Mormon-supported sources

In general a Mormon-supported source is a source that would be acknowledged by a [Mormon apologist] as generally accepted by the Mormon church or Mormon culture. The basic idea here is to use sources that are supported by Mormonism, even though they may not be well known by Mormons.

The following are considered to be sources supported by Mormons, ordered from highest to lowest priority:


 * 1) The LDS Standard Works (a.k.a. the "Quadruple Combination") consisting of The Holy Bible (King James version), The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and accompanying reference materials such as the bible dictionary, maps and gazetteer, topical guide, index, footnotes, cross references, excerpts from the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (JST) and other study aids.
 * 2) Official publications of the church including magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, study guides, text books, web sites, and books. Basically anything with the official church logo on it fits in this category.
 * 3) Notable church leader commentary from books, speech or interview transcripts, quotes, and other materials. Acceptable church leaders include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, and the Presiding Bishop. The individual is not required to have been a church leader at the time the commentary was made.
 * 4) Materials released by reputable church apologists (e.g., FARMS, Hugh B. Nibley) and less notable church leaders (e.g., a Seventy or auxiliary leaders such as the Relief Society and Sunday School).
 * 5) Unofficial transcripts and accounts of church history and meetings may be acceptable in some circumstances.

To qualify as a Mormon-supported source the statement must not have been retracted or directly and authoritatively disputed by the church. Common knowledge information that is generally accepted by Mormons and is not disputed by the LDS church does not require citations (e.g., the fact that Brigham Young had many wives).

Please see the content policy for details on how to cite sources other than those under categories above.

Acceptable Reference Materials
The following reference materials are accepted as Mormon-supported:

Books

 * The Standard Works (available online at the LDS Scriptures Site)
 * "Mormon Doctrine" by Bruce R. McKonkie (Amazon.com link)
 * "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" by Joseph Fielding Smith (Amazon.com link)
 * "A Comprehensive History of the Church" by Brigham H. Roberts, Brigham Young University Press, 1965
 * "Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations" by Lucky Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith (available online at Centerplace.org)
 * "History of Joseph Smith By His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith." Boookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1958. Lorenzo Snow gave "his hearty approval" to publication of the book and Joseph F. Smith highly recommended the book (see "Introduction to the First Utah Edition").

Periodicals

 * Times and Seasons (available online at Centerplace.org)
 * Journal of Discources (available online at JournalofDiscourses.org)
 * The Ensign (available online at the LDS library)

Web Sites

 * LDS.org
 * FamilySearch.org
 * Mormon.org
 * ProvidentLiving.org

Weak Sources

 * LDS Author Todd Compton

Authors
The following authors should not be used as Mormon-supported sources:


 * D. Michael Quinn (excommunicated in 1993 for insubordination)
 * Lynne Kanavel Whitesides (disfellowshipped in 1993 after speaking out as a feminist)
 * Avraham Gileadi (excommunicated in 1993 after publishing a book on Isaiah)
 * Paul Toscano (excommunicated in 1993 after publishing a controversial book)
 * Maxine Hanks (excommunicated in 1993 after publishing a feminist book)
 * Lavina Fielding Anderson (excommunicated in 1993 after publishing feminist books)
 * Pomeroy Tucker (discredited by Hugh B. Nibley)