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.
Difference between revisions of "Joseph Smith"
(format) |
(format) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{JosephSmithPortal}} | {{JosephSmithPortal}} | ||
{{Summary}} | {{Summary}} | ||
| − | ==Character== | + | <onlyinclude> |
| + | =Joseph Smith, Jr.= | ||
| + | ==Character of Joseph Smith== | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Character | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Character |
|subject=Character | |subject=Character | ||
|summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person. | |summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person. | ||
| Line 14: | Line 16: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link= | + | |link=Joseph Smith/"Amusing recitals" of ancient American inhabitants |
|subject="Amusing recitals" and "Tall Tales?" | |subject="Amusing recitals" and "Tall Tales?" | ||
|summary=Joseph Smith's mother reported that he told "amusing recitals" about the ancient inhabitants of the American continent well before he translated the Book of Mormon. Does this indicate that Joseph was simply a teller of "tall tales?" | |summary=Joseph Smith's mother reported that he told "amusing recitals" about the ancient inhabitants of the American continent well before he translated the Book of Mormon. Does this indicate that Joseph was simply a teller of "tall tales?" | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Land speculation in Nauvoo | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Land speculation in Nauvoo |
|subject=Land speculation in Nauvoo | |subject=Land speculation in Nauvoo | ||
|summary=Did Joseph Smith engage in "land speculation" in Nauvoo? | |summary=Did Joseph Smith engage in "land speculation" in Nauvoo? | ||
| Line 33: | Line 35: | ||
|summary=Why did Joseph Smith say that he had "more to boast of than ever any man had" and that he was the only man who had been "able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam?" | |summary=Why did Joseph Smith say that he had "more to boast of than ever any man had" and that he was the only man who had been "able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam?" | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{SummaryItem|link=/Taught Porter Rockwell 'it was right to steal' | + | {{SummaryItem |
| + | |link=Joseph Smith/Taught Porter Rockwell 'it was right to steal' | ||
|subject=Joseph taught Porter Rockwell 'it was right to steal'? | |subject=Joseph taught Porter Rockwell 'it was right to steal'? | ||
|summary=Did Joseph really teach Orrin Porter Rockwell that "it was right to steal?" | |summary=Did Joseph really teach Orrin Porter Rockwell that "it was right to steal?" | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{SummaryItem|link=/Psychobiographical analysis of | + | {{SummaryItem |
| + | |link=Joseph Smith/Psychobiographical analysis of | ||
|subject=Psychobiographical analysis | |subject=Psychobiographical analysis | ||
|summary=Is it possible to deduce Joseph Smith's thoughts and dreams years after his death? Some critics think so. | |summary=Is it possible to deduce Joseph Smith's thoughts and dreams years after his death? Some critics think so. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Treasure seeking | + | ==Treasure seeking, money digging and Joseph Smith, Jr.== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Money digging | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Money digging |
|subject=Treasure seeking | |subject=Treasure seeking | ||
|summary=Was Joseph Smith's engagement in "money digging" or looking for buried treasure a blot on his character? | |summary=Was Joseph Smith's engagement in "money digging" or looking for buried treasure a blot on his character? | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{SummaryItem|link=/Occultism and magic | + | {{SummaryItem |
| + | |link=Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic | ||
|subject=Practitioner of occultism and magic? | |subject=Practitioner of occultism and magic? | ||
|summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences began as products of "magic," the "occult," or "treasure seeking," and that only later did Joseph describe his experiences in Christian, religious terms: speaking of God, angels, and prophethood. | |summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences began as products of "magic," the "occult," or "treasure seeking," and that only later did Joseph describe his experiences in Christian, religious terms: speaking of God, angels, and prophethood. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==First Vision== | + | ==Joseph Smith's First Vision== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=First Vision | |link=First Vision | ||
| Line 59: | Line 64: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith, occultism and magic== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Occultism and magic/Jupiter_talisman | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/Jupiter_talisman |
|subject=Jupiter talisman | |subject=Jupiter talisman | ||
|summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith had a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred and cite this as proof of his fascination with the occult. | |summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith had a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred and cite this as proof of his fascination with the occult. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Occultism and magic/The magician Walters as a mentor to Joseph Smith | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic/The magician Walters as a mentor to Joseph Smith |
