Monday, April 20, 2009
The Ancient Paths - Episode 56: Defending the Book of Mormon?
This is the fifty-sixth episode of the Ancient Paths television program, hosted by Pastor Jason Wallace. In this episode Pastor Wallace discusses some of the criticism that Evangelicals have incurred for critiquing Mormonism. He shows that while there are a variety of groups who use false claims against the LDS church or who do not share the truth with members of the LDS church in love, that most Evangelicals share the truth (which often involves a critique of what is false) because of their concern for truth, and their love for their neighbor. Many LDS marginalize those who criticize them by claiming that they are being picked on, or by ascribing evil motives to their critics. However, as Pastor Wallace points out, playing the victim and trying to demonize those who critique you is not a legitimate response to criticism, but is just kicking up dust to distract from the real issues. We need to ask "what is truth?" and not "why are you criticizing my beliefs, can't we all just accept one another?". The program airs on Wednesday nights at 8:00pm on KTMW-TV20, a station that is available in Utah and parts of surrounding states. The program is hosted by Christ Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City. This episode aired on 03/11/09.
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3 comments:
Hey there. First time viewer, here. I honestly do appreciate what you’re trying to do, but do you realize that Orson Pratt was publicly reprimanded by the First Presidency and his colleagues in the Quorum of the Twelve, for the statements he made in *The Seer*? Here’s their exact words:
“The Seer [and other writings by Pratt] contain doctrines which we cannot sanction, and which we have felt impressed to disown, so that the Saints who now live, and who may live hereafter, may not be misled by our silence, or be left to misinterpret it. Where these objectionable works, or parts of works, are bound in volumes, or otherwise, they should be cut out and destroyed” (Deseret News, Aug. 12, 1865, 373).
Again, I appreciate what you’re doing, but seriously…. You need to find a better source.
Thanks!
Jeff,
Thank you for your comment and thank you for watching! We are well aware that some of what Orson Pratt taught in The Seer was viewed by his contemporaries as heterodox. However, the sentiments which Pratt expressed towards historic Christians (i.e. that all other churches are corrupt and offensive to God and are nothing less than the whore of Babylon) are not among those doctrines of his which were condemned. On this issue he stands firm with leaders of the LDS church both old and new. He echos what Joseph Smith had to say, what the LDS scriptures say (that all our professors are corrupt and our creeds are an abomination), what older leaders of the church had to say (c.f. George Q. Cannon, member of the quorum of the 12, on his descriptions of Christianity as Babylon) and what modern apostles have said (see McConkie's Mormon Doctrine p. 246 for just one example). In light of this, I think it is very appropriate to quote him. Do you not agree?
I'm LDS, and being critiqued and etc. is fine with me, especially if it is done "in love" as you say. My only thought is that often it seems some Evangelicals could be more effective if they were more tactful in their efforts, i.e. sharing their beliefs, and the good that has come from living their way, rather than trying to tear down someone else's beliefs. Those tactics generally just put people on the defensive/arouse contention rather than help people change.
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