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Corporeal Resurrection: The Pure Doctrine Restored Through The Prophet Joseph Smith, J. Peter Hansen Jun 2002

Corporeal Resurrection: The Pure Doctrine Restored Through The Prophet Joseph Smith, J. Peter Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

During Jesus' earthly ministry He taught the pure doctrine of corporeal resurrection to His disciples. Some of them became special witnesses to the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus after His death. Over time, men's philosophies perverted the true doctrine of the resurrection. Those teachings became the orthodoxy of the early Christian church and were handed down to modern Christianity. The pure doctrine of corporeal resurrection was weakened, and in some sects, was lost.

The Lord restored the gospel through Joseph Smith. Part of the Restoration qualified him as a special witness of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through him pure …


A History Of The Concepts Of Zion And New Jerusalem In America From Early Colonialism To 1835 With A Comparison To The Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith, Ryan S. Gardner Jan 2002

A History Of The Concepts Of Zion And New Jerusalem In America From Early Colonialism To 1835 With A Comparison To The Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith, Ryan S. Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the role that the idea of Zion has played in the first three centuries of American religion. Millenarian themes, such as building New Jerusalem, were common religious themes in seventeenth- to nineteenth-century America. Understanding the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding this vital subject will be helpful for historians, scholars, and teachers.

When the Puritan colonists came to the New World in the early seventeenth century, they sought not only a land of religious liberty, but also a land of ultimate religious achievement: the establishment of Zion and/or New Jerusalem. Many of …


Multiple Discourses In Early Mormon Religion, Jon M. Duncan Aug 1998

Multiple Discourses In Early Mormon Religion, Jon M. Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

The development of early Mormon religion is best viewed in the context of multiple discourses, each of which contained various competing symbols. These discourses shaped the mind and world-view of early Latter-day Saints and determined in part their behavior. Prophetic symbols existed simultaneously with other, more American symbols; and while neither discourse excluded the other, a prophetic discourse gradually came to dominate. At the same time, however, the American discourse in Mormon religion remained intact and continued to influence the behavior and actions of early Mormons.


Since Joseph Smith's Time: Lexical Semantic Shifts In The Book Of Mormon, Renee Bangerter Aug 1998

Since Joseph Smith's Time: Lexical Semantic Shifts In The Book Of Mormon, Renee Bangerter

Theses and Dissertations

In the years since Joseph Smith completed the translation of the Book of Mormon, the English language has changed; some common phraseologies and word meanings are dissimilar to today's. Often, in reading the Book of Mormon, we impose our current definitions onto terms that in 1830 had a different meaning. Our interpretation of these words, as well as the passages in which they are found, is skewed by our modern definitions. These words, when they occur in the Book of Mormon, demonstrate dialectal and obsolete senses. In the case of some words, the dialectal or obsolete sense is so far …


Preservation Of The Writing Approaches Of The Four Gospel Writers In The Joseph Smith Translation Of The Bible, Donald Joseph Miles Jan 1991

Preservation Of The Writing Approaches Of The Four Gospel Writers In The Joseph Smith Translation Of The Bible, Donald Joseph Miles

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes additions to the gospels in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. To assess the appropriateness of the JST additions, the thesis examines Joseph Smith's additions to verify whether they parallel the approaches of the original gospel writers to their audiences. There is strong indication that material added to the King James Version by the Joseph Smith Translation is consistent with the approaches of the original gospels to their audiences. Chapter one shows that the JST Matthew, like the KJV Matthew, is concerned with showing that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Chapter two finds that JST Mark …


The World And Joseph Smith, Lane D. Ward Jan 1980

The World And Joseph Smith, Lane D. Ward

Theses and Dissertations

It is felt by some historians that Joseph Smith was a product of his environment; that his teachings were the amplifications of religious doctrines surrounding his life experience in early America.
Some writings which have been published show similarities between Joseph's "Mormonism" and contemporary religions.
It should be rememebered, however, that if Joseph Smith's call, as restorer, were all that he professed it to be (and he was not alone in that profession), there would, indeed, exist paralleling truths surrounding his "restored" gospel. For, as Joseph tells us, the gospel was preached from the beginning. If that is true, we …


Joseph Smith Iii: Moderate Mormon, Robert Duane Hutchins Jan 1977

Joseph Smith Iii: Moderate Mormon, Robert Duane Hutchins

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the history of the Mormon movement, certain members or groups of members, have exercised free agency in the form of dissent against the direction which the prophet of that church chose to lead his movement. The form of this dissent varied but the theme was usually quite consistant: a demand for moderation. For many of these dissenters the extremes of Mormon doctrine seemed to take them out of touch with prevailing American values.

