I just received a copy of the brand-new, full-color, 32 page comic The Enchanter produced by Chick Publications. The comic is on the life of Joseph Smith and I was very anxious to read it.

After reading it I was very disappointed on many levels. Although the design, layout, and artwork are good, it failed to touch on the many problems with Mormonism that it could have.

The story starts with a modern-day crime scene and cover-up. The Mormon Doctrine of Blood Atonement is exercised and the Mormon-run police force conclude the murder was a suicide. The victim’s wife seeks financial help from some men in another city to flee the town of Mormons. The two gentlemen who send this lady money to help her, have their curiosity piqued and seek to know more about Mormonism. Another man meets with them and the rest of the book is their conversation with illustrations of Joseph Smith and early Mormonism. The story never returns to the woman who lost her husband.

I have to admit, in my years of studying Mormonism, this comic alleged several things I never came across in my studies (not saying that they’re not true, I just never heard of them). Almost all of the other errors and lies of Mormonism were neglected.

I feel that Chick completely dropped the ball on this one. They missed so many grand opportunities and focused on matters that had less of an impact.

Additionally, I did not like the lack of documentation. If you’re going to make the allegations that this comic did, it only stands to reason to footnote where this information came from. This way when Mormons charge that you are lying and made this stuff up (like Jim did in this post) they can research the information for themselves; if they dare.

After reading this comic, I felt more like it was designed to just bash Joseph Smith and Mormons, not intellectually examine the facts and point the reader to the true Christ. Although the gospel message is included, it gets lost in all the drama.

In conclusion, I feel this comic may do more harm than good in sharing the Gospel with Mormons and enlightening those who are unfamiliar with the organization and its gross errors.

I think that many times Christians in their zealousness to share the truth do much damage. That’s why I cannot recommend this comic. Its attempt to cast Mormons in the light it did, does not sit well with me. Just the other day I was listening to Issues Etc on Pilgrim Radio on the topic of Jehovah’s Witnesses. One caller referred to the Mormons by saying something to the effect “when talking to the morons, uh I mean Mormons . . .” which he did intentionally. This grieves me and angers me at the same time. People who would say that does not have the Mormon’s best interest in mind (their eternal soul) but are just trying to win arguments.

I have yet to meet a Mormon I didn’t like. It’s their false doctrine I take issue with, not the individual Mormon. I get falsely accused all the time of being anti-Mormon and being a Mormon-basher. It usually comes from Mormons who can’t engage in the debate because they know that the Truth is not on their side. In reality, I love the Mormon people. I want to see them saved from the eternal fate they are in, (the deception and the lies which will lead them to Hell), and come to a true relationship with the Jesus of the Bible.

** UPDATE **

It has been brought to my attention by OB Server (thank you) that Chick Publications has referenced the material in this comic on their website. You can see it by clicking here. I wish they had put the references in the book, not everyone will have the opportunity to refer to the website.