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Mormonism and Wikipedia/Joseph Smith, Jr./1838 to 1839
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An analysis of Wikipedia article "Joseph Smith"
| 1831 to 1838 | A FairMormon Analysis of Wikipedia: "Joseph Smith" A work by a collaboration of authors (Link to Wikipedia article here)
|
1838 - 1844 |
| The name Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. Wikipedia content is copied and made available under the GNU Free Documentation License. |
Reviews of previous revisions of this section
19 May 2009
Summary: A review of this section as it appeared in Wikipedia on 19 May 2009.Section review
Life in Missouri (1838–39) Updated 9/3/2011
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
After leaving Jackson County, the Saints in Missouri established the town of Far West. Smith's plans to redeem Zion in Jackson County had lapsed by 1838,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and after Smith and Rigdon arrived in Missouri, Far West became the new Mormon "Zion."Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
In Missouri, the church also received a new name: the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,"Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- For a detailed response, see: Mormonism and church organization/Changes in the name of the Church
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and construction began on a new temple.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Soon after Smith and Rigdon arrived at Far West, hundreds of disaffected Saints in Kirtland, suddenly realizing "the enormity of their loss," followed them to Missouri.Author's sources:
- Remini (2002) , p. 125; Brodie (1971) , p. 210 ("Joseph's going had left a void that they had found intolerable. With each passing week they remembered less of their prophet's financial ineptitude and more of his genial warmth and his magnetic presence in the pulpit.")
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
But Smith was unable to reconcile with many of the oldest and most prominent leaders of the church, and he purged those critics who had not yet resigned.Author's sources:
- Marquardt (2005) , p. 463 (listing Oliver Cowdery (Assistant President of the Church), Frederick G. Williams (First Presidency), David and John Whitmer (Book of Mormon witnesses and presidency of Missouri), William Phelps (presidency of Missouri), Martin Harris, Hiram Page, and Jacob Whitmer (Book of Mormon witnesses), and Lyman E. Johnson, John F. Boynton, Luke S. Johnson, and William E. McLellin (Quorum of the Twelve)); Remini (2002) , p. 128; Quinn (1994) , p. 93.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Though Smith hated violence, his experiences led him to believe that his faith's survival required greater militancy against anti-Mormons and Mormon traitors.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
With his knowledge and at least partial approval,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Brodie (p. 216): "Avard was shrewd enough to make heresy against the presidency the most heinous crime in the church....Avard told his men that they 'should support the presidency in all their designs, right or wrong.'"
- Bushman (p. 350): "George Robinson, Sidney Rigdon's son-in-law and keeper of Joseph's journal...may exaggerate the First Presidency's backing He also depicts the Presidency, not Joseph, as the effective governing body of the Church. Smith recedes as a personality in Robinson's records, and the Presidency as a group, with Rigdon as First Counselor, appears to be in charge. In Robinson's record, Joseph goes along with Rigdon, rather than taking the lead..."
- For a detailed response, see: Mormonism and persecution/Danites
- See D&C 117꞉7
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
recent convert Sampson Avard formed a covert organization called the DanitesAuthor's sources:
FAIR's Response
- For a detailed response, see: Mormonism and persecution/Danites
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
to intimidate Mormon dissenters and oppose anti-Mormon militia units.Author's sources:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 93; Brodie (1971) , p. 213 ("They would not only defend the Saints against aggression from the old settlers, but also act as a bodyguard for the presidency and as a secret police for ferreting out dissenters."); Remini (2002) , p. 129.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Sidney Rigdon was working to restore the United Order, but lawsuits by Oliver Cowdery and other dissenters threatened that plan.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 217.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
After Rigdon issued a thinly veiled threat in a sermon,Author's sources:
- Rigdon said that "if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
the Danites expelled the dissenters from the countyAuthor's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 218–19 (Danites issued a written death threat, and when that didn't work they surrounded the dissenters' homes and "ordered their wives to pack their blankets and leave the county immediately"); Quinn (1994) , pp. 94–95.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
with Smith's approval.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Violates Wikipedia: Citing sources off-site— There is either no citation to support the statement or the citation given is incorrect.
