Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Chapter 6

Chapter 5

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Jerald and Sandra Tanner

Chapter 7

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.	Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35	Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 24-25. ( Index of claims )
149	In 1832 Joseph had a revelation that said that a man could not see God without the priesthood.	D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood	D&C 84:21-22
150	There were no references to the First Vision in the 1830s.	The author's claim is false: No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications?	[ATTENTION!]
152	Joseph's 1832 account mentions that he was in the 16th year of his age rather than the 15th.	Different age provided in the 1832 text	[ATTENTION!]
154	The 1832 account only mentions one personage.	Only one Personage appears in the 1832 account	[ATTENTION!]
156	The personages in the 1835 version are not explicitly identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ.	History unclear or in error: The "Angels" of the 1835 account	[ATTENTION!]
157	The 1835 account talks about a visitation of angels instead of the Father and Son.	The author's claim is false: The "Angels" of the 1835 account	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.	So what? Jesus' teaching of repentance was not unique either. One must assess the fruits of Joseph's prophetic ministry. How many of those who claimed visions also produced a 500+ page book in less than three months?	[ATTENTION!]
160	Oliver Cowdery's 1834 history in the Messenger and Advocate did not mention the First Vision.	History unclear or in error: Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35	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"	First Vision  Absurd claim: This is an absurd claim on the part of the authors, with (as is usual with such things) no evidence presented.	[ATTENTION!]
162-163	The Book of Mormon teaches that there is only one God.	Members of the Church believe that God is one. They also believe that more than one personage can be spoken of as God. Monotheism vs. Polytheism?	Mosiah 15꞉1-2 Mosiah 15꞉5 Ether 3꞉14
164	Brigham Young denied that the Lord came to Joseph Smith in the First Vision.	The author's claim is false: Brigham Young said the Lord didn't appear	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 2:171.
164	John Taylor claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision.	The author's claim is false: John Taylor's understanding of the First Vision	John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 20:167.
164	George A. Smith claimed that an angel appeared during the First Vision.	The author's claim is false: George A. Smith said First Vision was an "angel"	George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses 12:333-34.
166-171	There was no revival in the area where Joseph Smith lived in 1820.	History unclear or in error  The author's claim is falseReligious revivals in 1820	[ATTENTION!]