They seem to deal with it by ignoring it and reinforcing what they want to be believed about him. Go to any LDS chapel on any given Sunday and you will hear repeated many times, “I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God…”
Since JS “prophecies” become more outlandish as the LDS grew, at some point it would have grown to big for him to control. For JS, control over every aspect was key to who he was. With his desire to have any woman or girl he wanted, and then taking control of these women & girls, there would have had to be a big push back by some of the men in the group.
That brings up another question; do you think that there would be as many Latter Saint movement denominations? At least some of the modern ones consider Joseph Smith a fallen prophet.
Why do you think he got away with what he did in the 19th century?
I actually would like to know their opinion on the topic. I mean, since most of them are LDS I’d be willing to bet they’d say LDS.Oh, the poor Mormons who viewed this thread…
Easier for a shyster to move on when the heat got too bad back in those days. Harder to hide today. Anyway you could say that he ultimately didn’t get away with his dodgy dealings because he met some street justice at Liberty jail.
I’m sure they wouldn’t like reading any negative opinion about JS. Most of the LDS people I’ve known live a life that is quite moral and ethical so they can be excused for thinking that their first “prophet” must have done the same.
No internet?
That’s actually a pretty good reason
It is true there are many moral and upstanding LDS, but I think it’s a bit naive not to admit the man had personal flaws. After all, it is my understanding that he was seen as a prophet, not sinless. Wait, do LDS believe that he was sinless? I would like to say they do not but I really don’t know the answer.
It is not necessary. Much like the prophets of old, the Mormons view their prophets not as sinless (like some traditional Sunni Muslims do, by the way) but just as prophets. God speaks to them and they spread the message. This is how one Mormon explained it on that long “Refutation of Mormon’s objection to the Trinity” thread.
Yes, St. Paul was an admitted sinner. I remember having to read something he said about a sin he struggled with for penance. Moses has a bit of a temper. But, I mean no disrespect to Mormons, I don’t see why so many of them have a problem questioning it. I know a few Latter Day Saint movement denominations (don’t know which ones off the top of my head) DO consider him a fallen prophet.
I believe in reincarnation so it's very likely that JS has returned to earth in one of the many branches of Mormonism. What we sow we eventually reap either in the present life or in some future life. He produced the teachings of the FLDS church and he will probably reincarnate into that church as a woman.I have asked many Mormon missionaries and other Mormons exactly what sin Joseph Smith committed. They have been unable to name a single one! Surely he lied, stole, coveted, disobeyed his parents, and lusted, or some of those, at the very least, as they seem to be the most common misdeeds, I mean sins. There are Mormon factions that do acknowledge that he committed certain sins. These churches tend to believe he is a “fallen prophet.”
I expect - I have gotten this sort of answer before - “The confession is general, not particular. They confess that they sinned; they do not confess the specific sins themselves.” Trying to be objective, I should think that confessing sins *specifically *is more *sincere *and a greater evidence of repentance, than a general, shallow “I’m sorry but that’s all I’m going to say about it.” If that is so, then the Catholic form of repentance is “more true” than the Mormon form. Although I have also been told that when confessing to a Bishop, the penitent often has to confess not only the specific sin, but very intimate details about that sin. So, who knows which is the better method.
Well, certainly the LeBarons believed strongly in reincarnation to the point of insanity. They taught that a being first served as a “Satan” on one world, progressed and became a Savior on another world, then a Holy Ghost (or do I have those two switched?), and finally a Father God. Furthermore, because the universe is finite, and Gods increase in numbers, the Gods actually fight among themselves. Someone showed me a picture of two galaxies colliding and very confidently informed me that was two Gods fighting to possess more planets! They are not the only ones who believe in reincarnation. I have not found reincarnation believing Mormons who were not involved in one of the polygamous groups.
I have read that from former Mormons that they had to be extremely detailed. Maybe it depends on the bishop?
Joseph himself admits to committing some sins between the ages of 14 - 17. He says, “I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been.” (JSH 1:28). He also tended to extend trust to people too quickly, which individuals like John C. Bennett took advantage of.
You really want to go there? We know by reason, that God did not command polygamy. What I see is Smith wanted his sin of adultery to not be a sin so came up with, God said I should. Preposterous. But people continue to fall for it for this day.