Joseph Smith's Spiritual Wives

Most people know that the LDS Church practiced polygamy back when it first started, beginning in 1833 and ceased this practice not long after in compliance with US Law and a supreme court decision. My wife has ancestors on both her maternal and paternal side that practiced polygamy over 150 years ago. Unfortunately, when most people think of polygamy, they immediately think of the fundamentalists and people like Warren Jeffs. However, this was nothing like how polygamy was practiced by the LDS. That said, a friend recently asked about the several wives of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Some of these wives were from 14 to 17 years old when they were sealed. The following is a brief comment listing some of the things I have learned concering the case of Fanny Alger who was the first spiritual wife of Joseph Smith.

Critics of the LDS Church love to say things like, this is just the typical thing that happens with cult leaders. They are such megalomaniacs, they think the rules don't apply to them, and they can just do whatever they want. And true to form, the first chance they get, they try to justify their desires for sin. This is just another blatant yet typical example of the bad fruit of a false prophet.

Considering this case, it seems to me that its the age of a few of these young women that is the real issue here. Most Christian know in their heart that God would never permit sexual perversion of any sort. Enemies of the LDS Church love to make Joseph Smith sound like some sort of predator. Critics even mistakenly use the word pedophilia which by definition does not fit because that would involve abuse of children before they reach puberty. And there is absolutely not a single shred of evidence of anything like that. But, understandably, a 16 year-old is considered a minor and marital relations would be considered statutory abuse as a minor cannot give consent. However, it needs to be said that in every case, the parents of these young women did give their consent to what was a non-physical, platonic, spiritual sealing.

There are several cases were there are hearsay accounts and rumors that the first child of some of Joseph Smith's "spiritual wives" belonged to Joseph Smith. However, recent Y-Chromosome DNA testing has been done on almost all the direct descentants of these possible offspring of Joseph Smith. Turns out, JOSEPH WAS NOT THE FATHER in any of the cases. In 2005, DNA testing showed that Orrison Smith, son of Fanny Alger, was not the offspring of Joseph Smith. (Perego et al., 2005). So, Joseph Smith entered into these "spiritual sealings" and there is no evidence that there was any "physical" aspect to any of these relationships except rumors and hearsay.

In the case of Fanny Alger, she was about 16 at the time and was working as a nanny and housekeeper for Joseph and Emma. It seems that Emma did know from the beginning about polygamy and was supportive. It is also clear that Fanny Alger's parents were also aware and supportive. However, not long after the sealing, it turns out that Fanny Alger became pregnant while living with Joseph Smith and Emma. Upon learning of the pregnancy, Fanny Alger was kicked out of the house. Joseph made arrangements for her to stay with the school teacher Chauncery Webb.

So, here is the facinating and unfortunate facts of the case. Here you have a 16-year-old helping out Smith and Emma. Joseph Smith is given the revelation on Plural marriage and he feels inspired to ask Miss Alger to be a "spiritual wife" all the white assuring Emma that everything is going to be platonic and that its not going to be physical. So, Emma and Miss Alger's parents are supportive and positive. Alger comes from the Hancock family who were very early and strong members of the church. And the Hancocks stayed active in the LDS Church. My wife ancestor is a Hancock.

However, when Fanny Alger mysteriously becomes pregnant, not everyone in Kirkland were aware of the sealing, and now the accusations and rumours fly. Even Emma is thinking that Joseph and Algers had relations and was angry even though they were spiritually married. Emma wasn't angry because she didn't know what everyone else knew, that Joseph and Algers were "sealed", she was angry because Joseph was assuring her everything was going to be non-physical at least until Fanny was much older.

But now with the DNA evidence, we know what must have happened. Fanny Algers might have had an affair and got pregnant by someone else. And her pregnancy made it look like Joseph Smith was the one who was responsible. And this was what caused all the headaches and problems and accusations and roumors surrounding Joseph Smith and the practice of "sealing" which followed.

