Tuesday, April 22, 2014

True Heroes A to Z: S, a Martyr

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

mith, Joseph. There has been good and evil spoken of this single individual throughout the world, a man who died at the age of 38, a man who should have proven so insignificant that no one bothered noticing him.

What is it that made Joseph stand out in history? The claim of having seen a vision? That wasn't uncommon. It should have been ignored. He was encouraged to deny it and people went out of their way to tease or mock him--a 14 year old boy who said he had seen God.

But Joseph didn't deny it. Ever.

When he was led by revelation to an ancient book written on metal pages (gold actually) and hidden in a hillside, people mocked him more, but made several attempts to steal the book. A professor in New York refused to verify the authenticity of reformed Egyptian script copied from the book, and the translation Joseph had produced, because he said angels did not appear to men. Other experts did verify both the characters and translation.
Source

From a young man who had never obtained more than a 3rd grade education.

He started a church that has become one of the greatest charitable organizations in the world, and he was martyred at the age of 38 while being held on false accusations in a prison, in the "land of the free," for his beliefs. A mayor and church leader, murdered by a mob.

Joseph sealed his life's mission and testimony with his death.

And yet the church he started lives on. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known as the Mormons (after the author of the ancient book Joseph translated), has thrived and become the fastest growing religion in American history. So I put this before you: Joseph was either one of the smartest men to ever walk the earth, or there's something more to the church for which he, and countless others, gave everything.

Learn more HERE.


Eight more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

An excerpt: 

A body dangled from the rafters, several inches above the dirt floor.
Alexia’s scream froze in her throat.
Soft honeydew tresses spilled loosely over thin shoulders, the child’s eyes heavily-lashed and downturned. Her cheeks were blotched, wide, and white, contrasting with vibrant crimson lips. Scarlet skirts hung about the girl, like the bleeding petals of a rose, still as death.
Alexia swallowed. A child. She couldn’t be more than thirteen. Great wide irons looped her wrists, cutting wicked lines in the little one’s skin.
It wasn’t right. Disgust bubbled through her chest. She covered her mouth and hurried down the steps, anxious to rescue the body, or at least lay it to rest.
The girl’s eyes turned up. Brown, chocolate, swirling.
Alexia tumbled back. She thunked into the stairs and landed on her rump. Hard. She sucked in a breath. The little face watched her, expressionless, innocent, beautiful. Her stomach twisted. No one should be that perfect—not even in death.


What are your feelings on religion? Do you believe in God, in prophets, in revelation? Do you think it's possible to receive personal "revelation" or guidance from a higher power?

77 comments:

  1. I am sad that so many religions throughout history have been misinterpreted by men and caused so many wars and so much division, which continues today. I keep my beliefs to myself on the blogs, but I do consider myself a spiritual person, who both prays and meditates.

    This is a great and interesting post. I am so glad to have met you through the A to Z and will become your latest follower, if I'm not one already.

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  2. I guess I already am a follower of your blog. A good thing, indeed.

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    1. That's because you're awesome. =) SO glad to have you too.

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  3. I do believe in God:) He is my personal savior. Don't know where I'd be without him! (I sound like the Toby Mac song;-)
    The excerpt has me hooked.

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  4. I too believe in God. During those times the gun slingers hired by The Mormons as well as the other side caused many problems. My DD and I signed up for a tour a few years back while staying in Park City Utah. It was suppose to be a tour to hear The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. My DD is a singer and so this was truly of interest to us. The tour was very disappointing. We only got to hear the choir for a few minutes, most of the time was spent getting people in line, telling us what we couldn't do, and couldn't see beyond the outsides of the buildings. I did enjoy the pretty grounds and beautiful flowers; but the tour wasn't what it was purported to be. Have you been there? Sandy at Traveling Suitcase

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    1. Oh man! They have rehearsals open to the public every Thursday night, I believe. I have been to the grounds and done several of the tours, and really enjoyed them. Last time was about two years ago. Time to go back. =)

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    2. Most of our group was disappointed, as they wanted to hear the choir more then hear about being Mormon. Think we had a less then good tour person. I have a CD from Christmas years ago, and the music is awesome, we wanted to hear that in person.

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  5. By the way....what was your S? Just occurred to me J for Joseph and M for Martyr, I get easily confused.

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    1. Smith... ;) I know! It's the end of the challenge, right?

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    2. Dahhhhhh, I kepted thinking J...didn't even think of his last name, egads a brain is terrible thing to waste.

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    3. LOL! Like I said, end of the challenge. It's been a crazy month, eh?

