Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage

Another pamphlet on my shelf, Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage is a discussion between Joseph Fielding Smith and Richard C. Evans (second counselor in the presidency of the "Reorganized Church"). Mr. Evans wrote an article in a Canadian newspaper denouncing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of these two topics. However, he got a lot of his facts wrong, and so Joseph Fielding Smith replied and this pamphlet contains their discussion.

More than anything else, this book reaffirmed my frustration and impatience with anti-mormons and the tactics they employ. The first item they Smith clarifies is the Church's teachings of blood atonement. He states the scripture in Hebrews that says "without shedding of blood is no remission" and applies it to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Evans responds with quotes from Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt and others to show that the Church taught that they must spill the blood of their enemies and apostates in order to save their souls. Smith reveals Evans' desperation and folly by showing that the quotes he used were taken out of context and put together to describe something different than was actually taught.

I really liked a quote that Smith uses from President Anthon H. Lund in response to vague comments that anti-mormons love to take hold of and declare it to be bizarre doctrines of the Church. Lund said, "When our missionaries are met with these sophistries and with isolated extracts from sermons, we say to them anything that is a tenet of our religion must come through revelation and be sustained by the Church, and they need not do battle for anything outside of the works."

Evans also goes to great lengths to denounce Brigham Young and "prove" that Joseph Smith did not found plural marriage in the Church. He uses statements from various people to make his point. Smith again reveals his folly when he points out his sources are all from other anti-mormons and apostates. Again, attempting to twist the words of others, Evans quotes from some members of the Church, but stops his quotation in mid-sentence because the very next word would defeat his argument. This dishonesty crumbles his argument to dust.

Smith reveals that many of the people Evans quotes from have also attacked his own church and beliefs and that it is foolish to use them as a source. Smith then provides multiple testimonials from people that prove beyond doubt that Joseph Smith truly did reveal the doctrine of plural marriage, but it was not publicly taught until after his death.

Smith is able to support his argument with facts, testimonials from good reputable people (both members and non-members of the Church), and scripture. Evans resorts to deception, the words of slanderers, and blatant lies to try to prove his point (in fact, when Evans had this conversation printed in his church's magazine, he left out many of Smith's words that proved Evans to be wrong). Truth is able to stand on its own, and anybody who resorts to deception, subtlety, and lies does not have the truth in them.