Annother issue at play here is the coverup for Fanny Alger's protection. It can be easy to forget that Joseph and Fanny are "Sealed". Therefore, Joseph had the responsibility to protect Fanny. So, instead of directing rumors and blame onto Fanny, Joseph Smith seemed to allow the rumors, and gossip, and accusations focus on him. Instead of "outing" Fanny for being the one who had the affair, he only insisted that he was not guilty of adultery. He never put any blame on Fanny, he only defended himself.

Again, from several journal accounts at the time, it is clear that a handful of people were present at the sealing of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger including Emma, and Algers parents and extended family (Hancocks) as well as other church leadership and several non-lds like Chauncery Webb (Todd Compton, In Sacred Loneliness).

So, the issue is, if all the necessary people knew that the sealing had taken place, why the scandal when Algers becomes pregnant and not before when they were sealed in the first place. Also, why did Fanny Algers' parents, uncle, and brother stay active strong members of the LDS church. The point I am making is, all these facts prove that that the relationship between Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger was a purely non-physical "spiritual sealing."

Jo Kester, a living descendant of Fanny Alger reports that Brigham Young accompanied by Fanny's brother John Alger asked to marry Fanny after the death of Joseph Smith. (he and John Taylor offered to care for all of Joseph Smith's spiritual wives.) Fanny replied, "You are a nice young man, but I want to be an only wife."

Fanny then went on to marrying Solomon Custer and leaving Missouri and settling in Indiana. After the death of Joseph Smith she was asked by her brother about her relationship with Joseph Smith to which responded, "that is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (bushman)

So, what do we know:
1. Joseph Smith and Fanny Algers were sealed in 1833. Fanny Algers was about 16.
2. Emma Smith, parents and uncle of Fanny Algers and church leadership were aware and/or witnesses of the sealing.
3. Fanny Algers becomes pregnant will working in the home of the Smiths as a housekeeper
4. Emma Smith is angry and there are rumors, speculation, accusations
5. Fanny is taken by uncle Levi Hancock to stay with teacher Chauncery Webb
6. Fanny remarries Solomon Custer after Joseph Smith's death and settles in Indiana
7. Fanny's parents, uncle, and brother stay active members in the LDS Church and follow the Church to Nauvoo, Il and to Utah.

Before, I end this post, I just want to emphasize something. I am really blown away by how Joseph Smith delt with this. He could have so easily diverted all the criticism and accusations toward Fanny Alger and "thrown her under the bus" so-to-speak. But Joseph Smith never did. Many of his closest friends deserted him over this. But Joseph was beyond honorable in his protection of Fanny Alger.

True Test of Prophets and Religion

August 20, 2011

John,

Thank you for the DVD. I also enjoyed our conversation and I appreciate your thoughtful study, prayer and concern. As you focus on “God's word” for guidance, I would caution you about what other “anti-Mormon” sources you rely upon for information. Many of these sources contain much misinformation and half-truths. I thoughtfully watched the DVD and made a few notes. The DVD warns about “cognitive dissonance” and seems to try to diagnose LDS as suffering from some kind of mental disorder. I believe that we should beware of false arguments like we should beware of false prophets.

BOOK OF MORMON TESTIFIES OF THE BIBLE

First, to answer your question, “is the Bible inerrant or not?” Yes, the Bible is inerrant. To support this belief, let's read what the Book of Mormon actually says about the Bible. This is the part the DVD producers failed to include.

In this first example, we see at the opening of the Book of Mormon, God reaffirms His pattern of revelation. God has a plan for the salvation of His Children and revels that plan to prophets who record His word in scripture. A prophet Lehi is commanded of God to preach repentance to the people at Jerusalem. God then warns Lehi that he must flee Jerusalem or be killed. Nephi has faith in his Father, and seeks a his own spiritual witness through prayer after reasoning things out. While on their way out of town, Lehi sends his sons back to retrieve the family Bible from a wealthy yet wicked relative so that they could carry the laws, commandments, and covenants of God with them to their new home. After retrieving what is called, the Brass Plates; Lehi prophesies that those words [Old Testament] would go forth to all nations and that they would not “be dimmed any more by time.”

1Nephi 5:18-19 That these plates of brass [Old Testament] should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.

