Without Disclosing My True Identity
kingdom of God” (which had been used as the collateral to purchase the goods in the first
place). This placed the “laborer in Zion” under the care of the Church—with goods
borrowed on credit. The Church had its first “welfare system” that was not self-contained
through the internal production of the Church’s economy. Borrowing through the world’s
economy supported the Church. The cash and labor of these “humble” one’s were used to
attempt to balance the accounts of the temple and other church projects as well as sustain
those who were leaders and missionaries. The consequence of this poor debt management
left many debts unpaid.
Joseph had allowed the Church to become embroiled in a financial mess that
eventually turned all of the non-member neighbors against it, including the powerful
eastern companies who were holding notes that the Mormons could not pay. Interestingly,
however, and unique to a true messenger who is under divine mandate to not reveal his
“true feelings,” Joseph suffered no personal guilt, consternation, or concern over the matter.
He was simply doing what the people wanted. They wanted meetinghouses, temples,
businesses, and many other worldly things that had nothing to do with the “fullness of the
gospel delivered by the Savior.”
Joseph began to have fun with the “money game” and felt no remorse when the
Church became the target of public scrutiny for the debts that it could not pay.^52 The more
the Saints went into debt because of their desires to build up their church, the more
persecution they received from the world. The more persecution they received, the more
Joseph shook his head and “groaned within.” The early Saints couldn’t perceive Joseph’s
deep inner anguish any better than the Nephites perceived Christ’s. Neither messenger was
allowed to outwardly show his true inner turmoil.
Because of how the people were being treated by the local, non-LDS governments
and the majority of other non-members, Joseph became more and more emotionally
disconnected from American society and its laws, morals, and constitution. He allowed, and
even often encouraged, the members to believe that their persecutions were not their own
fault, but came upon them as a result of the wickedness of the “Gentiles,” who would not
accept Mormonism as God’s only true church. The “true Saints”—so believed the
LDS/Mormons—were always the ones who received trials and tribulation at the hands of
the “wicked ones.” Joseph knew better, but was under mandate to let things play out as
they were designed.
The Real Circumstances Behind the Book of Abraham
Vienna Jacques, as earlier mentioned, had donated a large portion of her family’s
wealth to the Church at a time when it was much needed. Joseph felt indebted to her; thus,
the personal letter he wrote to her, which included the following observation:
I have often felt a whispering since I received your letter, like this: “Joseph,
thou art indebted to thy God for the offering of thy Sister Vienna, which
proved a savor of life as pertaining to thy pecuniary concerns. Therefore she
should not be forgotten of thee, for the Lord hath done this, and thou
shouldst remember her in all thy prayers and also by letter.^53Vienna Jacques was from Boston; she converted there after reading the Book of
Mormon and then traveled to Kirtland to be with the Saints. She joined the Saints in Jackson