140 replies to this topic

[max.bravo]

Don’t forget about the sex cult aspect. Specifically Joseph Smith’s 30+ “spiritual marriages” where he used his authority as a “prophet” to coerce married women into sleeping with him and leaving their husbands.

All of this was so “sacred” it had to be kept secret. Eventually, secrets get out Joseph Smith was murdered by an angry mob. Apparently they were upset about his sexual dealings with a local 16 year-old girl, in addition to other unneighbourly acts. The Mormons, having moved into town as a block, had fully taken over all of its democratic institutions, the local newspaper, and even created their own bank with their own currency. if I remember correctly, Joseph Smith also tried to run for president, or maybe governor. He definitely had his own private militia of zealous religious men at his disposal though.

This was all before the Mormons arrived in Utah. They had left their founding place in upstate New York, and moved west, basically getting run out of every town they settled in along the way (I wonder why?).

By the time the 2nd leader of the church (Brigham Young, namesake of BYU, also known as American Moses) took over, the polygamy doctrine was well known, and instead of hiding it, he wore it proudly. I believe he had over 50 wives…

Mormons will tell you their founders were unjustly persecuted… But I think most Mormons aren’t aware of the real history of their religion. They have a long history of whitewashing and hiding things from the public and their own membership. If you want a rabbit hole this afternoon, look up the salamander letter scandal.