Posted by Amazing [Anointed] on November 09, 1999 at 09:04:16 {4Hfg918T5ggU8XyG8q46ASIIcexUto}:
In Reply to: Mormon/JW Similarities posted by Fred Goff on November 09, 1999 at 08:08:58:
Fred: Thank you for a very good comparison. I am very familiar with Mormon theology, and have completely read and studied the Book of Mormon, Dcotrine and Covenants, and other Mormon publications. There is no debate here with what you said.
In your characterization about Joseph Smith's and Charles Russell's past, I think it would be fair to note some additional details.
The officially recognized LDS version of Smith's death is that he was murdered. Some of the early LDS church documents make a comparitive of Smith to Christ in speaking of Smith who like a lamb taken to the slaughter.
However, I understand that additional details show that Smith was taken to Carthage, Illinois and put in jail. He was charged with conspiracy to put an opposer out of the publishing business. The opposer published literature critical of Smith. The opposer's business was burned down and he was killed. While Smith was in jail, a mob did show up. However, Smith died while trying to break out of jail. As he was fighting his was out of jail he managed to fire 3 of 6 rounds before he took the fatal blow. If you wish specific documented sources, I can get them for you.
As for Charles Russell. Rarely do I see ex-Witnesses discuss his personal background, and never have I ever heard active JWs discuss this. But Russell was charged by his wife, Maria, with molesting Rose Ball. Rose was a young girl whom the Russell's informally adopted. Maria knew of Charles molesting Rose for a long time and eventually confronted Charles. He finally admitted to this and alluded to others he may have been involved with in a strained parabolic way by saying he was like a 'Bee' who goes from flower to flower.
Maria finally filed for divorce. She brought the matter up in her petition to the court. The judge wanted to allow the matter of molesting to be heard, but noted that Maria had allowed the statute of limitations to pass. The judge, though, in granting Maria's petition for divorce, took serious issue with Charles in his inhumane treatment Maria after they separated. I have a partial court transcript. The full transscript is still available.
Two other comparisons you might add:
1. Mormons and JWs both have similar ruling councils. The Mormon 12 Apostles functions much the same of the 13 members of the Watch Tower Governing Body.
2. The Mormons have a prepared door to door witnessing campaign that resembles the JW door to door witnessing. But that one is so well know, I guess I didn't need to mention it.
Simply Amazing