“Reorganized” or “Josephite” Mormonism, Carefully Considered in the Light of the Bible and of Good Reason.
Cleveland, Ohio: The Utah Gospel Mission, 1917. First. 44 pp., 12mo. Original printed wrappers. Very good, with light soiling, minor wear and early pencil notations to front wrapper. Item #BK0170 An uncommon polemical pamphlet directed against the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, written by the Protestant missionary John D. Nutting, who had served as a pastor in Salt Lake City from 1892 to 1898 and subsequently as secretary of the Utah Gospel Mission. The Reorganized Church emerged following the succession disputes after Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, eventually organizing under the leadership of his son Joseph Smith III in 1860. Rejecting the authority of Brigham Young and repudiating plural marriage, its adherents maintained that their church represented the legitimate continuation of Smith’s original organization. Nutting, whose missionary work had principally opposed Utah Mormonism, here extends his criticism to the Reorganized Church, arguing that its differences with the larger Utah denomination did not exempt it from the theological objections raised against Mormonism generally. The pamphlet begins with a history of the various Mormon denominations before examining the doctrines of the Reorganized Church, including its teachings concerning God, revelation, salvation, baptism, church authority, marriage, and polygamy. Separate sections consider the relationship between Utah and Eastern Mormonism, the experiences of Josephite adherents, and the proper Christian response to the movement. An interesting example of organized Protestant missions attempting to counter Mormon influence during the early twentieth century. Flake 5932.
Price: $375.00