Isn't it interesting that every plan to harm the Church by the Adversary is turned upon him. The transparency issue brought up at the time of these forgeries perhaps informed the Church to be especially open and transparent about the Joseph Smith History project.
LexaGraemeMarch 9, 2021
Thank you for this article. The documentary, overall, was well done, but there were some dangling threads that should have been resolved. This article helps with that resolution.
Harold RustMarch 8, 2021
This article is a "must read" for anyone who plans to watch or who has already watched the NetFlix documentary. I agree with the author because I had the same feelings when I watched the movie: first, I knew the Church was fully transparent in every one of these transactions and so why would the movie "hint" otherwise? ; Second, why would the producers allow to go without context that statement by an investigator that the Church made it hard for them? The Church being careful about opening their files is far different from an organization that closes all doors that could embarrass them.
Pauline IsaksenMarch 8, 2021
One of the best rebuttals of the lies surrounding the Church's involvement with Hofmann is the talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks given at Brigham Young University, 6 August 1987, entitled, "Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents".
Michael BrashearMarch 8, 2021
Thank you for posting this story. I remember these events but had no idea how prolific a fraud he was, nor was I aware of his fraud against other entities, including the United States. All that genius wasted.
rcook52March 8, 2021
I wonder what the distinction is between physically killing the Prophet Joseph Smith and killing through forgery the Message of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I also wonder whether Mark Hoffman was actually trying to damage the Church or simply trying to make himself famous and rich?
Either way the result of his choices has had the effect of damaging Joseph's claims in the eyes of some people. Even Alma laments: Yea, and I had [murdered] many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction . . .
Mark Hoffman also [murdered] many. How complicit is the new media and Producers of this movie that only wants to perpetuate the fantastic claims of the original albeit forged documents?
Ron KjarMarch 8, 2021
What a great summary! I still see that great lie—that the Church is somehow hiding something—having a huge impact in the world, and among my own family today. Once a lie has been perpetuated, it takes on a life of its own and is difficult, if not impossible, to callback.
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watkahJanuary 1, 2022
Isn't it interesting that every plan to harm the Church by the Adversary is turned upon him. The transparency issue brought up at the time of these forgeries perhaps informed the Church to be especially open and transparent about the Joseph Smith History project.
LexaGraemeMarch 9, 2021
Thank you for this article. The documentary, overall, was well done, but there were some dangling threads that should have been resolved. This article helps with that resolution.
Harold RustMarch 8, 2021
This article is a "must read" for anyone who plans to watch or who has already watched the NetFlix documentary. I agree with the author because I had the same feelings when I watched the movie: first, I knew the Church was fully transparent in every one of these transactions and so why would the movie "hint" otherwise? ; Second, why would the producers allow to go without context that statement by an investigator that the Church made it hard for them? The Church being careful about opening their files is far different from an organization that closes all doors that could embarrass them.
Pauline IsaksenMarch 8, 2021
One of the best rebuttals of the lies surrounding the Church's involvement with Hofmann is the talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks given at Brigham Young University, 6 August 1987, entitled, "Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents".
Michael BrashearMarch 8, 2021
Thank you for posting this story. I remember these events but had no idea how prolific a fraud he was, nor was I aware of his fraud against other entities, including the United States. All that genius wasted.
rcook52March 8, 2021
I wonder what the distinction is between physically killing the Prophet Joseph Smith and killing through forgery the Message of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I also wonder whether Mark Hoffman was actually trying to damage the Church or simply trying to make himself famous and rich? Either way the result of his choices has had the effect of damaging Joseph's claims in the eyes of some people. Even Alma laments: Yea, and I had [murdered] many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction . . . Mark Hoffman also [murdered] many. How complicit is the new media and Producers of this movie that only wants to perpetuate the fantastic claims of the original albeit forged documents?
Ron KjarMarch 8, 2021
What a great summary! I still see that great lie—that the Church is somehow hiding something—having a huge impact in the world, and among my own family today. Once a lie has been perpetuated, it takes on a life of its own and is difficult, if not impossible, to callback.
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