The DVD uses the Great Isaiah Scroll, which dates to 100 BC, as a proof against the Book of Mormon. In actual fact, the Great Isaiah Scroll is a vindication and validation of the prophecy by Lehi. Whether you believe this prophecy in the Book of Mormon was made by Lehi 600 BC or by Joseph Smith in 1830 AD, the prophecy predicts that the Old Testament would go forth to all nations undimmed from 600 BC. Now we have the Great Isaiah scroll that supports the Book of Mormon claim that the Old Testament books that we possess today has not changed significantly since at least 100 BC.

Next we can read in the Book of Mormon what Lehi's son, Nephi, says about the Old Testament. Nephi does not say that there is anything “corrupt” about the Bible. On the contrary, Nephi clearly says that the Old Testament would come from the Jews to the Gentiles “in purity.” And again, Nephi rightly predicts that although the portion of the Old Testament we would have would be “pure”, some books and prophecies would be missing. Several notable examples of lost books include the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch.

1Nephi 13:23-25 And he said: Behold it [Old Testament] proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book [Old Testament] that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles. . . 25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

Now, here is part of Nephi's prophesy that the DVD does discuss:

1Ne 13:29 —because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.

In context, when one considers the many lost books of the Bible, the pseudo-pigripha, the Apocrypha, the example of the “Comma Johanneum,” the hundreds of Bible translations, and the innumerable ways in which people interpret the Bible; it is not difficult to see how Nephi's prophecy accurately describes our lack of a “unity of faith” in the Last Day (Eph 4:11-13).

Joseph Smith, by request, wrote to John Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat a series of articles of faith detailing some of the core LDS beliefs. The 8^th article of faith declares that the LDS believe that “the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly”. Or it could also be said, “interpreted correctly.” This statement is in no way demeaning or degrading the Bible, but is a commentary on the reality of how perception and tradition shape what is considered the “generally accepted” or “scholarly accepted” interpretation of the Bible. There is nothing “corrupt” about the Bible. What has been corrupted is our understanding of it and our living it.

ALMA AND JERUSALEM

The DVD goes on to attack Alma's prophecy that Jesus Christ would be born “at Jerusalem, which is the land of our forefathers” instead of specifying Bethlehem exactly.

Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

Despite the DVD's appeal to authority, I am not sure what the big deal here is. When people ask me where I am from, I say “Augusta, GA.” I usually do not specify Evans exactly unless they are familiar with the area. And this is in spite of the fact that the city of Martinez lies in between Evans and Augusta. The scholar's reaction to Alma's prophecy stems from an assumption that most people are familiar with the specific geography of Israel. However, this was not the case with the Nephites. Nephi tells us that he did not teach his children “after the manner of the things of the Jews.” Therefore, in reality, Alma saying that Jesus would be born “at [the land of] Jerusalem” is more of an internal consistency and not a false prophecy.

2 Nephi 25:5-6 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews. But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them.

JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATION

The DVD criticizes Joseph Smith for his attempt at translating the Bible. While Joseph Smith never, considered this project complete, what is called the “Joseph Smith Translation” is not a translation in the scholarly sense. Joseph Smith did not have access to ancient texts. Instead, LDS consider Joseph Smith's translation more of an inspired commentary, which does not replace or supplant the King James Version.

Why would Joseph Smith feel to change the wording of verses? As time passes, the meaning of the words can change even if their translation does not. Faith is a good example. Today, the word 'faith' has become almost synonymous with the word 'hope.' People often say they have “faith” that their loved one will be healed from a terminal medical condition. However, what they really mean is that they are trying to “maintain hope.” Therefore, in preserving the original meaning and intent of the New Testament writers, Joseph Smith felt it necessary to emphasize that salvation through the grace of Christ involves both faith (belief) and works (action or obedience). It is also important to point out that Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the LDS Church recognize and testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH SMITH AND ZION

Doctrine and Covenants 84:4 records “Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.” First, the word “shall” and not “will” means this is a command and not an immediate prediction. It is regrettably true that the Saints in that day were not faithful enough to obey this command. Consequently, the church in a sense is wandering in the dessert waiting a more faithful rising generation to realized the blessings of this prophecy. However, when one takes the time to read this command in context, Joseph Smith prophesies in D&C 58 that the wicked would criticize the Saints inability to fulfill God's commandments as unfulfilled prophecy.

