HolyFetch.com
These are the myths that stood out to me because I've heard them:
Of the ones I'd never heard of, I found this one to be the most interesting:
These are the myths that stood out to me because I've heard them:
Did Joseph Smith say you would kill yourself to get to the Telestial Kingdom
Undetermined
This quote is most often attributed to Joseph Smith, but some have attributed it to Brigham Young. The quote usually goes like this: "The Telestial Kingdom is so great that if you were able to see it, you'd kill yourself just to get there."
There may be some truth to this statement, but the only record we have of it being uttered, unfortunately, is a third-hand account from Charles W. Walker in 1877. He wrote the following in his journal:
And on Friday last while speaking at the Funeral of Matilda Moody [Brother Woodruff] said we should improve the present time and do all we could for our dead ere death called us away. He referred to a saying of Joseph Smith which he heard him utter (like this) That if the People knew what was behind the vail, they would try by every means to commit suicide that they might get there, but the Lord in his wisdom had implanted the fear of death in every person that they might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of their creator.
So, we have no first-hand account, but we do have a paraphrase from Walker writing in his journal two days after he heard Woodruff recall a statement from Joseph Smith, which would have been spoken at least 33 years ealier.
The veracity of the quote is somewhat questionable, but it is still your call.
Undetermined
This quote is most often attributed to Joseph Smith, but some have attributed it to Brigham Young. The quote usually goes like this: "The Telestial Kingdom is so great that if you were able to see it, you'd kill yourself just to get there."
There may be some truth to this statement, but the only record we have of it being uttered, unfortunately, is a third-hand account from Charles W. Walker in 1877. He wrote the following in his journal:
And on Friday last while speaking at the Funeral of Matilda Moody [Brother Woodruff] said we should improve the present time and do all we could for our dead ere death called us away. He referred to a saying of Joseph Smith which he heard him utter (like this) That if the People knew what was behind the vail, they would try by every means to commit suicide that they might get there, but the Lord in his wisdom had implanted the fear of death in every person that they might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of their creator.
So, we have no first-hand account, but we do have a paraphrase from Walker writing in his journal two days after he heard Woodruff recall a statement from Joseph Smith, which would have been spoken at least 33 years ealier.
The veracity of the quote is somewhat questionable, but it is still your call.
Early members broke good china so that the stucco of the Kirtland Temple would sparkle
Unlikely
There is no contemporary account of members breaking their china and adding it to the stucco of the Kirtland Temple so it would sparkle. In fact, it would have been foolish to break the china because it could have been sold for much needed funds. The old stucco was replaced in the 1950’s and modern analysis was also not able to confirm this early story of sacrifice.
The original exterior stucco did contain glass and sparkled in the sun. Whether or not any china was used is not clear, since the recipe of the stucco was never released. By family tradition, the stucco most likely included hair, glass and china. There was a glass company in the area and it is most likely that the majority of the glass used was waste glass or old bottles. Reports of fine china being donated and broken have not been able to be verified over the years.
Many people have submitted quotes from church leaders, including President Hinckley, that mention the broken china. The broken china story can also be found in many church publications, including lesson manuals. Although it is plausible that china was used, it is most likely that this was already broken china and not good, usable china. And the fact remains that no documented account of breaking good china to be used in the stucco exists. Because of this, the myth will remain classified "unlikely".
Craig K. Manscill, associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU wrote the following in "Artemus Millet: Builder of the Kingdom":
Much has been said concerning the exterior stucco of the Kirtland Temple. The common story is that the women of Kirtland donated their fine china to be crushed and mixed in with the stucco, thereby adding a shimmering surface. That glass was put into the plaster is true, yet there are no records that tell of any fine china. Artemus’s journal and other contemporary accounts use the phrase "old glass and crockery." His son recalled, "Artemus sent men and boys to the different towns and places to gather old crockery and glass to put in the cement." Stories about fine china being mixed in the Kirtland Temple stucco do not appear on the historical record until 1940—over a hundred years after the dedication of the temple.(Pg. 64)
Unlikely
There is no contemporary account of members breaking their china and adding it to the stucco of the Kirtland Temple so it would sparkle. In fact, it would have been foolish to break the china because it could have been sold for much needed funds. The old stucco was replaced in the 1950’s and modern analysis was also not able to confirm this early story of sacrifice.
The original exterior stucco did contain glass and sparkled in the sun. Whether or not any china was used is not clear, since the recipe of the stucco was never released. By family tradition, the stucco most likely included hair, glass and china. There was a glass company in the area and it is most likely that the majority of the glass used was waste glass or old bottles. Reports of fine china being donated and broken have not been able to be verified over the years.
