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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith/Chapter 11
Response to claims made in "Chapter 11: Patronage and Punishment"
| Claims made in "Chapter 10: The Army of the Lord" | A FAIR Analysis of: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith A work by author: Fawn Brodie
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Claims made in "Chapter 12: Master of Languages" |
159 - Zion's Camp was a "major failure" for Joseph Smith
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
Zion's Camp was a "major failure" for Joseph Smith.
Author's sources: Author's opinion.
FAIR's Response
159 - Men and women had died in Missouri Joseph Smith's name
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
Men and women had died in Missouri Joseph Smith's name.
Author's sources: Author's opinion.
FAIR's Response
159 - Joseph decided that he could no longer give out "incidental" revelations after the Missouri trials
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
Joseph decided that he could no longer give out "incidental" revelations after the Missouri trials.
Author's sources: Author's opinion.
FAIR's Response
162 - The Kirtland High Council complained that the Apostles had too much power
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
The Kirtland High Council complained that the Apostles had too much power.
Author's sources: History of the Church 2:240
FAIR's Response
See Quote mining—History of the Church 2:240 to see how this quote was mined. History of the Church 2:240 states,
The time has come when we are about to separate, and when we shall meet again, God only knows. We therefore feel to ask him whom we have acknowledged to be our Prophet and Seer that he enquire of God for us and obtain a written revelation (if consistent) that we may look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be comforted. Our worthiness has not inspired us to make this request but our unworthiness.
How did the author interpret this to mean that the High Council complained that the Apostles had too much power?
Quote mining analysis
The quote and its use by the critic(s):
| List | Actual quote | Critical use |
|---|---|---|
* |
The time has come when we are about to separate, and when we shall meet again, God only knows. We therefore feel to ask him whom we have acknowledged to be our Prophet and Seer that he enquire of God for us and obtain a written revelation (if consistent) that we may look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be comforted. Our worthiness has not inspired us to make this request but our unworthiness. |
The Kirtland High Council complained that the Apostles had too much power. |
Analysis
- The complaint is not that the Twelve have too much power, but that they are not conducting themselves as they ought to, and that the wrong impression is being given to the scattered branches of the church through with whom the Twelve are working.
162 - Henry Green was cut off from the church simply because of a remark made that Joseph was "extorting" the cost of a book
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
Henry Green was cut off from the church simply because of a remark made that Joseph was "extorting" the cost of a book.
Author's sources: History of the Church 2:275
FAIR's Response
Minutes of a High Council Held in Kirtland, September 16th, 1835.
The trial of Elder Henry Green—Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and Frederick G. Williams presiding.
A complaint was preferred by President Joseph Smith, Jun., against Brother Henry Green, for accusing President Joseph Smith, Jun., "of rebuking Brother Aldridge wrongfully, and under the influence of an evil spirit."
Brother Green being absent, President Rigdon arose and said, that it was the decision of the Presidency, that the Council proceed to examine the charge preferred, because Brother Green had been regularly summoned by himself.
The Council appointed one to speak on each side; after which the following testimony was heard:
Elder Sylvester Smith testified that Brother Green, on Monday morning last, said that Brother Aldridge was justified in what he said, and that Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Smith were wrong in abusing the old man; and after Elder Smith explained the matter to him, said, that if any man should do so by him, he should call him a scoundrel; and that he should say that any man who would talk as Joseph did, must have the devil in him.
Elder Lorin Babbitt said he was present when the above conversation took place, and heard a considerable part of it, and fully concurred in the statement of Elder Smith; and he heard Brother Green say, previous to the above talk, that although they accused Brother Aldridge of having an evil spirit, yet, if the truth were known, the devil was in them, (namely, Presidents Joseph and Hyrum); for if any man should ask my opinion, and then abuse me in that way, I should call him a scoundrel or a knave.
President Cowdery stated to the Council, that Brother Aldridge was not called upon to give his opinion concerning the book, but said what he did without being called upon to speak; for the book was only handed to him and others to look at, that they might see the quality and goodness.
President Joseph Smith arose and stated that he knew that Brother Aldridge was under the influence of an evil spirit, and had been for a long time.
Councilor Orson Johnson also said that he knew that this was so, by what he had seen and learned, and that he had heard from credible authority, that the old gentleman had been in the habit, for a long time, of neglecting prayer and family worship.
Councilor Samuel H. Smith said, that President Joseph Smith was in the line of his duty when he reproved Brother Aldridge for his evil; and, consequently, Brother Green must have been wrong in opposing him, and saying he [Joseph] acted like a scoundrel, and that the devil was in him.
[Page 275]
Councilor Levi Jackman said that Brother Green could not be justified in opposing the servant of the Lord, while in the actual discharge of his duty, and that it was evident that Satan hath sought to make divisions in the Church, and had taken advantage of the occasion of presenting the book, to do this.
