Whitewashing the destruction of the printing press

[drumdude]

The latest episode of Breaking Brigham is a mess. It’s really difficult to stomach such biased reporting of history:

https://youtu.be/94_-gfICGZA

The destruction of the printing press is treated as a minor incident. Then Thomas Sharp supposedly “goes nuts” in what Becoming Brigham characterizes as an overreaction.

Joseph Smith’s “going nuts” of course is not discussed. Here’s what Joseph had to say about the authors of the 4 pages that the press printed:

In the investigation it appeared evident to the council that the proprietors (of the Expositor) were a set of unprincipled men, lawless, debouchees, counterfeiters, Bogus Makers, gamblers, peace disturbers, and that the grand object of said proprietors was to destroy our constitutional rights and chartered privileges; to overthrow all good and wholesome regulations in society; to strengthen themselves against the municipality; to fortify themselves against the church of which I am a member, and destroy all our religious rights and privileges, by libels, slanders, falsehoods, perjury & sticking at no corruption to accomplish their hellish purposes. and that said paper of itself was libelous of the deepest dye, and very injurious as a vehicle of defamation,—tending to corrupt the morals, and disturb the peace, tranquillity and happiness of the whole community, and especially that of Nauvoo.

All of this because the authors of the Expositor declared that they wanted to follow the religion Joseph Smith created before he started talking about plural Gods, plural wives, and other insane new teachings.

James White has an interesting hypothesis: he thinks that had Joseph Smith survived a few more years, he would have continued to preach more unhinged theology and gotten into more scandals like polygamy. He thinks that, ironically, had Joseph lived longer he probably would have destroyed Mormonism with his antics.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

I know it’s shocking, but the Afore has opted for the whitewashed narrative. What a shame the Afore decided to not portray an honest or accurate history. One day, we will finally get a portrait of Brigham and Joseph that doesn’t shy away from the truth or historical accuracy, but until then, we’re left with the Afore’s version of history that’s so sanitized it reeks of bleach. The Afore is so dishonest.

[Gabriel]

The destruction of the printing press is treated as a minor incident.

A minor incident? Nay! But an event of cosmic proportions! They’ve been trying to destroy that damn printing press, day in and day out, for well-nigh 200 years now. Indeed, were I a mystic and an epic poet, I would show you that place where desperate souls, all Sisyphus-like, are condemned to destroy printing presses forever, each one larger than the last. And I would show you another place where thousands of Chatty-Cathy little men are all seated in circles sewing aprons of fig leaves, only to discover when they try them on that the aprons are never quite large enough to cover their nakedness. However, since we’re in Terrestrial, I will stop my mouth and speak no more of such matters.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

A little off topic, but can I just say that Sic et Non is one of the most awkward and pop-up-plagued websites this side of Pornhub (at least according to William Schryver). And the Afore really, really, really needs to get a life. But he can't. The cult owns him.

[Dr. Shades]

James White has an interesting hypothesis: he thinks that had Joseph Smith survived a few more years, he would have continued to preach more unhinged theology and gotten into more scandals like polygamy. He thinks that, ironically, had Joseph lived longer he probably would have destroyed Mormonism with his antics.

That's been my position for many, many years. Speaking of "more unhinged theology," we have a hint of what was coming: Eliza R. Snow swore to her grave that Joseph taught her the concept of "multiple mortal probations." So yes, reincarnation was due to become the next fundamental Mormon doctrine, but he was killed too early.

[Philo Sofee]

I know it’s shocking, but the Afore has opted for the whitewashed narrative. What a shame the Afore decided to not portray an honest or accurate history. One day, we will finally get a portrait of Brigham and Joseph that doesn’t shy away from the truth or historical accuracy, but until then, we’re left with the Afore’s version of history that’s so sanitized it reeks of bleach. The Afore is so dishonest.

But... but... but... he can quote so MANY LDS scholars who bolster his version, so it must be what happened! Look at all those footnotes in papers he writes wrote!

[Philo Sofee]

James White has an interesting hypothesis: he thinks that had Joseph Smith survived a few more years, he would have continued to preach more unhinged theology and gotten into more scandals like polygamy. He thinks that, ironically, had Joseph lived longer he probably would have destroyed Mormonism with his antics.

That's been my position for many, many years. Speaking of "more unhinged theology," we have a hint of what was coming: Eliza R. Snow swore to her grave that Joseph taught her the concept of "multiple mortal probations." So yes, reincarnation was due to become the next fundamental Mormon doctrine, but he was killed too early.

That would have been one of the best things Mormonism would have gained, in my opinion. MUCH superior to the mere idiotic this mortal probation is the only one you get idea, so you better get it right or you only get an eternal limited glory.

[drumdude]

Talk about an eternal hamster wheel! Endure to the end of the start of the next endurance period!

[malkie]

Might not be so bad - fresh perspective, and all that!

Archy was a cockroach who had been a vers libre poet in a previous life, ...

[Kishkumen]

Destroying the printing press was a huge mistake. Polygamy was bad enough. That led to the Expositor. Destroying the press of the Expositor was fatal.