D&C 58:31-33 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above.

Second, “in this generation” was said in the same spirit as Matt 24:34. Here Christ foretold many signs which would mark both the destruction of the Temple as well as the Last Day. However, Christ said that all these signs would be fulfilled in “this generation.” The phrase, “In this generation” is found throughout the D&C; and in every case this phrase is used in a broader sense: D&C 6:8, 11:22, 10:33, 11:8, 84:31,

DISTRACTION

While it is important to not cast Logic out the window, these anti-Mormon propaganda “hit” pieces are carefully crafted tools of the devil to divert you from doing a productive and truthful investigation of the Book of Mormon. Instead of reading the Book of Mormon and focusing on what the Book of Mormon teaches, this DVD distracts you from the true message of the Book of Mormon that Jesus is the Christ.

COVENANT RELATIONSHIP

The Bible equates the sin of Idolatry with Adultery. Pornography and Infidelity like false religion have become a terrible plague that is destroying marriages and families. And it is this demoralization that has led to our complete ideological subversion away from Constitutional principles of self government and personal responsibility. Fixing this nation must begin with a return to traditional family and moral values.

Just like the days of Isaiah and Micah, people are attracted to false prophets and teachers because those teachers do not make the same moral demands, nor do they have the same high expectations that a covenant relationship with God requires. Most people have an inherent appetite for spirituality as well as intimacy. However, many will settle for a counterfeit version if the path appears easier. When it comes to a marriage relationship, the Internet is rarely ever sick or too tired, and never expects you to help wash the dishes. In the same way, many faiths let people go through the motions of religious observance without empowering them to keep the high standards of righteousness a true relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ requires. Paul details these standards in 1 Cor 5:11 (1 Cor 5:7-12).

The end of the DVD talks about freedom. But what the presenter means is freedom from God's high expectations and freedom from any moral requirements. Yes, Christ accepts us as we are (justification), but he doesn't leave us that way (sanctification). Remember the story of the rich young man? This parable reveals the covenant requirements for sanctification and exaltation. “If thou will be perfect [sanctification], sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me [consecration].”

For me, being LDS helps me and my family live the gospel of Jesus Christ better then any other religion. The LDS allows me to consecrate myself to God and empowers be to live up to the high covenant expectations and moral requirements that a relationship with our Heavenly Father requires. Lastly, the Bible promises that those who add or subtract from scripture will suffer the plagues detailed in the Book of Revelation. Thus far, living the LDS faith has saved me any my family from numerous spiritual and temporal plagues and pitfalls. Part of true religion is its ability to “care for the fatherless and widows” and to keep us “unspotted from the world”. This is another critical test of true religion.

Your brother in Christ,

Bible Pattern

The Bible presents an interesting pattern of prophets and apostasy. First we see God establishing His covenant with Adam who is the first man and the first prophet. Things go good for a while but before too long the people of the Earth fall away from the truth and turn to evil. The flood wipes out humanity and only Noah and his family are spared. God then re-established his covenant with Noah who becomes a new dispensation leader and prophet. Things go good again for a while but before long, the people again backslide at the time of the Tower of Babel. Then we read about Abraham who is born in Ur and recognizes that he is born into an apostate and idolatrous culture. God calls Abraham as a prophet and a dispensation leader. Again, things go well for a while for Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim until the House of Israel falls away yet again and falls into slavery. Then God called Moses who led Israel out of Egypt. The House of Israel is faithful for a while until they eventually fall away from the truth and are conquered by Assyria, then Babylon, and then finally Rome. Then God sends His Son Jesus Christ. The Jews had turned from the truth to such an extent most didn't recognize their own God that they were to be worshiping for the past 1000 years.