The book referred to, was purchased for recording "The Patriarchal Blessings."
President Frederick G. Williams said, that the wickedness of Brother Green in condemning President Smith is evident from the testimony; and that Brother Aldridge also did act foolishly, and by the influence of a wrong spirit, in questioning the integrity of the head of the Church, in the purchase of the book, and that President Smith was and is justifiable in doing as he has done in the matter, and should not be censured, as he has been by Brother Green.
President Oliver Cowdery then arose, and showed, by a few plain remarks who Satan had sought, from the beginning, to destroy the Book of Mormon; and in order to do this, had been actually levelling his shafts against the servants of God, who were called to bring it forth and bear testimony of it to the world; and now had sought occasion against the servants of God, in tempting brethren to say they had equivocated in the price of the record book, which was presented last Sabbath; and that Brother Aldridge, and perhaps others, fell under this evil influence, and Brother Green justifies them in this thing, and condemns President Smith, and is not, and ought not to be justified in so doing.
President Cowdery went on to show that the book was purchased as cheap as it could be, and was actually worth what was given for it, namely, twelve dollars.
Elder Cahoon requested leave to interrupt President Cowdery a moment, to inform the Council that, a moment before, Brother Green passed the house, and when the speaker told him the Council was considering his case, and requested him to come in, he said he should go about his own business, so went on his way regardless of the Council.
President Cowdery resumed, showing that the design of Brother Aldridge, or at least of the spirit that was in him, was to destroy the character of the heads of the Church, by charging that we intended to speculate out of the brethren, and extort from them more than the cost of the book; and now, instead of regarding our feeling, he disregards us altogether, and shows that he has no faith in the High Council.
[Page 276]
Soon afterwards Brother Green came in, and said that he had been detained longer than he intended, having been to Chagrin on business, and had to deliver the horse and harness to the owner before he could attend the Council.
President Rigdon then arose and decided that Brother Green should not have been hindered from being here, by any other business; and if so, he should have notified the Council, and requested an adjournment.
President Cowdery then observed, that he thought the case sufficiently brought before the Council, and would say no more. And President Rigdon proceeded to give his decision—that Brother Green should have gone, if he were grieved with President Smith, and told him of his difficulty, and should not have said anything about it to his neighbor. And again, that Mr. Aldridge, as has been shown, has been guilty of neglecting his prayers before God, and therefore has not had the Spirit of God to preserve him from the temptations of Satan, and has fallen into evil, and actually did do wrong in raising objections to the price of the book presented last Sabbath, and was under the influence of an evil spirit.
Brother Green fellowships the evil spirit in Brother Aldridge, and says he is justified in what he has done, and therefore it is evident that an evil spirit is reigning in the breast of Brother Green. And it is also as evident, that President Joseph Smith, Jun., was justified in rebuking that evil spirit, and it was not only justifiable in President Smith to rebuke that evil spirit, but it was also his duty as President and First High Priest in the Church of Christ, appointed of God to lead the same in all righteousness.
The decision, then, of the Presidency of the High Council is, in short, that Brother Green be and is now, excluded from this Church, and shall be a member no more, until he comes in by the ordinance of baptism, as appointed by the Gospel, to be done in the Church.
This was agreed to by all the Councilors except Joseph Coe, who queried whether Mr. Green should not have the privilege of confessing his faults, and still be retained in the Church. He therefore thought that it was the privilege of Brother Green to have a reorganization of the Council, and a rehearing. This was about to be granted and the council to be adjourned till tomorrow, but Councilor Coe requested some explanation from the President, and was instructed as follows:—
"When a serious offense is committed, and indignity offered to the High Council, then it is the privilege of the Presidency of the High Council to stamp it with indignation under foot, and cut off the offender as in the case just decided."
Councilor Coe then withdrew his objection to the decision of the Presidency, which was acknowledged by the whole house, and council adjourned. [1]
[Page 277]
Sylvester Smith, Clerk.
165 - Joseph was "vain" regarding his "wrestling prowess"
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
Joseph was "vain" regarding his "wrestling prowess."
Author's sources: Author's opinion.
FAIR's Response
166 - The Word of Wisdom was not given by "commandment or constraint" because Joseph was "too fond of earthly pleasures"
The author(s) of No Man Knows My History make(s) the following claim:
The Word of Wisdom was not given by "commandment or constraint" because Joseph was "too fond of earthly pleasures."
Author's sources: Author's opinion.
FAIR's Response
167
Claim
- Joseph did not take the Word of Wisdom seriously.
Author's source(s) - Author's opinion.
Notes
- ↑ History of the Church 2:274-277.