Comments on Life On Gold Plates: Early authoritative efforts to curb "badly written...

Thanks J.

2009-11-17T12:27:12.676-07:00

Thanks J.

I enjoyed the write-up, BHodges.

2009-11-17T09:09:55.387-07:00

I enjoyed the write-up, BHodges.

My hint about schismatics was a set up for a secon...

2009-11-17T08:51:59.103-07:00

My hint about schismatics was a set up for a second post, but it's actually better (and easier) to include it all in one. I added in the bits about the subsequent "impostors" article and the use of print media to alert members about various schismatic folk.

There is actually a much deeper, and more revealin...

2009-11-17T07:45:35.293-07:00

There is actually a much deeper, and more revealing, reason for this notice of regulation. This was published right at the crux of the succession crisis, and one of PP's duties was to limit the voice of dissenting voices (most notably Winchester, who is specifically mentioned here). By publishing this notice, Pratt was instructing all the Eastern saints to only trust sources coming from those associated with the Quorum of the Twelve. Indeed, Pratt's ability to somewhat limit the influence of competing voices of Rigdonites (like Winchester) and soon-to-be Strangites (like Adams) was a significant move for the 12.

You hint at this reason briefly in your intro, but I personally think it was the dominant reason and should be acknowledged as such. The other reasons were indeed present, but they were mainly appendages and results of the impulse to silence opposing voices.