It is implied based upon Brodie's claim in the previous footnote that Joseph approved of issuing "death threats." Bushman only states that he favored "evicting dissenters." - Bushman,p. 352: "Although Avard may have concealed the Danite oaths, Joseph certainly favored evicting dissenters and resisting mobs."
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
In a keynote speech at the town's Fourth of July celebration, Rigdon issued similar threats against non-Mormons, promising a "war of extermination" should Mormons be attacked.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 222–23; Remini (2002) , pp. 131–33.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
After Rigdon's oration, Smith shouted "Hosannah!"Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
- Remini's source of Joseph's statement is not specifically identified. He cites a variety of sources for this chapter, including Brodie.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and allowed the speech to be published as a pamphlet.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Bushman, (p. 355) notes: "The Mormon press printed Rigdon's talk, and Joseph urged the elders to get a copy, underscoring the passage saying the Saints would not 'be mob[b]ed any more without taking vengeance.'"
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Rigdon's July 4 oration produced a flood of anti-Mormon rhetoric in Missouri newspapers and stump speeches during the political campaign leading up to the August 6, 1838 Missouri elections.Author's sources:
- Remini (2002) , p. 133.
- Remini notes that Mormons were "denounced as murderers, thieves, idolaters, blasphemers, and liars," and that they needed to be "driven from the state."
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
In Daviess County, where Mormon influence was increasing because of their new settlement of Adam-ondi-Ahman,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
this election descended into violence when non-Mormons sought to prevent Mormons from voting. Although there were no immediate deaths,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Both sources note that the instigator of the violence was candidate William Peniston, a "local Whig politician and colonel of the county militia." (Bushman, p. 357) According to Brodie, "one of the candidates, William Peniston, harangued against the Saints." (Brodie, p. 225).
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
the election scuffles initiated the 1838 Mormon War,Author's sources:
- Remini (2002) , p. 134; Quinn (1994) , p. 96.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
which quickly escalated as non-Mormon vigilantes raided and burned Mormon farms.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 227
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Meanwhile, under Smith's general oversight and command,Author's sources:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 98–99, 101.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
the Danites and other Mormon forces pillaged non-Mormon towns.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Violates Wikipedia: Synthesis off-site: Do not put together information from multiple sources to reach a conclusion that is not stated explicitly by any of the sources.
A variety of sources are used to support the previous statement that these actions were performed "under Smith's general oversight and command." - Violates Wikipedia: Citing sources off-site— There is either no citation to support the statement or the citation given is incorrect.
Bushman's statement (p. 371), when viewed in context, directly contradicts the assertion that Joseph ordered or oversaw looting and pillaging:
[Joseph] certainly wanted Mormon enemies removed, but would he have fought to remove them or burned their houses? He believed his people could rightfully confiscate property in compensation for their own losses to the Missourians but o more. He is not known to have ordered any greater violence. As the December letter said, he believed the Missourians burned their own houses and blamed it on the Mormons. His military instincts were defensive. When it was time to attack, he pulled back...Any Mormon aggression beyond these limits probably occurred without his authorization. (emphasis added)
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
During this time, Smith and other Mormon leaders helped inflame Mormon sentiment with militant rhetoric including a promise to "establish our religion with the sword" if molested.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Bushman, p. 352:
Corrill remembered strong talk. Joseph said that "if they came on us to molest us, we would establish our religion by the sword; and that he would become to this generation a second Mahomet."
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
His rhetoric perhaps produced greater militancy among Mormons than he had intended.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
When Mormons attacked the Missouri state militia at the Battle of Crooked River in an attempt to rescue some captured Mormons,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
- Bushman notes:
[T]he Mormons learned of a group of armed men approaching in a threatening posture. They actually were a contingent of the Richmond County militia under Samuel Bogard, but they looked like a mob on the prowl. The misapprehension proved to be a serious mistake.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Governor Boggs ordered that the Mormons be "exterminated or driven from the state."Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- According to the cited source (Bushman, p. 367), the Mormons were required to sign away their property to the state of Missouri "while militia men stood by and struck anyone who protested...Marauders were attacking outlying farms, molesting women, whipping men, and killing animals."
