Faith Crisis, Volume 1: We Were NOT Betrayed!: Answering, "Did the LDS Church Lie?"

L. Hannah Stoddard · James F. Stoddard III

Apr 2020 · Faith Crisis Book 1 · Joseph Smith Foundation

About this ebook

After working with thousands of struggling members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over many years, the authors decided to write a book offering hope and answers for those struggling with faith crisis.

Unbeknownst to the general Church membership, the 20th century would witness an organized effort to rewrite Latter-day Saint history from within its own ranks.

In a head-to-head, behind-the-scenes-battle, traditional leaders resisted intellectual progressives working in the Church History Department and at BYU, who claimed some forty years ago that it would take a generation to re-educate the Church membership. Where are we in this attempted re-education?

What is the New Mormon History, and how does it personally affect you and your family? Join us as we explore newly-available diaries, review old books, and bring untold history into the light!

Progressives claim the Church covered up its history for nearly 200 years. Is the current faith crisis stemming from unmasked history . . . or new interpretations?

Why did New Mormon Historians insist Hofmann’s forgeries were legitimate, even when investigators provided convincing evidence to them of the hoax?

How did Bruce R. McConkie know Hofmann’s Joseph Smith III blessing was a fake, despite authentication by document experts and pressure by historians calling him “incompetent” for questioning?

Who were the “Swearing Elders”? How did this group of progressive Latter-day Saints reshape the identity of Mormonism?

Why did Carol Lynn Pearson and Leonard Arrington share cards that read, “History is on our side—as long as we can control the historians?”

Leonard Arrington shared that an “invisible higher power” commissioned him to rewrite or reconstruct our dominant narrative of the Restoration. Did God want our history changed?

Why did Leonard Arrington say the First Vision, Nephites and gold plates were part of the Mormon “myth”?

Why did Leonard Arrington note that if he were honest about his beliefs, “not many” Latter-day Saints would “want [him] to teach their children”? How did this affect his career as Church Historian and later at BYU?

Progressives, working in the Church History Department and at BYU, claimed 40 years ago it would take a generation to re-educate the Church. Where are we in this re-education?

“The research and findings in this volume are truly history altering. Using newly released documents, combined with deep knowledge of Church History, the Stoddards are bringing to light what could be termed a “soft coup d’état” of the Church’s scriptures and prophets by progressive historians, bent on altering its history. Hold tight to your faith in the history held by the church for over 150 years and the teachings of our prophets as you discover how deep this attempted takeover has infiltrated, and altered, our sacred history.” (Rod Meldrum, researcher, best-selling Latter-day Saint author, & international lecturer)

“Years ago, we stopped going to church. Suddenly, God awakened me and brought me back into the fold. As I hungered and learned more about the restoration, it was upsetting to hear things being said about Joseph that I KNEW were not true. I hit a major faith crisis. Right as I was about to leave the church and follow another sect that follows the teachings of the Book of Mormon, I read the Stoddard’s Faith Crisis book. This book, along with promptings and teachings from the spirit helped me navigate through many questions. This book only helped grow my testimony of the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel and of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I now stand strong in the Faith and know that I am in the only true church. I’m so thankful for the Joseph Smith Foundation and the many hours put in toward helping others stay strong in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!” (Latter-day Saint mother of six)

Ratings and reviews

I've been a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 40 years and never heard any of the things written or shared in this book. However, I am grateful for the time and research in writing this book and bringing forth these stories and facts. It helps in understanding the confusion so many saints are experiencing-with their testimonies. I have wanted answers myself in trying to help a child with his testimony, and have not known how to help. I've never had a talent for names and dates, and so having this history in narrative format (which I do have a memory for), I now have a much better grasp of when things happened and why. It enlarges my understanding and I'm grateful. I appreciate too, all of the careful citations. I recommend this to anyone wanting a good, and most importantly a true account of what has happened in our history department, what is happening with our children after being exposed to the internet on the subject of Joseph Smith, and there loss of testimony after attending LDS University religion classes. This book helps to show the WHY to why so many people are lost and leaving the church. It is a must-have book for parents (or anyone) with children who are having a faith crisis!

I loved reading this book; it was very insightful, and I appreciated how well documented it was. It does a great job of explaining the history and background of the progressive movement in the church history department and other intellectual institutions like BYU. I learned a massive amount regarding the internal strife between the traditionalist viewpoint and progressives in the church history department and how those interactions have pushed the new Mormon history. It really resonated with me because it seems that the progressive church history department is like mainstream media’s depiction of conservative politics. This book is a very valuable tool for me to help those that have questions about faith crisis topics. Well written and easy to follow. I highly recommended it.

After watching so many friends struggle with their testimonies because of perceived deception. Finally a book to help them and us understand what has happened and that the faith-filled stories we were taught and loved were true. I cannot recommend this book enough. It helps those who are struggling and those who love someone who is struggling.

About the author

Joseph Smith Foundation director, author, film producer, speaker

L. Hannah Stoddard is the co-author of Seer Stone v. Urim & Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial and Faith Crisis, Volume 1: We Were NOT Betrayed!. She is the producer or director of seven documentary films.

Nephites in Europe (2019)

Hidden Bloodlines: The Grail & the Lost Tribes in the Lands of the North (2017)

Statesmen & Symbols: Prelude to the Restoration

Unlocking the Mystery of the Two Prophets: Revelation 11 Part 1 (2017)

For Our Day: Covenant on the Land (2013)

For Our Day: Divinely Sanctioned Governments (2013)

The Prophet Joseph: More than we know (2015)

In addition to directing Joseph Smith Foundation projects for over a decade, she is often invited to speak on various radio and video programs. Hannah helped direct her first documentary film, beginning at age 16. She has worked as a history and literature teacher, graphic design artist, software developer, videographer, project manager, agriculturist and research assistant. Her work focuses on Church history and doctrine, answers to Latter-day Saint faith crisis questions, educational philosophy, culture and defending the Prophet Joseph Smith.

James F. Stoddard III is the father of 10 children. He is a direct descendant of Asael and Mary Duty Smith, the Prophet Joseph Smith's grandparents, and other LDS Church history figures. He is the president of the Joseph Smith Foundation, including Latter-day Answers, ZionTube, FAQs, Papers, InspiraWiki and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He is the co-author of Seer Stone v. Urim & Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial and Faith Crisis, Volume 1: We Were NOT Betrayed!, as well as the producer or executive producer of eight documentary films.

Nephites in Europe (2019)

Hidden Bloodlines: The Grail & the Lost Tribes in the Lands of the North (2017)

Statesmen & Symbols: Prelude to the Restoration

Unlocking the Mystery of the Two Prophets: Revelation 11 Part 1 (2017)

For Our Day: Covenant on the Land (2013)

For Our Day: Divinely Sanctioned Governments (2013)

The Prophet Joseph: More than we know (2015)

Creation and Evolution: A Witness of Prophets (2007)

James has worked in private, public, religious, corporate and home education as well as Web development, software engineering, videography and natural health. He is the owner of IntegriVizion, a family business specializing in film production, Web development and graphic design. James spends any free moments working on Highland Cathedral Estate, a planned family retreat and learning facility with perennial gardens and walking trails specializing in experimental farming techniques and four-season food production. He currently serves on the Firm Foundation Executive Advisory and Strategic Planning Board. He also authors many papers and articles on the Web. James has worked as a release time Seminary teacher and as an instructor at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC).