I admire Joseph Smith.

[_why me]

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.

[_CaliforniaKid]

Even Fawn Brodie seems to have felt some real affection and admiration for Joseph Smith and his accomplishments. Her warmth toward him is infectious; by the end of the biography one can scarcely help but like the prophet, at least a little bit.

Of course, that doesn't stop one from feeling horrified at his many audacious misdeeds.

[_Milesius]

So what? There are people who still admire "Commodore" Hubbard and David Koresh.

[_zeezrom]

Likewise I admire Emma Smith for caring for her children and being true to her spouse. Yeah, I know, it doesn't sound all grandiose but she knew what was really important in life.

[_Buffalo]

devoted husband lol

sent missionaries throughout the world and married their wives while they were gone

and as general of its militia, and had himself crowned king of the world

Joseph was persecuted much of his adult life for his lawless activities

and was killed along with his brother Hyrum by a mob in Carthage after illegally destroying a private press

Why not tell the whole unvarnished truth, why me? Why the turd polishing?

[_zeezrom]

You know what is really admirable? A person who moves into a position of power without taking advantage of others. Who?

[_Ceeboo]

Hey why me,

I would suspect that anyone (who believes that Mr. Smith was indeed a prophet of God, believes the Book of Mormon is what Mr. Smith claims it to be, and/or believes the other teachings/claims brought forth by Mr. Smith) would certainly have admiration for him.

Those who happen to hold an opposing view/opinion of Mr. Smith (of course) would be hard pressed to find the things required to extend him their admiration.

Although it is my opinion that we was an enormously fascinating man who lived a most fascinating life (Sadly cut short by his early death),
I simply can not offer my admiration to him.

Anyhooo, I appreciate why you and many others do offer this admiration to him.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Buffalo]

You know what is really admirable? A person who moves into a position of power without taking advantage of others. Who?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have looked at our history with pride instead of embarrassment? If there wasn't anything hush up or minimize or hide from investigators? If the LDS church really had divine origins, it would have such a history.

[_Joseph]

If Joeboy was not such a scallawag Mark Hoffman would never have been able to bamboozle lds-ind and its leadership.

[Guest]

'Snip'

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

Is there anything in the life of Joseph Smith that you do not admire?

By the way, I admire him also but what he was able to accomplish does not excuse some of his behavior.