I admire Joseph Smith.

[_why me]

Devoted husbands don't cheat on their wives.

Here is the thing: you say joseph smith instituted polygamy to cheat on his wife. However, for Mormons, it was god who instituted polygamy. And it was god who gave such a powerful witness to the women who prayed about the principle after saying no to Joseph Smith that confirmed that polygamy was a correct principle.

You may need to take it up with god.

[_Buffalo]

Devoted husbands don't cheat on their wives.

Here is the thing: you say joseph smith instituted polygamy to cheat on his wife. However, for Mormons, it was god who instituted polygamy. And it was god who gave such a powerful witness to the women who prayed about the principle after saying no to Joseph Smith that confirmed that polygamy was a correct principle.

You may need to take it up with god.

Many cult members receive similar witnesses, even after being sexually victimized by their charismatic leader.

[_why me]

They do if an angel with a flaming sword threatens to kill them.

Does anyone else think that threatening someone with death if they don't have sex sounds kinda like rape?

I think that you are off the mark here. The flaming sword was for Joseph and not for the women.

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/4921

But nice try at antimormonism.

[_why me]

Many cult members receive similar witnesses, even after being sexually victimized by their charismatic leader.

If you say so. But the stories of these women do not sound like a cult experience. They had extremely stong confirmations...somewhere in the line of angelic visitations.

[_just me]

They do if an angel with a flaming sword threatens to kill them.

Does anyone else think that threatening someone with death if they don't have sex sounds kinda like rape?

I think that you are off the mark here. The flaming sword was for Joseph and not for the women.

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/4921

But nice try at antimormonism.

You don't believe that men can be raped?

[_just me]

Many cult members receive similar witnesses, even after being sexually victimized by their charismatic leader.

If you say so. But the stories of these women do not sound like a cult experience. They had extremely stong confirmations...somewhere in the line of angelic visitations.

You have chosen not to read about women in other cults who have had the heavens open up to them. They are eerily similar to the few experiences you continually reference.

[_Buffalo]

Many cult members receive similar witnesses, even after being sexually victimized by their charismatic leader.

If you say so. But the stories of these women do not sound like a cult experience. They had extremely stong confirmations...somewhere in the line of angelic visitations.

Have you ever listened to cultists talk about their experiences?

[_Wisdom Seeker]

Joseph married Emma Hale on January 18, 1827, and was described as a loving and devoted husband. They had eleven children (two adopted), only five of whom lived past infancy. During the thirty-nine years of his life, Joseph established thriving cities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois; produced volumes of scripture; sent missionaries throughout the world; orchestrated the building of temples; served as mayor of Nauvoo, one of the largest cities in Illinois, and as general of its militia, the Nauvoo Legion; and was a candidate for the presidency of the United States. He was a controversial figure in American history—beloved of his followers and hated by his detractors. Joseph was persecuted much of his adult life and was killed along with his brother Hyrum by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.
http://www.pbs.org/americanprophet/joseph-smith.html

And of course he is still being hated as can be seen from many posters on this board.

Why Me, just curious about this thread you started here. Was it created to declare your fondness for J.S. or was it to stir up responses from critics?

[_why me]

Why Me, just curious about this thread you started here. Was it created to declare your fondness for J.S. or was it to stir up responses from critics?

I started this thread quite a while ago. It was just recently brought back to life. On this board, Joseph Smith is routinely bashed. I just thought that I would give him some credit. I am rather fond of him.

[_jon]

Why Me, just curious about this thread you started here. Was it created to declare your fondness for J.S. or was it to stir up responses from critics?

I started this thread quite a while ago. It was just recently brought back to life. On this board, Joseph Smith is routinely bashed. I just thought that I would give him some credit. I am rather fond of him.

Interestingly your avatar suggests you prefer an unrealistic artistic rendition of Joseph Smith rather than the readily available actual image of him...