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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven, Chapter 4

2010-05-24T07:19:34Z

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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven, Chapter 18

2010-05-24T07:19:26Z

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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven, Chapter 17

2010-05-24T07:19:10Z

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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven, Chapter 1

2010-05-24T07:19:08Z

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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith/Index

2010-05-24T07:18:42Z

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Response to Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

2010-05-24T07:18:32Z

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Specific works/Trouble Enough

2010-05-24T07:18:27Z

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Specific works/The Mormon Mirage

2010-05-24T07:17:58Z

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power/Index

2010-05-24T07:17:54Z

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power

2010-05-24T07:17:38Z

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power/Index

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power

2010-05-24T07:17:10Z

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Specific works/The Making of a Prophet

2010-05-24T07:16:55Z

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised)/Index

2010-05-24T07:16:52Z

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__NOTOC__
{{FAIRAnalysisHeader
|title=The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised)
|author=Walter Martin, Hank Hanegraaff (editor)
|noauthor=
|section=Index of claims
|previous=
|next=
|notes={{AuthorsDisclaimer}}
}}

==Index to claims made in ''The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised edition)==
This is an index of claims made in this work with links to corresponding responses within the FAIRwiki. An effort has been made to provide the author's original sources where possible. This index only treats the section of the book dealing with Mormonism.

====179====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|[I]n keeping with the acceleration of cult propaganda everywhere, the Mormons have around 50,000 "missionaries" active today}}
|response=
*{{Prejudicial}}: Why the scare quotes around the word 'missionaries?' If they aren't missionaries, then what are they?
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion
}}

====180====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that Latter-day Saints are cautioned against the use of "caffeine-bearing drinks, such as Coca-Cola."
|response=
*Cautioned yes. Prohibited, no.
*[[Word of Wisdom/Cola drinks|Word of Widom—Cola drinks]]
*Thomas J. Boud, MD, "The Energy Drink Epidemic," ''Ensign'', December 2008. {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=30952f9318fcd110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1}}
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}

====181====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Tithing is claimed to be one-tenth of gross income.
|response=
*{{FalseStatement}}: The First Presidency has issued the following statement about what constitutes tithing:
:The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this.{{ref|tithe.1}}
* Whether a member interprets "income" as "gross," "net," or some other way is up to them.
* If "no one" is entitled to make any other statement, surely that includes anti-Mormon authors!
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====181, n3====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Utah "shows that rates of divorce, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, and suicide are above the national average and climbing."
|response=
* If the same faulty logic is applied to Evangelicals as is applied to Mormons in this case, they do not fare well either.
* [[Statistical claims/Suicide rate among Mormons]]
* [[Statistical claims/Suicide rate among Mormons#Evangelical_Christians_and_suicide|How do evangelical Christians stack up?]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|Mormons…flourish a pseudo-mastery of Scripture before the uninformed Christian's dazzled eyes and confuse him, sometimes beyond description.}}
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
* One wonders if this is intended to discourage conservative Christians from even ''considering'' scriptural evidence from a Mormon.
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book refers to the "young and boastful Joseph Smith…"
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that Joseph Smith's statement that "no man knows my history" resulted in "endless suspicion by Mormon historians and non-Mormons" who began researching it.
|response=
*{{Absurd}}: The history of the Church has been of intense interest to historians since the Church was formed.
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith practiced "occult peep-stone seeking."
|response=
*{{Prejudicial}}
*[[Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith practices "treasure digging."
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
*[[Joseph Smith/Money digging]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}

====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith committed "adultery before the polygamy prophecy."
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}: [[Joseph_Smith/Polygamy/Adultery_before_12_July_1843|Adultery before polygamy revelation?]]
* [[Polygamy_book/Introduction_of_the_eternal_marriage|Fanny Alger—marriage or affair?]]
*[[Joseph Smith and polygamy]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith proclaimed that the Book of Mormon "is the most correct of any book on earth."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/As the most correct book]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}
====182====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith said "I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam…"
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}
*[[Joseph Smith/Narcissism/Did Joseph Smith 'boast' of keeping the Church intact|Did Joseph Smith 'boast' of keeping the Church intact?]]
|authorsources=
*History of the Church, 6:408-409
}}
====183====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*According to D. Michael Quinn, Joseph Smith Sr. was a "mystic" and a treasure digger.
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
*[[Joseph Smith/Money digging]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}
====183====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith Jr. was "interested in treasure seeking even after he became president of the LDS Church.
|response=
*[[Joseph Smith/Money digging]]
*[[Joseph Smith/Money digging/"Treasure hunting" trip to Salem|Treasure hunting post-Church organization?]]
|authorsources=
*{{CriticalWork:Quinn:Magic World View|pages=}}{{attn}}
}}
====183====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*D. Michael Quinn was excommunicated "after refusing to keep silent about his unflattering research."
|response=
*[[Church discipline/Scholars#D. Michael Quinn|Church discipline/Scholars—D. Michael Quinn]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====184====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young wanted to suppress Lucy Mack Smith's history because it had "many mistakes."
|response=
* [[Lucy Mack Smith/Biography]]
|authorsources=
*Millennial Star, 17:297-298, personal letter dated January 31, 1885.
}}

====184====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|It is interesting to observe that Smith could not have been too much moved by the heavenly vision, for he shortly took up once again the habit of digging for treasure along with his father and brother, who were determined to unearth treasure by means of 'peep stones,' 'divining rods,' or just plain digging.}}
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
* [[Joseph_Smith/Seer_stones|Joseph Smith: "divining rods" and "peep stones"?]]
* [[Joseph Smith/Money digging]]
|authorsources=
*No source provided
}}

====184====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph is claimed to have gone "on record as denying that he had ever been a money-digger."
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}
* [[Joseph Smith/Money digging]]
|authorsources=
*Joseph Smith, History, 1:55
}}

====184====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph "took part in and personally supervised numerous treasure-digging expeditions" and "claimed supernatural powers."
|response=
*The claim relies upon a hostile source ''Gleanings by the Way'' (1842) , written by the Rev. John A. Clark. There are no sources provided for Clark's statements, although it is likely that he relies upon [[The Hurlbut affidavits|the Hurlbut affidavits]]:
<blockquote>
"...Jo Smith, who has since been the chief prophet of the Mormons, and was one of the most prominent ostensible actors in the first scenes of this drama, belonged to a very shiftless family near Palmyra. They lived a sort of vagrant life, and were principally known as ''money-diggers''. Jo from a boy appeared dull and utterly destitute of genius; but his father claimed for him a sort of second sight, a power to look into the depths of the earth, and discover where its precious treasures were hid. Consequently long before the idea of a GOLDEN BIBLE entered their minds, in their excursions for money-digging, which I believe usually occurred at night, that they might conceal from others the knowledge of the place where they struck upon treasures, Jo used to be usually their guide, putting into a hat a peculiar stone he had through which he looked to decide where they should begin to dig.
</blockquote>
|authorsources=
*{{CriticalWork:Clark:Gleanings by the Way|pages=225}}
}}

====184====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*A hearing 1826 ruled that Joseph was "guilty of money-digging."
|response=
* {{HistoricalError}}: the hearing was not a trial; it could not have a "guilty" verdict
*[[Joseph Smith/Legal trials/1826 glasslooking trial]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====186====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The angel Moroni was originally identified as Nephi.
|response=
*[[Moroni's visit/Nephi or Moroni]]
|authorsources=
*1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
*{{CriticalWork:Tanner:Mormonism Shadow|pages=136}}
*Times and Seasons, vol. 3, 753
}}

====186====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|This unfortunate crossing up of the divine communication system was later remedied by thoughtful Mormon scribes who have exercised great care to ferret out all the historical and factual blunders not readily explainable in the writings of Smith...}}
|response=
*{{Prejudicial}}
*{{Fundamentalism}}
* [[Doctrine_and_Covenants/Textual_changes]]
*[[../Loaded and prejudicial language|Loaded and prejudicial language]]
|authorsources=
}}

====187, n10====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*"Reformed Egyptian" has never been seen by any "leading Egyptologist.
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}: The Book of Mormon makes it clear that "reformed Egyptian" is the Nephite term only ({{s||Mormon|9|32-34}}).
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Reformed Egyptian]]
* {{Repeats|#199|p. 199}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}
====188====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that Sidney Rigdon "virtually challenged the whole state to do pitched battle with the 'Saints'" and as a result they were "subsequently persecuted and expelled."
|response=
*Partially true. Sidney did indeed make an inflammatory speech. This did not, however, ''initiate'' persecution against the Latter-day Saints. Sidney's speech was prompted by the persecution that the Saints had experienced so far, including his own tar and feather experience and the expulsion of the Saints from Independence, Missouri.
|authorsources=
}}
====189====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|[I]n Kirtland, Nauvoo, Jackson County, etc., the Mormons had a chance to win converts to Smith's religion because they were strangers and the character of the prophet was unknown in those areas.}}
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: the members of the Church and Joseph were repeated subjects of skeptical or hostile publications and newspaper reports. The charges against Joseph were typically close at hand.
|authorsources=
}}

====189-190====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that Eber D. Howe "did tremendous research during Joseph's lifetime" on Joseph's character, and that Joseph "never dared to answer Howe's charges."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: Howe has the distinction of writing the first anti-Mormon book, but this says little about his "tremendous research," since most of his material was from someone else's efforts.
* Howe relied on hostile affidavits collected after the fact by Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, a man who had sworn to wash his hands in Joseph Smith's blood. Hurlbut was unable to publish the affidavits himself after his trial for making death threats against Joseph . He sold this material to Eber D. Howe, who published them.
* [[Specific works/The_Hurlbut_affidavits|The Hurlbut affidavits]]
|authorsources=
*{{CriticalWork:Howe:Mormonism Unvailed|pages=261}}
}}

====190====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Latter-day Saints "pretend" that Howe's work was the result of a "revengeful vendetta of one Dr. Philastus Hurlbut." The "fact" that stories published by Howe were "publicly circulated previous to Hurlbut's excommunication" is claimed to be "incontestable."
|response=
* The role of Hurlbut in gathering the affidavits is a matter of historical record.
* If Martin has evidence that these claims were being made before Hurlbut collected them, he should present the evidence. Assertion is not evidence.
*[[Specific works/The Hurlbut affidavits]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====190====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that there are "no contemporary pro-Mormon statements from reliable and informed sources who knew the Smith family and Joseph intimately."
|response=
{{FalseStatement}}: [[Early Smith family history/No positive witnesses|No positive witnesses about the Smith family?]]
* It is convenient that the author inserts the "reliable and informed" qualifiers—this allows him to simply insist that any evidence in the Smiths' favor simply isn't reliable or informed.
* Joseph's mothers and four siblings were members of the Presbyterian church. They were eventually suspended for not attending for eighteen months. If the family had been as reprobate as the Hurlbut affidavits claimed, it is unlikely their neighbors would have tolerated them in the church for as long as they did. See: [[First Vision/Lucy Mack Smith and the Presbyterians#Lucy.27s_family_was_suspended_from_fellowship_in_the_Presbyterian_church_in_March_1830|Lucy Mack Smith and Presbyterianism]]
|authorsources=
}}