Jesus Christ established his church with 12 Apostles, Seventies, Bishops, Elders, and Deacons. But just as the Bible pattern describes, Paul told us in 2 Thessalonians, that Christ would not come again until there would be yet another falling away and apostasy. And Peter in Acts 2 tells us that the heavens would receive until the time of refreshing and "restitution of all things which has been spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began."

Just as all the holy prophets have prophesied and as the Bible has foretold and foreshadowed, the physical Church of Jesus Christ fell into apostasy and the priesthood authority and keys were lost from the Earth for a time leading into the Dark Ages. Then just as all the prophets have prophesied, the Lord God again, for the last time, in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times has called a prophet, restored his church, restored the keys of His Holy Priesthood, restored the temple, restored the exact doctrines of His gospel and re-established his covenant with man.

The prophet of this last and final dispensation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and His Millennial Reign on the Earth is Joseph Smith. God called Joseph Smith in the same way that all prophets have been called. Joseph Smith didn't attend any divinity school, he didn't earn any degree in New Testament and Early Christian Studies. Joseph Smith wasn't a Pharisee or Sadducee. But God revealed himself to Joseph Smith and authorized him to bring to light additional scripture including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, and empowered Joseph Smith to restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is organized just as Christ's original Church with 12 Apostles, Seventies, Bishops (Eklectikos), Elders (Presbyters), and Deacons (Diaconos).


Dispensations and Apostasy
Adam ----------------> Flood
Noah ----------------> Drought, Tower of Babel
Abraham -------------> Slavery in Egypt
Moses ---------------> Military Conquest (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome)
Jesus Christ --------> Dark Ages, Plague
Joseph Smith --------> Tribulation, Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Discerning Spirits: Joseph Smith and Glasslooking

There are some topics when I began I thought I would never have reason to address. This is an example of one of them. But the idea of discerning spirits and Joseph Smith's unfortunate boyhood hobby of "glasslooking" does relate to the recent Sunday School lesson on the Spiritual Gifts.

Some evangelicals antagonistic to the LDS religion make a big deal about Joseph Smith's occasional hobby of "glasslooking" while growing up in Upstate New York. Their assumption on the issue is that Joseph Smith was knowingly and deliberately lying about "possess [ing] certain means by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye" (Biographical Sketches, Lucy Smith, pp.91-92, as quoted in Early Mormon documents, Vol.1, p. 309). The reason many prefer this interpretation of Joseph Smith's motivation is that they seek to establish a pattern of behavior of lying; like a serial killer torturing small animals as a youth. However, many fail to consider an alternative motivation.

One important alternative, which is the LDS position, is that Joseph Smith was fooled by false spirits and actually believed on some level that he could "glasslook". Occult magic was very popular at the time. Many people in 1830 tried to use divining rods and glass shards to find or see hidden or lost things. People commonly participated in similar sorts of hobbies then in a similar way people go rock hounding or metal detecting today. Actually you can still hire people who claim they can use a divining rod to find the best place to dig a well.

The reason why I believe Joseph Smith was not intentionally lying, but was deceived comes from his own words about the "Gift of tongues." In our recent Elder's quorum manual about Joseph Smith, he warned the LDS Saints that there were many false spirits who were going about deceiving people to believe they could speak in tongues and God's language. People do it today. When I was a missionary, people offered on several occasions to demonstrate. Some of these people may have been lying. But I believe as Joseph Smith did that some have been simply fooled by false spirits. JS said the gift of tongues is to preach the gospel to those who speak another language like on the day of Pentecost. The "Gift of Tongues" is not at all about showing off, incomprehensible mumbling and jumping around uncontrollably. Therefore, it is most likely that Joseph Smith was fooled into believing he was able to glasslook.

This automatic assumption that Joseph Smith was intentionally lying demonstrates something else in the person making the assumption. And that something else is that this assumption fails to recognize the kind of power Satan and false spirits can have if allowed. Even if you think what you are doing is a game. I had a close friend who dressed up as a fortune teller at a school carnival to give fortunes using a crystal ball. It was supposed to be just for fun. She and the person receiving the fortune knew it wasn't supposed to be real. During the night she said she started giving people real predictions that actually came true. She said she committed to never mess around with any of that kind of thing again even though at the time it seemed harmless and innocent.

