Posted by Fred Goff [FredGoff] on November 09, 1999 at 09:45:51 {4Hfg918T5gHjeBrKyFOkEK8l6G4Za6}:
In Reply to: *Mormon/JW Similarities posted by Amazing on November 09, 1999 at 09:04:16:
Actually, Joseph Smith was jailed on charges of destroying the press of the Nauvoo Expositor after declaring it a public nuisance. His actions were well within legal precedent for the day, particularly since articles in the Expositor called for the assassination of Joseph Smith and the overthrow, by violence, of the church leadership.
Joseph Smith did have a small pistol that was smuggled into him. However, he was not trying to escape jail. The mob broke into the second floor. It was after Joseph's Brother Hyrum was shot in the head that Joseph fired his pistol. Three rounds fired, three misfired. There is no record as to whether or not any indviduals were killed by Joseph. The attack was not by prison guards, but by a mob in painted faces. After Joseph was killed, the rumor went out that the Mormon militia from Nauvoo was coming, and the mob fled.
I am familiar with the documents comparing Joseph to Jesus in going to the slaughter like a lamb. There is some justification for it.
When the call came for him to surrender himself, Joseph was across the Missouri river and nearly out of the United States, heading for the Rocky Mountains. He was with trusted associates and was safe from any harm the law could do him. On receiving petition from the members in Illinois, he returned voluntarily to surrender to the authorities, declaring that he was being led like a lamb to the slaughter. In other words, Joseph Smith returned willingly into a situation that he was convinced would lead to his death.
I'm not familiar with the particulars of the JW governing body. The Quorum of the 12 operates under the direction of the First Presidency and they are assigned various spheres of responsibility. For example, one member might oversee the Primary organization (children 18 months to 12 years) while another works with the Relief Society (women's organization), etc.
Also, members of the 12 who are financially independent do not receive any remuneration from the church, while those who are not financially independent receive a living stipend. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but I can guarantee Russel M. Nelson took a big cut in pay when he left private practice as a heart specialist, and Dallin H. Oaks took one as well when he left the appelate court. Interesting FYI, Elder Oaks was considered to be a prime candidate for a supreme court nomination before his call to the Quorum of the 12.
Yeah, the missionary effort is pretty obvious, so I didn't mentioning commenting on that.