Joseph vs. Warren

[_The Nehor]

There have been a lot of Warren Jeffs and Joseph Smith comparisons lately so I thought I'd chip in with my own.

Joseph Smith: Pursued a secular education with vigor in many fields including language, history, and politics. Also set up classes to teach himself and members of his Church. Also worked to make higher learning available in communities he established. His successor continued to send men and women back east to be educated.

Warren Jeffs: Withheld even basic education from his followers.

Joseph Smith: Repeatedly taught the value of Christ's atonement and never claimed Christ's power for himself.

Warren Jeffs: Dropped numerous hints that he was Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith: Revealed a complex theology.

Warren Jeffs: Had a revelation that the marriageable age should be lowered to 16 (and later 14) for girls.

Joseph Smith: Sought meetings with government and civic leaders to work out plans for his people and work within the law.

Warren Jeffs: Isolated his people from interaction.

Joseph Smith: Went to prison and never recanted what he had experienced and who he was.

Warren Jeffs: Went to prison and denied everything (though he later denied his denial).

Joseph Smith: Took advantage of most modern creations of the day and he and his followers came up with new ones.

Warren Jeffs: Had his people maintain an anachronistic lifestyle.

Joseph Smith: Produced volumes of scripture making Christ the center of the LDS faith and never demanding personal worship.

Warren Jeffs: Invented new hymns and verses of songs praising him and identifying himself with Christ.

Joseph Smith: Personally proselyted and sent hundreds more out to do the same thing, sought to bring the Gospel to all.

Warren Jeffs: Does not actively seek out converts and it is rare that even those seeking to join his Church are allowed in.