Category Joseph Smith
Saving Alvin: Joseph Smith’s Evolving Views on Salvation for the Dead
In 1823, Alvin Smith (Joseph Smith’s oldest brother) suddenly became ill. He died a short time later in great pain. Alvin seems to have been considered the brightest and best of the Smith brothers, even within his own family. He was also one of Joseph’s biggest supporters when it came to encouraging him to obtain […]
Damned Rascals and the Constitution: The Paradox of Mormon Attitudes Towards Government
The attitude of Mormons towards government is paradoxical. Mormonism has beliefs that encourage support for governments, yet also a history of conflict with the United States Government. In addition, there are some Mormon doctrines that deemphasize the need for government that are held in tension with pro-government beliefs. This tension was manifested in nineteenth century […]
The Significance of the First Vision
The First Vision taught and confirmed many of the most significant and distinct truths of the Restoration to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Today, the First Vision is one of the most fundamental aspects of Mormonism’s story—an event beaten only in significance by the events of Jesus the Christ’s life and Atonement. It has not always […]
The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism, Part 2: Truth Seeking
From time to time during Joseph Smith’s prophetic career, he tried to summarize and define Mormonism. Beginning with the “articles and covenants” that comprises Doctrine and Covenants 20 in the current edition, followed by the Lectures on Faith, and the Articles of Faith, these attempts each failed in turn to capture the faith’s essence for […]
The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism, Part 1: Friendship
In all the recorded sermons and writings of Joseph Smith, Jr. available to us today, only two principles were ever given the lofty title of being a “grand, fundamental principle of Mormonism.” If taken as the pillars of Mormonism, these principles could be considered the definitive essence of Mormonism, comparable to the “Five Pillars” of […]
Capturing the Holy City: Joseph Smith’s Quest for Zion
The quest to create a Zion community was a defining feature of the early Mormon movement. As they were forced to move from place to place in nineteenth-century America, the early Latter-day Saints attempted to gather to central locations and create holy cities—utopian communities based on religious principles taught by Joseph Smith. The practice of […]
The Training of a Prophet Part 2: Joseph Smith
How did Joseph Smith learn to be a prophet? Last week I spoke of prophetic apprenticeships in the scriptures and how Joseph trained the apostles and prophets of this dispensation—training that has been passed on to the current apostles and prophets. The question arises, however: where did he get his training from? David O. McKay […]
Chad's Random Musings 