Understanding the roots of the Latter-day Saints.
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Joseph Smith grew from a treasure hunting farm kid in Upstate New York, to the prophet and founder of the LDS Church. This is a story of American expansion, persecution, and a gifted storyteller.
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About:
Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on Youtube. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.
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@RodrigoTura-fm9ts Says:
The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, CALUMNY may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
—Joseph Smith, 1842
@-nf9vt Says:
This Mormon story is despicable. Watching with subtitles from Immersive translate app in Spanish.
@petsfamily8278 Says:
I could say Jesus itself will be lost finding his way to Jerusalem from America
@therealrobertbirchall Says:
If you want to know how whack job fundamentalist Mormons are, watch Mark Latia's 'Soft White Underbelly'. He interviews two boys who escaped from a fundamentalist LDS church in Arizona.
@louisemaritz5985 Says:
People are so gullible.
@jaylarsen67 Says:
I believe documents show he was not uneducated. Perhaps he lacked formal education, but he was well read especially of local cultural stories.
@MAOKEM Says:
Christianity was so made up. Hate it so much. It pisses me off how people believe it. 😂
@PetePuebla Says:
And these plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian”, not English. You’d think they’d be written in English. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments that were written on stone in Hebrew. And supposedly the Nephites that were descends of Israelites, and instead of writing Hebrew, wrote in Reformed Egyptian. SMDH
@user-de4no1kh3g Says:
Does the story really matter if it creates community and moral and ethics among it?
@vettman63 Says:
I remember, growing up in the LDS Church, hearing how many people claimed the Mormon Church was a cult. I used to think "How is that even possible?" Now, at age 61, and having left the LDS Church 43 years ago, thankfully excommunicated, I see that it absolutely is a cult. Joseph Smith was a charlatan. Period. Fawn M. Brody's book "No Man Knows my History" was what finally cemented my realization of the lie that JS propagated and hurled upon his "believers", amazingly receiving "revelation" about any given conflict that he created that would absolve him of ANY wrong doing and of course favor his behavior as anointed by God. Then, after years and years of research and new information about Christianity being a BS story in and of itself (100% created by the Romans, search YouTube for "Caesar's Messiah" to get that story) I just have to laugh at the absurdity of it all. ALL organized religion is such BS. It's hilarious and sad at the same time due to the amount of killing that has taken place on this planet throughout history based and "belief", which is the weakest position of all. The LDS Church is a lie, built upon a lie, and the fact that it claims to be the One and Only True Church, is ironic. It's exactly the opposite. The truly sad thing is that you know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the Church leaders (the Apostles and the First Presidency) absolutely know it's all BS, yet they get up every Sunday and preach the "Gospel", acting out the lie over and over and over again just to keep the money flowing.
@jasoncardigan9488 Says:
I'm feeling very sad 4 you.
@witsarkresearch8223 Says:
I'm a lawyer in the Philippines. When I was 23 I was converted into this LDS Church but last year I wrote my own letter of EXCOMMUNICATION addressed to my bishop.
I didn't know then what I know now.
Joseph Smith IS NOT A PROPHET. JUST SOMEONE WHO is MOTIVATED BY ACCUMULATING MONEY, POWER and WOMEN.
Honestly, I feel very sick realizing how stupid I've been all these years.
And I thought Mr. Harris that you remained a member. when I started foll
watching your documentary. I thought you lost your common sense at the beginning of your documentary. And oh I'm so glad that you still have your intelligence intact.
No THINKING HUMAN BEING SHOULD REMAIN A MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH.
WHY?
1. If he is a prophet of God, he will not act so LUSTFUL to even marry their teenage house help and other minors.
2. That he will not marry the already married ones.
3. That he wouldn't have committed a bank run.
4. That if he is a prophet of God, he wouldnt have threatened his wife with destruction if she went against his polygamous way of life hiding behind the words "This saith the Lord..."
5. He would have lived like Jesus did, not act like a power and sex hungry human being.
6. That he would have apologized to sister Emma after he was caught by her having sex with that teenager in the barn.
7. If he had truly seen Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father in a vision, he wouldn't have committed such terrible acts.
There's just too many to mention.
I almost went out on a mission for this church but when I learned of the TRUE HISTORY, guess what???
I almost puke to my stomach.
But I love my fellow members who serve with their time and money. Everyone of us just wanted to be closer to God that's why this scammer of a man was able to get into our psyche.
I have a friend who is too close minded to the truth. It pains me. But that's her choice.
But you know what, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT LEAST, FOR THE FIRST TIME I FOUND SOMEONE SPIRITUAL AND SENSIBLE LIKE YOU. And I wish you and your family will be more blessed by what you do.
Please open up the eyes of people around the world. Joseph Smith has been the icon of the mega churches founders these days. Same lifestyle...power hungry and lustful.
HE IS NOT A MARTYR!!!
HE WAS KILLED FOR HIS SINS.
Grace DCD
@GamerDean-iv1dd Says:
Well I also was Mormon when I was a young kid but all I experienced was just primary ❤because I was only 10 when I left
@Macabeos3-19 Says:
Very good video. I hope you translate it into Spanish like the second part. It would help us Hispanics who don’t speak English to understand a bit more about the Mormon church. Thank you
@almaalvarado6289 Says:
I what happened to jesus brother??
@alifishies Says:
Kinda crazy how much he accomplished in such a short time. Idk if I'd call the accomplishments beneficial though
@PoeticProse7 Says:
Why the hell didn't Smith use the reversal of that and say God sent Moroni to show him where the plates were and then god would help translate it with Jesus? Consistency; it's not a polite suggestion!