Joseph Smith III, a son of the Mormon founder, proved to be one of these moderates. He ultimately rejected all of his father's more radical theology …


Joseph Smith As A Jacksonian Man Of Letters: His Literary Development As Evidenced In His Newspaper Writings, Walter A. Norton Jan 1976

Joseph Smith As A Jacksonian Man Of Letters: His Literary Development As Evidenced In His Newspaper Writings, Walter A. Norton

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the newspaper writings of Joseph Smith Jr., the Mormon Prophet, traces his development as an American writer as evidenced in his newspaper publications, and notes the major concepts contained therein which demonstrate that Smith may deservedly be called a "Jacksonian Man of Letters."

Emerging from his youth lacking even rudimentary writing ability, Smith began his development with the translation of ancient scriptural records. Literary experiences with other scriptures, historical records, and even grammar classes augmented his development. Smith later turned his attention to frontier newspapers and served briefly as an editor. Jail confinement provided further stimulus to …


Melchizedek, The Man And The Tradition, Ann Nicholls Madsen Apr 1975

Melchizedek, The Man And The Tradition, Ann Nicholls Madsen

Theses and Dissertations

The common elements which emerge from this study are: Melchizedek was a priest-king, ruling a small city-state and presiding over the cult. He lived among a people far advanced from the primitive. There is no consensus among scholars concerning the meaning of his name but "Sedeq (a name for God) is my King" is a possible translation. Melchizedek's city-state was named Salem and of the four plausible geographical locations postulated, the Salem-Shechem theory leaves fewer problems. Abraham and Melchizedek worshiped the same God who was known by several names, among which were 'El 'elyon, God Most High and Yahweh. All …


Joseph Smith The Colonizer, Brent L. Winward Jan 1975

Joseph Smith The Colonizer, Brent L. Winward

Theses and Dissertations

In written history, Joseph Smith's colonizing efforts have been overshadowed by the Mormon settlement of the west. No one has really made a study of Joseph Smith as a colonizer. To this founder of the Mormon way of life, religion was more than a code of Sunday ethics. According to President Smith, man was created as an actual child of God and his Heavenly Father was concerned with providing for all his needs. Therefore, the revealed word of God in addition to listing a spiritual code of ethics, also contained provisions for the physical, social, political, economical, educational, safety needs, …


The Theology Of Thomas Dick And Its Possible Relationship To That Of Joseph Smith, Edward T. Jones Jan 1969

The Theology Of Thomas Dick And Its Possible Relationship To That Of Joseph Smith, Edward T. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

In her attempt to find a strictly human origin for certain doctrines contained in the Book of Abraham, and the later teachings of Joseph Smith, Mrs. Fawn M. Brodie relies upon the writings of one Thomas Dick. Dick was a nineteenth century Scottish scientist-theologian who wrote several volumes on religious and scientific subjects. It is known that at least two volumes were known to at least some of the early Latter-day Saints, for passages from them were quoted in the Messenger and Advocate. The purpose of this thesis has been to research the entire ten volumes of Dick's writings …


Joseph Smith As An Administrator, Gary Dean Guthrie Jan 1969

Joseph Smith As An Administrator, Gary Dean Guthrie

Theses and Dissertations

From extensive research undertaken by Rensis Likert at the University of Michigan, a modified theory of administration has been developed which seeks to build upon all that worked best in previous approaches to administration.

Sufficient information from the writings of Joseph Smith, from diaries and journals of those who worked under his leadership have been used in this thesis and compared with the model of administration proposed by Likert. The results of this work were that Joseph Smith in his administration most often used a leadership approach described by Likert as Consultative and Participative.

This thesis also presents a model …


A Historical Examination Of The Views Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints And The Reorganized Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints On Four Distinctive Aspects Of The Doctrine Of Deity Taught By The Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph F. Mcconkie Sr. Jan 1968

A Historical Examination Of The Views Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints And The Reorganized Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints On Four Distinctive Aspects Of The Doctrine Of Deity Taught By The Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph F. Mcconkie Sr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study makes a consideration of four related concepts of Deity, each of which is accepted as doctrine by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which claims to have received these doctrines from Joseph Smith. On the other hand, each of these concepts is rejected as doctrine by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which claims that Joseph Smith did not teach them.


