Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011 Volume 16 Number 1 Article 2 1-1-2004 Editor's Introduction: Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins George L. Mitton Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Mitton, George L. (2004) "Editor's Introduction: Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins," Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011: Vol. 16 : No. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr/vol16/iss1/2 This Front Matter is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011 by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Title Editor’s Introduction: Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins Author(s) George L. Mitton Reference FARMS Review 16/1 (2004): ix–xxxii. ISSN 1550-3194 (print), 2156-8049 (online) Abstract Introduction to the current issue, including editor’s picks. Mitton explains the need to address anti-Mormon texts and their authors, beginning in the early days of the church. It is important to give attention to Joseph’s own explanation and that of his close associates. Editor’s Introduction Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins George L. Mitton, associate editor He always conceived every subject on so comprehensive a scale, that he had not room in his head, to turn it over and examine both sides of it. Washington Irving¹ Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? (Isaiah 29:16) ome have inquired as to why we devote so much space in response Sto anti-Mormon literature. Would that we could confine ourselves to discussions of positive things, but the negative ones are troublesome to some, and we think that they demand attention. It is our experience that a careful consideration of such writings is instructive and that the faith always comes out better understood and strength- ened. Nevertheless, in this issue we offer essays on a remarkable range of subjects, including several of interest on some very positive works and developments. I will mention these briefly and then discuss some important general matters regarding anti-Mormon writings, helping to explain why we feel a need to study and respond to them. 1. Washington Irving, A History of New York . by Diedrich Knickerbocker (New York: Inskeep & Bradford, 1809), 1:120. xii • The FARMS Review 16/1 (2004) Some Congenial Things I first take note of the essay by Benjamin N. Judkins on the sta- tus and quality of Book of Mormon apologetics—those many and ex- tensive writings that have been prepared in defense of the faith. He describes these achievements modestly, and doubtless more could be said, but he gives a useful overview of the remarkable work and findings of those who have sought to improve our knowledge of the Book of Mormon, while impressively defending its doctrines, background, and historicity in ways the anti-Mormon press has seldom attempted to refute. His essay provides a useful summary for those who seek to learn more. Kevin L. Barney calls our attention to a new “Reader’s Edition” of the Book of Mormon, attractively edited by Grant Hardy. M. Gerald Bradford reviews an important new book of Latter-day Saint scholar- ship that treats the final hours of the life of Christ. Gaye Strathearn discusses a new scholarly work on the concern of the early Christians about salvation for the dead, which should be of interest to Latter- day Saints. Nathan Oman provides the results of his research on the term secret combinations, showing that its use in the Book of Mormon likely has a much broader meaning than the interpretation of some who have held that it was a reference only to Freemasonry—a narrow view that can result in misunderstandings of the Book of Mormon and a failure to appreciate its broad insights. John A. Tvedtnes offers a review of a book regarding Chinese discovery of America, raising the question of relevance to an understanding of Lehi’s voyage. John W. Welch introduces us to an important new translation and commentary on the Book of Enoch (known as 1 Enoch). Since the discovery of this ancient work in Ethiopia and the study of it, together with related texts that have come to light, scholars have regarded it with growing interest, recognizing its importance in studying the the- ology of ancient Israel, its influence on the New Testament, and its help in understanding the meaning of early Christianity.² Latter-day 2. For an introduction see Margaret Barker, The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity (London: SPCK, 1988). Introduction • xiii Saints should be particularly interested because of its significance to revelations received by Joseph Smith. Welch discusses this with obvi- ous excitement, which I share, and points the way for further study and understanding. Responses to Anti-Mormon Writings—or ad Hominem Attacks? We have included several responses to writings that are clearly anti-Mormon. I will not detail them all here, as readers can scan the contents and find what interests them most. What does anti-Mormon mean? Davis Bitton has written a thoughtful piece for us on “Spot- ting an Anti-Mormon Book.” Some authors, even of virulent attacks on the church, nevertheless complain when we use the term anti-Mormon because they claim to “love the Mormon people.” This despite the fact that they do their best to undermine our faith and the faith of our youth, vilify the prophets whose memory we hold dear, dishonor our scriptures, and trample on things that are sacred to us and thereby violate some of our most tender feelings. Most of their arguments have been given reply by the Saints, but they are repeated over and over as though no reply had ever been made. There is a sameness to this literature, but occasionally a new approach comes along. As a percep- tive writer once remarked, “new errors, as well as new truths, often appear.”³ Frequently, our answers and responses are given the silent treat- ment. We then have reason to suspect that writers or publishers find it difficult to reply to our findings. Oftentimes an attempt is made to respond by complaining that our essays are ad hominem attacks on the writers and their reputations, rather than efforts to cope with their arguments. These claims are usually made on the Internet.⁴ It has even 3. John Jay, in The Federalist, no. 64. 4. A notable exception is a published response by Signature Books, through the ve- hicle of a book by D. Michael Quinn, which includes a great many of what appear to be contrived attacks on FARMS and its writers scattered throughout the notes of the book. From a scholarly standpoint alone, the work is thoroughly marred by this unseemly de- vice. The editors and publisher should be ashamed of their use or allowance of it. See Quinn’s Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998). xiv • The FARMS Review 16/1 (2004) been asserted that ad hominem is our “stock in trade.” We have come to expect this sort of thing whenever we go to press. This is, of course, an attempt to render our arguments ineffective by destroying our repu- tation. It is an ad hominem attack on us that fails to answer our arguments. I am not aware of an author ever being discussed in our Review where there is not also a discussion of his or her writing. But some say we should not discuss writers at all—merely treat their work. This is not practical and would be unfair to our readers in many instances. Why do we discuss authors? Frequently, some discussion is help- ful when it brings out an author’s past work, experience, training, or known attitudes that might affect competence or preparation to deal with a subject. An example appears in Craig L. Foster’s review of Jon Krakauer’s work in this issue. Prejudice and past known viewpoints can also place in perspective a writer’s purpose or motives. Sometimes our reviewers are dealing with books that are outrageous, and they are understandably outraged and find it difficult to maintain a moderate tone. As editors, we have often used our red pencils to tone down a discussion when troublesome writings are under consideration. FARMS has received mail from many parts of the world—persons often ex- press concern that they don’t have information on a writer that might help them assess the validity of a work in question. Our own editor, Daniel C. Peterson, receives telephone calls with questions of that sort from far and near. I think that we would be derelict if we failed to pro- vide such information when we have it and when it appears needed for a better understanding. The Anti-Mormon “Concatenation” Since the earliest days of the church, Latter-day Saints have found it necessary to confront anti-Mormon writings. Indeed, Joseph Smith recalled a spirit of sectarian persecution from the time, as a lad, when he first began to mention his visionary experiences—well before the church was organized (Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25, 28, 60).

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