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Joseph Smith - "follow the money"-

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  • Joseph Smith - "follow the money"-

    In looking at the "motto" of the Mormon Church in another thread, I was caught by the "Priestcraft" statement. I'll not replicate all that here.

    In following up on that, I found this statement in FairMormon's attempt to walk that fine line between "we use volunteer ministers, but our 'big guys' get paid, but only enough for their 'temporal needs'" and the condemnation of using "paid ministers".

    There was this statement: (bolding mine)

    Source: FairMormon.org

    The Doctrine and Covenants Student manual notes:

    In addition to his many responsibilities in the Church, Joseph Smith had a family, and he could not neglect them, although his responsibility was chiefly a spiritual one. Although not completely relieved from responsibility for his temporal needs at that time, the Prophet was told by the Lord to look to the Church for temporal support. Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented about those who are asked to give full-time service to the Church:

    “All our service in God’s kingdom is predicated on his eternal law which states: ‘The laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.’ (2 Nephi 26:31.)

    “We know full well that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and that those who devote all their time to the building up of the kingdom must be provided with food, clothing, shelter, and the necessaries of life. We must employ teachers in our schools, architects to design our temples, contractors to build our synagogues, and managers to run our businesses. But those so employed, along with the whole membership of the Church, participate also on a freewill and voluntary basis in otherwise furthering the Lord’s work. Bank presidents work on welfare projects. Architects leave their drafting boards to go on missions. Contractors lay down their tools to serve as home teachers or bishops. Lawyers put aside Corpus Juris and the Civil Code to act as guides on Temple Square. Teachers leave the classroom to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions. Musicians who make their livelihood from their artistry willingly direct church choirs and perform in church gatherings. Artists who paint for a living are pleased to volunteer their services freely.”[1]

    Temporal support from the members is probably only part of what is implied in these verses, however. The members were encouraged to support and sustain the Prophet in every possible way.[2]

    © Copyright Original Source



    Since Smith was to "look to the Church for temporal support", why did he....

    A) Need to run his own bank, which became a very sore point of contention, particularly in Far West, Mo.?
    2) Need to operate his own hotel?
    C) Need to run a BAR in the hotel he owned, while also preaching against alcohol?

    When God told him to "look to the Church for temporal support", did that mean the operating of businesses that would cost the church membership and benefit Smith and his family?
    The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

  • #2
    Wow, as for the BAR in the hotel Smith owned, this is about one of the DUMBEST explanations I have ever seen on FairMormon:

    Source: Fair

    The Word of Wisdom was not binding on Latter-day Saint members, and was certainly not seen as a requirement for non-members. Joseph's hotel would likely see many travelers who would be non-members, and he may have felt that his supervision would be better able to prevent the abuse and trouble which liquor often brought with it. Despite this, he seems to have gradually decided that the Mormons could not or should not impose their views on abstinence on the entire city and its population.

    Emma's concern, notably, does not have anything to do with the Word of Wisdom, but simply that she does not wish her children and home to be associated with the difficulties that came with the liquor trade, and that it looks bad for any religious leader to be in any way associated with something as disreputable as liquor.

    © Copyright Original Source



    So, Smith figured "they're gonna drink anyway, so I might as well be there to make sure they do it correctly"?

    And Emma was quite unhappy about the BAR in Smith's hotel, and made him remove it. Perhaps she should have been threatened with DESTRUCTION for not supporting her husband's concern for the proper consumption of alcohol!
    The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
      (From the Fair Article) Despite this, he seems to have gradually decided that the Mormons could not or should not impose their views on abstinence on the entire city and its population.
      So, should he have provided PROSTITUTES, as well?
      The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

      Comment

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