In general usage, anti-Mormonism is more than mere criticism of or disagreement with Latter Day Saint doctrines or policies; rather, it involves opposition to the religion's existence, usually by other Christians on grounds of faith, or by others on political or sociological grounds. Such opposition has, in the past, involved mob violence, rape, arson and even murder wherein the victims were chosen due to their being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The most extreme example was the Exterminating Order issued in the late 1830s by Missouri governor Liliburn Boggs, which called for all Mormons to be "exterminated or driven from the state." The Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus of Nazareth, known by Christians as Jesus Christ, as recounted in the New Testament. ... The word faith has various uses; its central meaning is similar to belief, trust or confidence, but unlike these terms, faith tends to imply a transpersonal rather than interpersonal relationship – with God or a higher power. ... Politics, sometimes defined as the art and science of government. ... Social interactions of people and their consequences are the subject of sociology studies. ...

Anti-Mormonism refers to affirmative, active and direct opposition to Mormonism as an institution, by groups or individuals, who refuse to take a "live and let live" position. This includes outright bigotry, commercial anti-Mormonism (intended to bring in money in support of anti-Mormon activism, usually through the sale of books, pamphlets, videos etc, or solicitation of "offerings"). This is a Root page. ...

The term anti-Mormonism is also used pejoratively (in a sense similar to anti-Semitism or homophobia) by some Latter Day Saints toward those who do not affirmatively oppose the existence of Mormonism, but merely disagree, offer criticism, or portray Mormonism in a way they believe is not faith-promoting. This latter usage is controversial and does not properly fit into the context of usage of this article. The Eternal Jew: 1937 German poster. ... The term homophobia means a fear of or contempt for homosexuality or homosexuals or the fear of becoming homosexual. ... The Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. ... This is a Root page. ... The word faith has various uses; its central meaning is similar to belief, trust or confidence, but unlike these terms, faith tends to imply a transpersonal rather than interpersonal relationship – with God or a higher power. ...

Anti-Mormonism, in the word's non-pejorative sense, has included a wide range of activities, from peaceful publication of pamphlets and exposés, on the benign end, to violent killings and population transfer on the extreme end. The latter type of anti-Mormon extremism is mostly confined to the faith's 19th century history. Today, anti-Mormonism is nearly always peaceful, and is usually conducted by evangelical Christians and ex-Mormons against the faith's largest denomination, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Violence refers to acts of aggression and abuse which causes or intends to cause criminal injury or harm to persons, and (to a lesser extent) animals and property. ... Population transfer is a term referring to a policy by which a state, or international authority, forces the movement of a large group of people out of a region, most frequently on the basis of their ethnicity or religion. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The word evangelicalism usually refers to a tendency in diverse branches of Protestantism, typified by an emphasis on evangelism, a personal experience of conversion, biblically-oriented faith, and a belief in the relevance of Christian faith to cultural issues. ... Exmormonism is a term used to describe the community of former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or other sects of Mormonism. ... The temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located in Salt Lake City, Utah is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...

Application of the term

The term is applied primarily by adherents of Latter-Day Saint theology to the behavior of a category of critics or opponents of Mormonism who actively, systematically or regularly make public attacks on the people, beliefs, culture, practices, doctrines, history and leadership of the Latter Day Saint movement and any of its sects (be it physical, emotional, spiritual or social attacks); or to those who seek to tear down or destroy any of Mormonism’s sects or the faith of any of its adherents, regardless of intent. Conversely, the term is not typically applied to those who disagree with the teachings of Joseph Smith or descendant churches or those who privately dissuade others from Mormonism. At other times, the use of the term is used controversially by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an ad hominem attack against anyone who attempts a critique, investigation or study that Mormons find objectionable. A Latter-day Saint is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin, literally argument to the man) or attacking the messenger, is a logical fallacy that involves replying to an argument or assertion by attacking the person presenting the argument or assertion rather than the argument itself. ...

