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Chapter 9, March to Martyrdom
The Wrestling Prophet
The Quote
One Nation under Gods, page 178
In the History of the Church, for example, under the date of March 13, 1843, we find
this entry: "I wrestled with William Wall, the most expert wrestler in Ramus, and threw him."34
The Reference
Endnote 34, page 544
34. HC, vol. 5, 302.
The Problems
The above is quoted by Abanes as an example of Joseph Smith "boasting of his violent
deeds."1 Such a reference is evidently intended
to support his thesis found in the subtitle of chapter nine; that Joseph was "America's Fighting Prophet."2
Not surprisingly, however, Abanes is once again guilty of attempting to deceive his readers.
The truth of the matter is that the words make no reference at all to fighting, nor an attempt to harm another
individual. On the contrary, the quote is simply speaking of the recreational sport of wrestling.
George Q. Cannon spoke of the occasion, saying,
On Monday, the 13th day of March, 1843, Joseph met William Wall, the most expert wrestler
of Ramus, Illinois, and had a friendly bout with him. He easily conquered Wall who up to that time
had been a champion.3
I am aware of no other account describing this event as being anything other than that
of fun and games. The quote Abanes cites is certainly of no exception. The snip comes from Joseph's
journal, and all he writes is,
Monday, 13.--I wrestled with William Wall, the most expert wrestler in Ramus, and
threw him.4
That is it. Joseph then records the other events of the day (ie. Almon W. Babbitt
was appointed as a Presiding Elder, 27 children were blessed in the evening, weather in Nauvoo
was very cold… etc.).
Nothing else was said of the wrestling match.
Ironically, Abanes' quote says more about his own moral character, than that of
the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Written by Mike Reed
Notes
1 Richard Abanes, One Nation under Gods (New York: Four Walls eight Windows, 2002), 178.
2 Ibid.
3 George Q. Cannon, The Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1986), 431, emphasis added.
4 Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vol. 5 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1978), 302.
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