|subject=The magician Walters as a mentor to Joseph Smith? | |subject=The magician Walters as a mentor to Joseph Smith? | ||
|summary=Did a "vagabond fortune-teller" named Walters who became popular in the Palmyra area pass his "mantle" to Joseph Smith? | |summary=Did a "vagabond fortune-teller" named Walters who became popular in the Palmyra area pass his "mantle" to Joseph Smith? | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith as a translator== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=Joseph Smith/Translator | |link=Joseph Smith/Translator | ||
| Line 78: | Line 83: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Seer stones | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Seer stones |
|subject=Joseph's use of seer stones | |subject=Joseph's use of seer stones | ||
|summary=What do we know about Joseph's seer stone? What is its relation to the "Urim and Thummim"? Did Joseph place his seer stone in his hat while he was translating the Book of Mormon? | |summary=What do we know about Joseph's seer stone? What is its relation to the "Urim and Thummim"? Did Joseph place his seer stone in his hat while he was translating the Book of Mormon? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Translator/Greek psalter | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Translator/Greek psalter |
|subject=Joseph and the Greek psalter | |subject=Joseph and the Greek psalter | ||
|summary=Did Joseph Smith misidentify an ancient text of Greek psalms (a "psalter") as containing "reformed" Egyptian hieroglyphics? | |summary=Did Joseph Smith misidentify an ancient text of Greek psalms (a "psalter") as containing "reformed" Egyptian hieroglyphics? | ||
| Line 92: | Line 97: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=Joseph Smith Translation | + | |link=Bible/Joseph Smith Translation/Relationship to the Book of Mormon |
|subject=The Joseph Smith "translation" of the Bible and its relationship to the Book of Mormon | |subject=The Joseph Smith "translation" of the Bible and its relationship to the Book of Mormon | ||
| + | |summary=Some passages from the Bible (parts of Isaiah, for example) were included in the Book of Mormon text. However, the same passages were later revised for the Joseph Smith Translation of the Holy Bible. In some cases these passages are not rendered identically. Critics claim that if the JST was an accurate translation, it would match the supposedly more 'pure' Isaiah text possessed by the Nephites. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith and miracles== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Healings and miracles | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Healings and miracles |
|subject=Healings and miracles | |subject=Healings and miracles | ||
|summary=Do we have any record of Joseph Smith performing healings or other miracles by the power of Christ's priesthood? | |summary=Do we have any record of Joseph Smith performing healings or other miracles by the power of Christ's priesthood? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Walking on water | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Walking on water |
|subject=Walking on water | |subject=Walking on water | ||
|summary=Did Joseph pretend to walk on water? | |summary=Did Joseph pretend to walk on water? | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith as a priesthood holder== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link= | + | |link=Priesthood/Restoration/Melchizedek/Date |
|subject=Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood | |subject=Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood | ||
| + | |summary=Critics claim that the restoration of the priesthood was "back dated" later by Joseph Smith to justify his desire to dominate the Church. Critics claim that no one seems to know "when or how" Joseph Smith received the Melchizedek priesthood. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith as a prophet== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/No more prophets after Christ | + | |link=Joseph Smith/No more prophets after Christ |
|subject=No more prophets after Christ? | |subject=No more prophets after Christ? | ||
|summary=Most of Christianity today claim that there are not supposed to be any more prophets after Christ's day. | |summary=Most of Christianity today claim that there are not supposed to be any more prophets after Christ's day. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Prophecies|subject=Prophecies | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Prophecies |
| + | |subject=Prophecies | ||
|summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, and that he made "false prophecies." | |summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, and that he made "false prophecies." | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Personages who appeared to him | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Personages who appeared to him |
|subject=Personages who appeared to Joseph Smith | |subject=Personages who appeared to Joseph Smith | ||
