Jensen 1 Joseph Smith: Taking a Stand During Religious Reformation Bailey Jensen Senior Division Historical Paper Paper Length: 1702 words
Jensen 2 Joseph Smith Jr., the son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. He grew up in a farming family, and at the age of fourteen, Smith became very confused as to which church he should join, so he went to the scriptures and read the verse James 1:5 which says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God (The Bible). Smith did so, and he claimed that God and Jesus Christ visited him as if they were in a pillar of light and told him not to join any of these churches, and that he was to re-establish the true church of God (PBS). Smith took up his own religion by himself and stood against surrounding sects, which made others often wonder if he was an adequate leader for the new religion. Smith s break from other Christian churches shows that he was an adequate leader because of the way he was treated by others, how he came up with his ideas for the religion, and how it affected his family. There were many different congregations in the area where Smith grew up. While living in Vermont, the Smith family were followers of Calvinism, and when them and many other New Englanders moved to New York looking for better farm land, they brought that religion with them. However, once they reached their new home, they were greatly influenced by other religions in the area: Presbyterian, Quaker, Methodist, Baptist. Due to the huge impact of religion in their new community, the Smiths would move from one religion to the other, bringing much confusion to their son, Joseph. It is not that Smith necessarily thought these churches were wrong or corrupt, but because of his parent s indecision was Smith s religious beliefs disoriented. Smith simply did not know which sect to join, which is why he thought to pray to God about his issue. He did not ask God if he should create his own church, he asked which church to join. Smith knew that each individual church had some truths, but just did not know
Jensen 3 which one had the entire truth. But, according to Smith, God told him in a vision that none of the different sects had the entirety of the truth, and that Smith was to re-establish the the true church of God, now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One way Joseph Smith was an adequate leader of the Mormon church was the way he was treated by others. When Smith first started teaching others his doctrine, many people thought that almost everything he was saying was completely preposterous. An article from the Sunbury American said at the time of the religion s growth, The Joseph Smith Jr. And his family were, about the time he pretended to have discovered the book of Mormon, known as fortune tellers and money diggers, and that they often had recourse to tricks of juggling for the purpose of finding money, which they said was hid in the earth (Sunbury). This claim highly and negatively affected those who considered joining the church because now they thought that Smith and his family were lunatics and profiteers. A historian of Smith, George Seibel, said that he later became quite familiar with parts of the Old and New Testaments, and the fanciful stories he invented began to take on a religious cast. This quote by Seibel shows how little he believes in Smith and the principles he taught. He believes that Smith s Book of Mormon was full of made up stories and that he got his ideas from being familiar with the Holy Bible rather than from God, which is who Smith claims he got his ideas from. But many other historians and people from Smith s time say otherwise. Joe A. Widtsoe, a historian of the Mormon church, thought of Smith as a very good person to look up to, He was so clean morally that even those who hated him and his doctrine most did not venture to accuse him of moral wrong (Widtsoe). This shows that Smith may have not be liked by some, but that his morals were held at a very high standard and that many people
Jensen 4 looked up to him as a leader in a general aspect. An English traveler who had experiences with Smith said, The Prophet is a kind, cheerful, sociable companion and that he is ever ready to stand by and defend them in any extremity. This quote by this man sums up Smith s lifestyle and outlook towards life perfectly. Smith would have done anything to stand up for his beliefs, just to say make everyone else know that he knows that everything he is teaching is true, and nobody is going to be able to change his mind. Even though Smith was mentally and physically beaten down by many people, he showed his true character and stood up for what he believed in, which ultimately shows that he was an adequate leader for the rising Mormon