Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Chapter 2


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

Claims made in Chapter 2: Change, Censorship and Suppression

Page Claim Response Author's sources

29

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

29

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

29

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

31

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

33

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

33

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

34

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