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Before word of this order got out, non-Mormon vigilantes surprised and killed about 18 Mormons, including children, in the Haun's Mill massacre, effectively ending the war.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- As noted, the Missourians, who were part of the state militia, massacred the residents of Haun's Mill before they became aware of the Extermination Order.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
On November 1, 1838, the Saints surrendered to 2,500 state troops, and agreed to forfeit their property and leave the state.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith was court-martialed and nearly executed for treason, but militiaman Alexander Doniphan, who was also the Saints' attorney, probably saved Smith's life by insisting that he was a civilian.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- General Lucas of the state militia held a "court-martial" for the Church leaders, convicted them of treason, and sentenced them to be executed the next day. It was only Alexander Doniphan's refusal to carry out the illegal order that saved them.
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith was then sent to a state court for a preliminary hearing,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
where several of his former allies, including Danite commander Sampson Avard, turned state's evidence.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith and five others, including Rigdon, were charged with "overt acts of treason,"Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and transferred to the jail at Liberty, Missouri to await trial.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith's months in prison with Rigdon strained their relationship,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Violates Wikipedia: Citing sources off-site— There is either no citation to support the statement or the citation given is incorrect.
The Bushman citation is out of place - it mentions nothing about Joseph's relationship with Sidney Rigdon while in the jail.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and Brigham Young rose in prominence as Smith's defender.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 245–46.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Under Young's leadership, about 14,000 SaintsAuthor's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Violates Wikipedia: Citing sources off-site— There is either no citation to support the statement or the citation given is incorrect.
Remini doesn't really say much about Young leading the Saints, and he does not specify the number of people involved. He simply notes that "Young and the other elders had led the rest of the Mormon party..."
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
made their way to Illinois and searched for land to purchase.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 248–50.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith bade his time writing contemplative statements directed mainly to Mormons.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
He did not deny responsibility for the Danites, but he said he had been ignorant of Avard's extreme militancy.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Though it had not been an issue in his preliminary hearing, he denied rumors of polygamy,Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 246.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
as he quietly planned how to reveal the principle to his followers.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 252–53.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Many Saints now considered Smith a fallen prophet, but he assured them he still had the heavenly keys.Author's sources:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 245–46.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
He directed the Saints to collect and publish all their stories of persecution, and to moderate their antagonism to non-Mormons.Author's sources:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 377–78.
FAIR's Response
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
Smith and his companions tried to escape at least twice during their four-month imprisonment,Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Bushman: "...the prisoners attempted to escape, as though prisoners of war."
}}
The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:
and on April 6, 1839, on their way to a different jail after their grand jury hearing, they succeeded by bribing the sheriff.Author's sources:
FAIR's Response
- Correct, per cited sources
- For an analysis of Fawn Brodie's critical work, see A FAIR Analysis of No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith.
}}
References
| Wikipedia references for "Joseph Smith, Jr." |
- Abanes, Richard, (2003), One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church Thunder's Mouth Press
- Allen, James B., The Significance of Joseph Smith's "First Vision" in Mormon Thought off-site .
- (1992), The Mormon Experience University of Illinois Press .
- (1980), The Lion and the Lady: Brigham Young and Emma Smith off-site .
- Bergera, Gary James (editor) (1989), Line Upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine Signature Books .
- Bloom, Harold, (1992), The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation Simon & Schuster .
- Booth, Ezra, Mormonism—Nos. VIII–IX (Letters to the editor) off-site .
- Brodie, Fawn M., (1971), No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith Knopf .
- Brooke, , (1994), The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644–1844 Cambridge University Press .
- Bushman, Richard Lyman, (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling , New York: Knopf .
- Clark, John A., (1842), Gleanings by the Way , Philadelphia: W.J. & J.K Simmon off-site .
- Compton, Todd, (1997), In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith Signature Books .
- Foster, Lawrence, (1981), Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community , New York: Oxford University Press .
- Harris, Martin, (1859), Mormonism—No. II off-site .
