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Mormonism and Wikipedia/Joseph Smith, Jr./Distinctive views and teachings
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An analysis of Wikipedia article "Joseph Smith, Jr." (Version January 2010)
Distinctive views and teachings (Section Version 1/9/2010)
Religious authority and ethics (Section Version 1/9/2010)
| - | Wikipedia Main Article: Joseph Smith, Jr.– | Wikipedia Footnotes: Joseph Smith, Jr.–Notes | A FAIR Opinion |
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As a restorationist, Smith taught that there had been a Great Apostasy during which the true Christian faith had been lost. He viewed his 1830 Church of Christ as a restoration of that original faith and Jesus' only authorized church. In 1829, he organized a clergy of elders, priests, and teachers with power to baptize (later called the Aaronic priesthood). In 1831, influential convert Sidney Rigdon suggested that the elders of the church required the same Pentecostal power endowed on the Twelve Apostles, and Smith had a revelation that created a High Priesthood (later called the Melchizedek priesthood). In Smith's view, further endowment of priestly power attended the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and the Nauvoo Endowment ceremony of 1843, which was bestowed on women as well as men and prepared them to be "priests and priestesses" in the afterlife. |
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Smith also introduced as revelations from God a number of behavioral guidelines for church members, among which was what he called the "Word of Wisdom." Smith recommended that Saints avoid liquor, wine (except sacramental wine), tobacco, meat (except in times of famine or cold weather), and "hot drinks." |
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But Smith did not always follow this counsel himself. Smith's revelations treated sexual sins, including adultery, almost as seriously as murder; |
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however, he did not consider polygamy adultery even if the polygamous wife were married to another man. |
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Smith tried unsuccessfully to implement a form of religious communism, called the United Order by requiring Saints to consecrate all their property to the church. After this system proved a conspicuous failure, he instituted a tithing system to support the work of the church. |
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Politics and law
| - | Wikipedia Main Article: Joseph Smith, Jr.– | Wikipedia Footnotes: Joseph Smith, Jr.–Notes | A FAIR Opinion |
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Smith advocated the establishment of a theocratic millennial kingdom that included elements of democracy, or as he called it, "theodemocracy." This world-wide kingdom was ultimately to be ruled by Jesus, but Smith believed that he needed to establish earthly mechanisms for its governance. Thus, shortly before his death, Smith established a Council of Fifty to be its legislature, and he had the Council secretly anoint him as "King and President." Although his envisioned theocratic kingdom did not have the same structure as the United States Constitution, he considered that document divinely inspired and in general endorsed constitutional rights and privileges. |
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On matters of public policy, Smith disfavored slavery, but he was not a strict abolitionist, believing that the government ought to redeem slaves with money generated from sale of public lands. He favored capital punishment but opposed hanging and preferring methods that involved the spilling of blood such as the firing squad or beheading. |
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Smith disfavored imprisonment of convicts except for murder, preferring efforts to reform criminals through labor. |
Eschatology and cosmology
| - | Wikipedia Main Article: Joseph Smith, Jr.– | Wikipedia Footnotes: Joseph Smith, Jr.–Notes | A FAIR Opinion |
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Smith's eschatology was tied to his political views: the Millennium would be a world-wide democratic political kingdom ruled by Jesus. But this kingdom had to be prepared beforehand to unite with Him, like a bride preparing for marriage to her groom. Smith expected to establish a City of Zion where Saints would gather prior to a great battle between Zion and the nations of the world. Jesus would then return to earth to establish political control over the earth for a thousand years. After this millennium would come Judgment Day and the resurrection, where all mankind would be assigned to one of three heavenly kingdoms. | ||
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In sermons and revelations presented late in his life, Smith declared that God the Father and Jesus have physical bodies, that God the Father was once a man just like human mortals, |
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and that mortal men and women may one day become gods and goddesses in the afterlife. Smith taught that human spirits are immutable, and had neither a beginning nor an end. |
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He taught that spirits existed in a pre-mortal life and that the spirits of human beings are composed of a very refined matter. In the afterlife, spirits of properly initiated Latter Day Saints go to a spirit world where they gradually gain the knowledge they need to achieve godhood. |
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Those who died as children, he taught, would automatically rule as gods in the afterlife without ever growing to adulthood. |
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Smith taught that those who achieve godhood or goddess-hood will constitute the highest of three "degrees" within the highest of three heavens. | ||
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Smith did not believe in the creation of the universe ex nihilo but rather believed that the earth had been organized from existing matter billions of years before. He believed the earth itself was just one of many inhabited worlds and that God resided near a planet or star called Kolob. |
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Family
| - | Wikipedia Main Article: Joseph Smith, Jr.– | Wikipedia Footnotes: Joseph Smith, Jr.–Notes | A FAIR Opinion |
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Confidentially to a few of his closest followers and potential wives, Smith originated Mormon polygamy (also called "plural marriage"). While he publicly denied the doctrine and called it adultery, he secretly taught that polygamy (specifically, polygyny) was a divine commandment. Smith himself married approximately thirty to forty women, and his plural marriages included polyandry: several of his plural wives were already married to other men. |
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Smith taught that plural marriage was part of the "New and Everlasting Covenant," a special Mormon marriage ceremony binding partners, including polygamous partners, for eternity. Anyone taught this principle had a duty to practice it or be damned. |
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Once entered into this covenant, however, they could be sealed to their exaltation so that as long as they did not commit the murder of an innocent or the eternal sin, they were guaranteed salvation. |
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Those within the New and Everlasting Covenant would be given continued posterity both in mortality and in the afterlife. |
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References
| Wikipedia references for "Joseph Smith, Jr." |
- Abanes, Richard, (2003), One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church Thunder's Mouth Press
- Allen, James B., The Significance of Joseph Smith's "First Vision" in Mormon Thought off-site .
