http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/13/the_missionary_position

Snippets:

"...Some historians argue that Smith's schemes were more pragmatic than they seem: His church's survival and subsequent thriving suggest he did something right. In part, Mormons have prospered by adapting their beliefs to changing times. When doctrines like polygamous marriage and the prohibition against blacks in the Mormon priesthood became politically untenable, the LDS church denounced them: New revelations indicated God had changed his mind. Mormons' talent for careful planning and flexible strategy has contributed to the rapid growth of their church around the globe and the expanding influence of Mormons in the corridors of Washington and the business world...."

Interesting way of looking at things...in the article

jw the inquizzinator Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "...Some historians argue that Smith's schemes
> were more pragmatic than they seem: His church's
> survival and subsequent thriving suggest he did
> something right.

If it were not for Brigham Young, Joe Smith would be a footnote in American Religious History.

Joe caught a wave that started in New York's "Burned-over District" and he rode it to Illinois where Brigham resurrected it and rode it to Utah.

Joe was only able to capitalize on the religious part. Young is the one who made it into a viable organization with some staying power.

If Joe's Native American Jews concept hadn't been as popular as it was coupled with Manifest Destiny, Brigham Young would also have been only a footnote in American History instead of a major player in colonizing The West.

In my opinion.

I especially like this part:

" Many evangelical Christians, in particular, view the Mormon faith as a non-Christian cult. When Romney first ran for the country's highest office four years ago, he tried to quiet rumors that a Mormon president would be the puppet of the church hierarchy in Salt Lake City or that a Mormon is too "weird" to be president. "We share a common creed of moral convictions," he told an audience at Texas A&M University. (Never mind that shared morals do not mean shared doctrine: Yes, the LDS church seems to focus more on outward obedience than on theological details, but the faith's fundamental tenets include some very distinctive ideas. For starters, Smith taught that God is an "exalted man" of flesh and bone and that humans themselves can ascend to godhood, while the Book of Mormon describes Christ's visit to the Americas after his resurrection -- notions that would make most Christians blanch.)"

Right, on. Let's hope everyone else grasps this, too.