The Bundesarchiv (BArch) is a dossier of approximately 500 pages compiled in he 1930s by the Sicherheitsdienst, the intelligence agency of the National Socialist German Workers' Party. It was cataloged under call number 5 48/5686. One of the documents is "Document 30: Report to Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg, May 5, 1938." Here is an example of an overview of Latter-day Saint theology and biblical interpretation:
1) The Correctly Translated
Bible
The term “correctly translated
Bible” is derived from the 8th Article of Faith. According to the sect’s
belief, a correct translation could only have been made by their founder Smith
or by the apostles. This has led to a peculiar interpretation of the Bible, as
the following statements illustrate:
“There are many gods (with human
passions and needs), whose supreme god dwells on the central planet Kolob. The
god of our planet is Adam.” “All gods live in plural marriage: God with Eve and
Mary; Christ with Mary and Martha (John 11:5), the bride at Cana (John 2).”
“These ‘gods’ continually produce
new spirits. To provide these with a dwelling place, humans have a religious
duty to practice plural marriage (John 8:39 ff., Hebr. 6:11–14).”
“The saints will become gods
after their death (Job 38:4; Ps. 82:6).”
“After his return, Christ will
gather the 12 Jewish Old Testament tribes and rule in the heavenly Jerusalem
that has descended to Utah.” (“Document 30: Report to Reichsleiter Alfred
Rosenberg, May 5, 1938,” repr. Stephen O. Smoot, “The Nazi Secret Police Files on
the Latter-day Saints,” Latter-day Saint Historical Studies 26, no. 1
[Spring 2025]: 104)
Here is the relevant background to this document:
Summary: This
report, submitted to Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg, provides an in-depth
analysis of the Church. The document emphasizes the international orientation of
the Church and describes it as a Judeo-Christian sect whose doctrine fundamentally
opposes the National Socialist worldview. It describes the history, teachings,
and organizational structure of the Church, criticizing what are perceived as
outlandish beliefs and ideological conflicts with National Socialism. The
report highlights concerns about the disproportionate number of American missionaries
in Germany relative to the Church’s small membership. It expresses alarm at the
strong Old Testament influences in Latter-day Saint teachings, pointing to
practices such as tithing, the use of the term “Sabbath,” and the glorification
of Judaism. It accuses the American leadership of the Church of engaging in anti-Nazi
agitation, despite claims from German members that they support the regime. The
report concludes that the Church’s teachings are ideologically incompatible with
National Socialism and recommends increased surveillance and restrictions on
the Church’s activities in Germany. (Ibid., 100, italics silently removed)
