This project follows a rigorous methodology to ensure accuracy, fairness, and intellectual honesty. We document our approach so readers can evaluate our work.
Core Principles
1. Primary Sources Only
Every claim must trace to a specific Journal of Discourses volume, page, date, and speaker. We do not rely on secondhand characterizations or summaries.
When we quote a prophet, we quote from the original published sermon, not from a critic’s website or a defender’s rebuttal.
2. Let Them Speak
The prophets are more compelling in their own words than in ours. We prioritize direct quotation over interpretation. Our songs use the speakers’ actual phrases wherever possible.
3. Full Documentation
Every song includes:
- Complete lyrics with verse-by-verse citations
- Source mapping showing which lines are quotes, paraphrases, or original
- Historical context explaining the setting and significance
- Primary source quotes in full, not excerpts
4. Charitable Reading First
Before flagging material, we consider reasonable interpretations. We strengthen our case by addressing the best defenses, not the weakest ones.
If a charitable reading exists, we acknowledge it—then explain why the source material defeats that defense.
5. Their Own Standards
We hold the prophets to the standards they set for themselves:
- Their definitions of prophetic authority
- Their claims about what “thus saith the Lord” means
- Their predictions about what would “always” be true
- Their declarations about what God had revealed
What We Document
We identify statements that have been:
| Category | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scientifically Falsified | Claims contradicted by evidence | Moon/sun inhabitants |
| Doctrinally Disavowed | Teachings the church no longer endorses | Adam-God, racial priesthood ban |
| Self-Contradicting | Statements that contradict other prophetic declarations | “Never abandon polygamy” → 1890 Manifesto |
| Failed Prophecies | Time-bound predictions that did not occur | Various dated predictions |
Anticipating Apologetic Responses
For each finding, we document likely defenses and explain why they fail:
Common defenses we address:
- “Speaking as a man, not as prophet”
- “Product of his time”
- “Out of context”
- “Church has since corrected it”
- “Prophets aren’t infallible”
We steel-man these arguments (present them in their strongest form) before showing why the source material defeats them.
Quality Standards
Every Quote Must Have:
- Exact text with original spelling/punctuation
- Precise citation (JoD Volume:Page)
- Date of sermon
- Speaker identification
- Context notes
Every Song Must Have:
- 100% source mapping (every line traced)
- Historical context section
- At least 3 apologetic responses addressed
- Accuracy verified against original sources
What We Avoid
We do not:
- Quote out of context in ways that change meaning
- Rely on secondhand sources when primary sources exist
- Exaggerate claims beyond what the text supports
- Ignore charitable interpretations without addressing them
- Combine quotes from different contexts as if they’re one statement
We do:
- Let the material speak for itself
- Build the strongest case from the strongest sources
- Maintain intellectual honesty
- Document thoroughly
- Use their words, their standards, their definitions
Verification
All our sources are publicly accessible. We encourage readers to:
- Check our citations against the original Journal of Discourses
- Read the full sermons, not just our excerpts
- Evaluate whether our characterizations are fair
- Point out any errors for correction
See our Sources page for links to primary source archives.
“The remedy can never be applied, unless the disease is known.” — Nauvoo Expositor, June 7, 1844