[Colofornian]

Current focus -- The Occult History of Joseph Smith: The Interaction of the Mormon Earthly Spirit World with 19th-Century Mormons:

The 1850s: The Rise of Spiritualism and its Linkages to Mormonism

The October Other-World Series:

The 1840s: The Nauvoo Pentagrams

The 1830s: The Occult and the Restoration Story: Joseph Smith and RLDS/LDS Origins

The Spirit World, Our Next Home

They see dead people?

Are ghosts among us? Many believe in spirits, but churches offer stern warnings

The "familiar spirit" in 2 Nephi 26:16

The early 1800s:

JOSEPH SMITH, JR: Founder and first "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" (1805-1844)

JOSEPH SMITH’S INVOLVEMENT WITH MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT

GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View

[Colofornian]

From the article: Even one of the Mormon church's twelve apostles, George Q. Cannon, seemed to agree that similarities existed. In 1869, he revealed he had read a book early in his life which contained doctrine he thought was "written by the Latter-day Saints."45 According to Cannon, The argument of the writer was in favor of communication with the spirit world, through the ministering of angels, being as possible in these days as at former times. He used precisely similar arguments to those used by the Elders of this Church; and quoted largely from the Bible to prove that it had been quite common for men in ancient days to have such communications...46

George Q. Cannon was "first counselor" (highest ranking Mormon next to their "prophet") to four, count 'em four, Lds "prophets."

[GreyMountainReagan]

whoa, whoa, whoa,

Even more today?!??!

Going for some kind of record?

I challenge you to post 100 threads against Mormonism today, come one let's see you do it.

That is obviously what FreeRepublic is built for.

I am rooting for you.

Come on! 100 threads against Mormonism in one day! I know it is a stretch but you can do it!

go. go! Go. Go! GO GO! GO! GO!

[Colofornian]

The Fox sisters broke out spiritualism in the same upstate NY area that Smith started Mormonism...they did this in the 1850s.

Out west, 'twas happening, too:

1850s: The Evil Spirit Haunting of the Salt Lake City Tabernacle -- Even During Broad Daylight!

"Well, these evil spirits are ready to prompt you. Do they prompt us? Yes, and I could put my hands on a dozen of them while I have been on this stand; they are here on the stand; Could we do without the devils? No, we could not get along without them. They are here, and they suggest this, that, and the other." Brigham Young, JoD, 3:369, June 22, 1856

Brigham claiming he couldn't "do" without his dozen or so devils prompting him in broad daylight in the Lds Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle!!!

[onedoug]

I believe that we are known to God by our actions less than by what we say we are.

[onedoug]

I believe that we are known to God by our actions more than by what we say we are.

That´s it. Thanks.

[Colofornian]

Wanted to ping you based upon your comment on spiritualism made yesterday...if you wanted to repeat it here...and possibly add to it.

[Godzilla]

You know, not once have I seen mormons here try to bolster support for the bom by claiming it has a ‘familiar spirit’. Wonder why