Joseph Smith Jr.

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Joseph Smith, Jr. (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844), a treasure seeker and money digger, occultist, polygamist, freemason, deceiver, and false prophet, was the founder and leader of the Mormon church, which includes such sects as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. Smith's followers revere him as a latter-day prophet who is now "crowned in the midst of the prophets of old" and "mingling with Gods" [2]. Brigham Young is favorably quoted by Mormons as saying, "Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth."

Joseph Smith acquired many opponents and enemies because of his immense political power—during his ministry he was a mayor and the commander of at least two militias (Zion's Camp and the Nauvoo Legion). Many of his detractors also opposed his unique religion and his practice of polygamy. Tensions with his enemies continuously escalated until on June 27, 1844, Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed by a large mob.

According to Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph's mother:

"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of travelings, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them."[1]

Smith, writing to Sarah Ann Whitney (who he "married" when she was 17), gives an example of his adulterous relationships:

"...my feelings are so strong for you since what has passed lately between us...it seems, as if I could not live long in this way; and if you three would come and see me...it would afford me great relief...I know it is the will of God that you should comfort me now in this time of affliction...the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safty...burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up in your breasts...You will pardon me for my earnestness on this subject when you consider how lonesome I must be...I think emma wont come tonight if she dont, dont fail to come tonight..."

Contents

Character

Money-digging and glass-looking

"In the years immediately preceding any mention of the gold plates and the Book of Mormon, both Joseph Smith, Jr., and his father, Joseph Sr., were money diggers... They openly shared their supernatural abilities to see treasure and other things not visible to the natural eye." [3] [4]

"[Of significance] are the affadavits and statements made by a number of Smith's neighbors in Palmyra, about Smith's lifestyle in the 1820's. Several neighbors have stated that Joseph Smiths Senior and Junior were both money-diggers, and that Jr. (i.e. the Mormon founder) was particularly good at it and was the head of a group of money-diggers.
"In late 1825 a wealthy Pennsylvania farmer named Josiah Stowell (sometimes spelled Stoal) came 150 miles to hire Smith because of Smith's reputation. Smith was hired to help Stowell locate a supposed old Spanish silver mine on Stowell's farm. During this time two significant things happened. First, Smith met his future wife, Emma Hale, and in later interviews her father explained how he didn't like Joseph Smith when he first met him because Smith was a money-digger, and Mr. Hale didn't want any criminals marrying his daughter! Perhaps even more damaging, however, was the fact that Smith was tried and convicted in court in March 1826 for 'glass-looking'. The charge had been brought up by Stowell's nephew, who saw through the con that his uncle didn't. Mormon historians now acknowledge that this trial happened and that Smith was convicted on this charge." [5]

Mormon scholar Marvin Hill says:

"There may be little doubt now, as I have indicated elsewhere, that Joseph Smith was brought to trial in 1826 on a charge, not exactly clear, associated with money digging." [6]
See main page: Joseph Smith and money-digging

History

Early Life

Joseph Smith Jr. was born to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Smith on December 23rd, 1805. They were living in Vermont at the time. He was the fourth child (third son) in what was to become a large family. The Smith family moved a number of times before they settled in Palmyra, New York.

First Vision

"According to the historical evidence Joseph Smith could not have been stirred by an 1820 revival to ask which church was true, since there was no revival in 1820 anywhere near Manchester, New York, where he was living. A revival as described by Joseph Smith did occur there beginning in the spring of 1824. However, this then seriously disrupts Joseph's whole story, because there is not enough time between the First vision and the 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon for all the events described in the First Vision story." [7]

See main page: First vision accounts

False prophecies

While many LDS believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, his writings and Mormon scripture tell otherwise. the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) record many false prophecies that Smith gave, as well as other sources found with the body of Mormon history and literature. These false prophecies reflect Smith's character, and sadly, because every LDS person thinks so highly of Joseph Smith, they have failed and often avoided even studying the claims of critics concerning his prophecies.

See main page: False prophecies of Joseph Smith

Last days

"Joseph Smith, as Mayor of Nauvoo, ordered the press of the Nauvoo Expositor destroyed because it revealed his political aspirations and the secret practice of polygamy among the Mormons." [8]
"Joseph Smith died in a gun battle using a pistol that was smuggled to him while incarcerated at Carthage jail. According to The Documentary History of the Church (published six years after the fact), Joseph Smith pulled this six-shooter from his pocket 'and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed, died' (John Taylor, Volume 7, pp. 102-103)." [9]
[That which] "destroyed him was ignited by sparks he himself struck off by having himself secretly crowned king on April 11, 1844 and ordering the destruction of the press of the Nauvoo Expositor, which had hinted that its forthcoming issue would expose this coronation." [10]

Theology and other beliefs

Theology

Shortly before his untimely death, Joseph Smith delivered a sermon at a friend's funeral service in which he clearly stated his understanding of God. Smith described God as an "exalted man" who sits enthroned in "yonder heavens." He continued saying that if you were to see God "you would see him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man."

Finite god

"We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea..." History of the Church 6:305

Smith clearly professed to worship a God who operated within the constraints of time. This deity had a beginning point and proir to that did not exist.

Polygamy and polyandry

"Most members don’t even know or acknowledge that Joseph Smith was a polygamist. If asked about it, they might mutter an answer, and then rapidly change the subject." [11]

Masonic influence

"There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry." – Dr. Reed Durham, LDS Historian [12]
"It seems to be the case, after the Prophet Joseph had been inducted into Masonry that he sensed elements of truth, pieces of antiquity within the Masonic ceremony and then inquired of God." – BYU Professor Robert Millet [13]
See main page: Masonic influence

Adulation

See main page: Adulation of Joseph Smith

Quotes by Smith

Quotes on Smith

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ [1]

External links

Non-Mormon

Smith's theology

Mormon

Unclassified

Retrieved from "http://www.mormonwiki.org/Joseph_Smith_Jr."
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