Power of the Restoration and the Prophet Joseph Smith
books:
The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (out of print)
The Papers of Joseph Smith Series
Prophets are not always prophets. Joseph Smith was a man, and he was also a prophet.
Joseph’s History Verified Concerning the History Setting of the First Vision
1. Membership of Lucy, Hyrum and Samuel in Presbyterian church.
2. religious excitement in place where he lived (Manchester and Palmyra Towns)
3. Great multitudes joining churches in the whole region of country.
4. A war of words and tumult of opinions evident amount Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists (society mentioned by Joseph).
5. Evidence of persecution in form of verbal attacks and social ostracism.
“The committee appointed to visit Hiram smith, Lucy Smith and Samuel Harrison Smith reported that they had visited them and received no satisfaction. They acknowledged that they had unduly neglected the ordinances of the church for the last eighteen months and that they did not wish to unite with us any more.” On March 29, 1830, they were “suspended from the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.”
– Session Records, Western Presbyterian Church Palmyra.
2nd Great awakening was the greatest revival ever. 1800 thru the 1850’s.
In the area where Joseph Smith lived there were only 11% active church goers.
Joseph Smith did not state that the revival took place in Palmyra.
