"anti-Mormon"..... sigh.... I always loved that phrase. It is so binary. If you aren't fully in favor of the Mormon agenda, you are "anti-Mormon" = in league with satan.
I had my former Bishop come by my house to ask me why I left after I resigned. I explained the main problems I had with mormon racisn, sexism, homophobia, lies, abuse. And he said,"It sounds like you have been reading anti-Mormon literature." I said,"What do you consider anti Mormon literature?" He said,"Anything not sympathetic with the official version of Mormon doctrine." I said,"Like the original version of the first vision?" He said,"Well they are all essentially the same." I shook my head "Nope." He asked,"Theyre not?" I answered,"No. The first version only mentions,'the Lord', singular, not plural. Huge difference." So apparently the only version of the First Vision written in Josephs own hand, is anti Mormon, since it contradicts the heavily edited official (4th) version, written, under duress, 18yrs after the fact after every one of the witnesses left the church. Got it. Bobs yer Uncle
The fun continues. I wonder if the Faithful response to the letter is an indicator of a renewed determination to defend God's Own Corporation in all venues, the Trib only, or it's just a New Year's lark for new recruits to the apologetics brigade?
Faithful Mormons are obligated not to discuss temple rites. That obligation does not extend to non-Mormons, exMormons, or entities such as newspapers. If church authorities don't want Mormons discussing temple ceremonies, they have to bring it up with those who attend the temple.
Having said that, a part of me wonders if church officials *wanted* this information leaked.