Kirtland Safety Society

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The Kirtland Safety Society

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Kirtland Safety Society

What is the Kirtland Safety Society and why did it fail?

Summary: Some people attack Joseph Smith over the Kirtland Safety Society (KSS) on multiple grounds: 1) they claim the KSS was a "wildcat bank," 2) they claim that the bank was illegal, and that the Church broke the law by founding it, 3) they claim it was a money-making scheme for Joseph, and 4) they claim its failure proves Joseph was not a prophet.

Boxes filled with sand

Summary: It is claimed that Joseph Smith misled investors in the Kirtland Safety Society by collecting boxes full of sand with money placed on top, in order to make it appear that the bank had more hard money than it did.

False charges against Warren Parrish

Summary: It is claimed that Joseph Smith lied about Warren Parrish, falsely charging him with financial misconduct, and trying to shift the blame.

Good as gold

Summary: Joseph Smith's claim that Kirtland Safety Society notes would be "as good as gold."

Warren Parrish and Kirtland Safety Society "revelation"

Summary: Fawn Brodie claimed that "The bank was said to have been established by a revelation from God...."