Criticism of Mormonism/Books/No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith/Chapter 16

Claims made in "Chapter 15: The Valley of God"

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Fawn Brodie

Claims made in "Chapter 17: Ordeal in Liberty Jail"

Claim

• Joseph Smith claimed to be "a second Mohammed" and that it would eventually be "Joseph Smith or the Sword!"

Author's source(s)

• History of the Church 3;167; 3:162
• Correspondence, Orders, etc. pp. 57-9, 97-129
• Reed Peck manuscript, p. 80.

Response

•  Misrepresentation of source: the History of the Church does not support this claim.
• Joseph as Mohammed? Joseph or the sword?

Claim

• Joseph hinted that stealing the gentiles' supplies was acceptable.

Author's source(s)

• History of the Church 3;167; 3:162
• Correspondence, Orders, etc. pp. 57-9, 97-129
• Reed Peck manuscript, p. 80.

Response

• Stealing from the gentiles?

Claim

• David Patten's men looted and set fire to a store and some cabins in Gallatin.

Author's source(s)

• History of the Church 3;167; 3:162
• Correspondence, Orders, etc. pp. 57-9, 97-129
• Reed Peck manuscript, p. 80.

Response
 FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources

Claim

• Joseph "virtually admitted" that the Mormons were responsible for the looting and burning.

Author's source(s)

• History of the Church 3:316, 378; John Whitmer, "History of the Church"

Response
 FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources

Claim

• Sidney Rigdon threatened anyone who was planning to leave Far West.

Author's source(s)

• Correspondence, Orders, etc. pp. 120-5, 134-6, 143.

Response
 FAIR WIKI EDITORS: Check sources

Claim

• Orson Hyde and Thomas B. Marsh admitted that the Mormons were "burning and pillaging."

Author's source(s)

• Correspondence, Orders, etc. pp. 57-62, 76

Response

•  History unclear or in error: Hyde and Marsh later admitted they had perjured themselves, and returned to the Church.