Thursday, June 6, 2013

Twisting their Arms to Zion

Image result for lds samuel richards
Samuel W. Richards

In 1853, what did British Mission President Samuel W. Richards and convert Frederick Piercy do to convince European converts to move to the Salt Lake Valley?

     a.      Waive tithing for 10 years if they immigrated
     b.      Nix fast offerings for the remainder of their lives
     c.       Offer land in the Salt Lake Valley
     d.      Produced a picture book with the sketches of Zion

Yesterday’s answer:

     a.      Gentiles

The Mormon use of the term “Gentile” had its origin during the lifetime of Joseph Smith who taught that the Saints were adopted into the House of Israel upon baptism, joining the Jews and the Lamanites (Native Americans); thus the Jewish term “gentile” applied to all others. It was used extensively by Utah Mormons during Brigham Young’s administration but gradually fell out of favor by the end of the nineteenth century as the Church endeavored to improve its public image by reducing the use of divisive language. Ironically, it was increasingly used by non-Mormons in Utah to identify and unify themselves as a minority “other.” By the early twentieth century, neither group used the term very often.

Plewe, Brandon S., et. at., Mapping Mormonism (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 2012) 112.


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