There are two different forms of Anti-Mormonism – Anti-Mormon publications (which includes a published or broadcast work) and Anti-Mormon activists. Anti-Mormon activists can generally be categorized in seven categories: Extremist Anti-Mormons, Professional Anti-Mormons, Lay Anti-Mormons, Exmormon Anti-Mormons, apostates, or Mormon dissidents. However, most Ex-Mormons, Critics of Mormonism and Non-Mormons are not thought of as Anti-Mormon. Exmormonism is a term used to describe the community of former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or other sects of Mormonism. ... Exmormonism is a term used to describe the community of former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or other sects of Mormonism. ...

Anti-Anti-Mormons

Some Mormon adherents will say that those who have honest disagreements with the Latter Day Saint movement and ex-Mormons are Anti-Mormon. This use of the term is controversial and as such, they may engage in negative behavior towards anyone who openly expresses a disagreement with their church. Such groups that disagree with Mormonism may be shunned or treated malignantly by Latter Day Saints who attempt to defend their faith. This is particularly common in areas where Latter Day Saint sects have large populations, including U.S. states Arizona, California, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

Many honest critics of Mormonism who have attempted fair, reasonable, scholarly studies have complained that they are accused of being deceptive or giving unbalanced treatment in their work. Other critics have attempted to published Mormon studies and have quoted from previous Anti-Mormon sources. Unfortunately, some of these studies have been determined to be unreliable by historians on both sides of the debate. These researchers are accused of being deceptive, when in fact they are simply ignorant of current research about the credibility that has taken place on such pieces as "Mormonism Unveiled" and "The Twenty-eighth Wife." Some of these researchers have stated they received hate mail from Mormons and are unfairly labeled as Anti-Mormons.

However, there is a core group who are clearly anti-Mormon, promoting demonstrations, disruptive activities and public condemnation of Latter-day Saints at such widely diverse venues as chapels, sporting events involving teams with popular members who are Latter-day Saints, and even Disneyland during the periodic "Mormon Night" special parties.

Hate Groups?

A hate group is defined as "one with beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, usually based on characteristics such as skin color or religion," by organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Anti-Mormon groups are not typically included with other Hate Groups outside of the state of Utah, and most hate group watchdog organizations do not include Extreme Anti-Mormon groups as hate groups. However, some Mormons have called for such action by these watchdog organizations, particularly pointing to other denominations who receive such protection, including Catholicism (Anti-Catholic), Jews (Anti-Semitism) and Jehovah's Witnesses, yet are not currently experiencing the kind of organized hate campaign which is being seen by Latter-day Saints. The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Eternal Jew: 1937 German poster. ...

Causative Factors of Anti-Mormon behavior

No single reason has been identified as the motivation for behavior considered to be Anti-Mormon. However, disagreements with doctrines, policies, history, political influence, or perceptions of abuse of power of Mormonism's leaders are all possible reasons for behavior considered to be anti-Mormon.

Stereotypes and cultural folklore within Mormonism have perpetuated the belief that since the Church organized by Joseph Smith is sanctioned by God, that Satan and his followers seek to destroy the divine institution, resulting in a natural hostility of evil people toward the "true church" of Jesus Christ. These types of beliefs are supported by the often violent physical persecution of the early saints by supposedly good Christian people. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Joseph Smith taught that former members of the church would not be able to leave it alone:

Strange as it may appear at first thought, yet it is no less strange than true, that notwithstanding all the professed determination to live godly, apostates after turning from the faith of Christ, unless they have speedily repented, have sooner or later fallen into the snares of the wicked one, and have been left destitute of the Spirit of God, to manifest their wickedness in the eyes of multitudes. From apostates the faithful have received the severest persecutions… There is a superior intelligence bestowed upon such as obey the Gospel with full purpose of heart, which, if sinned against, the apostate is left naked and destitute of the Spirit of God, and he is, in truth, nigh unto cursing, and his end is to be burned...’’’When once that light which was in them is taken from them, they become as much darkened as they were previously enlightened, and then, no marvel, if all their power should be enlisted against the truth’’’, and they, Judas like, seek the destruction of those who were their greatest benefactors. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Two 1834-37 p.66)