====190====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*John C. Bennett, one of Josephs "former assistants" is claimed to have "boldly exposed the practice of polygamy in Nauvoo."
|response=
* {{HistoricalError}}: Bennett, a serial adulterer, was repeatedly chastened by Church leadership and finally excommunicated. He retaliated by accusing Joseph Smith of similar crimes.
*[[Polygamy book/John C. Bennett|John C. Bennett]]
|authorsources=
}}

====191====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|"Each succeeding president of the Mormon Church claims...an infallible prophetic succession."}}
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: [[Church doctrine/Statements by Church leaders|Prophetic infallibility?]]
* {{Fundamentalism}}
* This error is repeated again on [[#243|p. 243]].
|authorsources=
}}

====191-192====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows massacre.
|response=
*[[Mountain Meadows Massacre]]
|authorsources=
}}

====193====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|[T]he god of Mormonism elevates "white" races as supreme and has demeaned African-Americans and Native Americans as "unrighteous."}}
|response=
*The author ignores the fact that the "Curse of Ham" was a ''Protestant'' invention used to justify slavery.
*{{DoubleStandard}}: [[One_Nation_Under_Gods/Use_of_sources/Double_standard_on_race|Protestant critics on race issues]]
*[[Blacks and the priesthood/The "curse of Cain" and "curse of Ham"|The "curse of Cain" and "curse of Ham"]]
* {{Repeats|#235|p. 235}}
|authorsources=
*No citation provided.
}}

====193====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon describes the "Native-American" curse as a "skin of blackness."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Lamanites/Curse]]
|authorsources=
*{{s|2|Nephi|5|21}}
}}
====194====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Editions of the Book of Mormon printed after 1981 changed the word "white" to "pure" in order to "delete" "racist overtones."
|response=
* {{FalseStatement}}: Joseph Smith made the change in 1836.
*[[Book of Mormon/Textual changes/"white" changed to "pure"]]
|authorsources=
*{{s|2|Nephi|30|6}}
}}

====194====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young made degrading comments about race in the ''Journal of Discourses''.
|response=
*[[Brigham Young/Race mixing punishable by death]]
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=45|vol=7|start=290}}
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=25|vol=10|start=110}}
}}

====194====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Urim and Thummim were "supernatural spectacles."
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
*The Urim and Thummim were never described in the Bible, nor in Church history as being "supernatural."
* [[Joseph_Smith/Seer_stones|Joseph Smith and urim and thummim]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====194====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The first edition of the Book of Mormon listed Joseph Smith as "author and proprietor."
|response=
*It should also be noted that the following page in the 1830 Book of Mormon describes how Joseph translated the plates, and clearly states that he is a "translator."
*[[Book of Mormon/Joseph as author and proprietor]]
|authorsources=
}}
====195====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|The conflicting methods Smith used for translating the ''Book of Mormon'' leaves little doubt that the story changed often through its progressive history.}}
|response=
*The author wishes to contrast the story of the translation using the Urim and Thummim with the use of a seer stone placed in a hat. In reality, both methods are believed to have been employed and the timeline documenting their use is consistent.
*[[Book of Mormon/Translation/Method]]
|authorsources=
*David Whitmer, ''An Address to All Believers in Christ'', 12.
*''Deseret News Church Section'', September 20, 1969, 32.
*Emma Smith, ''The Saint's Herald'', 310.
}}
====197====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Charles Anthon claimed that he never told Martin Harris that the translation of the characters from the gold plates was correct.
|response=
* Anthon did not like being associated with the Book of Mormon. If he did not reassure Martin, as he later claimed to Howe, why did Martin return reassured and ready to mortgage his farm to publish Joseph's translation?
*[[Book of Mormon/Translation/Anthon transcript#Martin Harris and Charles Anthon|Martin Harris and Charles Anthon]]
|authorsources=
*Letter from Charles Anthon to E.D. Howe, Feb. 17, 1834.
}}

====199====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Nobody has found "the slightest trace" of a language known as "reformed Egyptian."
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}: The Book of Mormon makes it clear that "reformed Egyptian" is the Nephite term only ({{s||Mormon|9|32-34}}).
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Reformed Egyptian|"Reformed Egyptian"]]
* The author is repeating himself: see [[#187, n10|p. 187, n. 10]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion.
}}
====200====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that archaeological evidence refutes the Book of Mormon.
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Archaeology]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion.
}}
====200====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Smithsonian Institution has refuted Book of Mormon archaeological claims.
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Archaeology/Smithsonian statement]]
|authorsources=
*Smithsonian statement.
}}
====201====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author states that "elephants never existed on this continent."
|response=
*Actually, Mastodons and Mammoths did exist on the American continent. The question is whether or not they existed into the Jaredite timeframe before they were hunted to extinction in the Americas. Note that the only mention of elephants in the Book of Mormon relates to the earlier Jaredite civilization.
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Animals]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion.
}}

====201====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that the metals described in the Book of Mormon "have never been found in any of the areas of contemporary civilizations of the New World."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Metals|"Anachronisms"—metals]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion.
}}

====201====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*BYU professor Thomas Stuart Ferguson called Book of Mormon geography "fictional."
|response=
* Ferguson was not a professional archaeologist or scholar of Book of Mormon geography.
* He was an amateur who had unrealistic ideas about what could be expected from archaeology.
* [[Book of Mormon/Archaeology/Thomas Stuart Ferguson|Thomas Stuart Ferguson]]
|authorsources=
*Jerald and Sandra Tanner, ''Ferguson's Manuscript Unveiled'', 1988.
}}

====202====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*"Mormon theology" claims that Native Americans are "descendants of the Lamanites" and that they are "of the Semitic race."
|response=
*LDS doctrine holds that Lehi was ''one'' ancestor of Amerindians. He is not the only ancestor, nor is he necessarily a predominant one.
*[[Book of Mormon/DNA evidence]]
*[[Book of Mormon/Lamanites/Relationship to Amerindians]]
|authorsources=
*W.C. Boyd, ''The Contributions of Genetics to Anthropology''.
*Bentley Glass.
}}

====202====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|Now, if the Lamanites, as the ''Book of Mormon'' claims, were the descendants of Nephi, who was a Jew of the Mediterranean Caucasoid type...}}
|response=
*{{FalseStatement}}: The Book of Mormon does not claim that the Lamanites were the descendants of ''Nephi." Also not considered are the Mulekites, the Jaredites, and the likely presence of people on the continent before Lehi's arrival.
*[[Book of Mormon/Lamanites/Relationship to Amerindians]]
|authorsources=
*Author's opinion.
}}

====202-203====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon was "corrected" without "consulting the missing golden plates."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: Both the translation and corrections were the result of a revelatory process—Joseph did not need the plates physically present to translate ''or'' to correct the text. He could not read the plates, save with God's aid. Why would God need the plates to be physically present?
*[[Book of Mormon/Textual changes]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====203====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The name "Benjamin" was changed to "Mosiah" in {{s||Mosiah||21|28}}.
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Textual changes/"Benjamin" changed to "Mosiah"|Textual change—"Benjamin" to "Mosiah"]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Mosiah|21|28}}
}}

====203====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon plagiarizes the King James Bible.
|response=
*Why would Joseph plagiarize the one text his readers would be sure to know, and be sure to be offended by if he did?
*[[Book of Mormon/Plagiarism accusations/King James Bible]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Martin Harris is claimed to said that he saw the plates with his "spiritual eyes" rather than his "naked eyes."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/"Eye of Faith" and "Spiritual Eye" statements by Martin Harris]]
|authorsources=
*Recollections of John H. Gilbert, 1892, Typescript, BYU, 5-6.
}}
====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|The Mormons are loath to admit that all three of these witnesses later apostatized from the Mormon faith and were described in the most unflattering terms ("counterfeiters, thieves, [and] liars") by their Mormon contemporaries.}}
|response=
*{{FalseStatement}}. The fact that the witnesses left the Church is actually ''taught'' in Church. The fact that none of them ever denied their testimony that they saw the angel and the plates, despite the fact that they all disagreed with Joseph Smith later in their lives when they could have "exposed the fraud" so to speak, makes their testimony even more powerful. New documents, such as the recently discovered William McLellin notebook, continue to provide proof that the witnesses never denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon.
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that Joseph Smith "wrote prophecies and articles against the character of the witnesses," and that this makes their testimony "suspect."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: the witnesses persisted in their testimony despite falling out with Joseph. This strengthens their witness.
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/Character|Book of Mormon witnesses—character]]
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/Recant|Book of Mormon witnesses—faithfulness to witness]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||DC|3|12}}
*{{HoC1|vol=3|start=228}}
*{{HoC1|vol=3|start=232}}
}}

====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Oliver Cowdery is claimed to have denied his testimony in the ''Times and Seasons''.
|response=
*The source is a poem by Eliza Snow, the first part of which reads:
<blockquote>
Amazed with wonder! I look round Or prove that Christ was not the Lord
 
To see most people of our day, Because Peter cursed and swore?
 
Reject the glorious gospel sound, Or Book of Mormon not his word
 
Because the simple turn away. Because denied, by Oliver?
 
Or does it prove there is no time, Or prove, that Joseph Smith is false
 
Because some watches will not go? Because apostates say tis so?
</blockquote>
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/Recant|Did Oliver or the others recant?]]
*Oliver Cowdery held to his testimony of the Book of Mormon even on his deathbed.
|authorsources=
*''Times and Seasons'', 2:482.
}}

====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Martin Harris is claimed to have "denied the teaching of Brigham Young" after he was rebaptized.
|response=
* Without a source, it is difficult to assess this claim.
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}

====204====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*David Whitmer is claimed to have said that "it was a vision and not an actual visitation by an angelic person."
|response=
* {{FalseStatement}}: Whitmer's actual words are:
:In June, 1829, the Lord called Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and myself as the three witnesses, to behold the vision of the Angel, as recorded in the fore part of the Book of Mormon, and to bear testimony to the world that the Book of Mormon, and to bear testimony to the world that the Book of Mormon is true. I was not called to bear testimony to the mission of Brother Joseph Smith any farther than his work of translating the Book of Mormon, as you can see by reading the testimony of us three witnesses.