- Hill, Donna, (1977), Joseph Smith: The first Mormon , Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co. .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1976), Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties off-site .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1989), Quest for Refuge: The Mormon Flight from American Pluralism Signature Books off-site .
- Howe, Eber Dudley, (1834), Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of that Singular Imposition and Delusion, from its Rise to the Present Time , Painesville, Ohio: Telegraph Press off-site .
- Hullinger, Robert N., (1992), Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism Signature Books off-site .
- Jessee, Dean, (1976), Joseph Knight's Recollection of Early Mormon History off-site .
- Lapham, [La]Fayette, (1870), Interview with the Father of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, Forty Years Ago. His Account of the Finding of the Sacred Plates off-site .
- Larson, Stan, (1978), The King Follett Discourse: A Newly Amalgamated Text off-site .
- Mormon History off-site .
- Mack, Solomon, (1811), A Narraitve [sic] of the Life of Solomon Mack Windsor: Solomon Mack off-site .
- (1994), Inventing Mormonism Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (1999), The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text and Commentary Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (2005), The Rise of Mormonism: 1816–1844 Xulon Press .
- Matzko, John, (2007), The Encounter of the Young Joseph Smith with Presbyterianism off-site .
- Morgan, Dale, Walker, John Phillip (editor) (1986), Dale Morgan on Early Mormonism: Correspondence and a New History Signature Books off-site .
- (2008), Joseph Smith Jr.: reappraisals after two centuries Oxford University Press .
- Newell, Linda King, (1994), Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith University of Illinois Press .
- (1999), Mormon America: The Power and the Promise HarperSanFrancisco .
- Persuitte, David, (2000), Joseph Smith and the origins of the Book of Mormon McFarland & Co. .
- Phelps, W.W. (editor) (1833), A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ , Zion: William Wines Phelps & Co. off-site .
- Prince, Gregory A, (1995), Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1994), The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1998), Early Mormonism and the Magic World View Signature Books .
- Remini, , (2002), Joseph Smith: A Penguin Life Penguin Group .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1904), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1905), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1909), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Shipps, Jan, (1985), Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition University of Illinois Press .
- Smith, George D., (1994), Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841–46: A Preliminary Demographic Report off-site .
- Smith, George D, (2008), Nauvoo Polygamy: "...but we called it celestial marriage" Signature Books .
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1830), The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi , Palmyra, New York: E. B. Grandin off-site . See Book of Mormon.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1832), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book .
- Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1839–1843), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith Deseret Book .
- (1835), Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God , Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co off-site . See Doctrine and Covenants.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Church History [Wentworth Letter] off-site . See Wentworth letter.
- Smith, Lucy Mack, (1853), Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations , Liverpool: S.W. Richards off-site . See The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother
- Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
- Turner, Orsamus, (1852), History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and Morris' Reserve , Rochester, New York: William Alling off-site .
- Joseph Smith: The Gift of Seeing off-site .
- Van Wagoner, Richard S., (1992), Mormon Polygamy: A History Signature Books .
- Vogel, Dan, (1994), The Locations of Joseph Smith's Early Treasure Quests off-site .
- Vogel, Dan, (2004), Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet Signature Books .
- Widmer, Kurt, (2000), Mormonism and the Nature of God: A Theological Evolution, 1830–1915 McFarland .
Further reading
FAIR Answers—back to home page
Mormonism and Wikipedia
FairMormon's approach to Wikipedia articles
FairMormon regularly receives queries about specific LDS-themed Wikipedia articles with requests that we somehow "fix" them. Although some individual members of FAIR may choose to edit Wikipedia articles, FairMormon as an organization does not. Controversial Wikipedia articles require constant maintenance and a significant amount of time. We prefer instead to respond to claims in the FAIR Wiki rather than fight the ongoing battle that LDS Wikipedia articles sometimes invite. From FAIR’s perspective, assertions made in LDS-themed Wikipedia articles are therefore treated just like any other critical (or, if one prefers, "anti-Mormon") work. As those articles are revised and updated, we will periodically update our reviews to match.
Who can edit Wikipedia articles?