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  6. I've read some about Smith but don't know a lot about him. I admire people who stick to what they know is true in spite of being mocked, etc. Amazing especially that a 14 year old boy had this kind of strength.

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    1. Agreed. Anyone who holds to their guns has my respect...well, except for the ones holding evil guns.

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  7. What is it with us humans that we have this propensity for killing our prophets and teachers of peace? I just don't get it.

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    1. I know! Where does that attitude/idea even come from?

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  8. Whether people believe in what he saw or not, it can't be denied that he played a significant part in American history. :)

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  9. I'm a Christian, but I'm ashamed to admit all I know about Joseph Smith, I learned from South Park. Yes, my husband was watching the Mormon episode and I happened to catch that part of it... Good to read the other side of that!

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    1. Oh boy. South Park... Yeah. The producers definitely have a chip on their shoulder.

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  10. Fascinating post. I actually didn't know about Joseph Smith. His story is amazing and it's terrible that he was killed by a mob, but what he created still lives on and that means he does too. :)

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  11. I consider myself a constant student of culture, religion, spirituality, and emotion. Thanks for sharing your perspective, from a Jew with Buddhist leanings. :)

    The Immarcescible Word

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    1. Awesome. I love learning about all kinds of religions and beliefs as well.

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  12. I know about the church, but didn't realize all that happened to Smith because of his beliefs.

    Interesting snippet from your book.

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    1. Thanks, Joy. I'm serious about needing to get to your books. I'm only slogging through a TBR pile 150 titles deep. It will happen...

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  13. That's horrible that he was murdered. A great life cut short!

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    1. I agree, but he sealed his testimony with his blood, eh?

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  14. Angels don't appear before men? Did that guy ever read his Bible?

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    1. Um, it was the people of the day who had a problem with his claim of having seen God and angels, so I'm not sure what angle your trying to take here. He was an incredible scholar of the bible.

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    2. I think what Alex was saying is that it would be silly to assume from the Bible that Angels do not appear before men because they do so often in the Bible itself although it was a common belief of that day the the Heavens were closed and God and Angels would no longer be communicating with man anymore.

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  15. I never knew about this history of the Mormons...Thank you for sharing!
    Intriguing excerpt from your book.

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  16. Ooh! super creepy excerpt! I love it! Omg, so much. ^_^

    I know a little bit about this from some Mormon friends I've had and the few times I've been to the church. I'm not all that religious, but it's really kind of disgusting how many people are killed because of it. It's one thing if they're a threat to the safety of others, but the vast majority if the time it's just people trying to control what other people think. Mind control via violence. Kind of a tangent for me...mind control in general.

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    1. Power and religion, the two major motivators to war. I wish people could take a step back and see people as people rather than enforcing their ways with violence too.

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  17. Sad that Joseph's life was cut short because of his beliefs. Interesting excerpt from your book. Makes me eager to read more.

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  18. A smart guy who stood by his convictions. You have to admire that.

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  19. No matter what you believe in, to have one's life taken for their views is horrendous.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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  20. I started watching The Bible this past Sunday and it was on the part of portraying Abraham. Mind you, I've never read the bible, but my husband has. So, I'm mesmerized and I keep asking my husband questions and he's like, just watch.

    Those prophets, disciples, or whatever they're called had an undeniable faith in God. I think it's that faith which they lived by follows them throughout time, no matter the subject matter. When Abraham raised the steel blade to come down on his own son, I thought he'd lost his mind. And then God spoke to him by supplying a sacrificial lamb. I was like whoa. He was going to kill his own son in the name of his God. That's faith.

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    1. Definitely one of the great stories--Abraham and Isaac. Sacrifice is always required when serving the Lord, and an unwavering trust in him. =)

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  21. WHOA, that is a creepy excerpt. Your imagery is stunning and therefore also extremely disturbing - so, mission very much accomplished!

    I've read many things about Joseph Smith, both good and bad. I try not to form judgments on him no matter what, because he IS such a central part of the Mormon faith. I think judging other people's beliefs is what gets us into so much trouble, and I do my best to respect those beliefs! Do unto others, right? The best we can do is try :)

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    1. Very much agreed, Liz. You do a wonderful job of that.

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  22. Thrilling to read your excerpt. Sad about Joseph, though.

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  23. What a fascinating account of Joseph Smith... I never knew it was a child seeing a vision, growing up and stared the mormon church. Truly amazing....

    As a historical figure he's very interesting, but I still believe in the one HOLY BOOK. I do believe in saints and angels... I also believe in an afterlife.

    You excerpt is OUTRAGEOUS!!! You really put the reader in the setting. LOVE IT! You are so talented Crystal!


