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Chapter 5, People of Zion
Those Power-Hungry Mormons
The Quote
One Nation under Gods, page 95
I heard [Martin Harris] make this statement that there would be another president of the United States
elected; That soon all temporal and spiritual power would be given over to The Prophet Joseph Smith and
the Latter Day Saints. His extravagant statements were the laughing stock of the people of Palmyra.74
The Reference
Endnote 74, page 522
74. Chandler, reprinted in Vogel, vol. 3, 222-223.
The Problems
From the very beginning of the Church there have been many members and leaders who
have spoken their own opinions. What they have said came from their own thoughts and not necessarily
from inspiration or the Holy Ghost. Some are quick to accuse the General Authorities of the LDS Church
of speaking "false doctrine." The truth is, the accusers do not realize what the Church's doctrine
consists of. They are quick to assume that because a leader said it, it is official and set in stone.
The way this quote is written in Vogel's work (Early Mormon Documents, published
by Signature Books) gives the appearance that it was Martin Harris himself who set up the meetings, and
not Joseph Smith the Prophet. Abanes seems to want the reader to think that Harris was acting and
speaking in behalf of the Church when, in fact, there is no such evidence. Rather, it appears Martin
was acting on his own accord to give the meetings in Palmyra. Apart from the fact the quote comes from
a tertiary source, the author has made it difficult to check the actual quote in its full length and
context. Many who read Abanes' work will take the quotes at face value and assume they are well-documented
and accurate when, in fact, this quote does not necessarily give a fair representation of the situation.
Abanes makes it appear that the Church itself would overrun the presidency and seize power.
This gives him ammunition to portray the LDS Church as power-hungry and tyrannical. Given the full length
of the citation, it is clear that Christ and his Church will govern the earth-in the millennial period.
In no way, shape, or form does the quote mention the Saints "removing" the presidency of the country.
Written by Justin Hansen (with thanks to Kevin Barney for some input and research)
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