Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-Day Saints

I quite liked this book. As one interested in LDS apologetics, and a fan of some of the other material put out by FARMS and Dan Peterson, I was attracted to this book when I first saw it. I was hoping that it would offer some new insights on LDS apologetics, and I was not disappointed one bit. This book offers some fine critiques of the attacks and charges made against such anti-Mormons as Ed Decker and "Dr." Walter Martin (but then again, it does not take that much to shut down those inane anti-Mormons) and brings up some fine points that sheds some much needed attention against the less than scholarly and Christian tactics and methods that fundamentalist "bible bashing" Protestants use against not only Mormons, but Catholics as well. Some of more fine defensive rebuttals that Dan Peterson and Stephen Ricks bring up deal with baptisms for the dead, plural marriage, Temple ordinances and the Endowment, salvation by grace vs. works, eternal progression, the nature of God, the pre-existence and the Prophetic role of Joseph Smith. (In many instances, they demonstrate, using non-LDS sources, that many of the doctrines and teachings of the Church today indeed have roots in 1st century Christian worship and doctrine) They use plenty of non-LDS sources, as I said before, in their fine critiques and demonstrate how the attacks of anti-Mormons and anti-Catholics fall flat on their face as they are exposed to contain double standards, ad hominem attacks and simply the rehashing of old and outdated arguments. This book also reads quickly and in easy to understand language and format. (It is in a point/counterpoint layout) I read it in about two days, so I can attest to how fun and easy a read it is. Dr. Peterson and Dr. Ricks both are masterful satirists and make this book fun and enjoyable to read. (At parts I began to laugh out loud as they put some sizzling spins on satire against even the most inane anti-Mormons) So for those who are interested in apologetics or just want some new tips on how to deal with those pesky anti-Mormons, then this is a perfect and enjoyable book that I would recommend. P.s. I would bet my left arm that those individuals who gave this book a one star rating have not even read the book. Do you see how they do not even address the arguments in the book and instead try to pull out some "shocking" and equally weak "arguments". Oh well, that seems to be a syndrom that most anti-Mormons have - as it is pointed out in the book - when it comes to dealing with some masterful rebuttals against their pathetic "arguments". They just hide their head in the sand and hope that it will go away.

Some of the reviewers here have complained about Joseph Smith and/or Brigham Young. Also, making reference to changes in the Book of Mormon. Really guys? Man, I've spent so much time studying the early Christian Church, the so called, "primitive church", and there you find a whole different Christianity than the folks, here complaining, would want you to know about. Peterson's argument takes us back to the early Christians, and gives us a glimpse at what they thought about things. As for changes in the Book of Mormon, yes there are. If you really want to know the whole scoop, (Nobody's hiding it!) check out FARMS. They produced a critical text of the BofM showing all changes. It's no secret. Why all the changes? Look for your self. Don't listen to Anti-Mormons like the Tanners. Much of what they have written has been pretty well debunked. Oh, one question. If the Bible is the whole word of God, God breathed, Final, Infallible, and Forever, how come all the different translations, versions, manuscripts, and even thousands of discrepencies between earlier and later productions of just the King James Bible???[.............]

Offenders for a Word is essentially a rewrite of Stephen Robinson's older book, Are Mormons Christians? Still, even readers of Robinson's treatise will find Peterson and Ricks' contribution to the topic extremely valuable. They bring a wealth of new information and insights to the table, and provide copious documentation for their assertions. Along the way they poke fun at their anti-Mormon critics. The humor in the book is fairly innocuous, and actually makes this otherwise very scholarly treatise highly enjoyable to read. The authors begin their book by recounting some of the more outrageous anti-Mormon characterizations of the Mormon faith. We learn, among other things, that Mormonism is "Satanic", "demonic", "Christ-denying", and "a fountain of slime". Such outrageous accusations, of course, hardly need refuting; Peterson and Ricks nevertheless systematically demolish every one. By the end of the book they have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that Mormons are neither unchristian nor a "cult". While I didn't agree with every point they made in the book, my objections amount to a few pithy historical or doctrinal points that really don't have any bearing on its primary message. In the end, I cannot withhold my hearty recommendation. Offenders for a Word is well worth the space on your bookshelf. And when your bookshelf is as cramped as mine, that's really saying something!

It's not surprising that the negative reviews come from people who have obviously not even read the book. As with all of Dr. Peterson's work, this is a well-researched and well-written book which addresses the attempts of some religious groups to exclude Latter-day Saints from Christianity, and to paint the pejorative "cult" label on them. Word games concerning definitions and labels are discussed and many deceptive accusations about the LDS Church are confronted in this work. This is one of the better books on the subject of religious bigotry, but as illustrated by some reviewers here, you have to read it to gain anything from it.

The people reviewing the book with a negative aspect on the LDS faith have obviously not read the book. I saw things on the previously posted reviews that Daniel Peterson very effectively refutes IN THE BOOK. I have also seen some of the logical fallacies which DCP also explains in the book. This is a very well-written book. From an LDS standpoint, it is a good book to own, because it helps to keep faith, even in the midst of many critics spewing forth the same drivel day in and day out.From an anti-LDS standpoint, this should also be a very good book. While it would be insulting to read, chiefly because of Daniel Peterson's entire outlook on "anti-Mormons", it would serve as a valuable tool to make their arguments a little more effective. I tell you, some of the anti-Mormon literature out there is just plain sad in their poor research and half-truths. If these anti-Mormons would read this book, they may realize that honest research will ultimately be more persuasive then faulty half-truths and fear tactics. -Christoph-