Dan Barker's Blog, page 283

He astonished the mob!

The blackest days in Missouri were the days Far West was surrounded by thousands of State "militia" and the Saints giving up their weapons to avoid imminent slaughter.To be honest it was more of a mob, as there was very little disciple or order among the troops. The Church leaders were betrayed into this cradle of vile gangsters and their weapons confiscated. The day the Saints were required to turn in their guns and other weapons at Adam-ondi-Ahman, a surprising event caught the mob off guard. What was it?

A) Lilburn Boggs, Governor of the state, had second thoughts and allowed the Saints to retain their weapons.
B) A non-member also turned in his gun as a show of support to the Latter-day Saints.
C) Brigham Young dared the mob to come and get his gun.
D) The Saints gave their guns to their non-member lawyer, Alexander Doniphan, instead of the mob.




The answer to yesterday's question:

C) Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist had this to say about Mormonism: "If Mormonism is able to endure, unmodified, until it reaches the third and fourth generation, it is destined to become the greatest power the world [has] ever known."

A Russian perspective

Not all share derogatory sediments toward the Church. In fact, my best guess is, among most of our non-member friends, we are respected and held in high regard.

Over a century ago, Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) said what about the LDS Church?

A) It's elders would rescue the Constitution of the United States.
B) He spoke of a Conference Center that would attract many from around the world and considered the largest of its kind.
C) It would become the greatest power the world has ever known.
D) Like Daniels interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar dream, it would fill the entire world.


Yesterday's answer:

A) Mark Twain.   The chloroform statement is just the tip of the iceberg. He had much more to say. In November of this year, you'll have the chance to read the remainder of his feelings in my new book, "The Hidden Stories in the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants."

They Said It.

Just as Moroni prophesied that Joseph Smith's name would be known for good or bad throughout the world, so too, the Book of Mormon has attracted the same positive or negative attention. Millions of people the world over can tie their testimony to this great book of scripture, whereas, on the other hand, this same book of scripture has attracted scorn and ridicule from the spiritually immature. The popular website www.goodreads.com members have placed the Book of Mormon 4th out of the millions of books that they have ranked. As great as that is, not all would be in agreement. One historical celebrity once said the Book of Mormon is "chloroform in print." Who was the celebrity?

A) Mark Twain
B) Charles Dickens
C) Sir Richard Burton
D) Missouri Governor, Lilburn W. Boggs



Yesterday's answer:

D) 60 feet. Orson Pratt was the design engineer, and Appleton Harmon the craftsman. Because of this odometer, we know that the Saints traveled 1,032 miles from Winter Quarters, Nebraska to the Great Salt Lake Valley.

Pioneer odometer

I imagine many of you have visited the Church History Museum across the street from Temple Square. My wife and I enjoy taking family and friends from out of town there, or on occasion take the grand kids for an excursion. If you've visited, then  I'm sure you noticed the wood contraption attached to the covered wagon wheel which served as an odometer, recording the mileage along the Mormon Trail.

Has it crossed your mind just how accurate this wood contraption was? Take a guess, how far was it out compared to the government surveyor replica made from more sophisticated equipment?
A) 49miles
B) 1/2 mile
C) 9 miles
D) 60 feet




Yesterday's answer:

C) Elder Hyde said that Moroni helped guide Christopher Columbus through dreams and visions, was in the camp of George Washington directing affairs by an invisible hand, and led our founding  fathers on to victory, "and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world."

Heavenly Influence.

The angel Moroni played a double role in the re-establishment of the Church in the last dispensation. Elder Orson Hyde referred to Moroni as the "Prince of America" and said that he "presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings."

Not only did Moroni appear to Joseph Smith Jr., but what other two historical celebrities did he influence?
A) John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin
B) Porter Rockwell and Lot Smith
C) George Washington and Christopher Columbus
D) Sir Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt



Yesterday's answer:

B) The vessel was originally known as the Des Moines when the government owned the boat and the commander was the young 30-year old Lieutenant Robert E. Lee who would go on to Civil War fame as the Commanding officer of the Confederacy.

Nauvoo's newest addition.

After the Saints settled in Nauvoo, Joseph Smith felt it would be profitable to purchase a steamboat from the federal government which he christen Nauvoo . The Prophet realized entering into such a venture could bring favorable exposure to the city. 

