page Claim Response Author's sources

506

LDS leaders teach the "endless punishement" won't last forever.

506

Joseph Smith's later teachings regarding endless punishment contradict the Book of Mormon.

  • Doctrine and Covenants 19:6
  • Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, p.160
  • Alma 42꞉16

507

LDS leaders teach that "very few" will become "sons of perdition."

  • Joseph Smith—Seeker After Truth, pp.177-78

508

The idea of "spirit prison" as an opportunity for the dead to be taught and receive the gospel contradicts the Book of Mormon.

510

The concept of three degrees of glory is not consistent with the Book of Mormon.

Claims made in Chapter 22: Temple Work

Page Claim Response Author's 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.

514

Baptism for the dead was not a doctrine in the early church.

  •  The author's claim is false: The majority of modern scholars accept that vicarious baptism for the dead was practiced by at least some of the early Church.
  • Baptism for the dead
  • Orson Pratt's Works, 1891, p.205
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