Hey Mormons: If Gordon Hinkley Is a true Prophet, why did he buy the fake Salamander Letters from Hoffman?

Question

Mark Hoffman , a professional forger and conman duped Gordon Hinkley and the first presidency of the Mormon church into buying the fake "Salamander Letters" . As Prophet , Seer and Revelator of the LDS church, Hinkley should have used his magical spiritual abilities to discern the fraud, right? Wrong. Instead he paid this conman a bunch of money to get these fake documents because Hoffman convinced him that if the "Anti's" got possesion of them it would mace the church look even more ridiculous than it is now. Hinkley even has Joseph Smith's Seer Stone and Magic Hat tucked away in the church vault that he could have possibly used to help detect the fraud but, nooooo. "I dont know that we teach that"

Hey Gordy: I was at the circus with my kids the other day and I found the Books of Isaac and Jacob. They will go good with the Book of Abraham that Joseph Smith bought at the circus in 1838. Wanna buy 'em? Then you will have the whole trilogy of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob.

Hey Gordy: If you act now, Ringling Brothers will even throw in a couple of mummies to go with the scrolls of Isaac and Jacob. I know they are true because I prayed about it and got a burning in my bosom. They are remarkably well preserved and after 4000 years they still roll up. Dont worry Gordon, we would never try to set you up to look bad, you can do that all by yourself. Just bring Boyd KKK Packer along with you and Joey's magic hat and peepstone. You can translate them right here in front of the whole world on 60 Minutes so all can see there is a true Prophet on Planet Earth.

"Lord, we thank thee for a prophet....."

Answer 1

Just the opposite the church suffered greater harm by entertaining the fraud that just ignoring it. Or what would have been better would have been to follow the example of the Tanners and call it a fraud up front? Why is it the "enemies" of the church saw through this when the "prophet" couldn't Was Jerald Tanner a better prophet than Gordon B. Hinckley ? The Bible teaches that discernment is a spiritual gift. I guess since he denies that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, he has no gifts from the Holy Ghost... Jim

Answer 2

I see no reason why you have to be condescending and rude. However, it is fine to ask questions or wonder about why, a church based on revelation, would purchase something that was a fraud. Interestingly enough, I have a little extra insight into this.

My neighbor is a church historian for the Mormon church, and has been for some time. In his role he deals with ancient documents and the like. When the church was presented with the documents by Mr. Hoffman my neighbor was the individual who authenticated the documents and informed those above him of their genuineness. So, just as in any other business, the leaders in the church rely upon others and their talents and profession. It was the err of my neighbor getting dupped by Mr. Hoffman; because of his recommendation the church purchased the documents.

The Mormon church is a church of the people as well as of God. Meaning, that although there is a prophet that leads the church and receives revelation from God (so they proclaim) there is also great reliance and trust in its members. God does not just hand everyone the answers or interfere with every aspect or our lives, otherwise he would be taking away the free agency which we so importantly received as a result of the decision in the Garden of Eden. The decision to purchase the letters was based on the opinion of a lay person and the representation of a con man. That's it. There is no reason to make much more of it. Does my neighbor like to talk about it? No, I think it has been something that has burdened him for a long time, but he continues to do what he does best, be a historian. We all make errors and I certainly don't want someone to hold mine over my head.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 3

How could you say such things about a good, kind, man! What has he done to you? How does buying some letters filled with hatred and lies about the church make him less of a prophet? Lets refer to the Bible on people disrespecting the prophet. Kings 1- Bears kill 47 kids after they make fun of the prophet! You don't want to end up like that do you? And people think we don't know the Bible!

Answer 4

Can anyone point out to me where, in any description of what does or doesn't make a Prophet, purchasing decisions are included?

I don't know why he purchesed them - you know he's a conman, but I've seen enough on this website people saying we worship salamanders, that obviously not everybody gets that. Maybe he thought it was an interesting colectors item, or historical item (we are big into keeping historical records), or he like the color of the ink - who cares?

Answer 5

The "Salamander Letter" was not bought by the church, it was bought by Steven Christiansen (who was later killed by a bomb built by Hoffmann. Bro. Christiansen donated the letter to the church. And far from trying to hide these documents, they were very open and honest about the whole thing. The "anti's" HAVE "gotten ahold" of them. Far from making the church look rediculous, it makes the anti's look that way.
If the church wanted to keep these documents out of the hands of the anti's, tey would burn them.

When Pres. Hinckley passes, he will be replaced by Elder Thomas S. Monson, provided he is able to do it.

<<...like the one about men being sealed to men>>

Yes, this is true, Fathers are sealed to sons, uncles to cousins.

Like I said, if the church wanted to keep something from the people, they wouldn't hide it, tey would destroy it.

Answer 6

Just because I'm a true Apologist, does that mean I'll be correct in my assertions 100% of the time?

In like manner, prophets are human too. Look at Joseph Smith. He was a prophet too, but he certainly made mistakes, like with the Kinderhook plates.

Don't judge a whole religion on one man's mistake.

Answer 7

Why do you focus so much on others religion and the human traits of it's leaders when Christ said to cast the beam out of thine own eye first?

Answer 8

Shame on you for mocking President Hinckley. What he did was in the best interest of the church at that time. By accepting the documents from Hoffman, Pres. Hinckley was able to get the documents off the street and quietly expose the fraud with minimal damage. This way, the church suffered no harm. To do otherwise, would have exposed the church to more ridicule before finally exposing the fraud for what it was. We will always carry out the Lord's work quietly whenever we are able to do so. We do not seek great publicity. It follows us around whether we want it or not. President Hinckley is a prophet and receives inspiration and revelation for the church on a daily basis. I know that is true because I feel the spirit inpiring me daily and I know that the same principle works in his life to a much greater extent and degree than it does in mine.

Answer 9

"The Mormon Murders" which is the story of Mark Hofmann has a theory set forth. The president did not have enough spiritual discernment. What do you think about this theory? It is a deep thing to look at the implications of this!

Answer 10

Got a lot of baggage with Gordon still, I see. He's an easy target, and the only thing really different about him is he has attempted to be more media-friendly.

This hasn't worked well, with the Hoffman disaster, and many of his interviews.

I was surprised and dismayed that he, and all the GAs could have been mislead so easily. I was taught these were men of god, and god spoke to them in issues of importance to the church. Certainly, god wouldn't allow this type of con man into the COB.

I was equally disappointed at all the "I don't know that we believe that .." answers he gave in the past. What are you talking about, Gordy? Of course we believe that god was once a regular guy, and god really did impregnate Mary 'the old fashioned way". Hell, that's what made us mormons: Belief in the totally implausible.

So, now my training is complete. I have discovered much too late that the mormon church is a complete and utter sham. It's hard not to pick on that old man, but until someone better comes alone, he's our boy.