* Whitmer endorses his printed testimony, and insists that the Book of Mormon was true and that he saw the angel. He says nothing about it not being "an actual visitation."
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/David Whitmer said was not an actual visitation|David Whitmer said was not an actual visitation?]]
*[[Book of Mormon/Witnesses/Recant|Whitmer and the others never denied their testimony?]]
* [[Book_of_Mormon/Witnesses/Spiritual_or_literal|The Three Witnesses—"spiritual" or "literal"?]]
|authorsources=
*{{AddressBelievers1|start=32}}
}}

====204-205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon contains passages from the King James Bible.
|response=
*Why would Joseph plagiarize the one text his readers would be sure to know, and be sure to be offended by if he did?
*[[Book of Mormon/Plagiarism accusations/King James Bible]]
|authorsources=
}}

====205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Some of Christ's words in 3 Nephi are a paraphrase of a sermon made by Peter, before Peter had made it. According to the author, 3 Nephi "makes Christ out to be a liar" because Christ "attributes Peter's words to Moses as a direct quotation," while Peter was actually paraphrasing Moses.
|response=
|authorsources=
* {{attn}} - source? {{NB}}
}}

====205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon is said to "follow an error" in the King James Bible in {{s||Isaiah|4|5}} / ({{s|2|Nephi|14|5}}). The phrase "For upon all the glory shall be a defense" should actually be "For over all the gloary {{cs}} there will be a canopy."
|response=
* [[Book_of_Mormon/Anachronisms/Translation_Errors_from_the_KJV|"Anachronisms"—KJV translation errors?]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Jaredites are claimed to have "enjoyed glass windows" in their barges.
|response=
* {{FalseStatement}}
* {{SourceDistortion}}: The Book of Ether specifically says that ''if'' the Jaredites were to put windows in their barges, this would result in the barges being "dashed to pieces." There are no windows in the barges, and no mention of glass at all (see {{s||Ether|2|23}}).
* [[Book_of_Mormon/Anachronisms/Windows|"Anachronisms"—windows? glass?]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon mentions "steel" and a "compass."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Metals|"Anachronisms"—steel]]
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Compass|"Anachronisms"—compass]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====205====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Laban uses a steel sword and Nephi had a steel bow.
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Metals|"Anachronisms"—steel]]
* {{InternalContradiction|205-206}}: The author admits that biblical usage has "steel" = "bronze," and then criticizes the Book of Mormon for potentially following the same convention.
|authorsources=
*{{s|1|Nephi|4|9}}
}}

====205-206====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Jaredites had steel swords, but "steel" in the Bible is actually bronze or iron.
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Metals|"Anachronisms"—steel]]
* {{DoubleStandard}}: The author admits that biblical usage has "steel" = "bronze," and then criticizes the Book of Mormon for potentially following the same convention.
|authorsources=
*{{s||Ether|7|9}}
*{{s||Psalm|18|34}}
*{{s||Nahum|6|2}} NASB.
}}

====206====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Interpreting "steel" as "bronze" undermines the claim that the Book of Mormon was translated correctly.
|response=
* {{Fundamentalism}}
* {{DoubleStandard}}: the KJV Bible uses "steel" for "bronze"—does this mean it is utterly unreliable?
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Metals|"Anachronisms"—steel]]
* {{InternalContradiction|205-206}}: The author admits that biblical usage has "steel" = "bronze," and then criticizes the Book of Mormon for potentially following the same convention.
|authorsources=
*William Hamblin, "Handheld Weapons in the Book of Mormon" 1985, FARMS.
}}

====206====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The compass was not yet invented. "Mormons" are claimed to defend this by using Acts 28:13, which is correctly rendered as "circle" instead of "compass".
|response=
* The author ignores numerous other examples.
* The question is not whether the word could be otherwise translated—the question is whether in KJV-style English the term "compass" could be used as the Book of Mormon does. And, the answer is clearly, "Yes."
*{{Fundamentalism}}: the author seems to want to insist on some type of perfect, ideal "translation," which neither Joseph nor the Saints believe in.
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Compass|"Anachronisms"—compass]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Acts|28|13}}
}}

====206====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Bible says that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, but the Book of Mormon says that he would be born "at Jerusalem."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Jerusalem vs Bethlehem|Jerusalem vs. Bethlehem?]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Micah|5|2}}
*{{s|1|Nephi|1|4}}
}}

====206====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Bible is claimed to contradict the Book of Mormon teaching that children cannot sin under eight years of age.
*The Bible is claimed to place sin at the point of conception.
*{{AuthorQuote|Anyone who thinks that children under age eight cannot sin has not visited the classrooms of today's schools.}}
|response=
* The author can restrict Christ's grace to little children, but members of the Church of Jesus Christ refuse to believe that little children are held guilty before God. They are saved from their imperfections and errors through Christ's grace.
* [[Plan of salvation/When are children capable of sin]]
* [[Plan of salvation/Original sin]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Moroni|8|8}}
*{{s||Psalm|51|5}}
*{{s||Romans|5|12-15}}
*{{s||Romans|3|10-12}}
}}

====207====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Mormon and D&C are claimed to contradict one another. According to the author, the Book of Mormon states that ""remission of sins is the accomplishment of baptism,"" while the D&C states ""the direct opposite,"" by claiming that remission of sins occurs before baptism.
*The author claims that "Mormon theologians conspicuously omit any serious discussion of the contradiction."
|response=
* [[Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions/Remission of sins before or after baptism|Remission of sins before or after baptism?]]
* "Mormon theologians" understand that there ''is'' no contradiction; the critics are reading these texts through their own theology, not through an LDS view of the matter.
* {{Repeats|#227|p. 227}}
|authorsources=
*{{s|3|Nephi|12|2}}
*{{s||Moroni|8|11}}
*{{s||DC|20|37}}
}}

====207====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy, and that this contradicts the D&C.
|response=
*[[Polygamy/Book of Mormon condemns the practice]]
*[[Doctrine and Covenants/Contradiction between Section 132 and Jacob 2|Contradiction between D&C 132 and Jacob 2?]]
*[[Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Not Biblical|Plural marriage is not Biblical?]]
*[[Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions/Contradictions in LDS scripture table#12|"Contradictions" in LDS scripture?]]
|authorsources=
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|chapter=13|pages=308 (PB)}}
*{{s||DC|132|32}}
*{{s||DC|132|34}}
*{{s||Jacob|2|26-28}}
}}

====207====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Book of Moses and Book of Abraham are claimed to be in conflict with one another. The Book of Moses talks of one God creating the earth, while the Book of Abraham talks of more than one god creating the earth.
|response=
* "God" may be spoken of as "one" in some senses, and as "more than one" in other senses. This is true even for creedal Christianity.
* [[Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions/Multiple versus single creators|Multiple versus single creators?]]
* [[Nature of God/Trinity/Nicene creed]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Moses|2|1}}
*{{s||Abraham|4|1}}
}}

====207====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph Smith's "Civil War Prophecy" is claimed to have been "drawn chiefly from material already published at the time."
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}: Mormons were mocked for spreading the prophecy; it was not "obvious" to everyone else that a civil war was in the offing.
*[[Joseph Smith/Prophecies/Civil War]]
*[[One Nation Under Gods/Use of sources/Attitude of Saints to Civil War prophecy|Attitude of Saints to Civil War prophecy]]
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|appendix=B|pages=461}}
|authorsources=
*{{HoC1|vol=1|start=301}}
*Boston Daily Advertiser & Patriot, December 10, 1832.
*D&C 87
}}

====208====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph "prophesied that he would possess the house he built at Nauvoo 'for ever and ever,'" yet the Nauvoo House was never completed.
|response=
*[[Questions All Mormons Should Ask Themselves/Pages 2#45. Why did the Nauvoo House not stand forever and ever?|Why did the Nauvoo House not stand forever and ever?]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||DC|124|22-23}}
*{{s||DC|124|59}}
*{{HoC1|vol=1|start=160}}
}}

====208====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed regarding Joseph's prophecy concerning the restoration of Israel that he expected it to occur within his lifetime, when in reality the prophecy in Ezekiel 37 "began to be fulfilled in 1948, more than a hundred years after Smith's death."
|response=
* The statement from Joseph occurred around 1832 (see {{HC1|vol=4|start=375}} where Hyde dates this to ""about nine years"" before 1841).
* The author's grasp of Zionism and Israeli history is poor. European Jews began immigrating in large numbers to Palestine in 1882, and immigration was already increasing from the 1840s-1880s. The ""gathering of the Jews"" began well before the establishment of the state of Israel, as the author appears to believe (see [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah here]]).
* The author does not believe that a dedication by Hyde has any effect, but he cannot prove that it did not, just as those with faith cannot ''prove'' that it did.
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|appendix=B|pages=463, 617n18}}
|authorsources=
*{{s||Ezekiel|37|}}
*No source provided for Joseph Smith's prophecy of the restoration of Israel.
}}

====208====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that "numerous students of Mormonism" such as E.D. Howe, Pomeroy Tucker and William A. Linn believe that the Book of Mormon was based upon the writings of Solomon Spalding. Spalding is claimed to have "written a number of 'romances' with biblical backgrounds similar to those of the Book of Mormon."
|response=
*Howe (1834), Tucker (1867), and Linn (1902) are not ""students of Mormonism""—they were critics of the Church. It is telling that the author cites no one since 1902.
*Ever since critic Fawn Brodie wrote, the Spalding theory has been considered a dead end. Recent critics have tried to resuscitate it, without success.
*[[Book of Mormon/Authorship theories/Spalding manuscript]]
*[[Specific works/The Hurlbut affidavits|The Hurlbut affidavits]]
* {{FR-17-2-3}} 
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}

====209====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that the "theological portions" of the Book of Mormon were added to Spalding's writings by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon.
|response=
* The author needs to provide some evidence for this remarkable assertion.
*[[Book of Mormon/Authorship theories/Spalding manuscript]]
*[[Specific works/The Hurlbut affidavits|The Hurlbut affidavits]]
|authorsources=
*Testimony of John Spaulding, Martha Spaulding printed in {{CriticalWork:Howe:Mormonism Unvailed|pages=278}}
}}

====210====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|It is fairly well established historically, then, that the Mormons have attempted to use a manuscript that is admittedly not the one from which Smith later copied and amplified the text of what is now known as the Book of Mormon…}}
|response=
*{{Absurd}}: It is easy for critics to postulate the existence of a second manuscript which cannot be produced.
*[[Book of Mormon/Authorship theories/Spalding manuscript]]
* [[../Absurd claims|Absurd claim]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====210, n15-16====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that the Spalding Manuscript "Manuscript Story" contains at least 75 similarities to the Book of Mormon.
|response=
* The Spalding theory is implausible on historical grounds.
* "Similarities" mean very little unless they are complex, unique, and unable to be explained except by copying.
*[[Book of Mormon/Authorship theories/Spalding manuscript]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====211====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that Deuteronomy 13:1-10 "perfectly" describes Joseph Smith.
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}: the author is claiming that Joseph taught that his hearers should "go after other gods."
* The text also says that such a preacher of idolatry should be put to death.
* Joseph, his followers, and his enemies believed he was a Christian preacher—only later critics have tried to cloud this.
* [[Jesus Christ/Worship different Jesus|Did Joseph preach a different God? A different Jesus?]]
* [[Jesus Christ/Latter-day Saints aren't Christians|Joseph wasn't a Christian? The LDS aren't Christian?]]
* [[Jesus Christ/Latter-day Saints aren't Christians#Saints_claim_to_be_Christian_only_recently.3F|Mormons only recently claim to be Christians?]]
|authorsources=
* {{b||Deuteronomy|13|1-10}}
}}