church. Another way Smith was an adequate leader for the Mormon church was how he received the ideas he shared with many people throughout the nation. Many people at this time could not believe the way Smith received his ideas for the Mormon church. That way was through revelations that he personally received from God through prayer. The King James Version of the Holy Bible says in Exodus 33:11, The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend (The Bible). This is frankly saying that God speaks to His prophets, which Smith claimed to be, just a person speaks to one of their closest friends. He gives them direction and advice, so that they will know what to do in their future. With his gift of revelations, Smith was even able to predict South Carolina s secession from the United States, which ultimately started the Civil War, Verily, thus saith the Lord, concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls (The Teachings of Joseph Smith). This revelation given in 1832 by Joseph Smith was spot on as to what happened over fifteen years after his death: the beginning of
Jensen 5 the Civil War. With Smith having the ability to receive revelations from God because he is a prophet of God, he was a very legitimate leader for the rising Mormon church. For being a leader of a religion which everyone in powerful positions despised of, Smith was prosecuted and sent to jail on numerous accounts. In the beginning of the church s history in New York, Smith was charged of being a disorderly person, because of his teachings and how different they were compared to the other multiple churches in his community (History of the Church: Vol. 1). Smith was also charged with being linked to the assassination of the former governor of Missouri, while he was living in Illinois (History of the Church: Vol. 2). Even though Smith was prosecuted throughout his life, he would flee from the jurisdiction and go into hiding, until they dropped the charges. Smith did this because he did not believe these charges were legitimate. He also believed the charges were committed just to stop him from teaching others of his doctrine, but they were not going to stop him from doing what he thought was right. Today, like others from Smith s time, people do not, and will not, listen to other s opinions and falsely accuse them of breaking numerous laws, even though many of them are just sticking up for what they believe in, just like Smith. Smith was an adequate leader for the Mormon church because of his ability to inspire and challenge others. Smith once had a conversation with his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and said, I can take my bible and go into the woods. And learn more in two hours than you can learn at [church] meeting in two years (Smith, Lucy Mack). This point really struck Smith s mother because it made her question if she was following the right religion like her son. So, she ultimately joined his church and felt greatly blessed for doing so. Another time the way Smith affected his family showed he was an adequate leader for the Mormon church was when he
Jensen 6 received letters while he was in Liberty Jail, charged on accounts of treason, from his family and others from his hometown, When your heart is sufficiently contrite, then the voice of inspiration steals along and whispers, My son, peace be unto thy soul (History of the Church: Vol 1). These very comforting words from Smith s closest and dearest family members and friends were actually taught to them by Smith, himself. By Smith leading the people around him and teaching them the principles that he did, he would have never received these very comforting words which ultimately got him through his time in jail. With Smith s followers and family being greatly blessed by his teachings and that they simply followed him in times of religious reformation, it showed that he was an adequate leader for the rising Mormon church. All in all, Smith was an adequate leader for the Mormon church, especially throughout it s beginning stages due to his perseverance through multiple persecutions that hurt him mentally and physically, the fact that he received personal revelations about the church and its future and the country, and how the way his followers respected him and his teachings which ultimately blessed them as well. Smith is an example of someone who never gave up on what he believed and pressed forward no matter how hard his trials. Society needs to grow in its respect for the opinions of others. Too many people are getting lost in their stubbornness and not taking anyone else s opinions into their consideration and actually hurting our society as a whole. Smith s life embodies that, while things may have improved, the root issue still remains.
