Commenting on the article by Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, “Comparing LDS Beliefs with First-Century Christianity, Ensign (March 1988), Matthew A. Paulson wrote that:
It is my contention
that “Comparing LDS Beliefs” was the beginning of whitewashing LDS theology to
get Mormonism under the umbrella of Christianity. There are others who agree.
John Hatch stated, “After reading the reviews myself, it appears to me, and it
is my opinion, that FARMS is interested in making Mormonism’s past appear as
normal as possible to readers by attacking history books that discuss complex
or difficult aspects of the church’s past.” (Matthew A. Paulson, Breaking
the Mormon Code: A Critique of Mormon Scholarship Regarding Classical Christian
Theology and the Book of Mormon [Livermore, Calif.: WingSpan Press, 2006,
2009], 31 n. 102)
Therefore, according to Paulson, the attempt to make “Mormonism”
more mainstream started in March 1988.
Further Reading:
Listing of articles responding to "Breaking the Mormon Code"