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Ashamed of Joseph: Mormon Foundations Crumble
Book by Crane, Charles, Crane, Steven
271 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1993
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August 3, 2024
A CHALLENGING CRITIQUE OF JOSEPH SMITH
Dr. Charles Crane is Past President of Boise Bible College and present Chancellor, as well as the author of other books such as 'The Bible and Mormon Scriptures Compared or the Educational Process of Winning Mormons,' 'Christianity and Mormonism: From Bondage to Freedom,' and 'Do you know what the Mormon Church teaches?'. (His son Steven also assisted with the book.)
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1993 book, "Before this (1993) trip, our most recent visit (to the LDS Visitor's Center at Temple Square) had been in 1973. In days gone by a central theme that ran through the tour had been the life and teachings of Joseph Smith. In the Visitor's Center were several large paintings about him and his work; in the courtyard stood two large statues of Joseph and his brother Hiram... This day, however, there was not one word mentioned about Joseph Smith... This prompted me to ask several questions of the young lady who was our guide... I pressed her to tell why nothing was said about their founding prophet during the whole length of the tour. Her reply shocked us! 'We are told to not talk about Joseph Smith.' ... I asked, 'Why?' She replied, 'We are sort of embarrassed by him today.'"
He opines, "I now believe that Joseph Smith was a genius. But I also believe that he was a misguided genius." (Pg. 33) He argues, "Wouldn't you also expect that if Joseph Smith had an encounter with a celestial being, his lifestyle would be dramatically altered by this heavenly encounter? Even Joseph Smith admits that in the years following his first vision he lived a questionable lifestyle." (Pg. 62) He charges, "Jesus died the death of a criminal at the hand of his accusers. The difference? Joseph (Smith) died in a gunfight, killing two men and wounding another. Jesus died, forgiving his enemies because they didn't know what they were doing, saving a thief on the cross, and delivering mankind from the bondage of sin." (Pg. 98)
He wryly muses, "The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) proclaims in verse 8 that, '... tobacco ... is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle...' I was unaware that tobacco had medicinal purposes. I will relate this to my son, Doug. He is a dairy farmer... All he needs to do is give a good dose of nicotine to cure a cow's mastitis. Those readers who bruise easily might also take note..." (Pg. 167-168)
He argues, "Joseph was in jail because of his own sins committed against those closest to him... when there are numerous witnesses who claim Joseph tried to seduce or did seduce their wives, they cannot be disregarded. These men were of the highest echelons of power in the Mormon system. I can hardly stomach even one more person comparing Joseph Smith to Jesus Christ, or for that matter to Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah or John the Baptist. These were good, honest, moral, nonviolent people. Joseph was a proven womanizer, violent man of blood and brutality. He did not die a martyr. He died defending himself with his last bullet and ounce of strength." (Pg. 233)
Readers looking for a sharp anti-Mormon critique of Joseph Smith and his deeds will be highly interested in this book.
Dr. Charles Crane is Past President of Boise Bible College and present Chancellor, as well as the author of other books such as 'The Bible and Mormon Scriptures Compared or the Educational Process of Winning Mormons,' 'Christianity and Mormonism: From Bondage to Freedom,' and 'Do you know what the Mormon Church teaches?'. (His son Steven also assisted with the book.)
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1993 book, "Before this (1993) trip, our most recent visit (to the LDS Visitor's Center at Temple Square) had been in 1973. In days gone by a central theme that ran through the tour had been the life and teachings of Joseph Smith. In the Visitor's Center were several large paintings about him and his work; in the courtyard stood two large statues of Joseph and his brother Hiram... This day, however, there was not one word mentioned about Joseph Smith... This prompted me to ask several questions of the young lady who was our guide... I pressed her to tell why nothing was said about their founding prophet during the whole length of the tour. Her reply shocked us! 'We are told to not talk about Joseph Smith.' ... I asked, 'Why?' She replied, 'We are sort of embarrassed by him today.'"
He opines, "I now believe that Joseph Smith was a genius. But I also believe that he was a misguided genius." (Pg. 33) He argues, "Wouldn't you also expect that if Joseph Smith had an encounter with a celestial being, his lifestyle would be dramatically altered by this heavenly encounter? Even Joseph Smith admits that in the years following his first vision he lived a questionable lifestyle." (Pg. 62) He charges, "Jesus died the death of a criminal at the hand of his accusers. The difference? Joseph (Smith) died in a gunfight, killing two men and wounding another. Jesus died, forgiving his enemies because they didn't know what they were doing, saving a thief on the cross, and delivering mankind from the bondage of sin." (Pg. 98)
He wryly muses, "The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) proclaims in verse 8 that, '... tobacco ... is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle...' I was unaware that tobacco had medicinal purposes. I will relate this to my son, Doug. He is a dairy farmer... All he needs to do is give a good dose of nicotine to cure a cow's mastitis. Those readers who bruise easily might also take note..." (Pg. 167-168)
He argues, "Joseph was in jail because of his own sins committed against those closest to him... when there are numerous witnesses who claim Joseph tried to seduce or did seduce their wives, they cannot be disregarded. These men were of the highest echelons of power in the Mormon system. I can hardly stomach even one more person comparing Joseph Smith to Jesus Christ, or for that matter to Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah or John the Baptist. These were good, honest, moral, nonviolent people. Joseph was a proven womanizer, violent man of blood and brutality. He did not die a martyr. He died defending himself with his last bullet and ounce of strength." (Pg. 233)
Readers looking for a sharp anti-Mormon critique of Joseph Smith and his deeds will be highly interested in this book.
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