Expounding on this teaching, noted Mormon apologist Hugh Nibley, explained:

Apostates usually become sometimes feverishly active, determined to prove to the world and themselves that it is a fraud after all. What is that to them? Apparently it is everything--it will not let them alone. At the other end of the scale are those who hold no rancor and even retain a sentimental affection for the Church--they just don't believe the gospel. I know quite a few of them. But how many of them can leave it alone? It haunts them all the days of their life. No one who has ever had a testimony ever forgets or denies that he once did have it--that it was something that really happened to him. Even for such people who do not have it anymore, a testimony cannot be reduced to an illusion. (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.9, Ch.6, p.155)

This theory has not been tested scientifically and is not supported by research or an academic study, but has rather been perpetuated culturally as a Folk doctrine or a principle by adherents.

More worldly explanations exist for the persecution of Mormons as well.

As with any other anti- behavior (Anti-Semitism, Anti-Catholic), the root cause of Anti-Mormonism seems to be fear of losing something of what is perceived to be one's own. The Eternal Jew: 1937 German poster. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ...

In modern times, Anti-Mormonism appears to be sometimes caused by fear that the growth of the Mormon church will extend to one's own city, family, or church congregation.

During the early days of Mormonism, Mormons tended to live in tightly knit communities that would apply political, financial, and moral influence as an united block. This tended to antagonize the established order in sometimes hard-drinking, hard-living frontier communities. Large groups of Mormons moving into an area would sometimes change the population enough to elect their own candidates, causing the original occupants to feel disenfranched. Even if a non-Mormon candidate were elected, resentment would still sometimes fester from the fear that the winner had ’’’bought’’’ the Mormon vote, and the payback would be to the detriment of other inhabitants.

History of Anti-Mormonism

Even after establishing a community in Utah, Anti-Mormon activists in the Utah Territory convinced President Buchanan that the Mormons in the territory were in rebellion to the United States due to the Mountain Meadows massacre and Plural marriage, prompting him to send one-third of USA's standing army to Utah in what is known as the Utah War. Buchanan is the surname of: Barry Buchanan (born 1968), professional wrestler (Bull Buchanan) Bay Buchanan, sister to Pat Buchanan, President of The American Cause Claudius Buchanan (1766-1815), English divine Franklin Buchanan (1800-1874), Confederate admiral George Buchanan (1506-1582), Scottish humanist George Buchanan, British civil engineer George Buchanan (1890... The Mountain Meadows massacre occurred on Friday, September 11, 1857 in Mountain Meadows, Utah, several miles south of Enterprise in Washington County along the Spanish Trail to Santa Fe. ... Plural marriage (also sometimes called celestial marriage or spiritual wifery) is a type of polygamy that was practiced by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Utah War was a 19th century armed conflict between Mormon settlers in Utah Territory and the United States federal government. ...