- (1992), The Mormon Experience University of Illinois Press .
- (1980), The Lion and the Lady: Brigham Young and Emma Smith off-site .
- Bergera, Gary James (editor) (1989), Line Upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine Signature Books .
- Bloom, Harold, (1992), The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation Simon & Schuster .
- Booth, Ezra, Mormonism—Nos. VIII–IX (Letters to the editor) off-site .
- Brodie, Fawn M., (1971), No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith Knopf .
- Brooke, , (1994), The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644–1844 Cambridge University Press .
- Bushman, Richard Lyman, (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling , New York: Knopf .
- Clark, John A., (1842), Gleanings by the Way , Philadelphia: W.J. & J.K Simmon off-site .
- Compton, Todd, (1997), In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith Signature Books .
- Foster, Lawrence, (1981), Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community , New York: Oxford University Press .
- Harris, Martin, (1859), Mormonism—No. II off-site .
- Hill, Donna, (1977), Joseph Smith: The first Mormon , Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co. .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1976), Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties off-site .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1989), Quest for Refuge: The Mormon Flight from American Pluralism Signature Books off-site .
- Howe, Eber Dudley, (1834), Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of that Singular Imposition and Delusion, from its Rise to the Present Time , Painesville, Ohio: Telegraph Press off-site .
- Hullinger, Robert N., (1992), Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism Signature Books off-site .
- Jessee, Dean, (1976), Joseph Knight's Recollection of Early Mormon History off-site .
- Lapham, [La]Fayette, (1870), Interview with the Father of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, Forty Years Ago. His Account of the Finding of the Sacred Plates off-site .
- Larson, Stan, (1978), The King Follett Discourse: A Newly Amalgamated Text off-site .
- Mormon History off-site .
- Mack, Solomon, (1811), A Narraitve [sic] of the Life of Solomon Mack Windsor: Solomon Mack off-site .
- (1994), Inventing Mormonism Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (1999), The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text and Commentary Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (2005), The Rise of Mormonism: 1816–1844 Xulon Press .
- Matzko, John, (2007), The Encounter of the Young Joseph Smith with Presbyterianism off-site .
- Morgan, Dale, Walker, John Phillip (editor) (1986), Dale Morgan on Early Mormonism: Correspondence and a New History Signature Books off-site .
- (2008), Joseph Smith Jr.: reappraisals after two centuries Oxford University Press .
- Newell, Linda King, (1994), Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith University of Illinois Press .
- (1999), Mormon America: The Power and the Promise HarperSanFrancisco .
- Persuitte, David, (2000), Joseph Smith and the origins of the Book of Mormon McFarland & Co. .
- Phelps, W.W. (editor) (1833), A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ , Zion: William Wines Phelps & Co. off-site .
- Prince, Gregory A, (1995), Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1994), The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1998), Early Mormonism and the Magic World View Signature Books .
- Remini, , (2002), Joseph Smith: A Penguin Life Penguin Group .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1904), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1905), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1909), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Shipps, Jan, (1985), Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition University of Illinois Press .
- Smith, George D., (1994), Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841–46: A Preliminary Demographic Report off-site .
- Smith, George D, (2008), Nauvoo Polygamy: "...but we called it celestial marriage" Signature Books .
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1830), The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi , Palmyra, New York: E. B. Grandin off-site . See Book of Mormon.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1832), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book .
- Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1839–1843), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith Deseret Book .
- (1835), Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God , Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co off-site . See Doctrine and Covenants.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Church History [Wentworth Letter] off-site . See Wentworth letter.
- Smith, Lucy Mack, (1853), Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations , Liverpool: S.W. Richards off-site . See The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother
- Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
- Turner, Orsamus, (1852), History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and Morris' Reserve , Rochester, New York: William Alling off-site .
- Joseph Smith: The Gift of Seeing off-site .
- Van Wagoner, Richard S., (1992), Mormon Polygamy: A History Signature Books .
- Vogel, Dan, (1994), The Locations of Joseph Smith's Early Treasure Quests off-site .
- Vogel, Dan, (2004), Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet Signature Books .