Editors who wish to participate in editing LDS-themed Wikipedia articles can access the project page here: Wikipedia:WikiProject Latter Day Saint movement. You are not required to be LDS in order to participate—there are a number of good non-LDS editors who have made valuable contributions to these articles.
Recommendations when editing Wikipedia articles
FAIR does not advocate removing any references from Wikipedia articles. The best approach to editing Wikipedia is to locate solid references to back up your position and add them rather than attempting to remove information. Individuals who intend to edit should be aware that posting information related to the real-world identities of Wikipedia editors will result in their being banned from editing Wikipedia. Attacking editors and attempting to "out" them on Wikipedia is considered very bad form. The best approach is to treat all Wikipedia editors, whether or not you agree or disagree with their approach, with respect and civility. An argumentative approach is not constructive to achieving a positive result, and will simply result in what is called an "edit war." Unfortunately, not all Wikipedia editors exhibit good faith toward other editors (see, for example, the comment above from "Duke53" or comments within these reviews made by John Foxe's sockpuppet "Hi540," both of whom repeatedly mocked LDS beliefs and LDS editors prior to their being banned.)
Do LDS editors control Wikipedia?
Although there exist editors on Wikipedia who openly declare their affiliation with the Church, they do not control Wikipedia. Ironically, some critics of the Church periodically falsely accuse Wikipedia editors of being LDS simply because they do not accept the critics' desired spin on a particular article.
Do "anti-Mormons" control Wikipedia?
Again, the answer is no. The truth is that Wikipedia is generally self-policing. Highly contentious articles do tend to draw the most passionate supporters and critics.
Why do certain LDS articles seem to be so negative?
Although some LDS-related Wikipedia articles may appear to have a negative tone, they are in reality quite a bit more balanced than certain critical works such as One Nation Under Gods. Although many critical editors often accuse LDS-related Wikipedia articles of being "faith promoting" or claim that they are just an extension of the Sunday School manual, this is rarely the case. Few, if any, Latter-day Saints would find Wikipedia articles to be "faith promoting." Generally, the believers think that the articles are too negative and the critics believe that the articles are too positive. LDS Wikipedia articles should be informative without being overtly faith promoting. However, most of the primary sources, including the words of Joseph Smith himself, are "faith promoting." This presents a dilemma for Wikipedia editors who want to remain neutral. The unfortunate consequence is that Joseph's words are rewritten and intermixed with contradictory sources, resulting in boring and confusing prose.
We examine selected Wikipedia articles and examine them on a "claim-by-claim" basis, with links to responses in the FairMormon Answers Wiki. Wikipedia articles are constantly evolving. As a result, the analysis of each article will be updated periodically in order to bring it more into line with the current version of the article. The latest revision date may be viewed at the top of each individual section. The process by which Wikipedia articles are reviewed is the following:
- Update each Wikipedia passage and its associated footnotes.
- Examine the use of sources and determine whether or not the passage accurately represents the source used.
- Provide links to response articles within the FairMormon Answers Wiki.
- If violation of Wikipedia rules is discovered, identify which Wikipedia editor (by pseudonym) made the edit, provide a description of the rule violated and a link to the Wikipedia "diff" showing the actual edit.
- If a violated rule is later corrected in a subsequent revision, the violation is removed and a notation is added that the passage is correct per cited sources. This doesn't mean that FAIR necessarily agrees with the passage—only that it is correct based upon the source used.
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, "Mormonism and Wikipedia: The Church History That “Anyone Can Edit”"
Roger Nicholson, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, (2012)The ability to quickly and easily access literature critical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been made significantly easier through the advent of the Internet. One of the primary sites that dominates search engine results is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that “anyone can edit.” Wikipedia contains a large number of articles related to Mormonism that are edited by believers, critics, and neutral parties. The reliability of information regarding the Church and its history is subject to the biases of the editors who choose to modify those articles. Even if a wiki article is thoroughly sourced, editors sometimes employ source material in a manner that supports their bias. This essay explores the dynamics behind the creation of Wikipedia articles about the Church, the role that believers and critics play in that process, and the reliability of the information produced in the resulting wiki articles.
Click here to view the complete article
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