During the first 100 years of Mormonism, Anti-Mormonism focused on topics that did not conform to traditional Christian teachings (see Mormonism and Christianity). These doctrines took the view that Smith plagiarized scripture that still persists in Anti-Mormon writing today. They characterized Smith as a charlatan, Brigham Young as a power-hungry leader and other successors as conformists. The methods used typically stereotyped Mormons and Church leaders as ignorant, uneducated and superstitious. They consigned Joseph Smith to that of a plagiarist, as he could not have been smart enough to have written what he did, and often pointed to Sidney Rigdon or Oliver Cowdery as the true mind behind Mormonism. The Anti-Mormon movement during this period typically was religious or politically motivated, based on ideologies and sterotypes of Victorian America. For example, much of the anti-Mormonism during the late 1800s focused on the suppression of women by Mormons. They pointed to Utah’s suffrage laws (Women could vote until they were disenfranchsised because of polygamy) as a way Mormons used to over-burden women, who did not need to worry about such things. Anti-Mormonism in Missouri focused on the tendency of Mormons to vote in bloc on such issues as slavery (Mormons tended to be abolitionists) or treatement of Indians. In Ohio, they focused on the failed banking efforts of the Kirtland Safety Society and other failed economic experiments including the United Order. In Nauvoo, persecutions tended to be based on the large policial influence the Mormons had in the City-state of Nauvoo (the state had a charter that gave it equal rights as the Illinois state legislature and it’s own militia which rivaled the size of the continental army). Further, the city council was predominantly Mormon. Issues including polygamy, freedom of speech, anti-slavery views during Smith’s presidential campaign, the deification of man, the Nauvoo Legion, and more were all issues of contention. In New York and Pennsylvania, Anti-Mormon behavior dealt mainly with issues including whether or not Smith had gold plates, and whether or not those plates belonged to the people, rather than Smith, if Smith really had (theological) visions, Smith’s treasure-digging episodes, and strange occultic-similarities pointed out by some ministers (such as Smith receiving the plates during the fall equinox). Mormonism has had an uneasy relationship with traditional Christianity since its earliest days in the 1820s, when its founder Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Kirtland Safety Society (KSS) was a quasi-bank organized in 1836 (and reorganized on January 2, 1837) by leaders and followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. ... The Law of Consecration was revealed to Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, in 1831. ...

Since news traveled slowly, especially when the Mormons migrated to Utah, claims about Mormons were hard to prove or disprove. This left room for continuous speculation among anti-Mormons. Often, a statement in an anti-Mormon work would include a disclaimer that one may not notice an alleged doctrine or practice being applied in Salt Lake City, but would rather find it in obscure Mormon settlements.

Beginning in the early 1900s, psychological biographies were written of Smith. Rather than characterizing him as a deliberate deceiver, they characterized him as having mental or physical problems that led to his visions. Charges ranging from drug use to epilepsy were given, although difficult to prove due to lack of primary data. This movement, for the first time by anti-Mormons, gave credence to Smith as having a certain level of genius – albeit misplaced and deviant. Works by Mormon apologetics and critics such as in Fawn Brodie’s ‘’No Man Knows my History’’, argue against such claims. By this time in the history, geography was not the only separator, but time was as well. Because events happened more than one hundred years ago, it became increasingly difficult to disprove these claims. Fawn McKay Brodie (September 15, 1915 – January 10, 1981) was a teacher and biographer. ...

During the 1960s, the Anti-Mormon movement pursued Mormon scholarly thought, particularly the works of William Barratt and Hugh Nibley. Barrett is considered a founder of "New Mormon History" – or a naturalistic approach to Smith’s revelations. Nibley, on the other hand, rejected New Mormon History and pushed a point of view that all truth from any religion could be found in Mormonism (hense the comparisons to Pagan religions, Gnosticism, and others). Anti-Mormons, in turn, focused on a naturalistic view of Smith, citing external influences to his supposed revelations. This built further upon Fawn Brodie’s work.

In the 1980s there arose a segment of professional anti-Mormon activists, including Ed Decker and William Schnoebelen.

Current trends seem to acknowledge Smith’s genius, and possible spiritual ties, but claim it was of the devil. In other words, Smith may be inspired, but by what source?

Extremist anti-Mormons

Anti-Mormon opposition has frequently been violent and vehement. It should also be noted that many anti-Mormon activists likewise consider a number of other Christian churches (including the Roman Catholice Church) to be heretical or cultist, and a few consider their own small congregations to be the only "true" Christian church, with all others being heretical.