- Widmer, Kurt, (2000), Mormonism and the Nature of God: A Theological Evolution, 1830–1915 McFarland .
Further reading
Mormonism and Wikipedia
FairMormon's approach to Wikipedia articles
FairMormon regularly receives queries about specific LDS-themed Wikipedia articles with requests that we somehow "fix" them. Although some individual members of FAIR may choose to edit Wikipedia articles, FairMormon as an organization does not. Controversial Wikipedia articles require constant maintenance and a significant amount of time. We prefer instead to respond to claims in the FAIR Wiki rather than fight the ongoing battle that LDS Wikipedia articles sometimes invite. From FAIR’s perspective, assertions made in LDS-themed Wikipedia articles are therefore treated just like any other critical (or, if one prefers, "anti-Mormon") work. As those articles are revised and updated, we will periodically update our reviews to match.
Who can edit Wikipedia articles?
Editors who wish to participate in editing LDS-themed Wikipedia articles can access the project page here: Wikipedia:WikiProject Latter Day Saint movement. You are not required to be LDS in order to participate—there are a number of good non-LDS editors who have made valuable contributions to these articles.
Recommendations when editing Wikipedia articles
FAIR does not advocate removing any references from Wikipedia articles. The best approach to editing Wikipedia is to locate solid references to back up your position and add them rather than attempting to remove information. Individuals who intend to edit should be aware that posting information related to the real-world identities of Wikipedia editors will result in their being banned from editing Wikipedia. Attacking editors and attempting to "out" them on Wikipedia is considered very bad form. The best approach is to treat all Wikipedia editors, whether or not you agree or disagree with their approach, with respect and civility. An argumentative approach is not constructive to achieving a positive result, and will simply result in what is called an "edit war." Unfortunately, not all Wikipedia editors exhibit good faith toward other editors (see, for example, the comment above from "Duke53" or comments within these reviews made by John Foxe's sockpuppet "Hi540," both of whom repeatedly mocked LDS beliefs and LDS editors prior to their being banned.)
Do LDS editors control Wikipedia?
Although there exist editors on Wikipedia who openly declare their affiliation with the Church, they do not control Wikipedia. Ironically, some critics of the Church periodically falsely accuse Wikipedia editors of being LDS simply because they do not accept the critics' desired spin on a particular article.
Do "anti-Mormons" control Wikipedia?
Again, the answer is no. The truth is that Wikipedia is generally self-policing. Highly contentious articles do tend to draw the most passionate supporters and critics.
Why do certain LDS articles seem to be so negative?
Although some LDS-related Wikipedia articles may appear to have a negative tone, they are in reality quite a bit more balanced than certain critical works such as One Nation Under Gods. Although many critical editors often accuse LDS-related Wikipedia articles of being "faith promoting" or claim that they are just an extension of the Sunday School manual, this is rarely the case. Few, if any, Latter-day Saints would find Wikipedia articles to be "faith promoting." Generally, the believers think that the articles are too negative and the critics believe that the articles are too positive. LDS Wikipedia articles should be informative without being overtly faith promoting. However, most of the primary sources, including the words of Joseph Smith himself, are "faith promoting." This presents a dilemma for Wikipedia editors who want to remain neutral. The unfortunate consequence is that Joseph's words are rewritten and intermixed with contradictory sources, resulting in boring and confusing prose.
We examine selected Wikipedia articles and examine them on a "claim-by-claim" basis, with links to responses in the FairMormon Answers Wiki. Wikipedia articles are constantly evolving. As a result, the analysis of each article will be updated periodically in order to bring it more into line with the current version of the article. The latest revision date may be viewed at the top of each individual section. The process by which Wikipedia articles are reviewed is the following:
- Update each Wikipedia passage and its associated footnotes.
- Examine the use of sources and determine whether or not the passage accurately represents the source used.
- Provide links to response articles within the FairMormon Answers Wiki.
- If violation of Wikipedia rules is discovered, identify which Wikipedia editor (by pseudonym) made the edit, provide a description of the rule violated and a link to the Wikipedia "diff" showing the actual edit.
- If a violated rule is later corrected in a subsequent revision, the violation is removed and a notation is added that the passage is correct per cited sources. This doesn't mean that FAIR necessarily agrees with the passage—only that it is correct based upon the source used.
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, "Mormonism and Wikipedia: The Church History That “Anyone Can Edit”"
Roger Nicholson, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, (2012)The ability to quickly and easily access literature critical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been made significantly easier through the advent of the Internet. One of the primary sites that dominates search engine results is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that “anyone can edit.” Wikipedia contains a large number of articles related to Mormonism that are edited by believers, critics, and neutral parties. The reliability of information regarding the Church and its history is subject to the biases of the editors who choose to modify those articles. Even if a wiki article is thoroughly sourced, editors sometimes employ source material in a manner that supports their bias. This essay explores the dynamics behind the creation of Wikipedia articles about the Church, the role that believers and critics play in that process, and the reliability of the information produced in the resulting wiki articles.
Click here to view the complete article
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