Constitutional Rights And The Mormon Appeals For National Redress Of The Missouri Grievances, Lynn D. Stewart Jan 1967

Constitutional Rights And The Mormon Appeals For National Redress Of The Missouri Grievances, Lynn D. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to trace the efforts of the Mormon people to obtain redress from the national government for the losses of life and property which they had suffered and the hardships which they had endured while residing in the state of Missouri during the 1830's. The Mormon appeals to Congress and the President are considered and an evaluation is made of the Mormon view of the national government's responsibility for the protection of individual rights.

The information for this study was obtained from the Church Historian's Office, the Brigham Young University Library, the University of Utah Library, the Utah …


A Study Of The Political Involvements In The Career Of Joseph Smith, Edward G. Thompson Jan 1966

A Study Of The Political Involvements In The Career Of Joseph Smith, Edward G. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of this study to examine the political elements and issues in the United States from the latter part of 1838 to June 27, 1844, to determine their relationship to the death of Joseph Smith. This study includes an analysis of national, state and local issues and sentiment during that time, as they have a bearing upon the subject.
The primary period of study is the Illinois era of Latter-day Saint history which includes the events that transpired from the winter of 1838-39 to June 27, 1844. A less intensive study includes events after June 1844, to …


An Analysis Of The Accounts Relating Joseph Smith's Early Visions, Paul R. Cheesman Jan 1965

An Analysis Of The Accounts Relating Joseph Smith's Early Visions, Paul R. Cheesman

Theses and Dissertations

Joseph Smith, prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated that when he was fourteen years old he had received a visitation from two members of the Godhead: the Father and the Son. He was alone when he went into the woods to pray, and was therefore the only witness to the manifestation of these personages. He also declared that when he was seventeen years old he was visited by an angel named Moroni. Again he was without witnesses. For a first-hand account of these two experiences we must rely on a single source, Joseph …


The Visual Image Of Joseph Smith, William B. Mccarl Jan 1962

The Visual Image Of Joseph Smith, William B. Mccarl

Theses and Dissertations

For most of the period since his death in 1844, at the hands of a maniacal mob in Carthage, Illinois, there has been doubt about which portrait of Joseph Smith, first president and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, best represented his physical features. This work has attempted to accumulate as much information about his features as was available for the purpose of establishing the true image of the man. The discoveries made by this study are listed in the following discussion.


Joseph Smith, Sr., First Patriarch To The Church, Earnest Morgan Skinner Jan 1958

Joseph Smith, Sr., First Patriarch To The Church, Earnest Morgan Skinner

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a biography of Joseph Smith Sr., first patriarch to the Church and father of the illustrious Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. The overall purpose of this treatise is of a four-fold nature. First, it proposes to reveal the kind of personality and character he possessed. Second, it intends to present a near complete and accurate account of his deeds and experiences. Third, it hopes to relate him to the historical period in which he lived. And fourth, by fulfilling the three purposes named, it will attempt to evaluate the assertions that have been frequently made that the Prophet …


Model For A Proposed Statue Of Joseph Smith Suitable For Placement Near The Entrance Of The Joseph Smith Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, Evelyn Horrocks Meiners Jan 1954

Model For A Proposed Statue Of Joseph Smith Suitable For Placement Near The Entrance Of The Joseph Smith Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, Evelyn Horrocks Meiners

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to design a model for a proposed statue of Joseph Smith which would be appropriate for placement near the main entrance of the Joseph Smith Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. This statue should depict the great historical and spiritual significance of Joseph Smith, be harmonious with the architecture and landscaping, and conform to the principles of good design.


A Study Of Joseph Smith's Teachings And Practices As They Influence Welfare In The Lds Church, Helen Mae Andrus Jan 1952

A Study Of Joseph Smith's Teachings And Practices As They Influence Welfare In The Lds Church, Helen Mae Andrus

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study is to determine the teachings and practices of Joseph Smith in regards to the treatment of the needy and to show their influence on the present policy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as manifested in the Church Welfare Plan.