Dem Drives Anti-Mormon Card

National Review ^ | 1/11/2012 | Kathryn Jean Lopez

[americanophile]

On MSNBC just now, South Carolina Democratic chair Dick Harpootlian painted Republican voters there as potentially refusing to vote for a Mormon, while trying to make it so. From memory: It does not bother me that he may believe the Garden of Eden is in Missouri, but it may bother them.

This is an ugly card and I hope...

[dragonblustar]

It's PISSED off MORMONs that canNOT accept the FACT of what their BELOVED religious organization is built upon!

THEY whine and bitch constantly about lies, twisting, out of context, slander, and yet they utterly FAIL to produce ANY evidence of what they so pomposly claim.

So true!

[Scoutmaster]

However this talk is non scriptural canon or doctrine in the Mormon religion.

I realize Boyd K. Packer's admonishment is not scriptural canon or doctrine, but it's created a clear delineation in the presentation of LDS history.

First, in competing journals. One one hand, you have the 'faithful' journals, such as FARMS and anything from BYU or the Neal A. Maxwell Institute. On the other hand, you have journals that present LDS history without adhering to the 'faithful' standard, such as Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and Sunstone.

Second, you have competing publishers. Deseret only publishes 'faithful' books regarding LDS history. If embarrassing facts are included, Deseret is not going to publish them. Signature Books and other publishers will publish 'non-faithful' history.

BYU professors are fired and LDS historians have been excommunicated or dis-enfellowshipped for writing non-faithful history (September Six, Palmer, Southerton, Quinn) .

LDS historians will state specifically whether they are 'faithful' or 'faith-promoting' or not. If their work is criticized by other LDS historians, they'll defend it by saying that they are, in fact, faithful Saints.

The negative reviews on LDS historian Todd Compton's award-winning book, In Sacred Honor: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith, that are linked on the fairLDS.org website, from FARMS, say that Compton wasn't 'faithful' enough in his interpretation of the journals and letters of Smith's wives and their friends and families.

'Faithful' has become a term of art.

It's why there's a scholarly article in a peer-reviewed journal called "How to Read Mormon History," written after the Packer incident.

And why there are articles by LDS 'non-faithful' historians on difficulties they face, where one footnote linking other journal articles on the difficulties caused by Packer and 'faith-promoting' history look like this:

"For other (sometimes academic, sometimes personal) statements by historians of Mormon background concerning the writing of Mormon history, see notes 4 and 5 above, and also Leonard J. Arrington, "Preface," Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900 (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1958), esp. viii-ix; Marvin S. Hill, "The Historiography of Mormonism," Church History 28 (Dec. 1959): 418-26; Klaus J.Hansen, "Reflections on the Writing of Mormon History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 1 (Spring 1966): 158-60;Richard L. Bushman, "Taking Mormonism Seriously," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 1 (Summer 1966): 81-84; Bushman, "The Future of Mormon History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Autumn 1966): 23-26; Arrington, "The Search for Truth and Meaning in Mormon History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 3 (Summer 1968): 56-66; Bushman, "Faithful History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 4 (Winter 1969): 11-25; Fawn M. Brodie, Can We Manipulate the Past? (Salt Lake City: Center for the Study of the American West, University of Utah, 1970); Richard D. Poll, "God and Man in History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 7 (Spring 1972): 101-09; Hill, "Brodie Revisited: A Reappraisal," Dialogue: A [p.100]Journal of Mormon Thought 7 (Winter 1972): 85; Hill, "Secular or Sectarian History? A Critique of No Man Knows My History," Church History 43 (Mar. 1974): 78-96; William Mulder, "Fatherly Advice," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 9 (Winter 1974): 77-80; "History Is Then and Now: A Conversation with Leonard J. Arrington, Church Historian," Ensign 5 (July 1975): 8-13; Mulder, "The Mormon Angle of Historical Vision: Some Maverick Reflections," and Marvin S. Hill, "The 'Prophet Puzzle' Assembled: Or, How to Treat Our Historical Diplopia toward Joseph Smith,: Journal of Mormon History 3 (1976): 13-22, 101-05; Poll, "Nauvoo and the New Mormon History: A Bibliographical Survey," Journal of Mormon History 5 (1978): 105-123; James B. Allen, "Line Upon Line," Ensign 9 (July 1979): 32-39; Charles S. Peterson, "Mormon History: Some Problems and Prospects," Encyclia: Journal of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters 56 (1979): 114-26; "Mormon History: A Dialogue with Jan Shipps, Richard Bushman, and Leonard Arrington," Century 2 [BYU] 4 (Spring-Summer 1980): 27-39; Richard Sherlock, "The Gospel beyond Time: Thoughts on the Relation of Faith and Historical Knowledge," Sunstone 5, (July-Aug. 1980): 20-23; James L. Clayton, "History and Theology: The Mormon Connections: A Response," Sunstone 5 (Nov.-Dec. 1980): 51-53; Roger Elvin Borg, "Theological Marionettes': Historicism in Mormon History," Thetean: A Student Journal of History (Provo, UT: Beta Iota Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, Brigham Young University, 1981): 5-20; Arrington, "The Writing of Latter-day Saint History: Problems, Accomplishments, and Admonitions," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 14 (Fall 1981): 119-29; Davis Bitton, "Mormon Biography," Biography: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly 4 (Winter 1981): 1-16; Clayton, "Does History Undermine Faith?" Sunstone 7 (Mar.-Apr. 1982): 33-40; Ronald K. Esplin, "How Then Should We Write History? Another View," Sunstone 7 (Mar.-Apr. 1982): 41-45; Jay Fox, "Clio and Calliope: Writing Imaginative Histories of the Pacific," Proceedings of the Mormon Pacific Historical Society, Third Annual Conference, April 10, 1982, 12-19; Ronald W. Walker, "The Nature and Craft of Mormon Biography," Brigham Young University Studies 22 (Spring 1982); 179-92; Bitton, "Like the Tigers of Old Time," Sunstone 7 (Sept.-Oct. 1982): 44-48; Melvin T. Smith, "Faithful History: Hazards and Limitations," Journal of Mormon History 9 (1982): 61-69; Arrington, "Personal Reflections on Mormon History," Sunstone 8 (July - Aug. 1983): 41-45; Smith, Faithful History/Secular Faith," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 16 (Winter 1983): 65-71; Thomas G. Alexander, "Toward the New Mormon History: An Examination of the Literature on the Latter-day Saints in the Far West," in Michael P. Malone, ed., Historians and the American West (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983), 344-68; Smith, "Faithful History/Secular Religion," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 3 (1983): 51-58; Hill, "Richard L. Bushman: Scholar and Apologist," Journal of Mormon History 11 [p.101](1984): 125-33; Lavina Fielding Anderson, "The Assimilation of Mormon History: Modern Mormon Historical Novels," Mormon Letters Annual, 1983 (Salt Lake City: Association for Mormon Letters, 1984), 1-9; Arrington, "Why I Am a Believer," and Walker, "A Way Station," Sunstone 10 (Apr. 1985): 