| + | |summary=A list of known personages who appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith or who were seen by him in vision. The list does not include instances where he only heard supernatural voices. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith and legal issues== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Legal issues | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Legal issues |
|subject=Legal issues | |subject=Legal issues | ||
|summary=What can you tell me about Joseph Smith's problems with the law? | |summary=What can you tell me about Joseph Smith's problems with the law? | ||
| − | }} | + | }}<noinclude> |
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
|link=/Legal issues/Trials/1826 glasslooking_trial | |link=/Legal issues/Trials/1826 glasslooking_trial | ||
|subject=1826 glasslooking trial | |subject=1826 glasslooking trial | ||
|summary=Joseph Smith was brought to trial in 1826 for "glasslooking." Didn't Hugh Nibley claim that if this trial record existed that it would be "the most damning evidence in existence against Joseph Smith?" | |summary=Joseph Smith was brought to trial in 1826 for "glasslooking." Didn't Hugh Nibley claim that if this trial record existed that it would be "the most damning evidence in existence against Joseph Smith?" | ||
| − | }} | + | }}</noinclude> |
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith and finance== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=Kirtland Safety Society | |link=Kirtland Safety Society | ||
| Line 148: | Line 157: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith, politics and government== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Politics | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Politics |
|subject=Politics | |subject=Politics | ||
|summary=Critics charge that Joseph Smith's decision to run for President of the United States in 1844 shows him to be either a megalomaniac bent on amassing ever more power, or a fanatic with delusions of grandeur. | |summary=Critics charge that Joseph Smith's decision to run for President of the United States in 1844 shows him to be either a megalomaniac bent on amassing ever more power, or a fanatic with delusions of grandeur. | ||
| Line 157: | Line 166: | ||
|link=City of Nauvoo | |link=City of Nauvoo | ||
|subject=City of Nauvoo | |subject=City of Nauvoo | ||
| − | }} | + | }}<noinclude> |
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
|link=City of Nauvoo/City charter | |link=City of Nauvoo/City charter | ||
| Line 169: | Line 178: | ||
|link=The Council of Fifty | |link=The Council of Fifty | ||
|subject=The Council of Fifty | |subject=The Council of Fifty | ||
| − | }} | + | }}</noinclude> |
| − | == | + | ==Joseph Smith and polygamy== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Polygamy | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy |
|subject=Joseph Smith and polygamy | |subject=Joseph Smith and polygamy | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Death== | + | ==Death of Joseph Smith== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom |
|subject=Martyrdom | |subject=Martyrdom | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom/Joseph fired a gun | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom/Joseph fired a gun |
|subject=Joseph fired a gun | |subject=Joseph fired a gun | ||
|summary=Was Joseph Smith actually not a martyr because, while in jail, he had a gun and he had the temerity to defend himself? Did Joseph kill two men by firing at the mob? | |summary=Was Joseph Smith actually not a martyr because, while in jail, he had a gun and he had the temerity to defend himself? Did Joseph kill two men by firing at the mob? | ||
| − | }} | + | }}<noinclude> |
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom/Hiding Joseph's gun | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom/Hiding Joseph's gun |
|subject=Hiding Joseph's gun? | |subject=Hiding Joseph's gun? | ||
|summary=Critics claim that the Church has tried to hide the fact that Joseph fired a pepperbox pistol at the mob which murdered Hyrum and was soon to kill him, despite the fact that the gun is on display at the Church History museum. | |summary=Critics claim that the Church has tried to hide the fact that Joseph fired a pepperbox pistol at the mob which murdered Hyrum and was soon to kill him, despite the fact that the gun is on display at the Church History museum. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom/Nauvoo Legion to rescue Joseph | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom/Nauvoo Legion to rescue Joseph |
|subject=Nauvoo Legion to rescue Joseph? | |subject=Nauvoo Legion to rescue Joseph? | ||
|summary=Did Joseph panic at Carthage Jail, and write an order to Jonathan Dunham (head of the Nauvoo legion), telling him to have the Legion attack the jail and "save him at all costs?" | |summary=Did Joseph panic at Carthage Jail, and write an order to Jonathan Dunham (head of the Nauvoo legion), telling him to have the Legion attack the jail and "save him at all costs?" | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom/Masonic cry of distress | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom/Masonic cry of distress |
|subject=Masonic distress cry | |subject=Masonic distress cry | ||
|summary=Just before he died, did Joseph Smith begin to give the Masonic cry of distress? | |summary=Just before he died, did Joseph Smith begin to give the Masonic cry of distress? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
| − | |link=/Martyrdom/Removed garments | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Martyrdom/Removed garments |
|subject=Removed garments prior to leaving for Carthage | |subject=Removed garments prior to leaving for Carthage | ||
|summary=Critics have claimed that Joseph and others with him removed their garments prior for leaving for Carthage in order to avoid identification as polygamists. What was the real reason for this? | |summary=Critics have claimed that Joseph and others with him removed their garments prior for leaving for Carthage in order to avoid identification as polygamists. What was the real reason for this? | ||
| − | }} | + | }}</noinclude> |
| − | ==Other critical claims== | + | ==Other critical claims related to Joseph Smith== |
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Office of the Holy Ghost | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Office of the Holy Ghost |
|subject=Joseph Smith and the "office of the Holy Ghost" | |subject=Joseph Smith and the "office of the Holy Ghost" | ||
|summary=Did certain Church leaders say that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost or that he "held the office of Holy Ghost?" | |summary=Did certain Church leaders say that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost or that he "held the office of Holy Ghost?" | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Status in LDS belief | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Status in LDS belief |
|subject=What is Joseph Smith's role in LDS belief? | |subject=What is Joseph Smith's role in LDS belief? | ||
|summary=Did Church leaders claim that Joseph had the right to "approve whether or not someone gets into heaven," rather than Jesus Christ? Do Latter-day Saints worship Joseph Smith, as critics claim? | |summary=Did Church leaders claim that Joseph had the right to "approve whether or not someone gets into heaven," rather than Jesus Christ? Do Latter-day Saints worship Joseph Smith, as critics claim? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
| − | |link=/Moon inhabited|subject=Joseph Smith and inhabitants of the moon | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Moon inhabited |
| + | |subject=Joseph Smith and inhabitants of the moon | ||
|summary=Did Joseph claim that the moon was inhabited? | |summary=Did Joseph claim that the moon was inhabited? | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | </onlyinclude> | ||
{{Articles Footer 1}} {{Articles Footer 2}} {{Articles Footer 3}} {{Articles Footer 4}} {{Articles Footer 5}} {{Articles Footer 6}} {{Articles Footer 7}} {{Articles Footer 8}} {{Articles Footer 9}} {{Articles Footer 10}} | {{Articles Footer 1}} {{Articles Footer 2}} {{Articles Footer 3}} {{Articles Footer 4}} {{Articles Footer 5}} {{Articles Footer 6}} {{Articles Footer 7}} {{Articles Footer 8}} {{Articles Footer 9}} {{Articles Footer 10}} | ||
[[fr:Joseph Smith]] | [[fr:Joseph Smith]] | ||
Revision as of 23:03, 7 February 2011
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
| Answers portal |
| Joseph Smith, Jr. |
|
 RESOURCES
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
 PERSPECTIVES
|
 MEDIA
|
| OTHER PORTALS
|
Contents
- 1 Joseph Smith, Jr.
- 1.1 Character of Joseph Smith
- 1.2 Treasure seeking, money digging and Joseph Smith, Jr.
- 1.3 Joseph Smith's First Vision
- 1.4 Joseph Smith, occultism and magic
- 1.5 Joseph Smith as a translator
- 1.6 Joseph Smith and miracles
- 1.7 Joseph Smith as a priesthood holder
- 1.8 Joseph Smith as a prophet
- 1.9 Joseph Smith and legal issues
- 1.10 Joseph Smith and finance
- 1.11 Joseph Smith, politics and government
- 1.12 Joseph Smith and polygamy
- 1.13 Death of Joseph Smith
- 1.14 Other critical claims related to Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, Jr.
Character of Joseph Smith
Character
Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Smith was a disreputable person.The Hurlbut affidavits
Summary: Many critics cite a collection of affidavits from Joseph Smith’s neighbors which claim that the Smith family possessed a number of character flaws. Many of Joseph Smith’s friends and neighbors signed affidavits that accused him and his family of being lazy, indolent, undependable treasure-seekers."Amusing recitals" and "Tall Tales?"
Summary: Joseph Smith's mother reported that he told "amusing recitals" about the ancient inhabitants of the American continent well before he translated the Book of Mormon. Does this indicate that Joseph was simply a teller of "tall tales?"Land speculation in Nauvoo
Summary: Did Joseph Smith engage in "land speculation" in Nauvoo?Personality and temperament
Summary: Critics point to what they perceive as personal failings of Joseph Smith, such as his allegedly short temper, as evidence that he was not a true prophet of God.Boastful about the Church?
Summary: Why did Joseph Smith say that he had "more to boast of than ever any man had" and that he was the only man who had been "able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam?"Joseph taught Porter Rockwell 'it was right to steal'?
Summary: Did Joseph really teach Orrin Porter Rockwell that "it was right to steal?"Psychobiographical analysis
Summary: Is it possible to deduce Joseph Smith's thoughts and dreams years after his death? Some critics think so.Treasure seeking, money digging and Joseph Smith, Jr.
Treasure seeking
Summary: Was Joseph Smith's engagement in "money digging" or looking for buried treasure a blot on his character?Practitioner of occultism and magic?
Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences began as products of "magic," the "occult," or "treasure seeking," and that only later did Joseph describe his experiences in Christian, religious terms: speaking of God, angels, and prophethood.Joseph Smith's First Vision
First Vision
Joseph Smith, occultism and magic
Jupiter talisman
Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Smith had a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred and cite this as proof of his fascination with the occult.The magician Walters as a mentor to Joseph Smith?
Summary: Did a "vagabond fortune-teller" named Walters who became popular in the Palmyra area pass his "mantle" to Joseph Smith?Joseph Smith as a translator
Joseph as a translator
Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Smith claimed to translate other texts or items, which can be checked against modern academic translations. They claim that this "cross-checking" proves that Joseph could not have translated the Book of Mormon or other ancient texts.Joseph's use of seer stones
Summary: What do we know about Joseph's seer stone? What is its relation to the "Urim and Thummim"? Did Joseph place his seer stone in his hat while he was translating the Book of Mormon?Joseph and the Greek psalter
Summary: Did Joseph Smith misidentify an ancient text of Greek psalms (a "psalter") as containing "reformed" Egyptian hieroglyphics?Book of Abraham
The Joseph Smith "translation" of the Bible and its relationship to the Book of Mormon
Summary: Some passages from the Bible (parts of Isaiah, for example) were included in the Book of Mormon text. However, the same passages were later revised for the Joseph Smith Translation of the Holy Bible. In some cases these passages are not rendered identically. Critics claim that if the JST was an accurate translation, it would match the supposedly more 'pure' Isaiah text possessed by the Nephites.Joseph Smith and miracles
Healings and miracles
Summary: Do we have any record of Joseph Smith performing healings or other miracles by the power of Christ's priesthood?Walking on water
Summary: Did Joseph pretend to walk on water?Joseph Smith as a priesthood holder
Date of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood
Summary: Critics claim that the restoration of the priesthood was "back dated" later by Joseph Smith to justify his desire to dominate the Church. Critics claim that no one seems to know "when or how" Joseph Smith received the Melchizedek priesthood.Joseph Smith as a prophet
No more prophets after Christ?
Summary: Most of Christianity today claim that there are not supposed to be any more prophets after Christ's day.Prophecies
Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, and that he made "false prophecies."Personages who appeared to Joseph Smith
Summary: A list of known personages who appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith or who were seen by him in vision. The list does not include instances where he only heard supernatural voices.Joseph Smith and legal issues
Legal issues
Summary: What can you tell me about Joseph Smith's problems with the law?- 1826 glasslooking trial—
Brief Summary: Joseph Smith was brought to trial in 1826 for "glasslooking." Didn't Hugh Nibley claim that if this trial record existed that it would be "the most damning evidence in existence against Joseph Smith?" (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- 1826 glasslooking trial—
Joseph Smith and finance
Kirtland Safety Society
Summary: Joseph established the Kirtland Safety Society, which later failed. Many left the Church because they thought that Joseph's involvement and his calling as a prophet would guarantee its success. When the bank failed, many thought that Joseph was a fallen prophet.Joseph Smith, politics and government
Politics
Summary: Critics charge that Joseph Smith's decision to run for President of the United States in 1844 shows him to be either a megalomaniac bent on amassing ever more power, or a fanatic with delusions of grandeur.City of Nauvoo
Joseph Smith and polygamy
Joseph Smith and polygamy
Death of Joseph Smith
Martyrdom
- Joseph fired a gun—
Brief Summary: Was Joseph Smith actually not a martyr because, while in jail, he had a gun and he had the temerity to defend himself? Did Joseph kill two men by firing at the mob? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Hiding Joseph's gun?—
Brief Summary: Critics claim that the Church has tried to hide the fact that Joseph fired a pepperbox pistol at the mob which murdered Hyrum and was soon to kill him, despite the fact that the gun is on display at the Church History museum. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Nauvoo Legion to rescue Joseph?—
Brief Summary: Did Joseph panic at Carthage Jail, and write an order to Jonathan Dunham (head of the Nauvoo legion), telling him to have the Legion attack the jail and "save him at all costs?" (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Masonic distress cry—
Brief Summary: Just before he died, did Joseph Smith begin to give the Masonic cry of distress? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Removed garments prior to leaving for Carthage—
Brief Summary: Critics have claimed that Joseph and others with him removed their garments prior for leaving for Carthage in order to avoid identification as polygamists. What was the real reason for this? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Joseph fired a gun—