Joseph Smith Biography

THIRTY

(1835)

The LDS people caused their own persecution by asserting their rights to “Zion” and failing to comprehend

that they were the “Gentiles” referenced in the Book of Mormon. Joseph acquiesced to Mormon pride and

multiple priesthoods. The Book of Abraham was suffered to be created because the Saints desired it, in part by

Joseph’s fabrication to cause “stumbling” and in part by words given through the Urim and Thummim.

In a letter written on September 4, 1833 at Independence, Missouri to Vienna
Jacques,^1 an early socialite convert and benefactor to the Church, Joseph demonstrated his
unique ability to hide his true feelings—which, otherwise stated, means to not disclose his true
identity—within eloquently composed religious rhetoric. In so doing, he also displayed his
sincere love for his people despite how they acted towards the gospel. In this particular
letter, of which more will be mentioned later, Joseph revealed his true inner feelings about
what happened to the Saints in Zion (Jackson County, Missouri):

I am not at all astonished at what has happened to you, neither to what has

happened to Zion, and I could tell all the whys and wherefores of all these

calamities. But alas, it is in vain to warn and give precepts, for all men are

naturally disposed to walk in their own paths as they are pointed out by their

own fingers and are not willing to consider and walk in the path which is

pointed out by another, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, although he

should be an unerring director, and the Lord his God sent him.^2

The “whys and wherefores” that caused the calamities in Missouri were the same
causes responsible for the persecution of the Mormon people throughout their history.
Without question, the first cause of their calamities, as revealed by Joseph in this letter, was
that the people would not do what Joseph commanded them to do, he being the “unerring
director [that] the Lord...God sent.” The rest of the “whys and wherefores” were the same
human frailties—caused by our fallen nature as mortals—that have always taken away
peace and equality in any human society.

Religion Causes Inequality

The proper desire to create Zion upon the earth is nothing more or less than the
desire to establish equality and peace in the world.^3 When people believe that they are
special (“God’s chosen people”) and that others are not so special, this takes away peace.
When the people believe that they have special gifts, powers, and authorities that other
people do not possess, this takes away peace. When people pursue the limited resources of
the earth to enhance their own existence (the desire for money and material goods) in spite
of what this pursuit does to others, this takes away peace.
Religion sets one group of people above another. The belief that one religion is “God’s
only true and living church upon the earth”^4 implies that all others are from the devil. This
causes the members of the “chosen sect” to impose their will, expectations, and belief system