![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
m (robot Adding: fr:Joseph Smith/Character) |
GregSmithBot (talk | contribs) m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-Source(s) of the criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -Source(s) of the Criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -==Criticism== +=={{Criticism label}}==, -==Response== +=={{Response label}}==, -==Qu) |
||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
=Joseph Smith's character= | =Joseph Smith's character= | ||
− | ==Criticism== | + | =={{Criticism label}}== |
Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person. | Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person. | ||
{{CriticalSources}} | {{CriticalSources}} | ||
− | ==Response== | + | =={{Response label}}== |
{{SeeAlso|Joseph Smith/Personality and temperament|l1=Joseph Smith: personality and temperament|Joseph Smith/Character|l2=Joseph Smith: character|Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|l3=Lazy Smiths?|Early Smith family history/No positive witnesses|l4=No positive witnesses of Smiths?}} | {{SeeAlso|Joseph Smith/Personality and temperament|l1=Joseph Smith: personality and temperament|Joseph Smith/Character|l2=Joseph Smith: character|Early_Smith_family_history/Lazy_Smiths|l3=Lazy Smiths?|Early Smith family history/No positive witnesses|l4=No positive witnesses of Smiths?}} | ||
Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
Ultimately, however, attacks, on Joseph's character are classic ''[[Logical_fallacies/Page_1#Ad_hominem|ad hominem]]''—the man is attacked instead of the message. | Ultimately, however, attacks, on Joseph's character are classic ''[[Logical_fallacies/Page_1#Ad_hominem|ad hominem]]''—the man is attacked instead of the message. | ||
− | ==Endnotes== | + | =={{Endnotes label}}== |
#{{note|fn.17}} {{JDfairwiki | author=Brigham Young|vol=3|start=366|disc=51}} | #{{note|fn.17}} {{JDfairwiki | author=Brigham Young|vol=3|start=366|disc=51}} | ||
#{{note|fn.18}} "Mormonism," ''Boston Bee'' (24 March 1843); cited in {{Periodical:Times and Seasons|vol=4|date=15 May 1843|num=13|article=From the Boston Bee|pages=119–120}} | #{{note|fn.18}} "Mormonism," ''Boston Bee'' (24 March 1843); cited in {{Periodical:Times and Seasons|vol=4|date=15 May 1843|num=13|article=From the Boston Bee|pages=119–120}} | ||
Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
#{{note|fn.23}} {{b||Acts|8|1-3}} | #{{note|fn.23}} {{b||Acts|8|1-3}} | ||
− | ==Further reading== | + | =={{Further reading label}}== |
− | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | + | ==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}=== |
{{FallacyBegin}} | {{FallacyBegin}} | ||
*[[Logical_fallacies#ad_hominem_abusive | Logical fallacies: ad hominem abusive]] | *[[Logical_fallacies#ad_hominem_abusive | Logical fallacies: ad hominem abusive]] | ||
Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
{{JosephSmithWiki}} | {{JosephSmithWiki}} | ||
− | ===FAIR web site=== | + | ==={{FAIR web site label}}=== |
{{JosephSmithFAIR}} | {{JosephSmithFAIR}} | ||
− | ===External links=== | + | ==={{External links label}}=== |
*{{1min|url=http://www.lightplanet.com/response/answers/weaknesses.htm|article=Did Church Leaders Have Weaknesses?}} | *{{1min|url=http://www.lightplanet.com/response/answers/weaknesses.htm|article=Did Church Leaders Have Weaknesses?}} | ||
*{{FR-16-1-1}}<!--Mitton Editor's intro--> | *{{FR-16-1-1}}<!--Mitton Editor's intro--> | ||
Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
{{JosephSmithLinks}} | {{JosephSmithLinks}} | ||
− | ===Printed material=== | + | ==={{Printed material label}}=== |
{{JosephSmithPrint}} | {{JosephSmithPrint}} | ||
[[fr:Joseph Smith/Character]] | [[fr:Joseph Smith/Character]] |
Answers portal |
Joseph Smith, Jr. |
![]() |
![]() |
---|
|
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
== Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
====
Brigham Young once said:
In many—if not most—critical treatments of the Church, Joseph is made out to be "one of the basest men that ever lived." A Boston Bee reporter wrote after interviewing Joseph:
Clearly, Joseph is not what the critics imagine a prophet to be either. Was Joseph perfect? No; he never said he was. What he did say of himself was, "Although I do wrong, I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing; the wrong that I do is through the frailty of human nature, like other men. No man lives without fault."[3] Confirming this statement, B.H. Roberts said that Joseph Smith:
Joseph was open and direct about his weaknesses, saying to his accusers:
Continuing this theme in a letter to Oliver Cowdery, the Prophet said,
Joseph was only seen as lacking character in the opinion of those that misunderstood him and opposed his efforts in restoring the Church. The recorded details and testimonies from firsthand accounts as to Joseph's good character cannot be ignored and certainly must be looked at by anyone serious in their study of Mormonism. The critics often avoid portraying the simple man who recognized the saving grace of Christ for his errors and sought to further the cause of righteousness.
Sectarian critics in particular ought to be careful, since the standard they apply to Joseph Smith might easily disqualify various biblical prophets. Paul for example, would not have been called to be an Apostle after his participation in the persecution of Christians and role in the martyrdom of Stephen.[7]
Ultimately, however, attacks, on Joseph's character are classic ad hominem—the man is attacked instead of the message.
== Notes ==
|
Oliver Cowdery to W. W. Phelps, "Letter VIII," Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate 2 no. 1 (October 1835), 195–196. off-site Template:JosephSmithLinks
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now