====211====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Bible prohibits adding to the Word of God, and "[i]t does no good for the Mormon to argue that Revelation 22:18-20 only pertains to the book of Revelation," since in 1981 the Joseph Smith Translation modified it.
|response=
'''On changes in general:'''
* The author here tries to cover the fact that the verse in Revelation does not apply to the entire Bible, but we must not let him slip this by us.
* [[%22Adding_to%22_or_%22taking_away_from%22_the_Bible|"Adding to" or "taking away" from the Bible]]
'''On "changes" to Revelation:'''
* Humans may not add to or alter the word of God. God, however, may do what he wishes. Can God not command a prophet to do so?
* If Joseph's claims are true, then he may be ''restoring'' changes made by someone else to the text.
* The author mistakenly assumes that the Joseph Smith Translation must be a textual restoration.
* [[Bible/Joseph Smith Translation/As a restoration of the original Bible text]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====212====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Joseph is claimed to have "declared theological war on Christianity" by branding "all Christian sects as 'all wrong'."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: Christian sects were declaring each other to be in error for centuries before Joseph's arrival. It was this conflict that troubled him and led to his prayer in the grove.
* {{HistoricalError}}: Joseph did not say the churches were "all wrong," i.e., entirely mistaken on all points. He did report the message from God that they all lacked something, or taught some things that were not true. But, Joseph saw much of value in other Christians:
:Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error, We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true "Mormons".{{ref|tpjs.316}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====212====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that the LDS brought persecution upon themselves and that they were the "initial antagonists."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: Christians have been disagreeing theologically about practically every issue for nearly two thousand years. Joseph did not suddenly start this practice.
* Since when is preaching different doctrines license for violence, rape, dispossession, and murder? Is the author trying to excuse these crimes because the Mormons said things their neighbors didn't like?
* Even if the Saints ''did'' "start the fight," it is extraordinary that a Christian minister like the author resorts to the claim that "they started it." Jesus taught "bless them that curse you." The author has decided to continue a fight he is convinced that the Mormons started, and excuse those who persecuted the Saints for their beliefs.
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====213, n20====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that Blacks were denied the priesthood because they were "under a curse for their lack of valiance in their premortal existence."
|response=
*This idea has been [[Blacks_and_the_priesthood/Repudiated_ideas|repudiated]] by Church leaders.
*[[Blacks and the priesthood/Pre-existence|Priesthood ban—Pre-existence]]
* {{Repeats|#235|p. 235}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====214====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*According to Hebrews 7, Jesus Christ changed the priesthood and eliminated the need for the Aaronic Priesthood.
|response=
*[[Priesthood/Restoration/Aaronic/Hebrews 7]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====215, n21====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Jesus' priesthood is said to be "untransferable." The LDS claim that Melchizedek conferred his priesthood on Abraham "finds no support in scripture."
|response=
* The LDS do not need to rely only on biblical scripture for their knowledge of such things. There is nothing in the Bible that ''precludes'' Abraham receiving the priesthood from Abraham.
*{{SourceDistortion}}: the author's claim about a non-transferable priesthood is based on a translation error that has been long since corrected. Theological necessity, however, keeps the idea popular in some circles.
* [[Priesthood/Non-transferable]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====216====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The priesthood is the "priesthood of all believers."
|response=
* The author is welcome to his opinion, but his view on this is recent in Christian history, and is not biblical.
*[[Priesthood/Is there a "Priesthood of All Believers"]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====216-217====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS look forward to "communication with the dead."
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
* {{Absurd}}: Latter-day Saints look forward to the resurrection promised to all, and for a continuation of their loving relationships with those who have passed away.
*The "Mormon author" Joseph Heinerman also appears in the anti-Mormon film [[The God Makers]]. {{attn}} - is this the source?
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====217====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that Latter-day Saints show a "denial of the true deity of Jesus Christ."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}:
* {{FalseStatement}}: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth is Christ, Lord, and God.
* [[Jesus Christ/Latter-day Saints aren't Christians]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====218 ====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|[A]ll church theologians from the earliest days of church history have affirmed that Christianity is monotheistic in the strictest sense of the term.}}
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: The author should try to persuade a Jew or Muslim that Christianity (with its trinitarian God) is monotheistic in "the strictest sense of the term."
* Like other Christians, Latter-day Saints believe that God is one, and that more than one divine person may be properly spoken of as "God" (the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).
* Christians have used various methods to reconcile these two ideas. Latter-day Saints reject Nicene trinitarianism, and have adopted a solution more in line with modern Christian ideas of "social trinitarianism."
* [[Nature of God/Trinity/Nicene creed]]
* [[Nature of God/Polytheism|Do the LDS reject monotheism?]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====219====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*"God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth"
|response=
* {{SourceDistortion}}
* The Latter-day Saints agree with this scripture, but (along with many Christian commentators) reject the idea that this scripture is describing God's nature as "only" a spirit.
*[[Nature of God/God is a Spirit]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====219-220====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS "misuse" John 10:34, which claims "Ye are gods" to "falsely" imply that Jesus "endorsed godhood for man." The author claims that this does not agree with the context of John 10:24-36.
|response=
* The author needs argument, not just assertion.
*[[Nature of God/Deification of man]]
* ''An extended discussion of this issue can be found in:''
**{{FR-19-1-13}}
**{{FR-19-1-14}}
**{{FR-19-1-15}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====220-221====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Adam-God doctrine taught by Brigham Young
|response=
*[[Church doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Adam-God]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====221-222====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*King Follett discourse.
|response=
* {{attn}} - what is the criticism? {{nb}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====222====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that Latter-day Saints "attempt to veil their evil doctrine in semi-orthodox terminology."
|response=
* {{Prejudicial}}
* {{Absurd}}: the author is charging members of the Church with willfully trying to hide their beliefs and intent.
* The author should stop trying to declare what members believe, and let Latter-day Saints explain their own beliefs.
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====222====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*"Mormon doctrine" is that "God the Father is a mere man…"
|response=
*{{FalseStatement}} LDS do not consider the Father "a mere man," or a "mere" anything.
*{{Prejudicial}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====223====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author equates the word "spirit" with "immaterial nature."
|response=
* This conception owes more to the metaphysics of Greece which were merged with Christian thought than it does with the Bible.
* [[Apostasy|The Great Apostasy and the Hellenization of Christian thought]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====223====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|Mormons indeed have sworn allegiance to a polytheistic pantheon of gods…}}
|response=
* {{Absurd}}
* {{Prejudicial}}
*{{FalseStatement}}: Latter-day Saints have "allegiance" only to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
*[[Nature of God/Polytheism]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====224====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The "Mormon teaching" that God was seen "face to face" in the Old Testament has been "refuted" through language and comparative textual analysis. God said that that no man could see His face and live ({{s||Exodus|33|20}}
|response=
* [[Nature of God/No man has seen God|No man has seen God?]]
*[[Nature of God/Corporeality of God]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====225====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Biblical scriptures describing God's body parts are claimed to be metaphorical. Why then does God not have feathers or wings, as described in the Bible?
|response=
* Jesus is God, and he clearly had a body like humans do, and was resurrected with that body. Why, then, do the critics object to the Latter-day Saints saying that God has a body, when the entire message of Christianity is that God descended to earth and was incarnated and then resurrected?
* [[Nature of God/No man has seen God|No man has seen God?]]
*[[Nature of God/Corporeality of God]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====227====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that it is a contradiction that D&C 20:37 states that baptism follows repentance while 3 Nephi 12:22 and Moroni 8:11 states that repentance follows baptism.
|response=
* [[Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions/Remission of sins before or after baptism|Supposed contradictions in scripture—2 Nephi 31 & Moroni 8:11]]
* {{Repeats|#207|p. 207}}
|authorsources=
*{{s||DC|20|37}}
*{{s|3|Nephi|12|22}}
*{{s||Moroni|8|11}}
}}

====227====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Holy Ghost is referred to as "it."
|response=
*[[Holy Ghost/Identity]]
|authorsources=
*Charles Penrose, ''Mormon Doctrine'' (1888). {{attn}} - page number? {{nb}}
}}

====228====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The book claims that for LDS, God is not "incomprehensible."
|response=
* Mortal minds cannot comprehend everything about God.
* However, Latter-day Saints do not regard God's nature or character as incomprehensible—He is, quite simply, Our Father: a personal being who loves us and wishes us to return to him.
* It is strange that understanding God's intent and relationship to humanity is regarded as a ''negative'' thing by the author.
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====229====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young said that Jesus was not begotten by the Holy Ghost.
|response=
* LDS doctrine teaches that Christ was the Son of the Father. Little is known, save that the virgin Mary was "carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time" prior to Jesus' birth and conception ({{s|1|Nephi|11|19}}).
* [[Jesus Christ/Conception]]
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=8|vol=1|start=50|end=51}}
}}

====229====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*"Mormon theology" is claimed to teach that "polytheism is the divine order" and that these gods are "polygamous."
|response=
|authorsources=
*Parley P. Pratt, ''Key to the Science of Theology'', 23.
}}
====229-230====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS are claimed to teach that Jesus was conceived "by actual sexual relations" with Mary.
|response=
* [[Jesus Christ/Conception]]
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:Becoming Gods|pages=183}}
*{{CrossRef:Abanes:One Nation|pages=287 575n38(PB)}}
|authorsources=
*James Talmage, ''The Articles of Faith'', 473.
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=27|vol=8|start=115}}
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=8|vol=1|start=50|end=51}}
}}

====231====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young is claimed to have denied the virgin birth. The author refers to Adam-God as "Brigham Young's doctrine of the virgin Birth."
|response=
* {{FalseStatement}}
* {{SourceDistortion}}: In this very passage, Brigham: "When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." Brigham even mentions "the Virgin Mary"—how does this deny the virgin birth?
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=8|vol=1|start=50|end=51}}
}}

====232====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*It is claimed that "no General Authority has ever contradicted" Brigham Young's teachings on Adam-God.
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: Brigham was unable to convince all of the apostles of ''his day'' that Adam-God was proper doctrine.
* {{FalseStatement}}:

