Beliefs > Question & Answer > The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Question

I have a question. I am starting to doubt my faith. I have asked my church (I am LDS) about certain "FACTS" that I have heard about through either books or television specials and the answers totally conflict with what history says. Have you ever faced this delima before and if so what did you do? For example, I have asked about Joseph Smith being in jail for murder, the church never tells you that, but watching a PBS special I learned of this. And the fact that some men had several wives. I asked about this and my home teacher at the time told me this was not true, that the men were just caring for wives of comrades that had gone of to war. I am sorry but we all know that this was true at some time, so why would the try to cover it up now. I want to BELIEVE but it is difficult when the people you so trust to tell you the truth are not honest with you.

Response

The Prophet Joseph Smith along with his brother Hyrum and other leaders of the Church were falsely accused of all kinds of crimes including murder, treason and anything else that the enemy mobsters could think up. They were all trumped up accusations and he was never charged with any of them. He was beaten, tarred and feathered, held in prison for months on end and eventually murdered along with Hyrum. The very worst enemies were some who, for one reason or another, left the church and began to fight against it. For example, a letter was sent to Governor Boggs of Missouri claiming that Joseph Smith and his followers were collecting arms and explosives with the idea of overtaking the government in that area by force. This could not have been farther from the truth but it prompted the governor to issue the famous "extermination order" that all Mormons were to be killed or driven out. Joseph and Hyrum and a few others surrendered themselves hoping to save the others. It sort of worked out even though there was much bloodshed and the prisoners, held under the most gross conditions, and occasionally faced execution. They were chained and paraded in front of the people who had been fed these same lies and kept in a dungeon jail for several months. They were scheduled for execution but one General put his foot down and insisted that they had broken no law and threatened the frantic perpetrators with justice if they persisted. Of the Prophet and his brother's martyrdom, the apostle, John Taylor, who was with them at the time of their deaths, wrote: "They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot be rejected by any court on earth." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 135:7) The spirit of Satan was very active and deeply embedded in the hearts of the wicked men of that day. The restoration of the gospel and The Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days represented the greatest threat to Satan's evil realm since the Atonement of Christ. It spelled the looming end of his reign on the earth because, as you know, the Church was restored to fulfill Christ's own prophecy: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) The rumors, misunderstandings and lies have been perpetuated from pulpits, books, news articles, TV shows and now the internet. This is all in fulfillment of what the Angel Moroni told the Prophet of his destiny: "...and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:33) Many of those not familiar with early church history do not realize that Joseph was sealed to several women before his death as he was commanded, but never made this known to the infant church, because he felt they could not withstand this and all else they were being asked to endure. He had indicated that this was one of the most difficult things he was commanded to do but it was put to him that he must. As Jacob wrote, "Therefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none...For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:27 - 30) Joseph, Brigham and some others were commanded to "raise up seed" in those beginning years of the restored church. This one thing has brought as much or more criticism and been a test to more faith and testimonies than any thing else since the Church was restored. I will be counted among those who will speak good of Joseph Smith, for I know he was a true prophet, the prophet of the restoration. The Holy Spirit will bear witness of this to anyone who diligently desires of God through prayer to know. I would invite you to not put your faith or trust in men, even good meaning members, but in the Lord through reading the scriptures and sincere prayer. You can know from him and this knowledge will sustain you no matter what you see or hear. Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

Search Again                           
   

Member Log In Email: Password: Password Reminder Not yet a member of Donny.com? It's easy, and it's free! Register for your free account now!