Persecution and the saints

[_Markk]

Hi,

I was listening to a talk radio station today and a caller called in and said something to the effect that Romney was the perfect candidate because he can identify with the elite in that he is wealthy, and he can identify with the common man because as a Mormon he knows persecution.

This post is not about politics, but why LDS culture hangs onto being a persecuted people.

True, many died and suffered, but while I am still researching how many, B.H. Roberts said that around 50 died in the Missouri wars.

Speaking in general conference in October 1901, Mormon historian and Seventy B.H. Roberts said, “First, let me tell you the net results of the persecution of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, so far as they can be told in a summary: There were killed outright of men, women and children, so far as careful estimates can be made, more than fifty souls. There were as many more wounded and beaten. How many perished by slow death, suffering untold agonies, by reason of exposure and cruelties, no one knows, nor can it be computed.”

I took this off a google and I want to check it out in context, but my point is that in a grand scale LDS persecution wouldn't even make the scale. the Jews, and Christians would be off the chart for persecution, and even the JW lost 2500 to 5000 during ww2. The American Indian, Blacks, Chinese, Italians, and Irish were certainly persecuted more than the saints culturally.

I was raised with this victim ideology ( or what ever it is called) and never really questioned it's validity compared to other religions, races and cultures.

Anyhows...Do any of you know how many saints have died due directly to persecution? I suppose it would be fair to add to the list those who died of exposure and disease in their exodus, but still I doubt that it surpasses even the JW's?

Thoughts?

MG

[_Morley]

Hi,



True, many died and suffered, but while I am still researching how many, B.H. Roberts said that around 50 died in the Missouri wars.


MG

I agree that Mormons sometimes had it hard. However, members sometimes forget that the Saints weren't always exactly, um, saints. If I remember correctly, about 120 men, women, and children were slaughtered in Mountain Meadows.

[_Joseph]

During the Missouri period and the constant moving, how many did l-dsinc members kill and injure? How much of their property did the 'saints' liberate for their own use?

[_3sheets2thewind]

During the Missouri period and the constant moving, how many did l-dsinc members kill and injure? How much of their property did the 'saints' liberate for their own use?

surely you have some numbers or are you just posing questions to which you haven't any grounds to ask?


---------------

as for numbers pertaining the OP,

2 missionaries where murdered in Tenn, within the last century. There is also the Texas Chainsaw massacre which was two missionaries, who were murdered.

[_Joseph]

well sheets, I have grounds to ask just as anyone does.
In my case I have ancestors on both sides. Some killed Mormons, we have documented proof. Some were Mormons, we have documented proof.

The Mormons were not blameless. They stole cattle and goods and belongings from the folks in Missouri. They were lousy neighbors everywhere they went. Why else would they have been run out time after time after time? Being unwelcome is one thing, being run out is another completely.

The 'extemination' business came from the Mormon leadership in the area and was answered by the governmnent who had more muscle to impose their edicts than 'godz chozen' did. In joe's case his God & commands & revelations were soundly trounced by the Governor of Missouri.

The Mormons did not deserve what happened as there were some honest and decent people among them. People who trusted in leaders they believed were appointed by God. That was their downfall, trusting liars and cheats.

Yes there was persecution and much of it was brought on by their own actions.

[_harmony]

On a scale of 1-10 (ten being genocide), the Mormons were at about a 3. Now, they're less than 1, being part of the privileged class.