Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher: A Discourse E-Book

B. H. Roberts

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

In "Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher: A Discourse," B. H. Roberts presents a meticulously crafted exploration of the life and teachings of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Through a combination of scholarly analysis and personal narrative, Roberts contextualizes Smith's role as both a religious leader and an educator, addressing the theological and social impact of his teachings. The discourse blends historical documentation with Roberts's own theological insights, characteristic of the early 20th-century Mormon intellectual tradition, prompting readers to grapple with the complexities of Smith's visionary leadership against the backdrop of American religious thought. B. H. Roberts, an esteemed Mormon historian and theologian, was deeply involved in the intellectual and spiritual currents of his time, which greatly influenced his work. His extensive background in church history, combined with his commitment to the Restoration movement, positioned him uniquely to articulate Smith's significance. Roberts's efforts to reconcile faith and reason reflect the challenges faced by early Latter Day Saints in a rapidly modernizing society, illustrating the depth of Smith's influence through both personal conviction and scholarly pursuit. Readers interested in the intersections of religion, education, and American history will find "Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher: A Discourse" an invaluable resource. Roberts'Äôs articulate prowess and thoughtful reflections offer profound insights into Smith's teachings, appealing not only to Mormon scholars but to all those interested in the dynamics of faith and leadership in American religious history.

Leseprobe

B. H. Roberts

Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher: A Discourse

Published by Good Press, 2022

[email protected]

EAN 4064066207205

Table of Contents

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

I.

Table of Contents

A GREAT POSSIBILITY.

"It is by no means improbable that some future text-book, for the use of generations yet unborn, will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written: Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet. And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants. History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. The man who established a religion in this age of free debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High—such a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory epithets."

Reading that passage a few days ago, I asked the question: Is this rather remarkable semi-prediction of Quincy's in the way of fulfillment? Tomorrow will be the one hundred and second anniversary of our Prophet's birth. It is more than one hundred years since he came to earth, and sixty-three years since he departed from it. What evidence is there before the world that would lead any serious-minded person to believe that this prediction I have read in your hearing may find fulfillment? "Certainly," men will begin to say, "enough time has elapsed to develop the character of your Prophet's work; whether he built of wood, hay, stubble, or of gold or precious stones. Is his influence to be merely transient and local or did he really deal with some universal and permanent truths that must remain to influence mankind?"

II.

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HISTORICAL AMERICANS.

As introductory to these considerations, let us think about some of these historical Americans whose influence upon their countrymen is to be eclipsed, perhaps, by the "Mormon Prophet." Among our patriots and statesmen will be remembered Patrick Henry, with his doctrine of the inherent right of revolution against intolerable oppression; Jefferson, and his "Declaration of Independence" and the "Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom," the principle of which finally found its way into our national and state Constitutions; Alexander Hamilton and his political interpretation of the constitutional powers of our general government; Webster and his doctrine of the sacredness of the American Union of States—the statesman of nationalism; Monroe, with the doctrine which bears his name, politically segregating the American continents from Europe, and dedicating the western world to free institutions; Lincoln, with his doctrine of the rightfulness of personal freedom for every man, woman and child of Adam's race—the doctrine of the universal application of the self-evident principles of the Declaration of Independence—the right of men to live, to be free, to pursue happiness—principles he invoked in behalf of the African race in the United States. Among inventors will be remembered Fulton, Whitney, Morse and Edison; among the philosophers, practical and speculative, Franklin, Emerson and John Fiske; among the poets, Longfellow, Poe, Whitman, and Lowell; among the preachers and theologians, Jonathan Edwards and his cruel orthodoxy; Wm. E. Channing and his Unitarian liberalism; Henry Ward Beecher and his successor, Lyman Abbott, with their efforts at reconciliation of Christianity and evolution.

This enumeration does not exhaust the list of historical Americans who have powerfully influenced their countrymen, but it will not be doubted that they represent the very chief of the respective groups that have so influenced their countrymen.

Thinking of the achievements of these great Americans, and weighing the influence of each upon his countrymen, do you not really think, even with Josiah Quincy on our side, it looks presumptuous in us to hold that Joseph Smith may yet exert a greater influence over his countrymen than any one of these, his compatriots? That is the question I propose to put on trial here this afternoon.