Swedenborg and Joseph Smith

[_I have a question]

I'm just glad Joseph didn't "borrow" anything from those weird Masons.

*ahem* you may wish to sit down, I have news for....

[_mentalgymnast]

Hi Sanctorian,

After looking at your OP yesterday it got me thinking...wondering where I'd read about this before...but I couldn't find a familiar source in Dialogue or Sunstone. Those two periodicals are the ones I probably spent the most time with over the years. But I did find this:

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/selected-a ... section-76

Apparently Joseph was potentially influenced by a number of different sources. The two primary ones seeming to be Sidney Rigdon...who was directly influenced by Swedenborg...and the New Testament.

Anyway, thought you might enjoy this article. I think it is fairly well reasoned/balanced.

There isn't any argument, from most folks that are 'in the know' that Joseph was a synthesizer. He saw what was around him and molded it to fit within the 'restoration'. Masonry being another example someone already mentioned.

Regards,
MG

[_mentalgymnast]

I'm just glad Joseph didn't "borrow" anything from those weird Masons.

But we know he did, don't we? Is that in and of itself a 'problem'?

Regards,
MG

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I'm just glad Joseph didn't "borrow" anything from those weird Masons.

But we know he did, don't we? Is that in and of itself a 'problem'?

Regards,
MG

Only if you're interested in establishing his modus operandi.

- Doc

[_MetalSlasher]

I would be okay if Joseph Smith and Swedenborg were wrong about 3 different kingdoms in heaven because that would mean there would be 1 heaven where more people can enjoy each other's company without being separated. But what did Jesus mean when he said in my Father's house are many mansions?

[_CameronMO]

Joseph certainly knew of Swedenborg

First, the Prophet apparently mentioned Swedenborg by name during an 1839 conversation with Edward Hunter, a student of Swedenborg-ianism who later became a Latter-day Saint. Hunter had established a seminary dedicated to the free exchange of religious ideas, and when Joseph Smith stopped at this Nantmeal Seminary in Pennsylvania during a return trip from Washington DC, Hunter reported this exchange: “I asked him if he was acquainted with the Sweadenburgers. His answer I verially believe. ‘Emanuel Sweadenburg had a view of the world to come but for daily food he perished.’” [9]

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/selected-a ... section-76

[_sock puppet]

I would be okay if Joseph Smith and Swedenborg were wrong about 3 different kingdoms in heaven because that would mean there would be 1 heaven where more people can enjoy each other's company without being separated. But what did Jesus mean when he said in my Father's house are many mansions?

That there's room for all in Jesus' Father's house. That seems more congruent with Jesus' message of redemption than does a heaven stratified as Swedenborg and then JSJr claimed.

[_MetalSlasher]

I would be okay if Joseph Smith and Swedenborg were wrong about 3 different kingdoms in heaven because that would mean there would be 1 heaven where more people can enjoy each other's company without being separated. But what did Jesus mean when he said in my Father's house are many mansions?

That there's room for all in Jesus' Father's house. That seems more congruent with Jesus' message of redemption than does a heaven stratified as Swedenborg and then JSJr claimed.

And I would be fine with that too. Just as long as there's a heaven I'll be happy.

[_son of Ishmael]

What if both Swedenborg and Joseph Smith are right? Enjoy eternity in the Telestial Kingdom while all the righteous will be chilling in the 3rd highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. It's your soul and eternity. Try to be good.

Most people are generally good. They just don't know any funny handshakes and wear weird underwear. So if there are three kingdoms and the only people in the top one are funny handshaking, weird underwear wearing types of people, then I'm ok being somewhere else.

[_Enzo the Baker]

MetalSlasher said:

And I would be fine with that too. Just as long as there's a heaven I'll be happy.

I've got some bad news for you.