Personal Statement: I was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. I was deprived of the benefit of formal education. I received limited instruction in reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. I founded the Latter Day Saint movement also known as Mormonism. Mormonism was an American made religion designed to spread its influence worldwide. I published the Book of Mormon at age 24 and attracted tens of thousands of followers during the Second Great Awakening. I also ran for president in 1844.
Issues: I was concerned with the issue of religion in my time. I reformed religion by creating Mormonism. I also was an abolitionist, believing that blacks are not inferior to whites. I welcomed everyone into my church, freemen as well as slaves. I proposed abolishing slavery during my presidential campaign in 1844. I am motivated on these issues by the word of God.
Solutions: Although I proposed abolitionist legislation, my solution to the religious crisis is individual moral reform through God and Mormonism. I was successful in this reform through spreading the word of Mormonism and turning it into a famous and recognized religion. I was able to change people’s opinions through my religion. However, I was not an entirely successful abolitionist since my proposed legislation did not go through. However, I did help by allowing slaves to be Mormons. I was criticized during my fight for reform for being a polygamist.
Relationship to Others: I would feel comfortable sitting next to Brigham Young because he is a Mormon and my successor. I would also like to sit next to David Walker or Frederick Douglas because they were abolitionists who believed in equality. I would not feel comfortable sitting next to Mother Ann Lee and Angelina Grimke because they were Quakers.
I would not be comfortable sitting next to Smith at the dinner party because he is a Mormon and I am a Protestant. We have too many ideological and religious differences for us to carry on a productive conversation with each other.
ReplyDelete-Lyman Beecher
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ReplyDeleteDon't take this the wrong way, but I would feel kind of uncomfortable sitting next to you at the dinner table because your religion doesn't think of women as equally as men and your belief in polygamy is not appealing to me. I feel that since we are from different ideological stand points, you on religion and me on women's rights, we just would not have much to talk about.
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