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Major Problems of Mormonism

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In "Major Problems of Mormonism" Jerald and Sandra Tanner examine historical and theological difficulties faced by the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). For readers unfamiliar with the authors, the Tanners are famous (or infamous) ex-LDS members. I offer the following comments for potential readers.

Although the authors do not appear to be professional academics their work is well researched and presented. Whether or not one agrees with their conclusions, the Tanners come across as sincere and passionate seekers of the truth. Disillusioned by the LDS the Tanners seem to be advocating a more-or-less mainstream Protestant perspective.

The text covers many doctrinal and historical issues plaguing the LDS, including;

- Changing doctrine (e.g. polygamy, views on non-white peoples, blood atonement)

- Absence of archeological evidence for Book of Mormon

- Smith's apparent plagiarism (from Bible and other historic sources)

- The Adam/God doctrine (God was once a man)

- Smith's personal credibility

- LDS deviation from the Book of Mormon (e.g. polytheism)

Though some individual claims advocated by the Tanners can, and have been, challenged, en masse they present a compelling evidentiary and logical argument against Mormonism. To be fair to the LDS no belief system is immune from criticism, and historically based religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Mormonism are subject to a particular range of challenges. It is in this historic context that I feel the LDS position is weakest (from a philosophical perspective they also have significant difficulties). Despite LDS denials the church's position has changed significantly on a range of issues. Frequent adjustment of divinely revealed truth is tremendously problematic for any religion. As significant as these changes are, however, perhaps even more concerning is the LDS' seemingly Orwellian attempt to clandestinely rewrite its history and surpress documentation.

From a stylistic perspective the text has some minor drawbacks. Its older type setting and poor quality photocopies give it an un-polished look. The book is in large part an abbreviation of the author's longer works and as a result occasionally has a choppy feel. These drawbacks are minor and have only limited impact on the book overall effectiveness.

Overall, it is a good read with many references for further research. I recommend it to all LDS members as well as to students of comparative religion. I have been unable to find a comprehensive rebuttal to the challenges raised by critics such as the Tanners, but, would welcome such a recommendation from other readers.

Jerald (1938-2006) and Sandra (born 1941) Tanner are/were perhaps the most noteworthy (certainly the most meticulous and "balanced") "anti-Mormon" critics of the LDS Church; both were formerly Mormons themselves. Their major work is Mormonism - Shadow or Reality? Enlarged Edition, and a more "readable" distillation is The Changing World of Mormonism: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Changes in Mormon Doctrine and Practice.

This 1989 book (less than 1/2 the size of "Shadow or Reality") is described by the Tanners in the Preface, "our major work... contains more material than the average person wishes to read. In 1980 Moody Press published a condensed version under the title, 'The Changing World of Mormonism.' ... Nevertheless, the fact that it still contains almost 600 pages has forced Moody Press to ask a price that is greater than the average paperback book. For these reasons we decided to reduce the material ever further and to offer a price which will be very appealing to the average reader. In this book we have tried to deal with the major problems of Mormonism in the least amount of space possible and yet present enough documentation to make the issues convincing. Those who want more information will want to consult (the larger books)."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"One thing that should be noted about the new 'revelation' (allowing black males to hold the Priesthood) is that the church has failed to produce a copy of it. All we have is a statement by the First Presidency which says that a revelation was received." (Pg. 46)
"While Mormons presently make much of abstinence from tobacco and alcoholic beverages, little is said about the Word of Wisdom cautioning against the use of meat except 'in times of winter, or of cold or famine.' With the exception of tea and coffee, 'hot drinks' are freely used." (Pg. 79)
"It would seem that if the same powers were functioning in the Mormon Church today, the 'Prophet, Seer and Revelator' would have received a revelation warning him concerning Mark Hofmann's cunning plan to defraud and disgrace the church." (Pg. 103)
"(Oliver) Cowdery seems to have returned to the Mormon Church before his death, but David Whitmer maintained that Cowdery died believing Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet and that his revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants must be rejected." (Pg. 145)
"(A) Mormon scholar, Walter Whipple, knew that the (Joseph Smith) papyri were in the (Metropolitan) Museum as early as 1962, five years before the rediscovery was announced. It is also interesting to note that the church itself had an actual piece of papyrus from Joseph Smith's collection which was suppressed for 130 years. We printed a photograph of it in 1966 in Joseph Smith's Egyptian Alphabet & Grammar."
"Perhaps the strangest thing of all concerning the Inspired Version of the Bible is the fact that Joseph Smith himself did not take it seriously. For instance, he ignored his own 'inspired' rederings concerning the Godhead." (Pg. 248)
"Mormon writer Robert J. Matthews has observed that most of the unique teachings of present-day Mormonism cannot be found in the Book of Mormon or other writings from the earliest period of Mormonism: 'What did the faithful convert of the Church in 1830-1831 accept as essential 'Mormonism'? Was he instructed concerning marriage for time and eternity? Of the three degrees of glory in the resurrection? Was he taught concerning the temple endowment, or baptism for the dead, of patriarchal blessings, or of the word of wisdom? Was he instructed in detail concerning the various offices and quorums in the priesthood from the deacons up through the teachers, priests, elders, seventies and high priests? Was he taught concerning the quorums of the Presiding Bishopric, the First Council of Seventy, the Patriarch to the Church, the Council of the Twelve, and the First Presidency?'" (Pg. 255)