Jerald TannerCritiques

Jerald and Sandra Tanner's most comprehensive and revealing work on Mormonism. Writing in the October 1990 Sunstone, book dealer Curt Bench compiled "A list of the books which have had a significant influence on the development of Mormon history, theology, and literature." The Tanners' Mormonism-Shadow or Reality? was listed among the 50 important books on Mormonism in the first 150 years (1830-1980). Mormonism-Shadow or Reality?

A very detailed account of the Mark Hoffman forgeries and bombings. There is an emphasis on failed Mormon apologetics (i.e., how did the supposed seer, prophet, and revelator of the LDS Church mess this up); the iffy nature of Mormon history when it comes to Joe Smith; and Tanner's own contributions to the case against Hoffman.

A nice précis of the Smith family's connection to folk magic, medieval magick, and money digging. Calling saints, magic charms, pentacles, etc. All very convincing that Joe Smith was a charlatan who relied on un-Biblical magic.½

The central theme of this work is that the supposedly God-delivered theology of Mormonism, via prophets like Smith and Young, were subject to change from the very beginning. They were altered, they were covered-up, they evolved, etc. Polygamy denied, while polygamy was going on, then polygamy accepted, then polygamy denied. Adam-God doctrine proclaimed, Adam-God doctrine denied. Verses changed in the Book of Mormon, etc. Many laymen will be startled to learn how much of Mormonism is from outside the Book of Mormon. A must for any Christian bookshelf. Good writing, good use of evidence, often presented in visual format. (Can be read for free online.)½

As a discussion of doctrinal history of the Mormons, this work is a real achievement in scholarship. A search for truth, no mater of what world, will continue. The Tanners are to be commended whether freely or reluctantly, for having had the courage to assist in that search. A book appealing to Mormons and non-Mormons alike.