19th Century Photo of Joseph Smith's "Caractors" Discovered

[_subgenius]

In other words, the holy scripture known as the Doctrine & Covenants was utterly wrong and went uncorrected until the latter 1980's.

"utterly"?....a bit melodramatic, as usual...and as usual, not accurate.

[_The Erotic Apologist]

Jesse Gause, Mormonism's lost counselor (link).

A man of stable faith. Quaker - Shaker - Mormon...

One of JS's skyrockets.
- baptized: some time after Oct, 1831
- counselor of president: March 8, 1832
- excommunicated: Dec 8, 1832

Yes, it's all very strange how Jesse Gause came and went so fast. It seems like there was a lot more going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

[_grindael]

EA,

This was a part of Jo's pattern of extending trust to people right off the bat and elevating them to high positions. I think JC Bennett changed his way of doing things... He then turned to family (Hyrum - Samuel) after that. Also had them make Hyrum vice-Mayor of Nauvoo...

Thursday, 19.—It rained, and I was at home until one o'clock; when I attended a special session of the city council. John C. Bennett having discovered that his whoredoms and abominations were fast coming to light, and that the indignation of an insulted and abused people were rising rapidly against him, thought best to make a virtue of necessity, and try to make it appear that he was innocent, by resigning his office of mayor, which the council most gladly accepted; and Joseph Smith was elected mayor of the city of Nauvoo by the council, and Hyrum Smith vice-mayor. -History of the Church, Vol. 5, p.12.

How much luck did he have with non family members? (William Smith would be a good exception to this though)... Who beat him up pretty badly once in Kirtland... But Jo still chose him over Brigham Young in Nauvoo...

Wednesday, April 9, 1890: Very nice day. From 7 a.m. till 10 o'clock I was busy at the office looking over the mail and attending to other matters of business. At the latter time I went to the Historian's office where all the brethren met who were present last evening. After the singing of two hymns and prayer Pres. Snow arose and expressed his pleasure at our fasting (which we all did this morning) and our meeting. He said: Everyone of us who has not already had the experience must yet meet it of being tested in every place where we are weak, and even our lives must be laid on the altar. Brigham Young was once tried to the very utmost by the Prophet, and for a moment his standing in the Church seemed to tremble in the balance. Walmart. Smith, one of the first quorum of apostles in this age had been guilty of adultery and many other sins. The Prophet Joseph instructed Brigham (then the Pres. of the Twelve) to prefer a charge against the sinner, which was done. Before the time set for the trial, however, Emma Smith talked to Joseph and said the charge preferred against William was with a view to injuring the Smith family. After the trial had begun, Joseph entered the room and was given a seat. The testimony of witnesses concerning the culprit's sins was then continued. After a short time Joseph arose filled with wrath and said, "Bro. Brigham, I will not listen to this abuse of my family a minute longer. I will wade in blood up to my knees before I will do it." This was a supreme moment. A rupture between the two greatest men on earth seemed imminent. But Brigham Young was equal to the danger, and he instantly said, "Bro. Joseph, I withdraw the charge." Thus the angry passions were instantly stilled. (Abraham H. Cannon Diary)

Emma defending William? Not likely...

Jesse Gause
Sidney Rigdon
Oliver Cowdery
David Whitmer
John C. Bennett

Not a lot, and that is just a short list. I always wonder why his "revelation" (D&C 46) didn't help him more...

[_The Erotic Apologist]

This was a part of Jo's pattern of extending trust to people right off the bat and elevating them to high positions.

Any idea what the rational was behind this pattern? What did Jo hope to accomplish by elevating new-found friends to high levels of authority? Was it a strategy? Or was it pathological?

[_grindael]

This was a part of Jo's pattern of extending trust to people right off the bat and elevating them to high positions.

Any idea what the rational was behind this pattern? What did Jo hope to accomplish by elevating new-found friends to high levels of authority? Was it a strategy? Or was it pathological?

I think it was calculated, EA. He hoped to receive something in return as a trade off. If you think about it, in each case this was what happened, and Bennett gave him the most, the Nauvoo Charter, influence in the Political Mechanization of Illinois, etc. I'm not sure about Gause, because he has not been an area of study for me (yet). Those are just my thoughts though, but I think it is bourne out in the history of events.

[_The Erotic Apologist]

That's interesting, thanks.

[_Brent Metcalfe]

Hi folks,

Just to clarify… two presentations were delivered during our session at the John Whitmer Historical Association conference at Council Bluffs.

First, my wife Erin presented a paper that gave further evidence for her discovery a few years back that Jesse Gause is the unknown scribe in Joseph Smith’s revision of the Bible.

Next, Erin and I spent close to an hour discussing the history and transcription of the “Caractors” manuscript. We showed several documents that have not been published before, and I think attendees found the presentation informative. After a rigorous chirographic analysis, Erin and I conclude that Christian Whitmer is the best candidate for transcribing the “Caractors” ms. in its entirety… Jesse Gause had nothing to do with it.

Kind regards,

</brent>

[_grindael]

Thanks Brent,

I figured that out when I re-read the program, but I forgot to update here. Much appreciated.... I've heard nothing but enthusiastic feedback about the presentation...

[_Blixa]

This has all been extraordinarily interesting.

Thanks to everyone in this thread and I'm looking forward to reading more...