Christ-like?

[Aesa]

How do Mormons reconcile their beliefs as Christ-like, and even the most Christ-like above all other Christian "creeds" when we have behaviour like this?

"As Joseph neared the end of his speech, all of his anger erupted from his mouth. 'If the people will let us alone, we will preach the [Mormon] gospel in peace. But if they come on us to molest us, we will establish our religion by the sword. We will trample down our enemies and make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. I will be to this generation a second Muhammad, whose motto in treating for peace was the Alcoran [The Qur'an] or the sword. So shall it eventually be with us - Joseph Smith or the Sword!'" -Alcoran or the Sword

Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde affidavit: Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde Affidavits

History of the Mormons: Or, Latter ... - Google Book Search

[MarginOfError]

Quite simple...even Christ had a temper at times. Judicious use of anger and force is Christ-like.

[Outshined]

Remarkable how people will look past so much good in order to find some item of negativity they can dwell upon. Read first through the Standard Works and General Conference addresses for a feel of our beliefs.

[Aesa]

I have read through the standard works, thankyou. Well at least the BoM anyway.

Christ's rage was loving, not hateful or destructive.

[MarginOfError]

Originally Posted by Aesa

I have read through the standard works, thankyou. Well at least the BoM anyway.

Christ's rage was loving, not hateful or destructive.

May not have been hateful, but try telling the merchants in the temple it wasn't destructive. The question that remains was the rage displayed in your quote hateful? It is pretty clear that Smith would have preferred peace. This statement is more like saying, "if you declare war on us, we'll fight back, we'll win, and we'll win in a fashion that will ensure you never declare war on us again."

Furthermore, the objectivity of this affidavit can be questioned, as it was given in the midst of Thomas B Marsh apostacizing. The quote Marsh made about the next Mohammed comes with no context, nor is there any indication of when it was made. There is nothing to substantiate the account, so far as I am aware. By the time Marsh gave this affidavit, he had been increasingly displeased with the Church since April of that same year. Ill feelings had been brewing for six months already. When I get home I can pull out the History of the Church and see if there was any official comment on the affidavit.

[Palerider]

One quote and we are doomed.......

Originally Posted by Palerider

One quote and we are doomed.......

Hey ya Pale,

I wonder if you could find a " quote " or " bit of history " that would make the Catholics look not so good

Yes indeed, perspective and faith guides us !!!

[Justice]

God made many angry and vengeful comments in the Old Testament. He told the Israelites to "utterly destroy" all living things in the promised land when they arrived.

You have to undetrstand that the Saints had been brutally kicked from land and home many times. A person begins to take a stand and not allow such things.

Very interesting that a person can overlook everything else, even having read the Book of Mormon as you claim, and find it all false because a group of people were weary of having their lands and possessions stolen out from under them while the government did little to nothing in their defense.

I expect people to defend their homes, if necessary and possible.

I expect you do too, and I suspect you would given the chance. If you lost some of your own children and friends to mobs and brutality, you would take a stand.

[skylercollins]

Originally Posted by Aesa

How do Mormons reconcile their beliefs as Christ-like, and even the most Christ-like above all other Christian "creeds" when we have behaviour like this?

As Margin pointed out, his message was one of self defense. Also, Joseph Smith is a person like you or I and never claimed to be perfect, or perfectly Christ-like. Since I'm sure the quote has either been given or taken out of context, it would be wise to reserve judgement until you've examined his entire life, factually.

[Hemidakota]

Even Christ lost His 'cool' on the temple grounds....now what was your point Aesa? As other stated, I won't bother to recount the many times both the FATHER and His Son anger was against those in both the OT and the NT...