Category: Early Mormonism
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The First Vision: 200 Years Later
The Gospel Topics defense of the First Vision is examined, asking if the historical evidence really warrants such conclusions.
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LDS Priesthood — Invention or Restoration?
By Sandra Tanner One of the major claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that it is the only true church, with the only authority to act in God’s name. Mormonism has a lay priesthood, its leaders are not trained in theology or biblical languages, but are usually businessmen advanced due…
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“Too Mean to Mention” — The Book of Mormon Witnesses
By Sandra Tanner Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, claimed that when he was seventeen years old, a heavenly messenger appeared to him in his bedroom in Western New York to commission him to translate an ancient record containing God’s dealings with the forefathers of the Native Americans.…
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Joseph Smith — The Early Years
Some influences in Joseph Smith’s youth can be seen in his later writings such as the religious environment in his family and surroundings, his family’s dabbling in folk magic, and the public interest in the American Indians.
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Joseph Smith’s Death — (History of the Church excerpt)
The following account of Joseph Smith’s death is excerpted from Joseph Smith’s History of the Church, Vol. 6, chapters 33-34, pp. 602-622 [page 602] CHAPTER XXXIII THE DAY OF MARTYRDOM—THREATS—REPEATED WARNINGS OF THE PRISONERS’ DANGER GIVEN TO GOVERNOR FORD—THE CARTHAGE GREYS AS GUARDS. Tuesday, 27, 5 a. m.—John P. Greene and William W. Phelps called…
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Was the Garden of Eden in Missouri?
By Sandra Tanner When Christians hear Mormons refer to the Garden of Eden they may incorrectly assume that the LDS believe it was by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Joseph Smith, however, claimed by revelation that the Garden of Eden was in western Missouri. This would throw off the entire first part of Genesis. Noah…
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Nauvoo Expositor (excerpts, part 3)
The newspaper published in 1844 that exposed Joseph Smith’s polygamy practices and later led to his death after he ordered the printing press destroyed. For background information see: Full text of the Nauvoo Expositor available here (PDF) (typescript excerpts) [page 4, column 2] THE MORMONS. We last week gave some account of the dissensions and…
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Nauvoo Expositor (excerpts, part 2)
The newspaper published in 1844 that exposed Joseph Smith’s polygamy practices and later led to his death after he ordered the printing press destroyed. For background information see: Full text of the Nauvoo Expositor available here (PDF) (typescript excerpts) [page 2, column 5] THE EXPOSITOR. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1844 SYLVESTER EMMONS, Editor. INTRODUCTORY. In greeting…
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Nauvoo Expositor (excerpts, part 1)
The newspaper published in 1844 that exposed Joseph Smith’s polygamy practices and later led to his death after he ordered the printing press destroyed. For background information see: Full text of the Nauvoo Expositor available here (PDF) (typescript excerpts) NAUVOO EXPOSITOR —THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.— NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY, JUNE…
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Evolution of the First Vision and Teaching on God in Early Mormonism
Different accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the perceptions of God that are related to it.