*Charles W. Penrose said in 1902:
:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never formulated or adopted any theory concerning the subject treated upon by President Young as to Adam.{{ref|penrose1}}
* In October 1976 general conference, President Spencer W. Kimball declared the Church's official position on Adam-God:
:We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the Scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine.{{ref|kimball1}}
* [[Church doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Adam-God]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====233====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham said that "keeping the commandments of God will cleanse away the stain of sin." According to the author, "Apparently Brigham was ignorant of the biblical pronouncement that 'without the shedding of blood there is no remission [of sin]"
|response=
*{{Absurd}}: The author is implying that Brigham Young did not understand the need for Christ's atonement.
* Brigham is merely asserting that if one does not strive to keep the commandments after repenting of sin, one has not truly repented, and treats the atonement of Christ lightly. In this case, the "commandment" to be kept is the command to be baptized, the whole point of which is to access the atonement:
::Has water [of baptism], in itself, any virtue to wash away sin? Certainly not; but the Lord says, "If the sinner will repent of his sins, and go down into the waters of baptism, and there be buried in the likeness of being put into the earth and buried, and again be delivered from the water, in the likeness of being born—if in the sincerity of his heart he will do this, his sins shall be washed away. Will the water of itself wash them away? No; but keeping the commandments of God will cleanse away the stain of sin.
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=1|vol=2|start=4}}
*{{s||Hebrews|9|22}}
}}

====234====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS believe that Adam and Eve "were foreordained to sin" and that the Fall of Adam was necessary.
|response=
* The LDS believe that God foresaw the likelihood of sin, but the choice remained a free agent act of Adam and Eve's.
* It is ironic that the critics (who often believe in some from of Calvinist predestination) complain about Adam and Eve being "foreordained to sin." In much of creedal Christianity, God creates humanity out of nothing (''ex nihilo'') and thus creates in them the nature to sin.
* The only alternative to seeing the Fall of Adam as necessary to God's plan is to see the Fall as a disaster from which God had to recover and go to "plan B."
|authorsources=
*{{s|2|Nephi|2|25}}
}}

====235====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author states that Joseph Smith said that the Garden of Eden was located in Missouri rather than Mesopotamia.
|response=
* [[Garden_of_Eden_in_Missouri]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====235====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The ''Book of Moses'' is claimed to state that Cain was the "progenitor of the Negro race" and that his "black skin" was the result of a curse by God.
|response=
* Under the influence of cultural ideas adopted from Protestantism, some Latter-day Saints read the ''Book of Moses'' in this way.
* {{SourceDistortion}}: There is, however, nothing in the ''Book of Moses'' that describes Cain as the "progenitor of the Negro race," nor is there anything which calls his curse "black skin." Like the Bible, the ''Book of Moses'' says only that "the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him" ({{s||Moses|5|40}}).
* {{DoubleStandard}}: This reading of the Cain story drew on common Protestant ideas of the time. Yet, the author wishes to blame members of the Church more than his own religious tradition.
* [[Blacks_and_the_priesthood/The_%22curse_of_Cain%22_and_%22curse_of_Ham%22|"Curse of Cain"]]
* [[Blacks_and_the_priesthood/LDS_scriptures|LDS Scripture and the priesthood ban]]
*[[One_Nation_Under_Gods/Use_of_sources/Double_standard_on_race|Protestant critics' double standard on race: a case study]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====235====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS are claimed to believe that blacks were "less than valiant" in the "war in heaven."
|response=
*This idea has been [[Blacks_and_the_priesthood/Repudiated_ideas|repudiated]] by Church leaders.
*[[Blacks and the priesthood/Pre-existence|Priesthood ban—Pre-existence]]
* {{Repeats|#213, n20|p. 213, n. 20}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====235====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The Indians "have allegedly been cursed by the Mormon deity with dark skins."
|response=
*[[Book of Mormon/Lamanites/Curse]]
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====235====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*{{AuthorQuote|Mormonism, then, is clearly a religion with a shameful history of white supremacist doctrines and practices.}}
|response=
*It is amazing that the author completely ignores the fact that the "Curse of Cain" or "Curse of Ham" believe was a ''Protestant'' invention that was used to justify slavery, and that Protestant congregations were segregated.
*{{DoubleStandard}}: [[One_Nation_Under_Gods/Use_of_sources/Double_standard_on_race|Protestant critics on race issues]]
*[[Blacks and the priesthood/The "curse of Cain" and "curse of Ham"]]
* {{Repeats|#193|p. 193}}
|authorsources=
* {{attn}}
}}

====236====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*According to Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ was "the spirit brother of the devil."
|response=
*[[Jesus Christ/Brother of Satan]]
|authorsources=
*{{s||Moses|4|1-4}}
}}
====236====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*LDS are claimed to believe that Jesus Christ was married to Mary, Martha and "the other Mary" at Cana.
|response=
* {{HistoricalError}}: ''some'' 19th-century LDS held this view, but it was not a doctrine of the Church.
* [[Jesus Christ/Was Jesus married/Was Jesus a polygamist|Was Jesus a polygamist?]]
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Orson Hyde|disc=49|vol=4|start=259}}
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Orson Hyde|disc=18|vol=2|start=82}}
}}

====236====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*Brigham Young taught that the shedding of Christ's blood was not sufficient to cleanse all sins.
|response=
* Jesus himself [[Unforgivable_sin|taught]] that there was sin which was [[Unforgivable_sin|unforgiveable]].
* [[Church doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Blood atonement]]
* [[Church doctrine/Repudiated concepts/Blood atonement#Brigham_Young.27s_preaching_style|Brigham Young's preaching style]]
|authorsources=
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=35|vol=3|start=247}}
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=42|vol=4|start=219|end=220}}
*{{s|1|John|1|7}}
}}
====243====
{{IndexClaim
|claim=
*The author claims that Latter-day Saints believe in "infallible prophets."
|response=
* {{Absurd}}: [[Church doctrine/Statements by Church leaders|Prophetic infallibility?]]
* {{Fundamentalism}}
* * This error is repeated again on [[#191|p. 191]].
|authorsources=
*No source provided.
}}

=={{Endnotes label}}==
#{{note|tithe.1}} First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970; quoted in the ''General Handbook of Instructions'' (1989): 9-1 by {{CR1|author=Dallin H. Oaks|date=Apr. 1994|start=46}} See also {{Ensign1|author=Dallin H. Oaks|date=May 1994|start=35|article=Tithing}} {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=10c3425e0848b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD}}
#{{note|tpjs.316}} {{TPJS1|start=316}}
#{{note|penrose1}}{{IE1|author=Charles W. Penrose|article=Our Father Adam|date=September 1902|start=873}} reprinted in {{MS|author=Charles W. Penrose|article=Our Father Adam|vol=64|num=50 |date=11 December 1902|start=785|end=790}} (this paragraph from p. 789).
#{{note|kimball1}}{{Ensign1|author=Spencer W. Kimball|article=Our Own Liahona|date=November 1976|start=77}}{{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1976.htm/ensign%20november%201976.htm/our%20own%20liahona%20.htm}}

=Further reading=
{{FAIRAnalysisWiki}}
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[[fr:Specific works/The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised)/Index]]

Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised)

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Template:Critical sources box:Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Mormonism Unvailed/The Hurlbut affidavits/CriticalSources

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==={{Criticism source label English}}===
*{{CriticalWork:Abanes:Becoming Gods|pages=24}}
*{{CriticalWork:Abanes:One Nation|pages=6-11}}
*{{CriticalWork:Anderson:New York Reputation|pages=}}
*{{CriticalWork:Brodie:No Man Knows|pages=17–18}}
*{{CriticalWork:Howe:Mormonism Unvailed|pages=1–}}
*{{CriticalWork:Livesey:Exposure of Mormonism|pages=2–3}}
*{{CriticalWork:Huggins:Changing Dramatis Personae|pages=17–42}}
*{{CriticalWork:Martin:Kingdom of the Cults|pages=208-209}}
*{{CriticalWork:Palmer:Insider|pages=157, 228}}
*{{CriticalWork:Tanner:Changing World|pages=78-80}}
*{{CriticalWork:Vogel:Making of a Prophet|pages=}}

===Past LDS response(s)===
* {{Book:Taylor:Calumny Refuted|pages=1–12}}
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[[fr:Specific works/The Hurlbut affidavits/CriticalSources]]

The Hurlbut affidavits

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{{JosephSmithPortal}}

=={{Criticism label}}==
Many of Joseph Smith’s friends and neighbors signed affidavits that accused him and his family of being lazy, indolent, undependable treasure-seekers.

{{CriticalSources}}

=={{Response label}}==
===Background===
Many critics cite a collection of affidavits from Joseph Smith’s neighbors which claim that the Smith family possessed a number of character flaws. These affidavits were collected by “Doctor” Philastus Hurlbut.{{ref|hurlbut1}} Hurlbut had been excommunicated from the Church on charges of "unvirtuous conduct with a young lady,"{{ref|winchester.5}} and for threatening the life of the Prophet. His collection of these statements was made at the request of an anti-Mormon committee in Kirtland, Ohio.{{ref|roberts.41a}} According to B.H. Roberts:

:It was simply a matter of "muck raking" on Hurlbut's part. Every idle story, every dark insinuation which at that time could be thought of and unearthed was pressed into service to gratify this man's personal desire for revenge, and to aid the enemies of the Prophet in their attempt to destroy his influence and overthrow the institution then in process of such remarkable development.{{ref|roberts.41b}}

Hurlbut was unable to publish the affidavits himself after his trial for making death threats against Joseph Smith, Jr. He sold this material to Eber D. Howe, who published it in his anti-Mormon book ''Mormonism Unvailed'' in 1834. In addition to the affidavits attacking the character of the Smith family, Hurlbut gathered statements from the family and neighbors of Solomon Spalding in order to "prove" that Spalding's unpublished manuscript was the source for the Book of Mormon. ''Mormonism Unvailed'' contained the first presentation of the [[Book of Mormon and Spaulding manuscript|Spalding theory]] of ''Book of Mormon'' origin. Some critics, such as [[Fawn McKay Brodie|Fawn Brodie]], are selective in their acceptance of Hurlbut's affidavits—They readily accept affidavits that attack the character of the Smith family, yet admit that some "judicious prompting" by Hurlbut may have been involved in those affidavits that were gathered to support the Spalding theory.{{ref|brodie.446-447}}

Howe's bias is evident throughout the book. He introduces the Smith family with the following:

:All who became intimate with them during this period, unite in representing the general character of old Joseph and wife, the parents of the pretended Prophet, as lazy, indolent, ignorant and superstitious—having a firm belief in ghosts and witches; the telling of fortunes; pretending to believe that the earth was filled with hidden treasures, buried there by Kid or the Spaniards.{{ref|howe.11}}

===Smith family character claims and reliability===
The following table summarizes the claims made in the Hurlbut affidavits regarding Joseph Smith, his family and his associates.

