smith

Strangite Q&A

July 13, 2010
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Strangite Q&A

As I mentioned previously, I really enjoyed the Strangite session of the Mormon History Association meetings a few weeks ago.  Vickie Speek, John Hamer, and Mike Karpowicz gave some fascinating presentations on this little known group.  Following the session, they answered additional questions, and I thought it would be interesting to provide a transcript of the Q&A session.  But before I get into the transcript, I should tell you a brief history of the Strangite Church. James Strang, prophet of the Strangite Church

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Joseph and Sidney: A Strained Friendship

June 22, 2010
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Joseph and Sidney: A Strained Friendship

The friendship between Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith is very fascinating.  Sidney was one of the earliest, and most impressive converts, joining the church in December 1830.  His training as a Baptist minister was especially helpful to Joseph, and he often preached many wonderful sermons.  As time wore on, there were some really interesting issues between Joseph and Sidney.  Richard Van Wagoner wrote a biography called Sidney Rigdon: Portrait of Religious Excess.  The Missouri and Nauvoo periods were especially tumultuous. With Sidney running the church in Quincy, Joseph and others were still in the Liberty Jail.  Through the first...

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Choice Seer, Spokesman, and Scribe

June 12, 2010
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Choice Seer, Spokesman, and Scribe

Guest Post by Christopher C. Smith Chris has a BA from Fresno Pacific University in Biblical Studies, an MA from Wheaton College in History of Christianity, and is pursuing a PhD from Claremont Graduate University in Religions in North America. In the tradition of Jan Shipps, he is a non-Mormon with a particular focus on Mormon Studies and Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon records in 2 Nephi 3 a very interesting prophecy attributed to the biblical patriarch Joseph of Egypt, according to which a “choice seer” would be raised up from the fruit of Joseph’s loins in the...

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Joseph Smith’s Presidential Platform

May 25, 2010
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Joseph Smith’s Presidential Platform

So, I came across an interview of Richard Bushman at the Pew Research Forum, about both early and modern Mormon politics.  I’ve also been reading a book called The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power by D Michael Quinn on the early leadership of the church.  I want to combine the 2 sources, and talk about Joseph Smith’s presidential plans of 1844.  First, let me quote Bushman.

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Carthage Conspiracy

November 10, 2009
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*Note–This was posted this morning.  Due to a technical glitch, it was erased.  Some comments may have been erased from this morning as well.  I am re-posting it this evening. As you search across the bloggernacle, sometimes you’ll find antagonists who take great issue with the fact that a gun was smuggled to Joseph Smith at the Carthage Jail.  These antagonists often act as if the church is covering up this fact.  For years I’ve known a gun was smuggled to Joseph from personal visits to the Carthage Jail in Illinois.  Tour guides do not try to hide this...

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Joseph Smith is a Ute!

July 3, 2009
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I posted this on my blog, but wanted to share with more people. I always got a kick out of the signs in the student body section proclaiming, “The Prophet is a Ute!”  After all, so many Mormons proclaim that BYU is the “Lord’s University”, that it was really nice to point out that President Hinckley is an alum of the University of Utah.  The cool thing is that the signs can stay up, because President Monson is also an alum of the U, (though he did get an MBA from BYU, so I guess both schools can claim...

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Japanese: A Modern Case for Reformed Egyptian

June 27, 2009
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One of the common complaints about and arguments against the Book of Mormon is the claim that it was written in “Reformed Egyptian” – a unique and obsolete language that was peculiar to the Nephites and could not be read by anyone else.  There have been many things written about this issue over the years, some of which are merely skeptical and more of which are mocking.  One of the common themes has been, “Well, that’s convenient.  There’s no way to check any language for accuracy and veracity.  Great con scheme.”  What the people who wrote these things in the...

