There are many references to "History of the Church", followed by a number (page number, maybe?). Can I read these documents online?
Fair warning: I'm doing some serious research. Any "answers" that are not "answers" or are offensive or off-topic are going to be reported. Please don't answer if you don't know. Please don't tell me how weird they are or how weird I am. Either answer the question straightforwardly or don't answer. Thanks.
2007-06-20 04:18:41 · 8 answers · asked by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have tried:
lds.org
scriptures.lds.org
mormon.org
josephsmith.net
All of these make reference to "History of the Church, page
2007-06-20 04:23:44 · update #1
Machaira: Thanks. I think that MIGHT be it.
JennInBoise: Thanks. I may order it if I can't find it online.
2007-06-20 09:53:22 · update #2
Kirstycristy: I wasn't seeking opinions on whether or not the texts were accurate. I was seeking sources of where I could find the texts, regardless of their authenticity. But thanks for sharing.
2007-06-20 23:47:48 · update #3
What the documents are referring to is a 7 volume set by Joseph Smith, Jr. "The History Of The Church." It is available for purchase from www.deseretbook.com for $59.99. I'll bet you could pick it up used on ebay or half.com.
I am not able to find it online. Sorry...but good luck!
2007-06-20 08:02:21 · answer #1 · answered by me_just_me 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The official History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was published in book form under the direction of the First Presidency in 1902. Contrary to the introduction's claim, Joseph Smith did not author the History of the Church. Much of it was not written by him and most of it was put together after he was dead. The introductory assurance that 'no historical or doctrinal statement has been changed' is demonstrably wrong. The early Mormon church historians did many creative things with this history including adding prophecies attributable to Joseph Smith that had been “fulfilled” after his death. The early historians also censored much of the material to make it more “faith promoting”. The Quorum of the Twelve, under Brigham Young's leadership, began altering the historical record shortly after Smith's death.
Check out:
Joseph Smith's Boasting and Polygamy Denial Sermon
(as printed in History of the Church Vol. 6, p. 408-412)
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/sermons_talks_interviews/smithboastingandpolygamydenial.htm
The History of the Church contains statements which show that Joseph Smith felt he was equal with God:
"God made Aaron to be the mouth piece for the children of Israel, and He will make me be god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it." (vol. 6, pp.319-320)
"If they want a beardless boy to whip all the world, I will get on the top of the mountain and crow like a rooster. I shall always beat them.... I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him, but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet." (vol. 6, pp. 408-9)
The following is attributed to Joseph Smith:
"I insert facsimiles of the six brass plates found near Kinderhook...
"I have translated a portion of them, and find they contain the history of the person with whom they were found. He was a descendant of Ham, through the loins of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and that he received his kingdom from the Ruler of heaven and earth." (History of the Church, Vol. 5 page 372)
The highest leaders of the church at the time the History was compiled believed that Joseph Smith did, in fact, "translate a portion" of the plates. It is evident that President Brigham Young and other church leaders seriously believed in Joseph Smith's work on the Kinderhook plates for at least eleven years after the plates were discovered. Unfortunately for the Mormon position, it was later revealed that the plates were forgeries.
2007-06-20 17:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by kirstycristy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't know that "History of the Church" is online. It's not an official source of LDS doctrine and so many think it is. I think that the closest you can get it online is GospeLink.com. But you ahve to pay for it. I think you can get a one-day membership, but I'm not sure.
2007-06-21 05:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have (had) an (a) online source(s) of the History of the Church that is free, and ordinarily I would be happy to share this (these) with you, but I detect a snippy (confrontational) attitude.
Geez.
2007-06-20 15:30:44 · answer #4 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, they are on line. I can't find them now, but they are on line. I needed to find the quotes I was looking for out of the first couple of volumes to pass along to someone.
2007-06-21 02:22:09 · answer #5 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try www.lds.org
is it under joseph smith history
2007-06-20 04:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by specky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://srd.yahoo.com/loc=head&st=yahoo/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=history+of+the+mormon+church&fr=ush-ans
yahoo search that yielded some good links.
2007-06-20 04:27:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is this it - http://www.boap.org/LDS/History/
2007-06-20 04:33:47 · answer #8 · answered by Machaira 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