@MacGomez Says:
Thank you for sharing your experiences and giving us a glimpse into the Mormon religion. Really interesting belief system. Look forward to the next one. ✌🏽
@jakubLonghorn Says:
These people are sooooooooo nuts
@jakubLonghorn Says:
Johnny, I am so sorry you had to get subjected to this evil nonsense.
@andrewwhitcomb3728 Says:
oh my gosh his sales pitch was moving. WOW just WOW
@jakubLonghorn Says:
Again, convicted conman.
@UNDERWOODTRUTH Says:
Job 4.17 Mortal man can not truly become a God 🕊🕊🕊
@MrNexuscorre Says:
Though it’s been 8 years since I’ve been an active member. The Mormon Hymns a round Christmas time, its peaceful reminiscing of the positive times I’ve had with the church. I think that feeling will never leave me. But I do feel even better not being restricted to the world.
@jason_okmostly_vayda_livin7200 Says:
…so this guy probably had an ergot acid trip and now I can’t attend my cousins weddings for the rest of my life,thanks a lot
@gabrieltuccu5512 Says:
Just realised This relegion is false....
@frankabreu8681 Says:
I was visited by an Angel 6 years ago. This video is pushing me closer to move to Salt Lake City. My experience is similar. Thank you for creating and sharing your video. And please do not lose faith. GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH
@Hemeda_ Says:
I’m a Muslim and the longer I go into this video I’m so happy I’m Muslim
@davelee6002 Says:
Can ant current or former lds members here explain to me what it is about the book of Mormon that is so convincing that Smith was divinely inspired? I hear this over and over, "just read it and you can see.". Thanks!
@joeceonnia1954 Says:
What happened, Jesus didn’t come, and Joseph wasn’t the profit he said he was, like most crazies the only difference is he didn’t make people drink the kool-Aid! Because they all claim they are the only ones speaking to God himself. That’s right, they are the only person that speaks to him, God.
@0501245 Says:
As an ex JW I understand everything so well. Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Ellen Gould White were all bouncing a lot of crap around in the 1800s.
@Regina_Filanji Says:
My best friend just moved to Utah. I learned what an exmo was!
@Regina_Filanji Says:
Jesus christ of Missouri
@robertkerr4201 Says:
God gave us brains as well as hearts. “If you believe in things you don’t understand you’re going to suffer” Stevie Wonder
Keep seeking the truth, my friend
@valraeUK Says:
Former member as well. The grief is real. I've been officially out about four years and physically out about six. I was a convert, not born in it, but undoing the indoctrination is a constant work. Thank you for your gentle insight.
@famlomshalom7348 Says:
This story shows how easy it is with enough time and charisma to get people to believe in something that in any other context would be laughed at as false.
@kylebrown1820 Says:
Thanks for sharing!
@live_well79 Says:
Peeeedoooo
@qchecketts Says:
Hi Elder Harris ;) Thank you for sharing. I too grew up as a stanch member and served a mission. I came to the "truth" halfway through my mission. I really relate to your comment about how you "miss" believing in Joseph and the whole story. One December, my eldest son came to me and confronted me about Santa Claus. He told me to just admit that it was all fake and that mom and I were the ones behind the presents under the tree. He sounded so sure that I went along with it. Then he got quiet. I looked over to see his lower lip puff up and a tear form in his eye. I chuckled and pulled him in close for a hug and said, "Andy, I thought you knew it was all fake. You sounded so certain!" Any then he said, "Well, I kinda knew dad, but I didn't want to hear it." It was definitely a transition to process that much of what I held on to for 20 plus years was all a fagile stack of cards. Thanks again for handling this with class.
@stuchambers297 Says:
fake religion, brainwashing the gullible.
@ChristineNussbaumer-h7d Says:
Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai
@470bb9 Says:
I'm a Christian here ☦️, and I'd like you to know that The Lord Jesus still has a plan for us all, as long as we still live He can still work in us, don't think about how just belive. From what I know the Mormons are a cult so be happy that the Lord got you out of that, because "even if an angele from heven will proclaim another gosple than the one we preached to you let him be cursed". The love which He shown for us in the Cross is still viable for everyone today, saving us from hell, giving us the forgivness of sinns, distroiyng the chains of the fear of death, with His blood. Search for Orthodoxy, may the martirdom of the Saints be a strong seed in you, continuing in the path, and search in your own heart apart from God there is no life. And let the Cross be made not in vain.
@jokar4111 Says:
Lol there is NO WAY I could have joined such a movement. Everything about it sounds like trickery. It sounds like a lot of cap. I'm shocked anyone follows it, but then again not all human beings check background of anything, and even less have enough IQ to see bee ess even if it's openly Infront of them. All in all, Thankyou for this video.
@عمرصلاح-ذ6ل Says:
Come on u know just as I do that all this in no more than bullshit😆😉
@alexazuewsky7658 Says:
I was born, raised and currently reside in upstate NY and this is all new news to me :0
@vagabond_boots Says:
The epicentre of the end of the world and the garden of Eden is in Missouri
@oliverscorsim Says:
I may not follow y'all's story but man I have a very very particular taste in women and iv been through lots of britches but my god y'all have the biggest population of the absolutely finest women on this planet 😂. Seriously the most attractive lady I ever met was one and I still vividly see her face in my mind. I was madly in love with another also very attractive Mormon lady engaged the whole 9 😅 her family definitely didn't like me 😂 being a grease monkey i expected it 😅
@keithsweetfeld2663 Says:
And as a former Jehovah's witness, I was being both used and indoctrinated to the point believing in them. Boy, was I wrong!
@keithsweetfeld2663 Says:
It's nearly similar to the same teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Well, almost
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