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Does anyone know which church president was most likely the last one to know the true church history (until recently)?

Was it just the last one who was alive at the same time Joseph Smith was?

Obviously (in my opinion) when the leaders opened the church archives for historians and researchers, they did not seem to know what they contained. Then when these historians and scholars began writing books and publishing the material they'd found in the archives regarding true church history, the leaders reacted by threatening and excommunicating them (ie. September Six) if they published the truth. They then closed the archives and they are still closed.

These leaders must have thought the archives contained information that would be faith promoting and support what they believed regarding Joseph Smith, the first vision, the translation of the Book of Mormon and on and on. What a shock for them it must have been to read the information and evidence that was actually in there.

So...which one was the last president who actually knew the true church history prior to the opening of the archives?

I'm sure Joseph Fielding Smith knew all the dark secrets, as he had been church historian for many years. After that, I don't know.

They AL knew/know they're full of crap. Every single one of them.

You can't NOT know that you're not a prophet of God for cryin' out loud.

Nortinski wrote:You can't NOT know that you're not a prophet of God for cryin' out loud.

That's an interesting statement! But I do believe that many have convinced themselves they are actual Prophets of God (Mormon and not).

Also...I still believe that there were presidents of the church who did not know the true church history. Otherwise, why would they have opened the archives?

I hold to the theory that Gordon B. Hinckley was very self-conscious about his lack of visitations from Jesus, or any "real" revelatory experiences beyond the "inspiration" he cited on TV when explaining the motivation to build the meganacle.

Did he know the church isn't really true? I don't know. He knew that he was fooled by Mark Hoffman, and the Lord didn't have his back on that one. He sure as crap knew that his being a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator wasn't worth much. When asked on TV if he were a Prophet, his answer was "I am sustained as such". He knew he never prophesied, "saw", or revealed anything. He was a bureaucrat, a PR guy, an amateur comedian, and a decent public speaker. He was probably kind to others and a reasonably good family man. But a true Prophet, Seer, and Revelator in any real and meaningful sense? I think he knew he wasn't.

Maybe the assured, advanced gerontocracy helps in the hallucinations department.

Joseph F. Smith, 6th LDS President

The sixth president of the LDS Church testified under oath before Congress in the Reed Smoot Hearings that he, as prophet of the Church, has not received any revelations and that he only gets impressions from God the same as any good Methodist would get.

The actual dialogue:

"Senator Dubios: Have you received any revelations from God, which has been submitted by you and the apostles to the body of the church in their semiannual conference, which revelation has been sustained by that conference, through the upholding of their hands?

Mr. Smith: Since when?

Senator Dubios: Since you became President of the Church.

Mr. Smith: NO, SIR; NONE WHATEVER.

Senator Dubios: Have you received any individual revelations yourself, since you became President of the church under your own definition, even, of a revelation?

Mr. Smith: I CANNOT SAY THAT I HAVE.

Senator Dubois: Can you say that you have not?

Mr. Smith: No; I cannot say that I have not.

Senator Dubois: Then you do not know whether you have received any such revelation as you have described or whether you have not?

Mr. Smith: Well, I can say this: That if I live as I should in the line of my duties, I AM SUSCEPTIBLE, I THINK, of the impressions of the Spirit of the Lord upon my mind at any time, JUST AS ANY GOOD METHODIST or any other good church member might be. And so far as that is concerned, I say yes; I have had impressions of the Spirit upon my mind very frequently, but they ARE NOT IN THE SENSE OF REVELATIONS." (Reed Smoot Case, Vol. 1, pages 483-484).

"On page 99 of the same volume Joseph F. Smith stated: 'I have NEVER PRETENDED TO NOR DO I PROFESS TO HAVE RECEIVED REVELATIONS.'

How did JFS know that they weren't just brain farts?

son of Ishmael wrote:Joseph F. Smith, 6th LDS President

The sixth president of the LDS Church testified under oath before Congress in the Reed Smoot Hearings that he, as prophet of the Church, has not received any revelations and that he only gets impressions from God the same as any good Methodist would get.

The actual dialogue:

"Senator Dubios: Have you received any revelations from God, which has been submitted by you and the apostles to the body of the church in their semiannual conference, which revelation has been sustained by that conference, through the upholding of their hands?

Mr. Smith: Since when?

Senator Dubios: Since you became President of the Church.

Mr. Smith: NO, SIR; NONE WHATEVER.

Senator Dubios: Have you received any individual revelations yourself, since you became President of the church under your own definition, even, of a revelation?

Mr. Smith: I CANNOT SAY THAT I HAVE.

Senator Dubois: Can you say that you have not?

Mr. Smith: No; I cannot say that I have not.

Senator Dubois: Then you do not know whether you have received any such revelation as you have described or whether you have not?

Mr. Smith: Well, I can say this: That if I live as I should in the line of my duties, I AM SUSCEPTIBLE, I THINK, of the impressions of the Spirit of the Lord upon my mind at any time, JUST AS ANY GOOD METHODIST or any other good church member might be. And so far as that is concerned, I say yes; I have had impressions of the Spirit upon my mind very frequently, but they ARE NOT IN THE SENSE OF REVELATIONS." (Reed Smoot Case, Vol. 1, pages 483-484).

"On page 99 of the same volume Joseph F. Smith stated: 'I have NEVER PRETENDED TO NOR DO I PROFESS TO HAVE RECEIVED REVELATIONS.'

Hey, son of Ishmael, what was the date of JFS' testimony? Has that been compared to his GC talks that pre-dated that testimony? I wonder if JFS was willing to tell Congress the mental impressions 'just as an good methodist' after he had proclaimed in GC having received revelations.

son of Ishmael wrote:"On page 99 of the same volume Joseph F. Smith stated: 'I have NEVER PRETENDED TO NOR DO I PROFESS TO HAVE RECEIVED REVELATIONS.'

How have I never heard of this?

As a member I was certainly lead to believe these men were getting more than 'any good Methodist.' Damn liars.