{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="50%"|Claims
!width="30%"|Comments
|-
|
====Parley Chase====
||
*Claimed that the members of the Smith family were "lazy, intemperate and worthless men, very much addicted to lying. In this they frequently boasted of their skill."
*Claimed that "[i]n regard to their Gold Bible speculation, they scarcely ever told two stories alike."
||
*Hugh Nibley notes: "Frequently"? A liar's "skill"...consists in not being recognized as a liar. Skillful liars don't boast about it. {{ref|nibley.105}}
*[[Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|Lazy Smiths?]]
|-
|

====Joseph Capron====
||
*Claimed that Joseph used his seer stone to locate "ghosts, infernal spirits, mountains of gold and silver, and many other invaluable treasures deposited in the earth."
||
* [[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
* [[Joseph_Smith_and_the_occult|Joseph Smith and "magick"]]
*{{FR-18-1-5}}
*{{FR-17-1-4}}
|-
|

====Lemon Copley====
||
*Claimed that Joseph told him a story about seeing an old man who claimed to have a monkey in a box.
*Claimed that the Lord told Joseph that the man was Moroni with the plates, and that if he had "five coppers, he might have got his plates again."
||
*Note that Copley's testimony contradicts that of [[The Hurlbut affidavits#Peter Ingersoll|Peter Ingersoll]]. Ingersoll claimed that Joseph Smith made up the story of the plates on the spot in order to fool his family. Copley, on the other hand, mentions the name Moroni.
|-
|

====Alva Hale====
(Son of Isaac Hale)
||
*Claimed that he knew Joseph Smith, Jr. and Martin Harris "to be an impostor, and a liar."
||
* John Stafford, eldest son of [[#William Stafford|William Stafford]], would later testify, "[Martin Harris] was an honorable farmer; he was not very religious before the Book of Mormon was published."{{ref|john.stafford.3}}
|-
|

====Isaac Hale====
(Father-in-law of Joseph Smith, Jr.)
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr's occupation was "seeing" by means of a "stone placed in his hat."
*Claimed that Joseph "pretended to discover minerals and treasure."
*Claimed that he was not allowed to look into the box containing the gold plates.
*Claimed that Joseph said that a "young child" would be the first to view the plates.
*Claimed that he told Joseph to remove the plates from his house if he couldn't be allowed to view them.
*Claimed that Joseph told Martin Harris to go into the woods to find the plates on his own.
*Claimed that Joseph translated the plates by looking in his hat while the plates were in the woods.
*Claimed that the ''Book of Mormon'' was a "silly fabrication."
||
*[[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
|-
|

====Henry Harris====
||
*Claimed that the Smith family "labored very little."
*Claimed that the Smith family primarily "dug for money."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. "pretended to tell fortunes."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. "he had a stone which he used to put in his hat, by means of which he professed to tell people's fortunes."
*Claimed that Joseph was required to be married in order to obtain the plates.
*Claimed that Joseph and Martin Harris (and others) "were regarded by the community in which they lived, as a lying and indolent set of men and no confidence could be placed in them."
*Claimed that "He said it was revealed to him, that no one must see the plates but himself and wife [Emma]."
||
*[[Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|Lazy Smiths?]]
** The claim that the Smith's were lazy and rarely worked it clearly false—their farm and its improvements was worth more than most of their neighbors.
** Many testified to how diligent a worker Joseph was.
* Martin Harris was respected and admired greatly—until he became associated with the Book of Mormon. He was otherwise trusted and well-regarded, which is why critics found his participation so baffling.
* Emma testified she never saw the plates; the claim about her and Joseph seeing them is thus false.
**[[Book_of_Mormon_witnesses/Other_Book_of_Mormon_witnesses#Emma_Smith|Emma and the plates]]
|-
|

====Nathaniel Lewis====
(Brother-in-law to Isaac Hale and a Methodist deacon)
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. asked his advice on whether or not he should translate the plates.
*Claimed that Joseph told him that God commanded him to translate the plates, but that he was "afraid of the people."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. "frequently said to me that I should see the plates at the time appointed."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. said that "he, himself was deceived."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. was "an impostor, hypocrite and liar."
||
*Nibley notes that the claim made by Lewis that Joseph was "afraid of the people" contradicts the claims by other critics that the ''Book of Mormon'' was intended to be a "publicity stunt."{{ref|nibley.65}}
|-
|

====Joshua M'Kune====
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. and Martin Harris were "artful seducers."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. said that "(Smith's) first-born child was to translate the characters, and hieroglyphics, upon the Plates."
||
* John Stafford, eldest son of [[#William Stafford|William Stafford]], would later testify, "[Martin Harris] was an honorable farmer; he was not very religious before the Book of Mormon was published."{{ref|john.stafford.5}}
|-
|

====Roswell Nichols====
||
*Claimed that the Smith family was known for "breach of contracts," and "non-payment of debts."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. was "weak minded," and of "low character."
||
{{nw}}
|-
|

====Barton Stafford====
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. was a "drunkard."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. was "addicted to intemperance."
||
* John Stafford, eldest son of [[#William Stafford|William Stafford]], was later asked "What was the character of [Joseph] Smith [Jr.], as to his drinking?" Replied Stafford, "It was common then for everybody to drink, and to have drink in the field; one time Joe, while working for some one after he was married, drank too much boiled cider. He came in with his shirt torn." When asked if this meant Joseph had been drunk and fighting, Stafford insisted, "No; he had been scuffling with some of the boys. Never saw him fight; have known him to scuffle...."{{ref|john.stafford.6}} Thus, while Joseph likely drank (as did everyone, a point which the affidavits gloss over) to describe him as 'addicted to intemperance' is likely a gross exaggeration. John Stafford seems to have remembered this event because it was remarkable and fairly minor—hardly the sign of Joseph being perpetually drunk.
* The lack of other claims in the affidavits that Joseph Jr. was a drunk is also telling—this would have been widely known and widely claimed in the affidavits if true.
|-
|

====David Stafford====
||
*That Joseph Smith, Sr. was a "drunkard," a "liar," and a "gambler."
*That the "general employment" of the Smith family was "money digging" and "fortune telling."
*The Oliver Cowdery was a "worthless person" who was "not to be trusted."
||
* John Stafford, [[#William Stafford|William Stafford's]] eldest son, would later say that Oliver Cowdery "taught school on the Canandaigua road, where the stone school-house now stands...Cowdery was a man of good character."{{ref|john.stafford.2}}
|-
|

====Joshua Stafford====
||
*Claimed that the Smith family became "indolent" after "digging for hidden treasures."
*Claimed that the Smith family told stories of "ghosts, hob-goblins and caverns."
||
* [[Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|Lazy Smiths?]]
|-
|

====G. W. Stoddard====
||
*Claimed that Martin Harris was "industrious and enterprising" before he got involved with Mormonism.
*Claimed that Martin Harris' "moral and religious character" did "not entitle him to respect."
*Claimed that Martin Harris was known to "abuse his wife, by whipping her, kicking her out of bed and turning her out of doors."
||
* John Stafford, eldest son of [[#William Stafford|William Stafford]], would later testify, "[Martin Harris] was an honorable farmer; he was not very religious before the Book of Mormon was published."{{ref|john.stafford.4}}
|}

====Commentary====

{{main|Early Smith family history/Lazy Smiths}}

=====Milton V. Backman=====

Milton V. Backman wrote:

:If the belittling statements by men who supposedly were acquainted with the Smith family were correct, and if members of the family had been liars, immoral, and "addicted to vicious habits," Lucy, Hyrum and Samuel would have been unable to retain their membership in the Western Presbyterian Church until 1830. In that era excommunications were frequent in most congregations, including the Presbyterian society of Palmyra. Individuals judged guilty of immorality, profanity, lying, drunkenness, gambling, and other such sins were excommunicated from this society. The reason members of the Smith family were dismissed from the Lord's Supper in the spring of 1830 was not because of any of the above charges but only because they desired to withdraw their membership and had neglected to attend church for a year and a half.{{ref|backman.1}}

=====B.H. Roberts=====

B.H. Roberts contrasts the achievements of the Smith family with the accusations made against them:

:Against this large collection of evil report and false interpretation of the character of the Smiths while at Palmyra, prompted as it was by prejudice and collected by malice, the evidence of accomplished fact, and the subsequent lives of the family may be opposed. Take for example the achievements of the family during the few years of their residence in Palmyra. They arrived there penniless, as all admit, with nothing but their bare hands with which to help themselves. Yet in a few years they built two homes in the wilderness; they cleared sixty acres of heavy timber land, and converted it into a tillable farm. In addition to their farming and gardening, they had a sugar orchard of from twelve to fifteen hundred maple trees, from which they gathered the sap and converted it into syrup or sugar. To aid in making the annual payments upon their farm, as well as to help sustain the family until the farm could be made productive, they took an occasional day's work among the neighboring farmers or the Palmyra village folk, sometimes engaged to dig a well, or harvest a field of grain. It is conceded, in the main, that they did all this; and one marvels in the face of it that the charge of laziness and thriftlessness should be made. But the wonder grows when to all this is to be added the stories of the affidavits about the Smith's "money digging" enterprises. "They * * * spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth, and to this day large excavations may be seen in the earth not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time digging for hidden treasures." fn Truly if the half of what is told in the affidavits about these exploits, usually carried on at night, is to be believed, then it would be utterly impossible to believe the Smiths to be idle or habitually lazy.{{ref|roberts.40-41}}

===Individuals who claimed to have assisted Joseph Smith, Sr. in digging operations===
{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="50%"|Claims
!width="30%"|Comments
|-
|
====Willard Chase====
||
*Claimed that he discovered Joseph Smith's seer stone.
*Claimed that the seer stone rightfully belonged to Chase.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. told him that Joseph Jr. was required to wear certain clothes and perform certain actions in order to obtain the plates.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. told him that the angel Moroni appeared in the form of a toad.
||
* [[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
* [[Joseph_Smith_and_the_occult|Joseph Smith and "magick"]]
*{{FR-18-1-5}}
*{{FR-17-1-4}}
|-
|

====Peter Ingersoll====
||
*Claimed that the Smith family's general employment was "digging for money."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. taught him to use a divining rod.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. and Alvin Smith used a stone in a hat to see things.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. said that there had been a book found in a hollow tree in Canada that described the "first settlement of this country before it was discovered by Columbus."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. admitted to his father-in-law that he only pretended to be able to see things in the stone.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. fooled his family into thinking that a frock full of sand was the "Gold Bible."
*Claimed that Joseph told his family that nobody could see the "Gold Bible" and live.
*Claimed that Joseph made up the story of the gold plates on the spot, after which he is supposed to have said, "I have got the damned fools fixed, and will carry out the fun."
*Claimed that Joseph told him that "he had no such book, and believed there never was any such book."
||
*On the threat that no one could see the "gold bible" and live, see: [[Viewing gold plates would result in death]]
*Ingersoll is discredited on his claim that Joseph made the story of the "gold bible" up on the spot as a way to have "fun" with his family. Joseph was telling various people about his Moroni visits well before recovering the plates (see for example various Knight family recollections). Note also that the name "Moroni" appears in the claim made by [[The Hurlbut affidavits#Lemon Copley|Lemon Copley]].
*It is very difficult to believe that Joseph would have privately confided to Ingersoll that the plates didn't exist, when he told everyone else that they did.
* [[Joseph Smith and seer stones]]
* [[Joseph_Smith_and_the_occult|Joseph Smith and "magick"]]
*{{FR-18-1-5}}
*{{FR-17-1-4}}

|-
|

====C.R. Stafford====
(nephew of William, below)
||
*Claimed that "Jo Smith, the prophet, told my uncle, William Stafford, he wanted a fat, black sheep. He said he wanted to cut its throat and make it walk in a circle three times around and it would prevent a pot of money from leaving."
||
*This is hearsay; it provides no additional evidence than the original claim, see below.
|-
|