Jensen 7 Annotated Bibliography: Joseph Smith Secondary Sources: Andrus, Hyrum L. Joseph Smith the Man and the Seer. Salt lake City: Deseret Book Company. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This resource gave a detailed biography of Joseph Smith and his life while on the Earth. With this book, he is trying to clear up any concerns of Joseph Smith s life. This source helped me understand the actual life of Joseph Smith without much bias and how he went about leading the Mormon Church. The Bible. Authorized King James Version, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2013. This is a book full of stories of God s and Jesus Christ s influences on people of the Earth. Later it was translated by King James for his own use, which is now used by millions of people around the world. This resource gave stories of the way God spoke to His prophets and Apostles while they were on the Earth: through revelation. This helped me understand y topic even more because it told me the way Smith receive his revelation for the church, which were from God. Boyer, Paul, Clifford Clark, Joseph Kett, Neal Salisbury, Harvard Sitkoff, Nancy Woloch. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. This a textbook for AP students studying US History. It gives a brief summary of the start-up and continuation of the Mormon Church. This resource told about the way the Mormon Church began and how Joseph Smith was told on how to for his own religion. This source helped me understand my topic because it gave me the right amount of facts about the startup and history of the Mormon Church and how it was taken by others. Bushman, Richard L. Joseph Smith. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Web. 7 June 2007. https://www.britannica.com This is an article written by a historian giving a brief summary of the history of the Mormon Church. This resource told about how Joseph Smith started the Mormon Church and when it is today. What this resource helped me understand was how Smith got his revelations and how to greater expand the Mormon Church in the future. Bushman, Richard L., and Jed Woodworth. Joseph Smith: Rough Rolling Stone. New York: Alfred A. K., 2005. Print This a book written much later Smith s death by historians that are for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book gave a way more detailed and thorough biography of Joseph Smith. The authors call Smith a Rough Rolling Stone, which is what Smith sometimes called himself to make him sound like a tough and brave man. This resource helps me understand Joseph Smith s lifestyle and the way he went about leading the Mormon Church.
Jensen 8 Compton, Todd. In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1997. Print. This is a book written by a historian about actual experiences of the many wives of Joseph Smith. This book many testimonies of Joseph Smith from the women which he had married because of a revelation he had received of God. These testimonies give their experiences and thoughts of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This source helped me understand how people treated and thought of him as a person and as a leader of a church that he wanted everyone to join. Dougall, Lily. The Mormon Prophet. Toronto: The W. J. Gage Company, 1899. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by an author who is against Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book tells of this historian s opinions and research of how Joseph Smith was an inadequate leader for the Mormon religion. This helps me understand more the way Joseph Smith was thought of because of how his teachings may have been somewhat odd and unlikely that he ever spoke to God in person. Joseph Smith. PBS. Web. http://www.pbs.org This is an article of a brief history of the Mormon Church written by a research website, PBS. This resource told about how Joseph Smith started the Mormon Church and when it is today. What this resource helped me understand was how Smith got his revelations and how to greater expand the Mormon Church in the future. Joseph Smith. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Web. https://gilderlehrman.org This is an article of a brief history of the Mormon Church written by a research website of American history, Gilder Lehrman. This resource told about how Joseph Smith started the Mormon Church and when it is today. What this resource helped me understand was how Smith got his revelations and how to greater expand the Mormon Church in the future. Littlefield, Lyman O. The Martyrs. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1882. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book teaches a more detailed and thorough biography Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, who were assassinated, deserved. This book helped me understand Smith s life whie he was still on the Earth and his life affected his family and the way he was treated by others. Morris, Nephi Lowell. Prophecies of Joseph Smith and their Fulfillment. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1920. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book teaches the way Joseph Smith got his teachings and revelations and the way those prophecies were fulfilled. This source helped me understand the way Smith received his revelations and the way the majority of his prophecies were fulfilled.
Jensen 9 Nibley, Hugh. The Myth Makers. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1979. Print. This is a book by a historian/professor of religion correcting the people who contradicted Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book was written in the effect to correct any claim given that was against the legitimacy of Joseph Smith s prophecies and teachings. This document helped understand the way Smith actually received his teachings and not just from his imagination. Seibel, George. The Mormon Saints. Pittsburg: The Lessing Company, 1919. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is against Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book is in effect to convince more and more people who are member of the Mormon church that the religion they are living is a lie. This resource helps me understand the way people thought of Smith s teachings and the way they treated him also. Smucker, Samuel M. The Religious, Social, and Political History of the Mormons or Latter-Day Saints from their Origins to the Present Time. New York: C. M. Saxton, 1858. Print. This is a book written by a Mormon living in the 1800 s trying to keep people out the Mormon Church after their Prophet was assassinated. This was written in the effect to draw more and more people away from the Mormon Church they were a little weaker with no leader, leading them to the West. This document helped me understand my topic even more because it showed me the way people thought of Joseph Smith and his teachings. Stott, G. St. John. Religion and Theology, Vol. 19 Issue 112. Brill Sacred Books, 2012. PDF. This is a textbook for college purposes with an article proving the accuracy of Joseph Smith s teachings and prophecies. This source was written in the effect to answer anyones general questions of the prophecies of Joseph Smith. This source helped me understand that there is an actual huge chance that Smith talked angels and God to receive revelation and prophecies of the Mormon Church. Tullidge, Edward W. Life of Joseph the Prophet. Piano: The Board of Publication of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1880. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a church official who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This source was written in the effect to show people the actual character and works of Joseph Smith. This source helped me understand this topic because it shows me the way Smith was received revelations and the proper ways he led the Mormon Church. Whitney, Orson F. The Mormon Prophet s Tragedy. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1905. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book was written in the effect of correcting the beliefs of those who are against the Mormon Church and Joseph Smith. This helps me understand my topic even more because it thoroughly explains the way Joseph Smith received his revelations for the church and the way he was treated by others who he taught.
