Did Joseph Smith Make Money from the Church He Started?

The question of whether Joseph Smith made money from the church he started, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church or Mormonism), is one that has been debated for decades. Various sources and interpretations exist, leading to a nuanced understanding of both his financial endeavors and the church's development over time.

Financial Motivations Behind Starting the Church

The primary motivation behind Smith's establishment of the church seems to have been a combination of spiritual and financial aspirations. While Smith did endeavor to accumulate wealth, his main intent was to fulfill what he believed were divine revelations and bring about a significant spiritual transformation for his followers and the world as a whole.

Financial Ventures and Bankruptcy

Smith's financial management was titled as a mixed bag. He did engage in various business endeavors, including operating a mercantile store and establishing illegal bank operations, which ultimately failed. Despite these attempts, his overall role in financial management was often incompetent, leading to multiple business failures and personal debts.

Smith's mansion in Nauvoo, Illinois, is a testament to his desire for wealth and luxury. However, his lifestyle often required him to rely on others due to his poor financial acumen. For instance, the records show that his family faced significant poverty in his early years, and his later inclination towards a luxurious lifestyle could be seen as a form of compensation for the challenges he had faced. His protagonist often found himself struggling to maintain financial stability despite his supposed treasure seeking activities.

Church Finances and Leadership

It is clear that the church itself, while benefiting from tax-exempt status and members' tithing, has never paid salaries to its members directly from donations. Instead, the church's high-ranking officials, known as general authorities, receive salaries extracted from investments such as real estate. This indicates a shift in financial management when the church transitioned to more stable and profitable operations.

The church’s financial management has evolved significantly since its early days. While Joseph Smith faced numerous financial challenges, his successors made strategic decisions to enhance the financial stability of the church. Brigham Young, for instance, took control of significant resources from Smith's widow, Emma, which illustrated the changing nature of leadership and resource management within the church.

Critical Views and Scam Allegations

Critics of Mormonism often cite Joseph Smith as a con man who used religious pretenses to deceive and enrich himself. Some argue that the church's financial practices, such as the huge endowments and yearly tithing, are reminiscent of schemes similar to Bernie Madoff's illegal pyramid scheme. However, these claims are often based on a skewed interpretation of historical and contemporary data.

It is important to differentiate between Joseph Smith's visionary beliefs and any alleged financial misconduct. His sincere belief in divine revelations likely influenced his actions and decisions, sometimes leading to financial missteps due to overconfidence and poor judgment.