Who was the commander of the vessel prior to the Church purchasing the boat?

A) Abraham Lincoln
B) Robert E. Lee
C) Andrew Jackson
D) Steamboat Willie




Yesterday's answer:

After publishing the post I realized it was a poorly phrased statement. In a sense, the statement is true, because Joseph was visited by a number of Book of Mormon and Biblical characters. Then again, the statement is false, at least this was what I was shooting for. Joseph was not visited by Dan, Ashur, King Benjamin, or Samuel the Lamaninte. Nevertheless, he was visited by numerous Book of Mormon and Biblical characters such as Nephi, Mormon, and Seth. My new book, "The Hidden Stories in the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants," will list the many individuals that tutored the prophet complete with citations. I think you will be more than amazed like I was when you view the list.

The Angel Nephi?

In September of 1823, Joseph Smith was visited by the Angel Moroni three times that evening and twice more the next day. Joseph was commanded by Moroni to meet him at the Hill Cumorah every September to receive his tutorial until September of 1827 at which time he would be given the plates. Fact be known, Joseph Smith was visited far more than that by Moroni during these four years.

True or False, Joseph was also tutored by other Book of Mormon and Biblical prophets and celebrities, such as King Benjamin, Samuel the Lamanite, Dan and Asher (Jacob's sons) over the course of Joseph's abbreviated life.



Yesterday's answer:

D) Joseph Smith seriously believed that he could cut Congress by 2/3rds. He also believed that politicians were far over paid. The average man during the Nauvoo years worked for $1 a day. Politicians worked for $4-$6 dollars a day. Joseph also desired to annex Texas and Oregon and then place the land for public sale. Joseph's plan to finance the slaves freedom could be realized by cutting the number of members of Congress, reducing pay to a very comfortable $2 per day, and the sale of public lands in Texas and Oregon

Check out Nana Kate's Kreations for some big news in our family!

If you go to my wife's site you will find out some big news with regards to our family.Nana Kate's Kreations.



I will be back later today for an update on yesterday's question.

Downsizing

Not too long ago I saw a political cartoon that caused me to chuckle. The cartoon depicted a huge ocean liner dubbed the U.S.S Government. In front of the ship was a decrepit raft, with a sole, frail occupant. In the middle of the raft was a small flag pole with a flag that read "tax payer." A man on the ship was yelling to the individual on the raft, "We broke down, can you give us a hand," all the

while getting ready to throw him a tow rope. Downsizing government has recently become a debated issue. Believe it or not, this was also an issue with Joseph Smith during the 1844 presidential election. Joseph believed government was too large and as part of his political agenda was preaching downsizing. He also believed that slave holders should free their slaves and as an incentive the government would pay the slave owner to release their slaves. Where was Joseph going to raise the money to free the slaves?

A) Campaign large business for donations
B) Sell the State of Maine to Canada
C) Increase taxes
D) Cut the number of politicians and slash the ridiculous wages of those remaining




White House circa 1846

Yesterday's answerA) As mentioned, we know of two polls or "elections"Joseph Smith: 65 gentlemen and 6 ladiesHenry Clay 27 gentlemen and 3 ladiesMartin Van Buren: 12 gentlemen and 0 ladies
Smith: 20 gents and 5 ladiesClay: 16 gents and 4 ladiesVan Buren: 7 gents and 0 ladies

Political Polls; Love 'em or leave 'em

As the country nears closer to a Presidential election, it's common to read, see, and hear political polls. They're definitely not the gospel truth by any stretch of the imagination, but yet what they do is give an indication of what could be. Believe it or not, political polls were alive and well at the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1844, Joseph Smith announced his candidacy to the Presidency of the United States. A popular past time while folks traveled by Steam boats up and down the Mississippi River in 1844 was to poll those on board, asking essentially, who they would vote for. These were called "Steamboat elections." Now the question, in the two polls recorded in History of the Church both polls came out the same. What was the order of the candidates?

A) Joseph Smith, Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren
B) Clay, Smith, Van Buren
C) Clay, Van Buren, Smith
D) Van Buren, Smith, Clay

Yesterday's answer:
B) Joseph Temple Bennett