Junior
What can you say about Joseph Smith? That doesn’t run the risk of offending somebody?
On the other hand, the creators of the musical, The Book of Mormon, have probably already taken care of that. Offending everybody, I mean.
Clearly, this is a highly influential Smith. Arguably, the only modern-day founder of a religion—assuming that you think of Mormonism as a separate religion rather than another denomination of Christianity.
I don’t know enough about Mormonism to speak knowledgeably on the subject. I don’t know all that much about Joseph Smith.
I will say, after perusing the Wikipedia entry, that it sure sounds like his life would make a great movie. The only trouble is that you’d almost have to take a position on the theological questions and that would certainly pose problems.
It’s a fascinating story, though.
Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 6 million followers in the United States. One of their members ran for President as the nominee of the Republican Party.
So, I say again—Joseph was and is a highly influential Smith.
