I admire Joseph Smith.

[_zeezrom]

If the LDS church really had divine origins, it would have such a history.

That is, assuming divine = fairness, respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion

Can this be demonstrated somehow?

[_DarkHelmet]

From a guy's point of view, you have to admire how much pussy that guy got. Today's church is run by a bunch of uptight old farts who would excommunicate anyone who lived Joseph Smith's swinging lifestyle.

[_Buffalo]

If the LDS church really had divine origins, it would have such a history.

That is, assuming divine = fairness, respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion

Can this be demonstrated somehow?

Good point. Certainly if El/Yahweh are our examples of what is divine, Joseph's abuses are in line with divine thought.

Perhaps I should have said "moral and good" instead of divine.

[_stemelbow]

I find Joseph's dedication admirable. Whether you agree with the man or his religion, you ought to at least be able to recognize that he was wholly dedicated to the cause, as they say. Not many will go as far as he did.

[_Joseph]

So Joe was dedicated to his cause.

So was Koresh, sun yung moon, Hitler, Pol-pot, chairman Mao, Castro and so many others.

[_Buffalo]

I find Joseph's dedication admirable. Whether you agree with the man or his religion, you ought to at least be able to recognize that he was wholly dedicated to the cause, as they say. Not many will go as far as he did.

You might say he was balls deep into his cause at all times.

[_Nevo]

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.

I agree. Here is a section from Brodie's book that I particularly like:

The zest for living that [Joseph Smith] radiated never failed to inspire his own people with a sense of the richness of life. They followed him slavishly and devotedly if only to warm themselves in the glow of his presence. They built for him, preached for him, and made unbelievable sacrifices to carry out his orders, not only because they were convinced that he was God’s prophet, but also because they loved him as a man. They were as elated when he won a wrestling match as they were awed when he dictated new revelation. They retold tales of his generosity and tenderness, marveling that he fed so many of the poor in Nauvoo at his table without stint, and that he entertained friend and enemy alike. He was a genial host, warmhearted and friendly to all comers, and fiercely loyal to his friends.

Joseph was no hair-shirt prophet. He believed in the good life, with moderate self-indulgence in food and drink, occasional sport, and good entertainment. And that he succeeded in enjoying himself to the hilt detracted not at all from the semi-deification with which his own people enshrouded him. Any protests of impropriety dissolved before his personal charm. “Man is that he might have joy” had been one of his first significant pronouncements in the Book of Mormon, and from that belief he had never deviated. He was gregarious, expansive, and genuinely fond of people....

Although the prophet was the prime mover in all Mormon thinking and activity, he was himself tremendously affected by the powerful social unit he had created. As thousands of converts poured in from the East and Canada and the British Isles, the increasing pressure of administrative duties—of settling and housing these people and getting work for them—diverted his energy more and more into secular affairs. But there was an equally insistent pressure upon his inner character. These thousands looked to him to usher in the millennium. They clamored for spiritual enlightenment and demanded to know the laws of the kingdom of God. Joseph gave the best that was in him, without affidavits, witnesses, or apology. And to one who reads through his sermons and journal for this period, it must seem that the role of prophet had finally swallowed up the man.

— Fawn Brodie, No Man Knows My History, 2nd ed. (New York: Knopf, 1971), 294–295.

[_Kishkumen]

I respect Joseph Smith's amazing achievements and wonder at his expansive vision. At the same time, I can't say that I admire him. For me, the word admire carries with it the idea that I would want to emulate Joseph Smith because I hold him up as some kind of ideal. I see too much in Joseph that I would never wish to imitate or even condone in others. He is much less like Jesus Christ than a minor Caesar in that Jesus presents posterity little to be condemned, whereas the heavy price of Caesar's achievements is there to be weighed in the balance.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Hello,

Personally, he reminds me of the despots and dictators that have ruled the Middle East, and are now being booted out of office by the disaffected masses. Many of these leaders are just as charismatic, BUT shizophrenic in their speeches, sermons, and business dealings. I just don't see much of a difference in Mr. Smith's character & subsequent power brokering.

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_Mad Viking]

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

+1 on him being "enourmously fascinating"

I can't admire him much the same way I can't admire any narcissist. We couldn't have been friends because of this. However, I would have definitely liked to have had a couple beers with him. His murder was extremely unfortunate. For his crimes, I don't think he deserved to die. Do some time? Sure. Seems like he owed three states some time. But... I am rambling.