In the movement's early years, the Mormon people encountered frequent persecution and conflict forcing them to move from place to place, resulting in the settlement of the Great Basin and Intermountain West. In recent years, Anti-Mormon violence has erupted at the semi-annual General Conference when Anti-Mormons have desecrated sacred Mormon items, such as temple garments, used obscenity and Hate speech or actually engaged in low-level physical assault in attempts to provoke physical response by Conference attendees. This extremist activity is often condemned, even by critics of Mormonism and other Anti-Mormons, and has led to laws governing protesting in Salt Lake City. Interestingly, these laws are welcomed by anti-anti-Mormon activists and even some anti-Mormons, as a way to give everyone the opportunity to express themselves within "protest zones." Map showing the Great Basin in orange The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States, commonly defined as the contiguous watershed region, roughly between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, that has no natural outlet to the sea. ... The Intermountain West is a region of North America lying between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Cascades and Sierra Nevada to the west. ... Hate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a group of people based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. ...

Professional Anti-Mormons and organizations

Prominent organizations and individuals who are anti

• list of discredited anti's and why they are discredited - (charles larson (may have mixed with another larson), "Doctor" Philastus Hurlburt, Howe, Dee Jay Nelson (80s) etc. false degrees, using old, incorrect research, non-addressing of available sources).
• list of "reliable" anti-mormons and how they present (tanners, etc)

Lay Anti-Mormons

Exmormon Anti-Mormons

• Dissidents - rise in the new Mormon history, September six, etc.
• Exmormons - Why Mormons feel this is a fulfilment of Smith's prophecy of leaving but not leaving alone
• the cultural Mormon phenomena, and the rise of exmo's in this segment.

Postrational Anti-Mormonism

Postrational Anti-Mormonism is a categorization of a variation in the social phenomena of anti-Mormonism, coined by Glen W. Chapman, that describes those who, in seeking antipathetic response to both the faith, beliefs and institution(s) surrounding Latter-day Saint Theology, abandon responses based around rational and assault the tenants of the faith on grounds that it is an institution of metaphysicaly based evil and hence its existence is, in their view, unexplainable or refutable by standard logic or any available paradigm that would be considered rational.

This has basis in historic movements of similar nature where one group drew upon postrational theory in explaining the success of such groups as the Masonic movements in Europe which gained success against Catholic power.

Such a connection is presented here in an excerpt from an article taken from "BYU Studies vol 35 no 3 1996" entitled "Anti-Mormon Movement Characteristics"

"Despite originating in sensational hoaxes, certain nineteenth-century French writings continue to fuel an extreme anti-Mormon rhetoric and world view." - Massimo Introvigne (An Italian Law Professor)

Anti-Mormon tactics and trends

• Tactics they use (take from opposition article)
• patterns between works - see Nibley's "how to write an anti-Mormon book" [1]
• The use of the media (video, internet, seminars, live protests)

Attack on Smith and book of Mormon

• root issues

early anti-mormon writers claims of Smith's simplicity; later anti mormon claims of smith's devious brillance. a listing of the common issues that Anti-mormons have with SMith/the Church

online sites listings of issues )alghough I think these often contradict each other) - need to figure out a NPOV to show listing of all that smith "guessed" or would have to had knowledge about according to anti-mormons - examples include understanding of masonry legends for the book of mormon, geography for comoros, biblical names and changes, septagint/Hebrew bible similarities for isaiah quotes, understanding of gnosis teaching of eternal marriage, understanding of gnosis teaching and apocyphal (40 day) teaching about signs and tokens, and washings and anointings, water being okay for sacrament; military history issues in the book of mormon and elephant claims; understanding that records were kept on metal plates; similarities of apocolyspe of abraham, Jasher and book of abraham; travel time in jerusalem, Moroni angel parallels, understanding of gnosis teaching of apostacy, quoting from federalist papers, law of hamarabi, plato and alexander the great, use of the word seal as used anciently, understandng of the "gospel of philip" (which was re-discoverd in 1952), correct placement of "destroyed" boat in hypocephalus as well as a two-headed god correct guess-work; understanding of Egyptian book of the dead rites, parallels between 3 nephi account being plagerized from Gnostic texts. and so forth. Smith's wide reading of Swedenborg's work, luther's 99 thesis, book of the dead, enoch legends, ethan SMith, solomon spaulding; urim and thummim breastplate andsword legends, Astrology, Magick, wicca, zorastrianism, satanism, black/white inhabitants of America/archeaology; rare baptism for the dead ancient heresies, understandign of arianism christianity; Montanism; Epistle of Barnabas; Arianism; Manichaeism; Camorra; Tibetan Termas and Terton; Kabbalah; no mention of passover in bom; early gnostic belief on pre-existence; busy doing adultery; Need to list all issues - need to make sure they are NPOV, presenting the critical side.

