Mark William Hofmann
The 12th Mormon “prophet, seer, and revelator” Spencer W. Kimball and other church leaders inspect and purchase a Mark Hofmann (forged) document. LDS newspaper Deseret News (1980, May 3).
Mark Hofmann was raised Mormon and served a two-year mission, but lost his faith in the LDS church. He went on to forge dozens of historical Mormon documents that he would use to embarrass the church.
- The LDS church purchased several forged documents from him, including direct purchases by the First Presidency.
- The church publicized those documents that were favorable to the church.
- The church also secretly acquired and suppressed documents that reflected negatively on its history.
- Hofmann leaked to the press information about those documents that the church acquired in secret.
- Media publicity forced the church produce, albeit reluctantly, those documents it tried to suppress.
Conclusion
- What trust can be placed in a church that boasts it is led by continuous revelation and that its ‘prophet, seer, and revelator’ is able to translate ancient texts, but it cannot discern fake historical church documents?
- What trust can be placed in a church that is more worried about hiding and censoring its history, and only changes after it gets caught?
