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Mormonism and Wikipedia/Joseph Smith, Jr./1839 - 1844
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| 1838 to 1839 | A FairMormon Analysis of Wikipedia: "Joseph Smith" A work by a collaboration of authors (Link to Wikipedia article here)
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Death |
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An analysis of Wikipedia article "Joseph Smith"
Reviews of previous revisions of this section
19 May 2009
Summary: A review of this section as it appeared in Wikipedia on 19 May 2009.Section review
Life in Nauvoo, Illinois (1839–44) Updated 9/3/2011
From the Wikipedia article:
Newspapers throughout the country criticized Missouri for expelling the Mormons,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 246–47, 259 (noting rebukes by Missouri and Illinois newspapers, and "press all over the country"); Bushman (2005) , p. 398 (Mormons were depicted as a persecuted minority).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and Illinois accepted the refugees
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 248 ("There was chronic border friction between Missouri and Illinois, and the 'Suckers' welcomed the chance to demonstrate a nobility of character foreign to the despised 'Pukes'".).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
who gathered along the banks of the Mississippi.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 381 (Saints gathered near Quincy, Illinois.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith purchased high-priced swampy woodland in the hamlet of Commerce
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 383–84 (noting that the land had strategic importance as a possible major port).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and urged his followers to move there.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 384.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Promoting the image of the Saints as an oppressed minority,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 398–99; Brodie (1971) , p. 259 (Smith "saw to it that the sufferings of his people received national publicity.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
he unsuccessfully petitioned the federal government for help in obtaining reparations.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Smith traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Martin Van Buren and Congress (Bushman (2005) , pp. 392–94; Brodie (1971) , p. 260).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
During a malaria epidemic, Smith anointed the suffering with oil and blessed them;
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 385; Brodie (1971) , p. 257. In 1841, malaria claimed the lives of one of Smith's brothers and his son, who died within eight days of each other Bushman (2005) , p. 425.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
but he also sent off the ailing Brigham Young and other members of the Quorum of the Twelve to missions in Europe.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 258 (arguing that Smith was eager to reclaim some of the prestige that had been ceded to Brigham Young while Smith was imprisoned); Bushman (2005) , p. 386 (Though many of the apostles had malaria, Smith required them to covertly slip into hostile Missouri so that Far West, now deserted, would be their point of departure on exactly 26 April 1838.); Roberts (1905) , pp. 46–47 (Revelation given in Far West in 1838: "Let them take leave of my saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next, on the building-spot of my house, saith the Lord.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
These missionaries found many willing converts in Great Britain, often factory workers, poor even by the standards of American Saints.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 409; Brodie (1971) , pp. 258, 264–65.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The religion also attracted a few wealthy and influential converts, including John C. Bennett, M.D., the Illinois quartermaster general.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 410–11.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Bennett used his connections in the Illinois legislature to obtain an unusually liberal charter for the new city,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 412; Brodie (1971) , pp. 267–68.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
which Smith named "Nauvoo" (Hebrew נָאווּ, meaning "to be beautiful").
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 415. A similar Hebrew word appears in Isaiah 52: 7.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The charter granted the city virtual autonomy, authorized a university, and granted Nauvoo habeas corpus power—which saved Smith's life by allowing him to fend off extradition to Missouri
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 110.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
from which he was still a fugitive.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 273; Bushman (2005) , p. 426. Prior to the charter, Smith had narrowly avoided two extradition attempts (Brodie (1971) , pp. 272–73; Bushman (2005) , pp. 425–26).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The charter also authorized the Nauvoo Legion an autonomous militia
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 267; Bushman (2005) , p. 412.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
with actions limited only by state and federal constitutions.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1995) , p. 106.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
"Lieutenant General" Smith and "Major General" Bennett became its commanders,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 271 (Smith "frequently jested about his outranking every military officer in the United States".); Bushman (2005) , p. 259 (noting that Bennett had effective command of the Legion).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
thereby controlling by far the largest body of armed men in Illinois.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1995) , p. 106 (The Legion had 2,000 troops in 1842, 3,000 by 1844, compared to less than 8,500 soldiers in the entire United States Army.)
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith, who was often a poor judge of character,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Ostling (Ostling) , pp. 11–12; Bushman (2005) , p. 410 (Smith "had trouble distinguishing true friends from self-serving schemers," and incorrectly stated that Bennett was "calculated to be a great blessing to our community.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
made Bennett Assistant President of the church,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 268; Quinn (1995) , p. 1067.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and Bennett was elected Nauvoo's first mayor.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 411
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Though Mormon general authorities controlled Nauvoo's civil government, the city promised an unusually liberal guarantee of religious freedom.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1995) , pp. 106–08.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The early Nauvoo years were a period of doctrinal innovation. Smith introduced baptism for the dead in 1840,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 421; Brodie (1971) , p. 282.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and in 1841, construction began on the Nauvoo Temple as a place for recovering lost ancient knowledge.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 448–49.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
An 1841 revelation promised the restoration of the "fulness of the priesthood,"
Wikipedia footnotes:
- D&C 124:28.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and in May 1842, Smith inaugurated a revised endowment or "first anointing."
