Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, started more than a religion; he led a political and a cultural movement that is still felt in contemporary American politics. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinguishes itself as one of the fastest growing religious denominations in the United States of America. In 1844, Joseph Smith declared himself a contender for the presidential seat, a decision that perhaps received more scrutiny from his enemies than any other decision during his lifetime. Former studies of the life of Joseph Smith often contain half-truths and attempts to desecrate his character while giving little credit to the larger role he plays in the history of American politics and religion. This study provides an interdisciplinary look at his presidential campaign, and his true intentions for running. Joseph Smith possessed sincere political aspirations for the protection of all oppressed peoples. His campaign solidified his place not only in American religious history, but also in American political history.
Table of Contents
1. Joseph Smith and the Presidency: Delusions of Grandeur or Genuine Ambitions?
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the political aspirations of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly focusing on his 1844 presidential candidacy. It examines whether his run for office was motivated by a desire for personal power or a sincere commitment to protecting the religious freedom and constitutional rights of his persecuted followers.
- The impact of state-sanctioned persecution on Mormon political strategy.
- Joseph Smith's platform regarding federal authority, slavery, and the annexation of Texas.
- The political and theological implications of the "Nauvoo period" for the Latter-day Saints.
- The role of "free agency" in Mormon voting patterns and political organization.
- Critical perspectives on Joseph Smith’s character and his public image in the 19th century.
Excerpt from the Book
Joseph Smith and the Presidency: Delusions of Grandeur or Genuine Ambitions?
Joseph Smith started more than a religion; he led a political cultural movement that is still a force in contemporary American politics. One need look no further than the 2008 Republican Presidential nominate Mitt Romney or the Senate Majority leader, Democrat Harry Reid. Until recently, serious scholarship on the impact of Joseph Smith’s political aspirations has been lacking. Former studies of the life of Joseph Smith often contain half-truths and attempts to desecrate his character while giving little credit to the larger role he plays in the history of American politics and religion. A closer look inside his candidacy rejects personal power claims. It instead points to sincere motives to provide protection and religious freedom for all oppressed Untied States citizens by increasing the power of the federal government, and installing righteous leaders to assure that protection is realized. While this does not prove him to be a prophet, it nonetheless solidifies his places in American political history.
Joseph Smith functioned as both prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After the establishment of the Church in 1830, persecution continuously plagued the Saints. This was no more evident than when Missouri Governor Liburn Boggs issued his infamous “Mormon Extermination order” on 27 October 1838. Here, Governor Boggs attempted a sort of “ethnic cleansing” to expel the Mormons from his state. Mormon leadership exercised futile attempts to rescind the order, but with fatal results (Hartley 10-11). However, during this time it was not uncommon for the United States government to dismiss cultures they did not agree with or understand. An example of this can be seen in President Andrew Jackson’s deplorable treatment of the Native Americans in 1830 (Hartley 5-7). This was a hard time to be an ethnic or religious minority in the United States.
Summary of Chapters
Joseph Smith and the Presidency: Delusions of Grandeur or Genuine Ambitions?: This chapter analyzes the political motivations of Joseph Smith, arguing that his 1844 presidential campaign was driven by a need to secure constitutional rights and religious freedom for his followers rather than a desire for personal power.
Keywords
Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints, Mormonism, 1844 Presidential Campaign, Religious Freedom, Nauvoo, United States Constitution, Federal Authority, Slavery, Political History, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Civil Rights, Expansionism, Martyrdom, American Politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the political life and 1844 presidential bid of Joseph Smith, specifically investigating the underlying motivations behind his run for the highest office in the United States.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the intersection of religion and politics in 19th-century America, the struggle for religious minority rights, the role of federal versus state power, and the socio-political challenges faced by the early Mormon community.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author seeks to answer whether Joseph Smith’s presidential candidacy was fueled by genuine political aspirations to protect oppressed citizens or by personal ambition and "delusions of grandeur."
Which historical methodology does the author utilize?
The study employs a historical-analytical approach, drawing on contemporary historical accounts, official church documents, and existing scholarship to contextualize Smith’s political platform within the socio-political climate of the 1830s and 1840s.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The body covers the persecution in Missouri, the establishment of Nauvoo, the political platform expressed in "Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States," and the eventual martyrdom of Joseph Smith.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Joseph Smith, Mormonism, 1844 presidential candidacy, religious freedom, federal government, slavery, and Nauvoo.
How does the author characterize the political environment of the 1840s regarding the Mormons?
The author describes a climate of deep suspicion where non-Mormons feared the centralized religious and political leadership that Smith exerted over his community.
What specific political platform issues did Joseph Smith advocate for during his campaign?
Smith advocated for a stronger federal government capable of intervening against state abuses, a plan for the gradual abolition of slavery, and the annexation of Texas to expand freedom.
How does the paper address the controversy surrounding the Nauvoo Expositor?
The author argues that Smith’s order to destroy the press was a defensive measure taken in his capacity as Mayor to protect city security, rather than a megalomaniacal attempt to censor critics.
What is the author's conclusion regarding Smith's place in American history?
The author concludes that Joseph Smith holds a concrete and significant place in the history of American politics, arguing that his political efforts were directed at the welfare of his people and the nation.
- Quote paper
- Kirk Caudle (Author), 2010, Joseph Smith and the United States Presidency, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/155926