Also, another supporting argument in favor of being deceived over being the deceiver is Joseph's own words about spiritual gifts. Joseph Smith's was of the opinion that most people trying to speak in tongues who mumble incomprehensibly and jump around uncontrollably were fooled by false spirits and not deliberately lying. It is likely Joseph Smith based his opinion on his own experiences with LDS members experimenting with tongues like many other churches of the day, Hiram Page being fooled by finding what he considered was a "seer stone," and himself being fooled as a youth. Remember that Paul says "discerning spirits" is one of the spiritual gifts of God as is "tongues", "prophecy", and "healing". Therefore, it is no surprise that there would be many in the world unable to properly discern spirits as Joseph Smith eventually was taught and empowered by God to do.

D&C 28: 11 And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;

1 Cor. 12: 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Let me also be clear on this point. The LDS church does not condone the use of occult practices under any circumstances. The LDS church does not condone Joseph Smith's "glasslooking". Joseph Smith was fooled by false spirits into thinking he could find hidden or lost items, and he later was set up by Satan and paid a big price for his sins and needed sore repentance. LDS recognize that Joseph Smith's or anyone's dabbling in the occult is sin.

That said, what about Joseph's reported use of a seer stone after being led to the Gold Plates by Moroni? There were two clear stones referred to as the Urim and Thummin with the Gold Plates. They were patterned after the stone Aaron used to Judge Israel. There are referred to in Revelation when John says those that overcome will be given a "white stone." Joseph Smith said these stones were designed by God for the interpretation of languages. Was this evolution from "glasslooking" to the "seerstone" just more of the same?

First, we need to remember one important principle. Satan doesn't create, Satan corrupts and counterfeits. Jesus on the other hand sanctifies. Some claim that Joseph may have used a "seer stone" different from the Urim and Thummin that were with the Gold Plates. Others think the "seer stone" was just one of the 2 interpreter stones. Whatever the case, if Joseph Smith had used the "peep stone" he used while prospecting for silver with Josiah Stowell, he would have dedicated the stone in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and covenanted to never seek to see anything forbidden.That is the pattern of things. Satan doesn't create, Satan corrupts and counterfeits, and Christ sanctifies. There are other examples of this sort of thing. (e.g. fig leaves, conference center and Zion being designed after the style of the hanging gardens of Babylon, etc.).

Whatever stone he used, the difficult issue with it was that his previous participation in "glass-looking" made it difficult for some to accept the Book of Mormon. This was especially the case with Emma's Father Isaac Hale. Only a year after Joseph Smith promised the Judge in his 1826 hearing that he would give up "glass-looking" after which he eloped with Emma. Not long afterwards, Joseph had a hard time convincing Isaac Hale that he had found and translated the Book of Mormon using "seer stones."

"The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret was the same manner as when he looked for the money-diggers, with the stone in his hat, while the book of plates were at the same time hid in the woods."---Isaac Hale affidavit, May 1834.

The price Joseph Smith paid was his being tried in court in March 1826 for 'glass-looking'. That hearing made it difficult for some to believe his story and followed him into future hearings and trials the rest of his life. Sin like clouds may have a silver lining but they are still mostly gray and stormy. However, in spite of these minor mistakes of youth, God has promised that the grace and Spirit of God is sufficient to overcome these weaknesses and know the truth that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and the Living Christ, and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

Institutions, Freedom and Joseph Smith

A few historians speak of Joseph Smith's great charisma as the key to his success. Others claim Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, suffered from megalomania. Although not an official psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM-IV (psychiatric Bible), megalomania is defined as "the obsession with, either in the form of irrational perceived need for or preoccupation with in one's own estimation having and/or obtaining, grandiosity and extravagance (especially in the form of great fame and popularity, material wealth, social influence or political power. While Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God which could be considered a "delusion of grandeur," and while Joseph did hold great influence among those who shared his belief, I think that any claim of megalomania is unfounded. In fact, the life and teachings of Joseph Smith teach the very opposite principle.