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A Memorial Day Jack Mormon

May 25, 2009
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With Memorial Day upon us, I wanted to highlight a person that people know a little about, Alexander Doniphan, who was known as one of the first “Jack Mormons.”  Michael Quinn’s book The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power talks about many incidents which led to the “extermination order” by Missouri Governor Boggs.  Doniphan served in the 1838 Mormon War of Missouri, as well as the Mexican-American War in 1846-7.

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My Perspective on Polygamy

May 17, 2009
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My Perspective on Polygamy

I have long avoided talking about polygamy on my blog.  It is a source of tremendous discomfort for me, but it keeps coming up, so I want to give my impressions about this early practice in Mormonism, as well as my beliefs and reconciliations.

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Are we going to be Eunuchs after this life?

April 27, 2009
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Are we going to be Eunuchs after this life?

My home teacher (who is very cool) came by yesterday to drop off some starter cables for my car and as one does in that short interlude we discussed the celestial kingdom and being Gods after this life. He believed that those who don’t make it to the highest kingdom in the Celestial Kingdom won’t have any sexual relationships and if you don’t have sexual relationships their will be no need for sexual organs.

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Revelation & Things

February 11, 2009
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Revelation & Things

Today’s post comes from The Teacher.  Section 8 of the Doctrine & Covenants refers to “another gift” Olivery Cowdery had, called at different times “the gift of Aaron” or “the rod of nature.”  Several commentators recognize this gift as related to Oliver’s use of a divining rod.

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The Purposes of God Cannot Be Frustrated

February 10, 2009
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The title is from DC3:1.  Today’s guest post is from Bouvet and is in reference to this year’s Doctrine & Covenants manual, Lesson 4 is Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon. 

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Virtual RS/PH #22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths

December 7, 2008
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Mormonism has a focus on gaining knowledge that is unique in Christendom, largely due to the emphasis that Joseph Smith placed on learning.  Joseph’s total open-mindedness to both revelation and all forms of learning are central to the Mormon religion; this open-mindedness had potential for both good and bad outcomes.  The lesson discusses two main concepts:  what is “knowledge,” and how do we gain it?

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Virtual RS/PH #20 – A Heart Full of Love & Faith: The Prophet’s Letters to His Family

November 9, 2008
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This lesson discusses the written correspondence Joseph sent to Emma during his frequent absences.  IMO, this is a tough lesson for many reasons, so read on to see how you would make the most of it. 

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Virtual RS/PH: Stand Fast Through the Storms of Life

October 19, 2008
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This week’s lesson is an interesting compilation of horrifying stories of persecution and suffering from the life of Joseph Smith.  Read on if you dare . . .

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First Families: BOM and Restoration

September 24, 2008
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First Families: BOM and Restoration

There are some interesting parallels between the first family of the Book of Mormon and the first family of the Restoration (the Smiths).  Coincidence?  Or was Joseph Smith writing about his own family (vs. translating the story of another family)?

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The Book of Mormon: A 20th Century Text

September 23, 2008
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The Book of Mormon: A 20th Century Text

There are many positions on which century the Book of Mormon originated in, but most seem to fall into two general camps: the book was largely produced in the fifth century by Moroni, or in the nineteenth century by Joseph Smith. There is a third view: the text was largely produced in the 20th century by committees of LDS Church employees.

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Virtual RS/PH #17: The Great Plan of Salvation

September 7, 2008
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Virtual RS/PH #17: The Great Plan of Salvation

A unique facet of Mormonism is our view of God’s plan for his children, or our purpose in life.  Today’s lesson focuses on what JS restored regarding this plan.

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How Active Are You? How Orthodox Are You? A Self-Assessment

September 4, 2008
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How Active Are You? How Orthodox Are You? A Self-Assessment

Take this assessment and find out: (Taken from D. Jeff Burton’s For Those Who Wonder : forthosewhowonder.com. Similar to a Correlation Department survey on Religion and Life conducted among LDS Church members in the mid-1980s)

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Is the Internet a Urim & Thummim?

August 20, 2008
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Is the Internet a Urim & Thummim?

What is a Urim & Thummim, and how will the earth become like one?

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