====William Stafford====
(uncle to C.R., above)
||
*Claimed that the family of Joseph Smith, Sr. devoted a "great part of their time" to "digging for money."
*Claimed that he was told that Joseph Smith, Jr. could see "large caves" in "nearly all the hills in this part of New York."
*Claimed that Joseph could see "spirits" guarding great treasures.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. told him that treasure could "sink" into the ground.
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Sr. took one of his sheep on the pretense of using it to search for money by cutting its throat.
*Claimed that Joseph promised to show him the gold plates.
||
*Stafford's claim that Joseph promised to show him the gold plates directly contradicts Peter Ingersoll's claim that Joseph said that [[Viewing gold plates would result in death|nobody could see the gold plates and live]].
*Stafford's oldest son John would later say "I have heard that sotry [about the black sheep] but don't think my father was there at the time they say Smith got the sheep. I don't know anything about it....They never stole one [a sheep], I am sure; they may have got one sometime....I don't think it [the story of the sheep] is true. I would have heard more about it, that is true."{{ref|john.stafford.1}}
* [[Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|Lazy Smiths?]]
*{{FR-18-1-5}}
*{{FR-17-1-4}}
|-
|}
'''Commentary'''
*See: [[Joseph Smith and money digging]]

===Statement of Charles Anthon regarding the characters copied from the gold plates===
{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="50%"|Claims
!width="30%"|Comments
|-
|
====Charles Anthon====
||
*Claimed that he did not pronounce the characters shown to him by Martin Harris to be "reformed Egyptian."
*Claimed that no translation of the characters had been shown to him.
*Claimed that he told Martin Harris that he was the subject of a hoax.
*Claimed that he declined to write his opinion down.
*Claimed that the characters resembled something copied from the "Mexican calendar."
||
*The problem with Anthon's remarks is that ''whatever'' he told Martin Harris ''encouraged'' Martin, who returned convinced that Joseph could translate and that the plates were authentic. Martin's willingness to risk his money and good name in Joseph's project argues against Anthon's later categorical denials.
|-
|}

===Martin Harris said that Mormonism was false and that he could "make money out of it?"===
{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="50%"|Claims
!width="30%"|Comments
|-
|
====Abigail Harris====
||
*Claimed that Martin Harris said regarding Mormonism: "'''What if it is a lie'''; if you will let me alone '''I will make money out of it!'''"
||
*Abigail embellishes her version of what she heard by implying that Martin Harris "admitted" that Mormonism was a lie.
|-
|
====Lucy Harris====
(Wife of Martin Harris)
||
*Claimed that Martin Harris said the Mormonism was false, and that "if you would let me alone, '''I could make money by it.'''"
*Claimed that Martin Harris "has whipped, kicked, and turned me out of the house."
*Claimed that Martin Harris was having an affair with a neighbor's wife.
||
*Despite the fact that Lucy Harris makes no mention of the lost 116 pages of manuscript from the ''Book of Mormon'', Fawn Brodie in her book [[No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith]] actually concludes that Harris beat his wife in order to get her to divulge what she had done with the lost 116 pages of manuscript.
|-
|}
'''Commentary'''
* Lucy and Abigail Harris are the only two individuals who claimed that Martin Harris was hoping to make money from Mormonism. It is interesting to note the similarity between the testimony for both women. It is more interesting however, to note how Abigail Harris has added the phrase "What if it is a lie," while Martin's wife, Lucy, did not. If Martin actually believed that Mormonism was a lie, why would his wife Lucy not have mentioned this? {{ref|nibley.115}}

===Joseph Smith claimed that he was "as good as Jesus Christ?"===
{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="50%"|Claims
!width="30%"|Comments
|-
|
====Levi Lewis====
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. and Martin Harris said that "adultery was no crime."
*Claimed that he "knows Smith to be a liar."
*Claimed that he heard Joseph Smith say that he "was as '''good as Jesus Christ'''."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. told him "[w]ith regard to the plates, Smith said God had deceived him."
||
* Martin Harris would later be charged with slander for accusing a woman ([[Polygamy_book/Early_womanizer#Eliza_Winters|Eliza Winters]]) of having a "bastard child." He was acquitted of this charge, but it is inconsistent with Lewis' claim for Martin to suffer jail and risk slander charges over an issue which he regards as "no crime." The story is implausible.
* Joseph repeatedly testified (as did others) that he had the plates, and that others and seen them. That Lewis claims otherwise is likewise implausible.
* Joseph's early private letters reveal him to be humble and painfully aware of his dependence on God. The claim about him being "as good as Jesus Christ" is inconsistent with this private, contemporary evidence.
* {{GLS-Nauvoo Polygamy-FARMS}}
|-
|

====Sophia Lewis====
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. said that he "was as '''good as Jesus Christ'''."
*Claimed that Joseph Smith, Jr. said that "the Book of Plates could not be opened under penalty of death by any other person but his (Smith's) first-born, which was to be a male."
||
*On the threat that no one could see the gold plates and live, see: [[Viewing gold plates would result in death]]
|-
|
====Hezekiah M'Kune====
||
*Claimed that Joseph Smith said "he was '''nearly equal to Jesus Christ'''."
||
* Joseph's early private letters reveal him to be humble and painfully aware of his dependence on God. The claim about him being "as good as Jesus Christ" is inconsistent with this private, contemporary evidence.
* {{GLS-Nauvoo Polygamy-FARMS}}
|-
|}
'''Commentary'''
*Hezekiah M'Kune, Levi Lewis and Sophia Lewis went together to make their depositions before the justice. Their testimonies bear a remarkable similarity and contain the unique claim that Joseph claimed to be "as good as Jesus Christ." This claim is not related by any other individuals who knew the Prophet, suggesting that these three individuals planned and coordinated their story before giving their depositions. {{ref|nibley.128}}

===Spalding manuscript claims and reliability===
Hurlbut's affidavits regarding the Spalding manuscript consist of interviews with family and associates of Solomon Spalding.

{| valign="top" border="1" style="width:100%; font-size:85%"
!width="20%"|Claimant
!width="80%"|Claims
|-
|
====Artemas Cunningham====
||
*Claimed to have '''"partially examined" the "Mormon Bible."'''
*Claimed that Spalding's manuscript was called "Manuscript Found."
*Claimed "to remember the name of '''Nephi'''" as the "principal hero."
|-
|
====Nahum Howard====
|
*Claimed to have "'''lately read the Book of Mormon'''."
*Claimed that it was the same as Spalding wrote, '''"except the religious part."''''
|-
|
====Henry Lake====
||
*Claimed to have recently '''"commenced reading [The Book of Mormon] aloud."'''
*Claimed that Spalding's work frequently used the words "it came to pass."

|-
|

====John Miller====
||
*Claimed to have '''"recently examined the Book of Mormon."'''
*Claimed that the Book of Mormon was '''"mixed up with scripture and other religious matter, which I did not meet with in the "Manuscript Found."'''
*Claimed that '''"Nephi, Lehi, Moroni"''' were the "principal names" in Spalding's book.
|-
|
====Oliver Smith====
||
*Claimed that "'''Nephi and Lehi''' were by [Spalding] represented as leading characters."
*Claimed that Spalding included '''"no religious matter"''' in his book.
*Claimed that "I obtained the book [of Mormon], and on reading it, found much of it the same as Spalding had written."
|-
|
====John Spalding====
(Brother of Solomon Spalding)
||
*Claimed to have "'''recently read the Book of Mormon'''."
*Claimed that Spalding's book was entitled ''The Manuscript Found''.
*Claimed that the book attempted to show that the American Indians are the descendents of the Jews.
*Claimed that the leaders of the group were called '''"Nephi" and "Lehi."'''
*Claimed that the book described two nations called the "Nephites" and the "Lamanites."
*Claimed that the people described in Spalding's book buried their dead in large mounds.
*Claimed that many sentences in Spalding's book began with "it came to pass."
|-
|
====Martha Spalding====
(wife of Solomon Spalding)
||
*Claimed that she had "'''read the Book of Mormon'''."
*Claimed that the Book of Mormon was based upon Spalding's story.
*Claimed that "the names of '''Nephi and Lehi''' are yet fresh in my memory, as being the principal heroes of his tale."
*Claimed that Spalding's characters separated into two nations, "one of which was called Lamanites and the other Nephites."
*Claimed that Spalding's tale told of the dead "being buried in large heaps was the cause of the numerous mounds in the country."
*Claimed that Spalding's manuscript used the words "it came to pass."
|-
|

====Aaron Wright====
||
*Claimed that the Book of Mormon following the Spalding story, '''"excepting the religious matter."'''
*Claimed that "the names more especially are the same without any alteration."
|}
'''Commentary'''

{{main|Book_of_Mormon_and_Spalding_manuscript}}

*Most of the Spalding-related affidavits make very similar claims, such as the repeated statements that "Nephi" and "Lehi" figured prominently in Spalding's story and that the person making the claim had "recently" read the ''Book of Mormon'' and recognized it as being similar to Spalding's work. The recovered Spalding manuscript, however, bears no resemblance to any of these claims. For this reason, critics who support the Spalding theory have assumed the existence of a ''second'' Spalding manuscript, despite absolutely no evidence to support this.
* The Spalding theory requires that Sidney Rigdon secretly meet Joseph Smith before the organization of the Church, and provide him with the Book of Mormon manuscript. John Stafford, oldest son of [[#William Stafford|William Stafford]] was asked about this:

{{JohnStaffordOnRigdon}}
'''''See also:'''''
*{{FR-17-2-3}}

=={{Conclusion label}}==
The Hurlbut affidavits were collected by a man who not only had a grudge to settle with the Church, but who had actually been brought before a judge for issuing a death threat against Joseph Smith, Jr. It is also important to note that none of these statements regarding Joseph Smith, Jr. was a firsthand account from the Prophet himself, but instead represent second or third-hand accounts. It is interesting that Fawn Brodie readily dismisses the affidavits supporting the Spalding theory, suggesting the Hurlbut "prompted" those making statements, yet accepts without question the affidavits attesting to the bad character of Joseph Smith and his family. There are many statements from Joseph's contemporaries attesting to his good character—These people did not sign sworn affidavits, but their accounts are recorded in their journals and histories.