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    1. Thankfully as far as holy script goes, it doesn't have to be all or nothing or even one or the other. I'm right there with you.

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  24. I've read bits and pieces about Joseph Smith over the years but had no idea he'd died so young. Interesting to find out a little more about him.

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    1. It seems the case with most martyrs, that they die young. Not all, I suppose.

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  25. Thanks for sharing Crystal. I didn't know much of the history either. I honestly don't understand the problem people have with the Mormon faith. I heard a lot about it during the election and Mitt Romney and I just didn't understand. Even if I thought Joseph Smith was hallucinating (though not saying he was), what is the harm in such a peaceful, hard working, family centered religion? And honestly, in doing research for my next book, I interviewed a leader from the Cherokee nation who told me the Cherokee are insulted by the land bridge theory...according to him, in Cherokee tradition, they were created here by the Great Spirit.

    I hold my faith sacred and respect others who do also.

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    1. I'm right there with you, Elizabeth. Religion tends to bring out the best in people, and apparently the worst too. Being able to see the good in every faith is important. It's how we avoid incidents like the one cited in this post.

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  27. Sorry about that. I seem to keep leaving words out of my comments. I'm either typing to fast or I'm getting tired. Anyway, my comment was meant to say: I believe anything is possible, Crystal. I didn't know Smith's full story, so this was an intriguing post.

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    1. LOL! I'm probably leaving typos right and left across the blogosphere. At least you're smart enough to double check after posting. ;)

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  28. Crystal, I have been waiting for post of Joseph Smith.. awesome... He never denied the truth when he could have to save himself, he was a pretty amazing man (boy) to have such a strong testimony.

    I wanted to thank you for your comment, when I said that happiness in not always a choice, I meant sometimes there are circumstances in our lives ... for me, I am dealing with depression because of a huge loss and no real sleep for 7 months. I do believe that happiness can be a choice and I want to get back to that, I am working at it...

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    1. I know you've been dealing with so much, Launna--especially the lack of sleep. You are inspiring, the way you keep striving for a happier place. You'll get there. I know you will.

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  29. According to Abraham Lincoln, it would make less sense for us to look around & deny the existence of God than it would for God to look down & deny the existence of man.

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  30. I believe in God, but I think you already knew that. :)

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  31. My thoughts on religion are complicated. I guess it boils down to you find the path you need, and all paths lead to pretty much the same place. Coexist and all that...

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  32. love this post for all the right reasons :)

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  33. Some people are so touchy and crazy when it comes to religion, ready to attack anyone who's different from them. So sad.

    I learned a lot about Joseph Smith from reading this post.

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    1. I know! It actually surprises me when I can talk about religion with someone and the DON'T go crazy. =)

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  34. I was not familiar with the history of John Smith. I've learned so much this month from visiting A to Z blogs that I feel exponentially smarter - here's hoping my brain retains most of it!

    Hope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
    Jocelyn

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    1. Me too! If only we could readily access all this amazing knowledge anytime, eh?

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  35. I believe religion has done some of the greatest things in the world and some of the worst. For example Christianity has produced some wonderful people who have done amazing things and yet it also produced repression of people and knowledge. I believe in God and I also believe in diversity and I always like to remember one simple thing: "God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." It seems to me to be the most important part.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
    FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)

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    1. Definitely. Where religion spawns hate, it's not true religion, eh?

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  36. I read about Smith several years ago out of curiosity. He and his brother being killed by the mob was tragic. And it happened just a few hours north of St. Louis on the other side of the Mississippi.

    I've always had a question that nobody has been really been able to answer. Why are so many Mormons speculative fiction writers? I've always wondered what the correlation was.

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    1. Because writing is a "clean" form of art. You don't have to compromise your values or commitment to family for the sake of an artistic career.

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  37. Glad that Joseph didn't deny what he knew to be true. I've never heard his story before. I'm really glad you shared it here. I'm a firm believer that God speaks to and works through people. It's sad the way Joesph's life ended. Most lives God singles out so publicly to do His work do end in a less desirable way. (Google a few Catholic saints. So many of their endings were ... *shivers*)

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    1. I know! What is up with that, right? I guess if you believe in God you have to believe in the devil, and he's doing everything he can to take down God's servants.

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  38. So very nice to see a positive and true account of Joseph Smith! I'm glad that you shared this! :) I've also enjoyed reading all the comments here.
    I've read many of your A-Z posts and will read more- a great theme! Every post I've read so far has been wonderful and inspiring. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment- greatly appreciated :)

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    1. Yay! Thank you so much. It's lovely to have you. =)

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Hit me with your cheese!