Jensen 10 Widtsoe, Joe A. Joseph Smith Seeker After Truth Prophet of God. Salt lake City: Deseret News Press, 1985. Print. This a book written much later Smith s death by a historian who is for Joseph Smith and his teachings. This book was written in the effect to answer anyone s questions of Joseph Smith's teachings after he was killed. This source helped me understand my topic even more because it effectively shows where Smith got his revelations and how he was treated by the people he taught. Primary Sources: The Cecil Whig. The Mormons. Elkton: P.C. Ricketts, 1842. This source is a newspaper article written by a local newspaper from Elkton, Maryland. This source is full of actual testimonies from citizens, who Smith taught, of Joseph Smith. No new information was given. This source helped me understand my NHD topic because it gave me actual evidence of what Smith did while he was still alive and what people thought of him as. Sheets, Kevin B. Sources for America s History. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin s, 2014. Print. This a book written much much after Smith s death, but the entire article is an actual journal entry of Joseph Smith. This resource gives the beginning stages of the Mormon Church and when Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. No new information was given. This source helped me understand my topic more because it tells me what Smith was actually thinking while he was choosing which church he should belong to. And that s when he was told by God that he shouldn t join any of them, for they were all false, and that he should restore the true gospel of the Earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Smith, Joseph. The Teachings of Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997. Print. This a book compiled of the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith. actually said by Smith, himself. This source gives Smith thought process of receiving and giving revelations and the way it played out in real life. It also showed what people thought of the prophecies Smith gave to them. This source helped me understand my topic more by giving me actual facts and the process of how Smith received the revelations that he gave to the public, which he was sometimes criticized for. Smith, Joseph. History of the Church: Vol: 1. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976. Print. This is a book compiled of actual journal entries of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This source gave actual journal entries from Smith and his thought process of receiving and giving his revelations to the public. No new information was given. This source helped me understand my topic because it gave actualy journal entries of Smith and what he was thinking, not any majorly edited pieces written by historians against Smith.
Jensen 11 Smith, Joseph. History of the Church: Vol: 2. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976. Print. This is a book compiled of actual journal entries of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This source gave actual journal entries from Smith and his thought process of receiving and giving his revelations to the public. No new information was given. This source helped me understand my topic because it gave actualy journal entries of Smith and what he was thinking, not any majorly edited pieces written by historians against Smith. Smith, Lucy Mack. History of Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1853. Print. This is a book written by Joseph Smith s mother, Lucy Mack Smith along with personal journal entries from her as well. This source was given my Smith s mother, which showed nothing but love towards her son. She gave her thoughts of his teachings and an overall run through of his life through her perspective. This source helped me understand my topic because it showed how he was treated by his family and an actual witness of Joseph Smith and his life. Sunbury American. Mormonism. Sunbury: Henry B. Masser, 1841. PDF. This is a newspaper article written by a local newspaper from Sunbury, Pennsylvania. This resource gave several testimonies from people who are from towns and cities where Smith had never even travelled. This helped me understand my topic because it showed how much Joseph Smith was criticized by people all around the country, even if he hadn t ever taught them.