Joseph Smith was an organizer and delegator. While he established himself as a prophet and spiritual leader over a church with hundreds of thousands of members, a military and political leader at Nauvoo, Illinois; Joseph Smith created institutions and organizations and delegated authority to them as much as possible. On the spiritual side, Joseph organized the Church of Jesus Christ after the manner in which he believed it was organized in the New Testament with a Quorum of 12 Apostles, Quorums of Seventy, and Quorums of Elders (Presbyters) and Deacons. He also called local Bishops and authorized them to shepherd and lead congregations in a number of communities starting at Kirtland, Ohio and stretching to Independence and Far West, Missouri and then to Nauvoo, Illinois. Megalomaniacs have a high degree of paranoia associated with their psychosis and have difficulty trusting others with power. This doesn't seem to fit the picture of Joseph Smith.

In addition to organizing spiritual organizations to govern the church, Joseph Smith organized community and political organizations and institutions. The most famous organization is the women's Relief Society which is the largest women's organization today in the world. Also Joseph organized the city of Nauvoo with schools, newspaper, press, Masonic Lodge, and many other institutions. Megalomaniacs seek control and seek for their followers to be completely depenedent upon them.

The significance and result of this high degree of organizational behavior is that after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith in 1844, all of the major doctrines, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and all church governing structures were in place. As a result, the LDS church has continued on without significant changes since. A sign of Joseph Smith's inspiration is the fact that the major doctrines, practices, and government of the church were all instituted and made interdependent, yet self-sustaining in 14 short years. Today, a doctoral thesis is rewarded for someone who contributes one piece of new knowledge to their field. Joseph Smith not only created a church but a culture and the outline for a perfect society.

The significance of the importance of institutions applies to our situation today. Our constitution is based on the principle of self-government and limited central government. We see this today in many areas. Medicine has its own accrediting and professional organizations. Attorneys the same. Even Amateur Radio has the AARL (American Amateur Radio League) separate from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Why all these independent institutions? Because we in American believe in being self-governed. And so we have established these institutions to develop rules and policies of self-government so the federal government doesn't have to. The great institutions of this country uphold and secure the individual freedoms and liberties of the people. And they do a much more efficient and more effective job in regulating behavior, promoting cooperation, and facilitating the delivery of quality goods and services for the people than the federal government can.

Why do I bring this up? Because whenever there is troubled economy, and whenever institutions fail, or individuals over institutions abuse their power and harm the public, it is a temptation of the people to loose their faith in our great institutions, give up our individual freedom, and place our trust, faith and hope onto a charismatic leader or into a more powerful federal government. This is a theme in the Book of Mormon Book of Ether and the Jaredite story according to Hugh Nibley (There Were Jaredites). Also, we see in Alma the stuggle of Captain Moroni against those they called "king-men" who wanted to do away with their elected government in favor of a king who promised government appointments and power to his supporters. I am sure those who wanted to be king also made great promises to the people as well.

With this in mind, I am disturbed by something that was said by Barack Obama's Investment Banker, Chief-of-Staff, Rahm Emmanuel; who was quoted as saying we need to take advantage of this crisis situation and do things we couldn't ordinarily do. He is quoted as saying:

"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that, it's an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before. This is an opportunity, what used to be long-term problems, be in the health care area, energy area, education area, fiscal area, tax area, regulatory reform area, things that we had postponed for too long that were long-term are now immediate and must be dealt with. And this crisis provides the opportunity for us, as I would say, the opportunity to do things that you could not do before."

What Mr. Emmanuel is saying here is not in and of itself bad or wrong. But we must be careful what changes we make as a country. As an American people, certain CEO's and politicians have let us down and betrayed us. As a consequence, we see have seen in recent months the failure, and dissolution of great banking, investment, and insurance institutions. In seeing this, we need to resist the tendency to loose faith in our great institutions of our country. And, instead of centralizing more power in the federal government, we need to seek ways to strengthen the surviving organizations. Organizations and institutions which serve our nation and community by providing jobs, benifits, goods and services, as well as contributing to the preservation of our culture, liberty, and freedom.