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 113.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The endowment resembled rites of freemasonry that Smith had observed two months earlier when he had been initiated into the Nauvoo Masonic lodge.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 449; Quinn (1994) , pp. 114–15.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
At first the endowment was open only to men, who once initiated became part of the Anointed Quorum. For women, Smith introduced the Relief Society, a service club and sorority within which Smith predicted women would receive "the keys of the kingdom."
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 634.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith also elaborated on his plan for a millennial kingdom, no longer envisioning the building of Zion in Nauvoo.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 384 (Smith viewed Nauvoo as a compromise to his plan to build Zion).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
He now viewed Zion as encompassing all of North and South America,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 404.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
all Mormon settlements being "stakes"
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 384.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
of Zion's metaphorical tent.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- The tent–stake metaphor was derived from Isaiah 54:2.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Zion also became less a refuge from an impending Tribulation than a great building project.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 415 (noting that the time when the Millennium was to occur lengthened to "more than 40 years".)
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In the summer of 1842, Smith revealed a plan to establish the millennial Kingdom of God, which would eventually establish theocratic rule over the whole earth.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 111–12.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In April 1841, Smith secretly wed Louisa Beaman as a plural wife, and during the next two and a half years he may have married thirty additional women,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Compton (1997) , p. 11 (counting at least 33 total wives); Smith (1994) , p. 14 (counting 42 wives); Brodie (1971) , pp. 334–36 (counting 49 wives); Bushman (2005) , pp. 437, 644 (accepting Compton's count, excepting one wife); Quinn (1994) , pp. 587–88 (counting 46 wives); Remini (2002) , p. 153 (noting that the exact figure is still debated).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
ten of whom were already married to other men,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Foster (1981) ; Quinn (1994) ; Compton (1997) ; Bushman (2005) , p. 437; Launius (1988) ; Van Wagoner (1992) ; Newell (Avery) .
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and about a third of them teenagers, including two fourteen-year-old girls.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Compton (1997) , p. 11; Remini (2002) , p. 154; Brodie (1971) , pp. 334–43.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Meanwhile he publicly and repeatedly denied that he advocated polygamy.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 491.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith told at least some of his potential wives that marriage to him would ensure their spiritual exaltation.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 439; Hill (1977) , p. 355.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Although Smith's first wife Emma knew of some of these marriages, she almost certainly did not know the extent of her husband's polygamous activities.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 439.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith kept the doctrine of plural marriage secret except for potential wives and a few of his closest male associates,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 438 (Smith approached Joseph Bates Noble about marrying his wife's sister, Smith asked Bates to "keep quiet": "In revealing this to you I have placed my life in your hands, therefore do not in an evil hour betray me to my enemies." Noble performed the ceremony "in a grove near Main Street with Louisa in man's clothing.")
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
including Bennett. Smith's plural relationships were preceded by a "priesthood marriage," which Smith believed legitimized the relationships and made them non-adulterous. Bennett, on the other hand, ignored even perfunctory ceremonies.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 311–12; Bushman (2005) , p. 460 (Bennett told women he was seducing that illicit sex was acceptable among the Saints so long as it was kept secret). Bennett, a minimally trained doctor, also promised abortions to any who might became pregnant.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
When embarrassing rumors of "spiritual wifery" got abroad, Smith forced Bennett's resignation as Nauvoo mayor. In retaliation, Bennett wrote "lurid exposés of life in Nauvoo."
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Ostling (Ostling) , p. 12; Bushman (2005) , pp. 461–62; Brodie (1971) , p. 314.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
By mid-1842, popular opinion had turned against the Saints.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 436.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Thomas C. Sharp, editor of the Warsaw Signal became a sharp critic after Smith attacked the paper.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 427–28.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
When Lilburn Boggs, the Governor of Missouri, was shot by an unknown assailant on May 6, 1842, many suspected Smith's involvement
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 468. Boggs survived the attack.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
because of rumors that Smith had predicted his assassination.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 323 (noting rumors that Smith had predicted in 1840 that Boggs would meet a violent death within a year, and that Smith offered a $500 reward for his death); Quinn (1994) , p. 113 (noting that Smith held Boggs responsible for the Haun's Mill massacre).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Evidence suggests that the shooter was Porter Rockwell, a former Danite and one of Smith's bodyguards.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 113; Bushman (2005) , p. 468 (stating the evidence was circumstantial).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith went into hiding, but he ultimately avoided extradition to Missouri because any involvement in the crime would have occurred in Illinois.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 468–75.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Rockwell was tried and acquitted.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 468. Rockwell later acquired "a reputation as a gunslinging lawman in Utah."
