Mormons, was Joseph Smith a narcissist?

Question

narcissist: A pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and ambition.

Answer 1

OK, I got the narcissist, but what is a Joseph Smith????

Answer 2

Hello, Cheese and Rice:

I read the Book of Mormon about 30 years ago--it was difficult to get through that fabrication, but wanted to know.

Then ten years later in College, wrote a term paper on him and researched it with INFOTRAC. Was amazed to find how JS found early on how gullible people are. He was tarred and feathered and run out of one town after getting people to grub-stake him with a white salamander that he said could locate treasures.

Later the white salamander became the legendary urim and thumin that he claimed to translate some plates from Egyptian hieroglyphics.

He bought some Egyptian scrolls from a merchant and placed them in the NY Metropolitan Museum, claiming they were the Book of Abraham, which the Mormons revere, but was later proven a fake when the "scrolls" were given to BYU in S.L. Cty.

When JS shouted from the podium "I'll be the next Muhammad" after announcing his candidacy for U.S. President from Cartridge, IL (the largest town in Illinois at that time), that started events that would eventually get him killed.

It seems his dissenters published a paper called "The Navoo Expositor" exposing him as the egotistical adulterer and bigamist that he is, Smiths militia smashed the press. That got him arrested and there killed.

You can fool some of the people all the time, and all the people some of the time, but you can't fool GOD ANYTIME, and Smith, a false prophet, will meet this day.

Blessings and AGAPE, Balaam

Answer 3

Of course he was. Every single leader in history has that trait. I believe Joseph Smith had it more then most.

You check any leader in the history of the world, they are all narcissist. Dont even get me started on the popes.

Baptized LDS

Answer 4

Rubber Ducky:
The fact that a university analyzed it and found it had 15 different authors in no way proves the book of mormon true.
The first thing I thought of when I heard that was that he got his information from many different sources. He also had associates who helped in the plagerism process.

Answer 5

Probably. What I like about the guy is his righteous con of a bunch of gullible people, and the con goes on even after his death. Smart guy who could've had it all except he was nuttier than his followers. No offense to the Mormons. I believe this is true about all religions with "Prophets". They may have really great things to say but I seriously doubt that it has much to do with God.

Answer 6

As a former Mormon, I found many strange things about Joseph Smith. For instance, his parents, according to his word, went along with everything he told them, without question. I am referring to his visions and revalations. Now what kind of parents would be so gulible? It seemed he ruled the roost over his parents.

The cave where he found the "stones" of knowledge has never been located and confirmed to be the place (New York, I believe). Where are these stones?

The Mormons say he lived and died like Jesus. Joseph Smith, from what actual history says, died in a shootout in jail when his followers were trying to bust him out. He was provided with a gun by the followers. Jesus never would have lived this way or done this.

The divine trek to Utah, to the promised land of Zion...according to jail records, history, etc., many of the Mormons robbed farmers and ranchers, on their way to Utah, of food, horses, supplies, etc. The Mormons will deny this, but it is in recorded history of the various towns they travelled through.

You can always hide a pint of poison in a lake of truth!

Answer 7

No. If you would actually read accounts from people who knew him best you'd realize the opposite. He was as caring and loving to his family as he was to strangers. He was the same person in the home as he was outside. There are many accounts written by people who dealt with Joseph daily that knew him well. If you don't take the time to read those and instead read the statements of men who were enimies of Brother Joseph, and the Church then why ask this question if you're going to have a closed mind?

Answer 8

If J.S. was the same in his home as he was on the outside, then why didn t his wife Emma leave N. Ill. along with the rest of the fleeting saints? I believe it s because she saw through Joseph and all that he was about and while she was literally hypnotized by his grandiose nature and couldn t flee his incredible grip on her, she easily dismissed the need to fallow Brigham Young across the plains. When it comes to Joseph Smith, I strongly submit that Emma would ve been Joseph Smith s most authentic observer.

Answer 9

No, I don' think so. If he was, he never would have let things get to where they went. In fact, the first signs of persecution and he would have buckled under.

Answer 10

"While he was acting as mayor of the city, a colored man named Anthony was arrested for selling liquor on Sunday, contrary to law. He pleaded that the reason he had done so was that he might raise the money to purchase the liberty of a dear child held as a slave in a Southern State. He had been able to purchase the liberty of himself and his wife and now wished to bring his little child to their new home. Joseph said, 'I am sorry, Anthony, but the law must be observed and we will have to impose a fine.' The next day Brother Joseph presented Anthony with a fine horse, directing him to sell it, and use the money obtained for the purchase of the child." (Young Woman's Journal, p.538)

When he was once asked what advice he would give to a man who came into the Church with 100 black slaves, the Prophet replied:

"I have advised them to bring their slaves into a free country and set them free~educate them~and give them equal rights." (Compilation on the ***** in Mormonism, p.40)

He also said:

"Break off the shackles of the poor black man and hire him to labor like other human beings." (History of The Church 5:209)