A hypocephalus A hypocephalus is a small disk-shaped object made of papyrus, stuccoed linen, bronze, gold, wood, or clay, which Egyptians placed under the head of their dead (hypocephalus = hypó {Greek: under, below} + cephalus {Latin: head}). They believed it would magically cause the head and body to be enveloped... Montanism was an early Christian sectarian movement of the mid-2nd century AD, named after its founder Montanus. ... The Epistle of Barnabas is a Greek treatise with some features of an epistle containing twenty-one chapters, preserved complete in the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus where it appears at the end of the New Testament. ... This article is about theological views like those of Arius. ... Manichean priests, writing at their desk, with panel inscription in Sogdian. ... The camorra is a mafia-like criminal organization, or secret society, in the region of Campania and the city of Naples in Italy. ... Termas are key Tibetan Buddhist texts, many of which were hidden by Padmasambhava around the Tibetan region for future discovery at auspicious times. ... In Tibetan Buddhism, a tertön is someone who discovers a terma, or hidden text. ... Kabbalah (Hebrew קַבָּלָה reception, Standard Hebrew Qabbala, Tiberian Hebrew Qabbālāh; also written variously as Cabala, Cabalah, Cabbala, Cabbalah, Kabala, Kabalah, Kabbala, Qabala, Qabalah, Kaballah) is an interpretation (exegesis, hermeneutic) key, soul of the Torah (Hebrew Bible), or the religious mystical system of Judaism claiming an insight into divine nature. ...

Post-smith, issues.

Polygamy, Blacks, Welfare, Hincklye, homophobia, etc

• "Classic" anti-mormon works and why - EB howe, brodie, Kingdom of the Cults, Godmakers, and Mormon empire (is that the name?)

Credibility issues

Discussion of how some works keep getting resurrected, although proven false (like hurlburts)

• topics that have been generally dismissed or no-longer relevant (brodie, two first vision accounts, polygamy, Godmakers 2 farce, etc) (with links to the appropriate articles to give more detail about the topic and fuller discussion)

Recent issues and trends

• recent hot topics/research (DNA, Nibley's daughter, Kraukhauer, new Smith research, temple changes, etc) (with links to the appropriate articles to give more detail about the topic and fuller discussion)
• cultural influences and studies (rise in Anti activity in an area led to higher baptism rates during the 80s, studies show most had stronger testimonies or few had loss of testimony of members after encountering them. If Antis really wanted to win, they's leave Mormons alone and let Mormons destroy themselves quote, etc.)

Apologetics

• BH Roberts, Hugh Nibley, McConkie, FARMS and FAIR's involvemnt in anti-mormon "debunking"/defending
• the rise of lay mormon apologetics
• Credibility issues of lay apologetics

"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 perceptive writer once remarked, "new errors, as well as new truths, often appear." Anti-Mormon Writings: Encountering a Topsy-Turvy Approach to Mormon Origins by George L. Mitton, associate editor, The FARMS Review 16/1 (2004) Hugh Winder Nibley (March 27, 1910-February 24, 2005) was born in Portland, Oregon and was one of Mormonisms most celebrated scholars. ...