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To: Verginius Rufus
I don't recall hearing about Joseph Smith having his followers massacre people who refused to accept him as the prophet.

No, but the United State and Mormons ALMOST came to blows during President Pierce's administration...During the territorial period, from 1850 to 1895, Utah's governors were appointed by the president of the United States. With the exception of Brigham Young, all the governors were outsiders and non-Mormons. Often referred to as carpetbaggers, most had practiced law and pursued political office before arriving in Utah. A patronage appointment, the governorship of Utah was a difficult and geographically remote assignment, and some of those willing to accept posts in the western territories were of marginal ability and character. President Franklin Pierce decided he should make someone else governor of Utah. The man he chose, however, did not want the job. Instead, he urged the president to let Brigham Young remain. President Pierce agreed. Acting on rumors that the Mormons were rebelling against federal authority, President James Buchanan replaced Brigham Young as governor in 1857. Buchanan sent a 2,500-man military force to accompany the new governor Alfred Cumming to the territory, starting the Utah War... click here

Personally, I believe Brigham Young should have been arrested, tried for treason, sedition, bigamy and adultery, and hung!

360 posted on 11/20/2006 4:08:33 PM PST by meandog (These are the times that try men's souls!)
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To: meandog
I was trying to make a contrast between Joseph Smith and another Prophet, one who frequently gave people a choice between accepting his religion and being slaughtered.

I don't think Joseph Smith was ever accused of killing people who refused to join his church, nor Brigham Young--even if Brigham Young was guilty in the Mountain Meadows affair (I don't claim to be familiar with the details), it didn't represent a policy of imposing his religion by force on others.

On the other prophet, Robert Spencer's new book is very illuminating.

440 posted on 11/20/2006 7:09:11 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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