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In June 1843, Illinois Governor Thomas Ford issued an extradition writ against Smith, but Smith countered with a Nauvoo writ of habeas corpus.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 504–08.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Ford later wrote that this incident caused a majority of Illinois residents to favor expelling Mormons from Illinois.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 508.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In 1843, Emma reluctantly allowed Smith to marry four women who had been living in the Smith household—two of whom Smith had already married without her knowledge.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 339; Bushman (2005) , p. 494; Remini (2002) , pp. 152–53.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Emma also participated with Smith in the first "sealing" ceremony, intended to bind their marriage for eternity.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 638 (first Mormon sealing); Bushman (2005) , p. 494.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
However, Emma soon regretted her decision to accept plural marriage and forced the other wives from the household,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 339.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
nagging Smith to abandon the practice.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 340.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith dictated a revelation pressuring Emma to accept,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Hill (1989) , p. 119 ("By assuring Emma that her salvation would be virtually certain and all but the unpardonable sin would be merely visited 'with judgment in the flesh,' Smith placed enormous pressure on his reluctant wife to accept plural marriage."; Bushman (2005) , pp. 495–96; Brodie (1971) , pp. 340–341 (revelation indicated Emma would be "destroyed" if she refused polygamy); Roberts (1909) , pp. 505–06 ("A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith,...[that she] receive all those [wives] that have been given unto my servant Joseph.... But if [Emma] will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.")
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
but the revelation only made her furious.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 496 (Emma abused Hyrum Smith when Joseph sent him to Emma with the revelation); Hill (1989) , p. 119 (noting that according to William Clayton, Emma "did not believe a word of [the revelation] and appeared very rebellious.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Nevertheless, in the fall of 1843, after Smith allowed women to be initiated into the Anointed Quorum,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 36 (arguing that Smith extended the priesthood to women through the Endowment, rather than through ordination).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Emma participated with Smith in the first second anointing.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 640.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
According to Smith, this ritual was the prophesied "fulness of the priesthood"(sic) in which participants were ordained "kings and priests of the Most High God" and thus fulfilled what Smith called "[a] perfect law of Theocracy."
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 115.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The Anointed Quorum became Smith's advisory body for political matters.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 115–18.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In December 1843, under the authority of the Anointed Quorum,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 115–16 ("Such decisions were made by the formality of 'a vote' after the 'true order of prayer' and the announcement of God's revelation on the subject.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith petitioned Congress to make Nauvoo an independent territory with the right to call out federal troops in its defense.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 511; Brodie (1971) , p. 356; Quinn (1994) , pp. 115–116 (noting that the Anointed Quorum also authorized "a proclamation to the kings of the earth," but Smith never sent it). Smith also threatened Congress. The Millennial Star later quoted Smith as having said that "if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them, and there shall be nothing left of them—not even a grease spot." Quoted in Brodie, 356.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith then wrote the leading presidential candidates and asked them what they would do to protect the Mormons. After receiving noncommittal or negative responses, Smith announced his own third-party candidacy for President of the United States, suspending regular proselytizing
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 119
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and sending out the Quorum of the Twelve and hundreds of other political missionaries.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 118–19 (the Anointed Quorum chose Sidney Rigdon as Smith's running mate);Bushman (2005) , pp. 514–15; Brodie (1971) , pp. 362–64.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In March 1844, following a dispute with a federal bureaucrat,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 121 (The day before the Council was organized, word reached Smith that a U.S. Indian agent was interfering with acquisition of lumber needed for the Nauvoo Temple).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith organized the secret Council of Fifty
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 120–22 (noting that the Council was authorized by a revelation, and members committed to keep what Smith said during the organizational meeting secret); Bushman (2005) , p. 519.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
with authority to decide which national or state laws Mormons should obey.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 121.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The Council was also to select a site for a large Mormon settlement in Texas, California, or Oregon,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 517.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
where Mormons could live under theocratic law beyond other governmental control.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 517.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In effect, the Council was a shadow world government,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 521 (noting that in April, Smith prophesied "the entire overthrow of this nation in a few years," at which time his Kingdom of God would be prepared to take power); Ostling (Ostling) , p. 13 (As if they had just organized an independent state, Smith and the Council sent ambassadors to England, France, Russia, and the Republic of Texas); Remini (2002) , p. 166.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
a first step toward creating a global "theodemocracy".
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 521–22 (noting use of the term theodemocracy); Ostling (Ostling) , pp. 13, 15 The council included only three non-Mormons, two of whom were apparently counterfeiters.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
One of the Council's first acts was to elect Smith as "prophet, priest and king" of the millennial monarchy.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- "In an act shocking to democratic sensibilities, at the Council of Fifty meeting of April 11, 1844, 'Prest J[oseph] was voted our P[rophet] p[riest] and K[ing]...Monarchy did not repel Joseph as it did other Americans. A righteous king was the best kind of ruler, the Book of Mormon had taught. The office of king came out of temple rituals where other Saints were anointed 'kings and priests,' according to prescriptions in the Revelation of St. John, but here the title had overt political implications. Joseph was to be king in the Kingdom of God, or 'King and Ruler over Israel.' His election as king did not alter his behavior or give him additional power. . . but it did indicate Joseph’s frame of mind." Bushman (2005) , p. 523
FAIR's analysis:
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 .
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- Harris, Martin, (1859), Mormonism—No. II off-site .
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- 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 .
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- Matzko, John, (2007), The Encounter of the Young Joseph Smith with Presbyterianism off-site .
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- (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.
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- Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
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- 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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