He was a sign of his times.
Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:34 pm
Many Mormons talk about presentism when talking about Joseph Smith Jr. as if we’re judging him with today’s standards. Okay, let’s review Joseph’s life and others who lived in the same time and area.
Elijah Parish Lovejoy born in 1802. Became a Presbyterian Minster and wrote articles against slavery. He moved to Illinois to protect his printing press from pro slavery mobs. In 1837 a pro slavery mob from Missouri shot him to death in Illinois. John Quincy Adams said his murder rocked the nation.
Ralph Emerson born in 1803. His writings and philosophy have been sought out not only in America but world wide. United States high school teachers introduced his writing to their students.
Joseph Smith Jr. born 1805. He met with Jesus Christ and God the Father. He translated golden plates written in reformed Egyptian. In 1844 Brigham Young would give speeches to groups about Joseph becoming President of the United States. He was killed by an anti polygamy mob in 1844 in Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln born in poverty in 1809. In 1844 he would travel the area and speak to groups and ask them to vote for Whig candidate Henry Clay. Lincoln would become President of the United States in 1861 which resulted in a rebellion by the southern states. Lincoln would be assassinated at the beginning of his second term.
Elijah Parish Lovejoy born in 1802. Became a Presbyterian Minster and wrote articles against slavery. He moved to Illinois to protect his printing press from pro slavery mobs. In 1837 a pro slavery mob from Missouri shot him to death in Illinois. John Quincy Adams said his murder rocked the nation.
Ralph Emerson born in 1803. His writings and philosophy have been sought out not only in America but world wide. United States high school teachers introduced his writing to their students.
Joseph Smith Jr. born 1805. He met with Jesus Christ and God the Father. He translated golden plates written in reformed Egyptian. In 1844 Brigham Young would give speeches to groups about Joseph becoming President of the United States. He was killed by an anti polygamy mob in 1844 in Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln born in poverty in 1809. In 1844 he would travel the area and speak to groups and ask them to vote for Whig candidate Henry Clay. Lincoln would become President of the United States in 1861 which resulted in a rebellion by the southern states. Lincoln would be assassinated at the beginning of his second term.