Joseph Smith & Trump parallels revealed by quotes.

[deacon blues]

I think Joseph Smith and Trump share interesting personal qualities. consider these quotes below
On 23 January 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump caused controversy when he stated the following during a campaign rally in Iowa: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters.”
Compare this with a Joseph Smith Quote:
Joseph Smith boasted that he did more than Jesus to keep a church together: “God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil–all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet . . . ” (History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409).

[SaidNobody]

I think Joseph Smith and Trump share interesting personal qualities. consider these quotes below
On 23 January 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump caused controversy when he stated the following during a campaign rally in Iowa: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters.”
Compare this with a Joseph Smith Quote:
Joseph Smith boasted that he did more than Jesus to keep a church together: “God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil–all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet . . . ” (History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409).

But what does this really show us?

Jesus really didn't do anything to keep the church together.

We consider that claim to be blasphemy.

But, do our feelings about someone or something "Trump" the truth?

Blasphemy actually has a function. People here use it all the time. Blasphemy is a tool to erase meaning that we might find it difficult to act against. I'm sure Joseph felt challenged to create the church when people compared his worked to Jesus.

Trump is totally rearranging how things work. I'm sure it's a struggle to work with people believe things were just fine.