Joseph Smith and Philosophy

Joseph Smith on the Nature of Matter and Intelligence – 3:09
Joseph Smith on Metaphysical Substance – 10:39
Joseph Smith on Free Will – 26:56
Joseph Smith and the Problem of Evil – 36:30
Recommendations for further reading – 47:50

The Prophet Joseph Smith, born in 1805, restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. Though he received little formal education, he went on to translate, by the gift and power of God, several books of ancient scripture, in addition to receiving and recording a number of significant revelations and leaving behind record of various statements given in public or private.

This video presents four philosophical positions drawn more or less directly from those inspired writings; Joseph’s views on the eternity of matter and intelligence and his substance monism, found directly in statements some of which were later canonized by the Church, are described and compared with the views of other historical thinkers including Descartes, Spinoza, and Aristotle. The central philosophical terms and issues are presented in a basic form.

I also discuss the implications of the Prophet’s theological and philosophical work for both the question of free will and the Logical Problem of Evil; for this latter point, I draw from the writings of LDS philosopher David Paulsen. Joseph’s thought is amenable to a more radical version of free will than perhaps any other mainstream Christian worldview, and David Paulsen argues convincingly that the Problem of Evil is less problematic for a system of thought based on the doctrines revealed to Joseph Smith than it is for other forms of Christianity.

For further reading in the writings of Joseph Smith:
2. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
3. The Essential Joseph Smith
4. “The King Follett Discourse”
5. Lectures on Faith (probably written by Sidney Rigdon)

For further reading on Joseph Smith and philosophy:
1. Richard Bushman – Rough Stone Rolling
2. Hyrum Andrus – God, Man and, the Universe
3. Terryl Givens – Wrestling the Angel
4. Blake Ostler – Exploring Mormon Thought, esp. vol. I

Views expressed here are my own and do not represent official positions of the Church; I specifically flag which quotations come from scripture, and treat those as doctrinal.

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[Randyw]

You are very good at explaining difficult topics. Well done

[tybaltmarr]

Informative and concise video thank you!

[isaacmathews]

Great video. Thank you. I am looking forward to more!!! *SALUTE!*

[whatsstandard]

I would be interested in an analysis of Plantinga.

[hackerj]

Wow great stuff. Where was this channel five years ago??

[mormonguru]

Would like to see an expansion on the logical problem of evil in a future video! Did you do that video on the King Follette sermon/discourse?

[charlesbrown]

I think you cover the implications of Joseph Smith's teachings very effectively.

In my discussions with non-LDS Christians they can't explain the purpose of suffering based on the fact of their acceptance of creation ex nihilo. According to this belief any suffering encountered in mortality is a state of forced suffering. The "creature creation"/ human being had no understanding of the purpose of mortality. They come into existence now to face heaven or hell with a vast number apparently destined to hell, and God knowing which ones. In theory according to LDS, everyone born on earth is at least better off eternally for being born except for the sons of perdition.

With the doctrine of the pre mortality of the spirit we understand that we agreed, or at least understood that suffering that might come our way. That is a significant difference. The discussion might also consider that classical Christian theology can't fully give a purpose for suffering, and they answer it with, "it is for a greater good" without knowing or saying what that greater good is. The greater good is exaltation and this requires agency which is the opportunity to express the will of the individual associated with each eternal intelligence. A created being technically can't have its own will since its expression would be dependent on another being to cause its existence.

[jojones]

Did God create our spirits from a primordial matter or did pur spirits exist as beings eternally into the past?

[TBIhope]

I think this is very interesting. For me, the ideas are just fun explorations into how reality might’ve come to be, and where it’s going, but it doesn’t change anything about how I’ll live my life: I’m just going to do the best I can with what I have.

[pionodalo]

Joseph smith we could not called him founder i call him the restored prophet

[jojones]

I don't think most Christians would argue that God has logical limits on his power

[jojones]

LDS theology asserts the existence of multiple omnipotent gods. I dont understand how this can work logically since the will of one god may come into conflict with the will of another, furthermore if one god's will supersedes the other's that would suggest that gods don't truly posses free will.

[williamturner]

Wasn't tough stone rolling the poorly researched one?

[jojones]

The problem isn't ana argument against the existence of gods as such but an argument against a specific conception of God which the church doesn't adhere to. I wouldn't characterize the argument as atheistic though it's used by many atheists

[williamturner]

You didn't make a case for Joseph not being compatiblist, did you? He might have not made the case for it but did he say anything against it?

[ArcaneMormon]

Interesting. Had a hunch Joseph's ideas were more classical pagan in many instances, then Recently met a pagan woman who considers Joseph Smith to be a Neoplatonist seer. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

[nikolaskoutroulakis]

When he talks about the problem of evil, it might be worth mentioning to say that when he says the logical problem of evil is the strongest, he is likely referring to the boldness of its claim. In general the problem of evil is not taken seriously by most philosophers of religion nowadays, but the logical problem of evil is unanimously regarded as a very poor argument

[ClarkAboudaz]

Hi Joseph, this is off topic but i'm watching your debate you had recently. I've have a few discussions and debates with LDS and i was wondering if your interested in maybe talking more about it with us.

[heberfrank]

"Something" has to be "uncaused" (eternal and un-created) or nothing would exist. Right?

Here are some choices of what is "uncaused":

1. The immaterial God of the creeds is "uncaused" with blank check power to create time, space, spirit beings and the material universe, including all living beings, out of nothing.
Or
2. Space and the elements (physical and spirit matter and intelligences) in chaos are "uncaused" and organized by God into Creation. God has a Son, so God also creates God.
Or
3. Space and the elements in chaos are "uncaused" but all creative organization comes about by a series of accidents and non-accidental "natural selection" with no creating God.

My sense of truth and my life long experience tells me that the truth is the second option.

[jojones]

Spinoza and other panpsychists might argue for the eternity of "mind" in that sense