=={{Endnotes label}}==

#{{note|hurlbut1}}"Doctor" was not a title—It was Hurlbut's actual given name.
#{{note|winchester.5}}Benjamin Winchester, ''The origin of the Spalding story, concerning the Manuscript Found; with a short biography of Dr. P. Hulbert, the originator of the same; and some testimony adduced, showing it to be a sheer fabrication, so far as in connection with the Book of Mormon is concerned.'' (Philadelphia: Brown, Bicking & Guilbert, Printers, 1834), p. 5.
#{{note|roberts.41a}}{{CHC1 | vol=1|start=41}}
#{{note|roberts.41b}}{{CHC1 | vol=1|start=41}}
#{{note|brodie.446-447}}Fawn M. Brodie, [[No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith|''No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith'']] (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 446–447.
#{{note|howe.11}}Eber D. Howe, ''Mormonism Unvailed'' (Painesville, OH: Telegraph Press, 1834), p. 11.
#{{note|nibley.105}}{{Nibley11_1|start=105}}
#{{note|john.stafford.3}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=2|start=123}}
#{{note|nibley.65}}{{Nibley11_1|start=65}}
#{{note|john.stafford.5}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=2|start=123}}
#{{note|john.stafford.6}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=2|start=121}}
#{{note|john.stafford.2}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=2|start=123}}
#{{note|john.stafford.4}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs1|vol=2|start=123}}
#{{note|backman.1}} Milton V. Backman, Jr., ''Joseph Smith's First Vision: Confirming Evidences and Contemporary Accounts'', 2d ed. rev. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980): 120. Backman cites Session Records, Western Presbyterian Church, II, 11-13, 34, 36, 39, 42 and Appendix K.
#{{note|roberts.40-41}}{{CHC | vol=1|start=40|end=41}}
#{{note|john.stafford.1}} William H. Kelly, "The Hill Cumorah, and the Book of Mormon," ''Saints' Herald'' 28 (1 June 1881): 167; cited in {{EarlyMormonDocs|vol=2|start=121|end=122}} The material removed by ellipses consists of questions being asked by the interviewer.
#{{note|nibley.115}}{{Nibley11_1|start=115}}
#{{note|nibley.128}}{{Nibley11_1|start=128}}

=={{Further reading label}}==

===Articles which discuss the Hurlbut-Howe affidavits===

*{{BYUS|author=Richard L. Anderson|article=Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Reappraised|date=1970|vol=10|num=3|start=283|end=314}}{{pdflink|url=http://byustudies.byu.edu/Products/MoreInfoPage/MoreInfo.aspx?Type=7&ProdID=1082}}{{an|Discusses content of Hurlbut ‘affidavits’ / Stafford, Chase, Ingersoll, Deming ‘affidavits’ – money digging / other Smith family with seerstone.}}
*{{MatureJS}}
*{{FR-3-1-4}} 
*{{Dialogue|author=Richard Lloyd Anderson|article=The Reliability of the Early History of Lucy and Joseph Smith|vol=4|date=Summer 1969|start=13|end=28|num=2}}
*Thomas G. Alexander, "Review of Dan Vogel (Editor) Early Mormon Documents, Vol. 2," ''Journal of Mormon History'' 26/2 (Fall 2000): 248–252.
*Donald L. Enders, "The Joseph Smith, Sr., Family: Farmers of the Genesee," in ''Joseph Smith: The Prophet, the Man, ed. Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate Jr.'' (Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1993), 213—25.
* Daniel C. Peterson and Donald L. Enders, "Can the 1834 Affidavits Attacking the Smith Family Be Trusted?" in ''Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s'', ed. John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1999), 286—87.
*Hugh W. Nibley, ''The Myth Makers'' (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1961).
* {{Nibley11}}

==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}===
{{MagicWiki}}
{{JSCharacterWiki}}

==={{FAIR web site label}}===
{{MagicFAIR}}

===Videos===
{{Video:Brown:2006:Revised or Unaltered}}

==={{External links label}}===
*{{Dialogue|author=Richard Van Wagoner and Steven Walker|article=Joseph Smith: 'The Gift of Seeing|vol=15|num=2|date=Summer 1982|start=49|end=68}} {{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=16574&REC=16}}{{NB}}
{{MagicLinks}}

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{{question}}

==Questions==
*Does the 1982 film ''The God Makers'' accurately represent the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
*I read some time ago a reference to the idea of the perfect Mormon woman aspiring to become an "eternally pregnant goddess". Is this a current belief?

==Subtopics==
*[[/Cartoon|"Banned Mormon Video" (The God Makers Cartoon on YouTube)]]

=={{Answer label}}==

{{Epigraph|The film does not - in our opinion - fairly portray the Mormon Church, Mormon history, or Mormon belief. It makes extensive use of "half-truth," faulty generalizations, erroneous interpretations, and sensationalism. It is not reflective of the genuine spirit of the Mormon faith. We find particularly offensive the emphasis in the film that Mormonism is some sort of subversive plot - a danger to the community, a threat to the institution of marriage, and is destructive to the mental health of teenagers. All of our experience with our Mormon neighbors provides eloquent refutation of these charges. We are of the opinion that ''The Godmakers'' relies heavily on appeals to fear, prejudice and other less worthy human emotions. We believe that continued use of this film poses genuine danger to the climate of good will and harmony which currently exists between…neighbors of differing faiths. It appears to us to be a basically unfair and untruthful presentation of what Mormons really believe and practice. — ''The National Council of Christians and Jews (see [http://www.fairlds.org/The_God_Makers/tagm35.html fulltext])''.}}

The God Makers is an anti-Mormon film that was produced in 1982 by Jeremiah Films. {{ref|gm1}} The film represents [[Logical fallacies#Appeal to ridicule|an appeal to ridicule]], by taking beliefs or doctrines of the church and presenting them in a manner which makes them appear so strange and bizarre that nobody could possibly accept them.

The film presents itself as an expose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is centered around a visit by Ed Decker and Dick Baer to two attorneys at a Los Angeles law firm. The story follows Decker and Baer's presentation of evidence in order to build a case for the initiation of a lawsuit against the LDS church. The “attorneys” are in fact actors, but they play the part well as they listen and react with increasing amazement and shock to the tale being told by Decker and Baer.

Interviews with various individuals are interspersed throughout the film, including several representatives of the Church. The film includes comments from various people who are claimed to be experts in fields such as “the vast wealth of the Mormon church” and “Mormon archaeology." The archaeology "expert" quickly concludes that, after having examined maps and failing to find the city of Zarahemla, the Book of Mormon is a "fairy tale much like Alice in Wonderland."

At one point, Decker and Baer present an animated film to the "attorneys" in order "to show the difference between Mormonism and Christianity." The animation presents a highly distorted and skewed view of LDS doctrine. This cartoon has gained new viewers as it now makes the rounds on YouTube, often under the heading “[[/Cartoon|Cartoon banned by the Mormon church]].”

Specific misrepresentations of the church or its doctrine mentioned in ''The God Makers'' include the following:
*The portrayal of the church as a vast corporation whose purpose is to shatter the lives of families.
*The idea that all Mormon men want to [[Deification of man|become gods]] and [[MormonFAQ/Myths and Questions#"Mormons believe that they can become gods and rule over their own planets."|rule over their own planets]].
*The idea that the primary goal of women in the church is to "[[Heavenly Mother|become a goddess in heaven]]" in order to "multiply an earth" and be "eternally pregnant."
*The promotion of the idea the Mormon temples are only for the “elite few,” and that most members are never granted the opportunity to enter a temple, except during an open house.
*The attribution of science-fiction elements to LDS doctrine, particularly with reference to God the Father as a “highly evolved humanoid” who lives on another planet named [[Kolob]].
*The claim that the church deliberately uses “Christian terminology” in order to fool unsuspecting investigators.
*The introduction of [[Jerald and Sandra Tanner|Sandra Tanner]] as “one of the greatest living authorities on Mormonism.”
*A portrayal of what is claimed to go on in temples. This segment is guaranteed to offend any practicing Latter-day Saint. There is also mocking of what is referred to as “[[MormonFAQ/Myths and Questions#"Mormons wear 'magic' underwear. This is one of their strange, 'out there' beliefs."|holy Mormon underwear]].”
*The representation of [[MormonFAQ/Myths and Questions#"Mormons believe in being baptized for dead people."|temple work for the dead]] as being something sinister or demonic. Decker claims that demons frequently appear to Mormons and ask to have their temple work performed for them.
*Decker shows a book that he calls a “Satanic Bible,” in which the word “Mormo” is said to be defined as the “King of the Ghouls.”

=={{Endnotes label}}==
#{{note|gm1}}A sequel was produced in 1993 entitled ''The God Makers II''. The temple segment portrayed in ''The God Makers'' was used again in ''The God Makers II'' and yet again in the 2007 ''[[Search for the Truth DVD]]''.

=={{Further reading label}}==

==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}===
*[[The God Makers/Cartoon]]
*[[Deification of man]]
*[[Heavenly Mother]]

==={{FAIR web site label}}===
* {{TruthGodmakers1|start=1–}}

==={{External links label}}===

==={{Printed material label}}===
*{{Dialogue | author=Donald A. Eagle| article=One Community’s Reaction to The Godmakers|vol=18|num=2|date=Summer 1985|start=34|end=39 }}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=20663&REC=8}}
*{{Dialogue | author=Massimo Introvigne| article=The Devil Makers: Contemporary Evangelical Fundamentalist Anti-Mormonism|vol=27|num=1|date=Spring 1994|start=|end= }} {{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=15882&CISOSHOW=15746&REC=14}}
*{{Dialogue | author=Randall Mackey| article=The Godmakers Examined|vol=18|num=2|date=Summer 1985|start=14|end=16 }}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=20663&REC=8}}
*{{Dialogue | author=Allen D. Roberts| article=The Godmakers: Shadow or Reality? A Content Analysis|vol=18|num=2|date=Summer 1985|start=24|end=33 }}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=20663&REC=8}}
*{{Dialogue | author=Sharon Lee Swenson| article=Does the Camera Lie? A Structural Analysis of The Godmakers|vol=18|num=2|date=Summer 1985|start=16|end=23 }}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=20663&REC=8}}

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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Studies of the Book of Mormon/Book of Mormon Difficulties: A Study

2010-05-24T07:09:39Z

GregSmithBot: GLSBot: Adding footers to all articles

Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Studies of the Book of Mormon/A Parallel

2010-05-24T07:09:21Z

GregSmithBot: GLSBot: Adding footers to all articles

Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Studies of the Book of Mormon/A Book of Mormon Study/View of the Hebrews as ground plan

2010-05-24T07:09:17Z

GregSmithBot: GLSBot: Adding footers to all articles