Recently while listening to the Viewpoint on Mormonism podcast of Mormonism Research Ministry, I heard an interesting statement that Bill McKeever prepared and read (with minor variations in phrasing) in all three parts of their "Not On Our Watch" series. I found it interesting and can definitely sympathize with the sentiment (whether or not I ultimately agree with Bill's position), and so I think it's worth quoting the statement here (as he gave it in the first episode) along with citations to the LDS sources lying behind it, most of which were quoted during the remainder of the podcast series. (In a few cases, I don't have access to the texts they mentioned, and so forgive me if any citations are mistaken.) The series, and this statement, was essentially a reaction to two claims: (1) the claim that it's ridiculous to suggest that the LDS faith is in some important sense outside of the Christian fold, and (2) the claim that Latter-day Saints never level harsh criticism at other faiths or at their adherents.
Hopefully sometime in the next few days or weeks I'll have the opportunity to offer some belated replies to a few people, draft a number of the posts I've been meaning to write, and reply to any comments here.
1 Joseph Smith History 1:19
2 Joseph Smith History 1:19; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1979), 440-441; Hyrum M. Smith, "Discourse by Elder Hyrum M. Smith", Liahona The Elders' Journal 14/27 (2 January 1917): 419.
3 Joseph Smith History 1:19; Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology (Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855), 167; Hyrum M. Smith, "Discourse by Elder Hyrum M. Smith", Liahona The Elders' Journal 14/27 (2 January 1917): 418-419.
4 Edward L. Kimball, ed., Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1995), 426.
5 Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1979), 269.
6 Joseph Smith, "Sermon in the Grove", 16 June 1844, quoted in History of the Church 6:476, and reprinted in Joseph F. Smith, comp., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1977), 372. The word "monster" was added in the reconstruction of the sermon, and does not appear in Thomas Bullock's original notes, though these themselves make clear that Joseph Smith leveled a great deal of hostile mockery at this sacred and central Christian teaching, and certainly whoever introduced that particular word was also LDS.
7 James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News, 1899), 120; Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News, 1945), 192.
8 Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1969), 206.
9 Articles of Faith 8; Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon (1850), reprinted in A Series of Pamphlets on the Doctrines of the Gospel (Salt Lake City, UT: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 218-220; Neal A. Maxwell, "The Wondrous Restoration", Ensign (April 2003), 35.
But let me see if I understand this correctly, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Let's see. You say my church is "wrong"1, you say my creeds are an "abomination"2, my pastor is "corrupt"3, my Heavenly Father is 'invented'4, my Jesus is "mythical"5, my Trinity is a "monster"6, my justification is "pernicious"7, my grace is a "fallacious doctrine originated by Satan"8, and my Bible is not trustworthy.9 Then when I attempt to offer any sort of disagreement or rebuttal, you accuse me of hatred and bigotry, or even of being 'un-Christlike'. And if that isn't enough, to add insult to injury, you want to steal my name [of 'Christian']! Let me just say, folks: not on my watch. I am not going to be manipulated by people that try to use these type of measures to coerce me into embracing an organization that teaches things that are blatantly unbiblical, just so that we might have peace.I offer this provocative statement here for several purposes: (1) to stir up discussion; (2) to provide some counters at least to the mantra that Latter-day Saints (individually or corporately) never criticize other faiths; (3) because I think this quote offers some insight into both (3.1) why non-LDS Christians might feel naturally combative when confronted with LDS sentiments about their own faith and (3.2) why some non-LDS Christians might be reluctant to award the title of 'Christian' to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a whole; and (4) simply for easier future reference..
Hopefully sometime in the next few days or weeks I'll have the opportunity to offer some belated replies to a few people, draft a number of the posts I've been meaning to write, and reply to any comments here.
1 Joseph Smith History 1:19
2 Joseph Smith History 1:19; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1979), 440-441; Hyrum M. Smith, "Discourse by Elder Hyrum M. Smith", Liahona The Elders' Journal 14/27 (2 January 1917): 419.
3 Joseph Smith History 1:19; Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology (Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855), 167; Hyrum M. Smith, "Discourse by Elder Hyrum M. Smith", Liahona The Elders' Journal 14/27 (2 January 1917): 418-419.
4 Edward L. Kimball, ed., Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1995), 426.
5 Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1979), 269.
6 Joseph Smith, "Sermon in the Grove", 16 June 1844, quoted in History of the Church 6:476, and reprinted in Joseph F. Smith, comp., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1977), 372. The word "monster" was added in the reconstruction of the sermon, and does not appear in Thomas Bullock's original notes, though these themselves make clear that Joseph Smith leveled a great deal of hostile mockery at this sacred and central Christian teaching, and certainly whoever introduced that particular word was also LDS.
7 James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News, 1899), 120; Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News, 1945), 192.
8 Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1969), 206.
9 Articles of Faith 8; Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon (1850), reprinted in A Series of Pamphlets on the Doctrines of the Gospel (Salt Lake City, UT: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 218-220; Neal A. Maxwell, "The Wondrous Restoration", Ensign (April 2003), 35.