36-38, 58-59; Grant Underwood, "Re-visioning Mormon History," Pacific Historical Review 55 (Aug. 1986): 403-26; Alexander, "No Way to Build Bridges," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 22 (Spring 1989): 5; Hill, "The New Mormon History Reassessed in Light of Recent Books on Joseph Smith and Mormon Origins," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 21 (Autumn 1988): 115-27; Poll, History and Faith: Reflections of a Mormon Historian (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989); Hansen, "Arrington's Historians," Sunstone 13 (Aug. 1989: 41-43; "Coming to Terms with Mormon History: An Interview with Leonard Arrington," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 22 (Winter 1989): 39-54; Hill, "Afterword," Brigham Young University Studies 30 (Fall1990): 117-24; David B. Honey and Daniel C. Peterson, "Advocacy and Inquiry in Mormon Historiography," Brigham Young University Studies 31 (Spring 1991): 139-79; Gary James Bergera, "The New Mormon Anti-Intellectualism," Sunstone 15 (June 1991): 53-55; D. Michael Quinn, "Editor's Introduction," The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Mormon Past (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991); Malcolm R. Thorp, "Some Reflections on New Mormon History and the Possibilities of a 'New' Traditional History," Sunstone 15 (Nov. 1991): 39-46; Douglas F. Tobler and S. George Ellsworth, "History: Significance to Latter-day Saints," in Ludlow, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 3:595-98; Richard P. Howard, Restoration Scriptures: A Study of Their Textual Development (Independence, MO: Herald House, 1969); Richard P. Howard, "Latter Day Saint Scriptures and the Doctrine of Propositional Revelation," and Paul M. Edwards, "Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?" in Courage: A Journal of History, Thought and Action 1 (June 1971): 209-25, 241-46; Richard P. Howard, "The Effect of Time and Changing Conditions on Our Knowledge of History," Saints' Herald 120 (June 1973): 54; Paul M. Edwards, "The Irony of Mormon History," Utah Historical Quarterly 41 (Autumn 1973): 393-409; Robert B. Flanders, "Some Reflections on the New Mormon History," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 9 (Spring 1974): 34-41; Richard P. Howard, "The Historical Method as the Key to Understanding Our Heritage," Saints' Herald 121 (Nov. 1974): 53; Paul M. Edwards, "The Secular Smiths," Journal of Mormon History 4 (1977): 3-17; F. Henry Edwards, "Engagement with Church History," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 1 (1981): 30-33; Richard P. Howard, "Adjusting Theological Perspectives to Historical Reality," Saints' Herald 129 (Sept. 1982): 28; C. Robert Mesle, "History, Faith, and Myth," Sunstone 7 (Nov.-Dec. 1982): 10-13; Richard P. Howard, "Themes in Latter Day Saint History," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 2 (1982): 23-29; Richard P. Howard, "The Changing RLDS Response to Mormon Polygamy: A Preliminary Analysis," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 3 (1983): 14-28; Richard P. Howard, "The Problem of History and Revelation," Saints' Herald 131 (Oct. 1984): 24; Paul M. Edwards, "Our Own Story," Sunstone 10 (Jan.-Feb. 1985): 40-41; Alma R. Blair, "RLDS Views of Polygamy: Some Historiographical Notes," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 5 (1985): 16-28; Paul M. Edwards, "The New Mormon History," Saints' Herald 133 (Nov. 1986): 12-14, 20; W. Grant McMurray, "'As Historians and Not as Partisans': The Writing of Official History in the RLDS Church," and Roger D. Launius, "A New Historiographical Frontier: The Reorganization in the Twentieth Century," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 6 (1986): 43-52, 53-63; Don H. Compier, "History and the Problem of Evil: Reflections on the Philosophical and Theological Implications of the 'New Mormon History,'" and Flanders, "Review," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 8 (1988): 45-53, 91-93; Roger D. Launius, "Whither Reorganization Historiography?"; Paul M. Edwards, "A Time and a Season: History as History," John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 10 (1990): 24-50, 85-90; and Paul M. Edwards, "A Community of Heart," Journal of Mormon History 17 (1991): 28-34; Leonard J. Arrington, "Historian as Entrepreneur: A Personal Essay," Brigham Young University Studies 17 (Winter 1977): 193-209; Arrington, "The Writing of Latter-day Saint History: Problems, Accomplishments and Admonitions," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 14 (Fall 1981): 119-29; Davis Bitton, "Ten Years in Camelot: A Personal Memoir," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 16 (Autumn 1983): 9-35; Howard C. [p.97]Searle, "Historians, Church," in Ludlow, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:591."

