The Story of the Mormons

William Alexander Linn

• Publisher: Passerino
• Year: 2023
• ISBN:
  9791222411552
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

The Mormons, also known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), are a religious group that originated in the early 19th century in the United States. The church was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830 in upstate New York. Smith claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ, who instructed him to restore the true Christian church. The foundational beliefs of the Mormons center around the Book of Mormon, which they believe to be a sacred text alongside the Bible. They believe that the Book of Mormon is a record of ancient prophets who lived in the Americas and that it contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Mormon faith teaches several distinctive beliefs that set it apart from other Christian denominations. These include the belief in continuing revelation, the importance of family, and the practice of baptism for the dead. Mormons also believe in the concept of eternal progression, which teaches that humans have the potential to become like God in the afterlife. One notable aspect of Mormonism is its strong emphasis on missionary work. Young Mormon men and women are encouraged to serve full-time missions around the world, spreading their faith and teaching others about Mormon beliefs and practices. In terms of organization, the LDS Church is structured hierarchically, with a president who is considered a prophet, seer, and revelator. The church is divided into local congregations called wards or branches, which are led by unpaid lay leaders. Over the years, the Mormon faith has experienced significant growth and has expanded its presence globally. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has millions of members worldwide. Mormons are known for their strong sense of community, commitment to service, and adherence to moral and family values. It's important to note that while the term "Mormon" has been commonly used to refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church leaders have indicated a preference for using the full name of the church to avoid potential confusion or misrepresentation. William Alexander Linn (born Sussex, New Jersey, 4 September 1846; died 23 February 1917) was a United States journalist and historian.

Table of contents

• Cover
• The Story of the Mormons
• Table of contents
• Preface
• Book I. The Mormon Origin
• I. Facility Of Human Belief
• II. The Smith Family
• III. How Joseph Smith Became A Money-Digger
• IV. First Announcement Of The Golden Bible
• V. The Different Accounts Of The Revelation Of The Bible
• VI. Translation And Publication Of The Bible
• VII. The Spaulding Manuscript
• VIII. Sidney Rigdon
• IX. “The Everlasting Gospel”
• X. The Witnesses To The Plates
• XI. The Mormon Bible
• XII. Organization Of The Church
• XIII. The Mormons’ Beliefs And Doctrines, Church Government
• Book II. In Ohio
• I. The First Converts At Kirtland
• II. Wild Vagaries Of The Converts
• III. Growth Of The Church
• IV. Gifts Of Tongues And Miracles
• V. Smith’s Ohio Business Enterprises
• VI. Last Days At Kirtland
• Book III. In Missouri
• I. The Directions To The Saints About Their Zion
• II. Smith’s First Visits To Missouri, Founding The City And The Temple
• III. The Expulsion From Jackson County, The Army Of Zion
• IV. Fruitless Negotiations With The Jackson County People
• V. In Clay, Caldwell, And Daviess Counties
• VI. Radical Dissensions In The Church, Origin Of The Danites, Tithing
• VII. Beginning Of Active Hostilities
• VIII. A State Of Civil War
• IX. The Final Expulsion From The State
• Book IV. In Illinois
• I. The Reception Of The Mormons
• II. The Settlement Of Nauvoo
• III. The Building Up Of The City, Foreign Proselyting
• IV. The Nauvoo City Government, Temple And Other Buildings
• V. The Mormons In Politics, Missouri Requisitions For Smith
• VI. Smith A Candidate For President Of The United States
• VII. Social Conditions In Nauvoo
• VIII. Smith’s Picture Of Himself As Autocrat
• IX. Smith’s Falling Out With Bennett And Higbee
• X. The Institution Of Polygamy
• XI. Public Announcement Of The Doctrine Of Polygamy
• XII. The Suppression Of The Expositor
• XIII. Uprising Of The Non-Mormons, Smith’s Arrest
• XIV. The Murder Of The Prophet, His Character
• XV. After Smith’s Death, Rigdon’s Last Days
• XVI. Rivalries Over The Succession
• XVII. Brigham Young
• XVIII. Renewed Trouble For The Mormons, “The Burnings”
• XIX. The Expulsion Of The Mormons
• XX. The Evacuation Of Nauvoo, “The Last Mormon War”
• XXI. Nauvoo After The Exodus
• Book V. The Migration To Utah
• I. Preparations For The Long March
• II. From The Mississippi To The Missouri
• III. The Mormon Battalion
• IV. The Camps On The Missouri
• V. The Pioneer Trip Across The Plains
• VI. From The Rockies To Salt Lake Valley
• VII. The Following Companies, Last Days On The Missouri
• Book VI. In Utah
• I. The Founding Of Salt Lake City
• II. Progress Of The Settlement
• III. The Foreign Immigration To Utah
• IV. The Hand-Cart Tragedy
• V. Early Political History
• VI. Brigham Young’s Despotism
• VII. The “Reformation”
• VIII. Some Church-Inspired Murders
• IX. Blood Atonement
• X. The Territorial Government, Judge Brocchus’s Experience
• XI. Mormon Treatment Of Federal Officers
• XII. The Mormon “War”
• XIII. The Mormon Purpose
• XIV. Colonel Kane’s Mission
• XV. The Peace Commission
• XVI. The Mountain Meadows Massacre
• XVII. After The “War”
• XVIII. Attitude Of The Mormons During The Southern Rebellion
• XIX. Eastern Visitors To Salt Lake City, Unpunished Murderers
• XX. Gentile Irruption And Mormon Schism
• XXI. The Last Years Of Brigham Young
• XXII. Brigham Young’s Death, His Character
• XXIII. Social Aspects Of Polygamy
• XXIV. The Fight Against Polygamy, Statehood
• XXV. The Mormonism Of To-Day