Oct 22, 2012 11:26
Until ≈1930, Mormons were required to take a oath of vengeance against the United States for the Death of Joseph Smith. Despite that these teachings have since ceased to be a part of Temple Ceremonies, it seems very likely that generations of current Mormons have been instilled with this belief since childhood, and my still secretly teach their children to adhere to it.
1845 Version: "You do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith upon this nation; and so teach your children; and that you will from this day henceforth and forever begin and carry out hostility against this nation, and keep the same a profound secret now and ever. So help you God."
1890 Version: "You and each of you do covenant and promise that you will pray and never cease to pray to Almighty God to avenge the blood of the prophets upon this nation, and that you will teach the same to your children and to your children's children unto the third and fourth generation."
Which isn't surprising, given a history of not shirking from the use of violence:
“If the people let us alone, we will preach the gospel in peace. But if they come on us to molest us, we will establish our religion with the sword. We will trample down our enemies and make it one gore of blood…from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. I will be to this generation a 2nd Muhammad, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Al-Qur’an or the sword.’ So shall it be with us - ‘Joseph Smith or the sword!’ (See History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 167).”