This is a very short summary of what I view as the 5 most important facts in understanding alternative models for LDS truth claims. To the best of my knowledge, every point made in this document is accepted as factual by both LDS and non-LDS scholars (please correct me if I am mistaken and I will alter the document).1
Joseph refers to Egyptian characters in specific locations on facsimile 3 and he gives a translation. This translation does not match the translation made by BYU scholars. The Book of Abraham lds.org essay generally admits “the characters on the fragments do not match the translation given in the book of Abraham.”
… there is phrasing everywhere [in the Book of Mormon], long phrases, that if you google them you will find them in 19th century writings. The theology of the Book of Mormon is very much 19th century theology, and it reads like a 19th century understanding of the Hebrew Bible …
By any measure the Book of Mormon contains an immense number of ideas, phrases, and theology common to the early nineteenth century. Here are two examples of many:
3. Spiritual confirmations are common to members of many religions
Members interpret spiritual experiences as a confirmation that their faith is true. But these confirmations are common to members of many faiths (e.g., Judaism, Catholicism, Seventh Day Adventist, Scientology, Islam, and Divine Truth), many of which hold central tenets that flatly contradict core LDS doctrines.
The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord…
Our living prophet, President David O. McKay, has said, “The seeming discrimination by the Church toward the Negro is not something which originated with man; but goes back into the beginning with God…Revelation assures us that this plan antedates man’s mortal existence, extending back to man’s preexistent state.”
The Lowry Nelson letters and the Stewart Udall letters demonstrate the unwavering confidence Church leaders of that time had in the divinity of the Black Priesthood/Temple ban and the doctrines and teachings supporting it as well as the manner in which dissent may be treated in the Church.
5. Joseph Smith’s polygamy is ethically problematic
Nearly all LDS scholars acknowledge that Joseph Smith was married to at least 33 wives, 11 of whom were already legally married to other men. The manner in which Joseph Smith practiced and spoke about polygamy was deceptive2 and at least some of his proposals would likely be viewed as involving undue influence according to modern ethical standards.3
In a recent interview, the most faithful LDS apologists on polygamy recounted the feelings of reviewers of their recent book on the topic: “At the end of the book [the book reviewer] didn’t get a warm fuzzy feeling and that’s not really something we think we can deliver with this topic.”
According to Brian Hales, Joseph’s first polygamous relationship (with the teenage maid, Fanny Alger) was viewed as adulterous by his first wife, Emma, and close friend Oliver Cowdery.
Joseph promised a 14 year old girl—one who said “I hated polygamy with my heart”—that, in her own words, “If you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation and exaltation & that of your father’s household & all of your kindred.”
After other failed marriage proposals to Zina Huntington, Joseph Smith proposed again to the happily newlywed, seven month pregnant mother: “I [Joseph] have put it off and put it off until an angel with a drawn sword has stood before me and told me if I did not establish that principle [plurality of wives] and live it, I would lose my position and my life and the Church could progress no further.” (source)
Brian Hales very cursorily responded to this document; Here is my response to his cursory thoughts. I have altered the presentation of a few points based on this and other exchanges and appreciate his feedback.↩
Book of Abraham: Facsimile 2 by Wes T Facsimile 2 is actually a representation of a “hypocephalus”. Egyptians would put these under the head of mummies, like a…
Book of Abraham: Facsimile 1 by Wes T This is Facsimile 1, located at the front of the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. Joseph…
Book of Abraham: Facsimile 3 by Wes T Facsimile 3 is described by Joseph Smith as “Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with…
Thank you for your information on Race and the Priesthood. As a decedent of David King Udall, my great grandfather and also Stewart Udall ‘s father. I was enlightened about his amazing courage he had to fight for equality for African Americans. I was always lead to believe he was an apostate or in my blinded vision a very bad man. So sad I at the age of 51 believed those suggestions. He really now in my mind was not the bad guy of my family tree but really a hero. Thanks
Thanks for this perspective. Yes, when you read through his letters and the responses he received you realize that he was a man of integrity and courage. It’s a real mind bending experience to re-weigh a “less-active” against the leaders of the Church given the Church’s current position and everything we understand in hindsight.
[…] Five Key Facts (~ 1 page) […]
Such a great summary of some of the most serious and clear issues. Thanks for sharing!
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your information on Race and the Priesthood. As a decedent of David King Udall, my great grandfather and also Stewart Udall ‘s father. I was enlightened about his amazing courage he had to fight for equality for African Americans. I was always lead to believe he was an apostate or in my blinded vision a very bad man. So sad I at the age of 51 believed those suggestions. He really now in my mind was not the bad guy of my family tree but really a hero. Thanks
Thanks for this perspective. Yes, when you read through his letters and the responses he received you realize that he was a man of integrity and courage. It’s a real mind bending experience to re-weigh a “less-active” against the leaders of the Church given the Church’s current position and everything we understand in hindsight.