So it may not be doctrine, but it makes a big difference if you're writing or researching LDS history, this 'faith-promoting' deal.

We even have faithful reviews of non-faithful books about writing faithful history published by faithful history journals: Gary F. Novak, "Review of Faithful History: Essays on Writing Mormon History by George D. Smith," FARMS Review of Books 5/1 (1993).

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“A religious test
IS being applied.”

You seem to have confused the Constitutional requirements for office with
the dictates of a person’s conscience when he or she casts their vote.

[MHGinTN]

You may disregard the Journals, but the following will clarify why the Journal of Discourses can be seen as a reflection of Mormonic beliefs:

“The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church, and every rightminded Saint will certainly welcome with joy every number (issue) as it comes forth.“ (President George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 8.)

“Each successive Volume of these Discourses is a rich mine of wealth, containing gems of great value, and the diligent seeker will find ample reward for his labor. After the fathers and mothers of this generation have made them the study of their lives their children’s children will find that they are still unexhausted, and rejoice that this Record has been handed down from their fathers to also aid them in following the way of life .” (Apostle Orson Pratt, Preface. Volume 3.)

“It is impossible to give monetary value to the past volumes of this publication, … Those who read the utterances of the servants of God, contained in this book, under the same influence by which the speakers were inspired, cannot fail to receive profit from the perusal.” (President Joseph F. Smith, Preface, Volume 18.)

“We take great pleasure in presenting to the Saints and the world the … the Journal of Discourses, which they will find contains rich treasures of information concerning the glorious principles of Eternal Life, as revealed through God’s anointed servants in these last days. All who read the discourses contained in this Volume are earnestly recommended to adapt them to their lives by practice, and we can confidently assure them that, in doing so, they are laying up a store of knowledge that will save and exalt them in the Celestial kingdom.” (Apostle Albert Carrington, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 15.)

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“There’s no proof of Christianity, Islam, Judaism...”

There is a whole field of study called archeology you seem to have missed.

[Scoutmaster]

If I didn't explain myself, my interest is in Mormon history. I support the right of LDS FR members to believe as they choose. I work in Scouting with many fine individuals who are LDS. I would vote for a Mormon for President - it depends on who the individual is.

I began studying Mormon history in the 1980's. Mormonism is the American contribution the to the world's major religions.

It's hard to study the history without getting a taste of theology, but my interest really isn't in theology. I'm not here to convert anybody.

[Elsie]

You’re right - the bigots on FR have made their hatred clear.

Please don't call the MORMONs this: they tend to get upset.

(You WERE referring to #51; were you not???)

[Elsie]

A religious test IS being applied.

Are you saying that one CANNOT be applied?

[Elsie]

So much for the Constitutionalists here.

Which country's constitution are you thinking about?

[Elsie]

There’s no proof of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism and the others. So why the pride and hatred?

And yet YOU are wasting your time talking about them.

Strange behaviour...

[MHGinTN]

It is a sad fact that of all the America loving, qualified, honest black men and women in present day America, an incompetent, socialist liar named Barry Obama was the first black president.

In the same way, it will be a sad thing for the conniving, unscrupulous, lying, two-faced Mitt Romney to be the first Mormon president. The truth of what and who Mitt Romney is brings no honor to faithful conservative Mormons.

[Elsie]

Countless official sources for his speech about not telling all:

And perhaps HERE is the reason for MORMONs to IGNORE their own Organization's teachings:

 

 

Professor Robert Millet        teaching at the Mission Prep Club in 2004  http://newsnet.byu.edu/video/18773/  <-- Complete and uneditted

---

 

 

Timeline...    Subject...

 

0:59           "Anti-Mormons..."

1:16           "ATTACK the faith you have..."

2:02           "We really aren't obligated to answer everyone's questions..."

3:57           "You already know MORE about God and Christ and the plan of salvation than any who would ATTACK you."

Once again Restornu; Thank You! for clueing me into the COMPLETE version of thbis video.

[Elsie]

The paper boy didn’t come this morning?

[stuartcr]

Wow, you’re one of those people I read about here that think anything anyone says that isn’t hateful towards Mitt, means that they’re going to support him. Congrats

[stuartcr]

???

[svcw]

That is not what I said, I said that mormons vote 94% for Romney so you must be pleased to part of that majority.
Which based on all your posts you are.
However, show me one hateful post against Romney the person, as opposed to his stink’n liberal policies and governance.
Pull up your big boy pants and defend the guy you appear to support or tell us the truth, if that’s possible.
Stop playing they mormon victim card, it is really boring.

[stuartcr]

I would, but as you say, it appears to you that I support him...except that I don’t.

I’m in Virginia. I’ll vote for Dr. Paul in the primary and the republican candidate in the election.

Remember, just because you think something appears in a certain way to you, doesn’t make it so. That’s why people wear glasses.

[Graybeard58]

Im still on minimum wages after FIVE years...

Happy Anniversary!

[svcw]

Not sure what glasses have anything to do with it, but the “Dr. Paul” sure does.

[reaganaut]

Thank you for sharing that. It lines up with my experience as well.