Many people have submitted quotes from church leaders, including President Hinckley, that mention the broken china. The broken china story can also be found in many church publications, including lesson manuals. Although it is plausible that china was used, it is most likely that this was already broken china and not good, usable china. And the fact remains that no documented account of breaking good china to be used in the stucco exists. Because of this, the myth will remain classified "unlikely".
Craig K. Manscill, associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU wrote the following in "Artemus Millet: Builder of the Kingdom":
Much has been said concerning the exterior stucco of the Kirtland Temple. The common story is that the women of Kirtland donated their fine china to be crushed and mixed in with the stucco, thereby adding a shimmering surface. That glass was put into the plaster is true, yet there are no records that tell of any fine china. Artemus’s journal and other contemporary accounts use the phrase "old glass and crockery." His son recalled, "Artemus sent men and boys to the different towns and places to gather old crockery and glass to put in the cement." Stories about fine china being mixed in the Kirtland Temple stucco do not appear on the historical record until 1940—over a hundred years after the dedication of the temple.(Pg. 64)
Mob members that killed Joseph Smith suffered awful deaths
False
This legend claims that each mob member that participated in the killing of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith ended up suffering either awful lives or horrible deaths. It is, unfortunatly, not true.
Dallin H. Oaks even referenced this urban legend in the book he co-wrote with Marvin S. Hill, "The Carthage Conspiracy." Below is a quote from the book:
A persistent Utah myth holds that some of the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith met fittingly gruesome deaths - that Providence intervened to dispense the justice denied in the Carthage trial. But the five defendants who went to trial, including men who had been shown to be leaders in the murder plot and others associated with them, enjoyed notably successful careers. - Oaks, Dallin H. and Hill, Marvin S., The Carthage Conspiracy. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1979., 217.
False
This legend claims that each mob member that participated in the killing of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith ended up suffering either awful lives or horrible deaths. It is, unfortunatly, not true.
Dallin H. Oaks even referenced this urban legend in the book he co-wrote with Marvin S. Hill, "The Carthage Conspiracy." Below is a quote from the book:
A persistent Utah myth holds that some of the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith met fittingly gruesome deaths - that Providence intervened to dispense the justice denied in the Carthage trial. But the five defendants who went to trial, including men who had been shown to be leaders in the murder plot and others associated with them, enjoyed notably successful careers. - Oaks, Dallin H. and Hill, Marvin S., The Carthage Conspiracy. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1979., 217.
Yoda was based on President Spencer W. Kimball
False
It is most likely coincidence that Yoda and Spencer W. Kimball both had squeaky, rough voices, tufts of white hair, and urged people not to try, but to do. Someone who worked on the Yoda model stated in an interview that is was never discussed to model Yoda after Kimball and that Einstein was actually used as a model, along with other faces.
False
It is most likely coincidence that Yoda and Spencer W. Kimball both had squeaky, rough voices, tufts of white hair, and urged people not to try, but to do. Someone who worked on the Yoda model stated in an interview that is was never discussed to model Yoda after Kimball and that Einstein was actually used as a model, along with other faces.
Brigham Young and other notable members believed in the Bear Lake Monster
True
Although there have been thousands of sightings and even the native Americans in the Utah region had stories about it, the Bear Lake Monster is still just a myth. But it is a myth that Brigham Young and many other notable church leaders believed in.
According to Utah historian, Will Bagley, on May 18, 1874, William Budge, a Mormon pioneer and wagon train captain, described seeing the Monster to Brigham Young. Along with Budge, three other respected citizens of Rich County claimed to have seen it.
Shortly after Budge's report, Young entered into an arrangement with Phineas W. Cook of Swan Creek "to catch the serpent in the Lake at halves." In 1868, Cook had come up with a plan to catch the Monster and needed a long rope. Brigham Young loaned him the rope. Young wrote in August 1876 to ask what had happened to his rope. "I spent my time faithfully during the seaon," Cook replied in a letter, "but did not succeed.
In August 1881, Apostle George Q. Cannon reported having seen the Bear Lake Monster or something of that kind while strolling along the lake's shore line.
True
Although there have been thousands of sightings and even the native Americans in the Utah region had stories about it, the Bear Lake Monster is still just a myth. But it is a myth that Brigham Young and many other notable church leaders believed in.
According to Utah historian, Will Bagley, on May 18, 1874, William Budge, a Mormon pioneer and wagon train captain, described seeing the Monster to Brigham Young. Along with Budge, three other respected citizens of Rich County claimed to have seen it.
Shortly after Budge's report, Young entered into an arrangement with Phineas W. Cook of Swan Creek "to catch the serpent in the Lake at halves." In 1868, Cook had come up with a plan to catch the Monster and needed a long rope. Brigham Young loaned him the rope. Young wrote in August 1876 to ask what had happened to his rope. "I spent my time faithfully during the seaon," Cook replied in a letter, "but did not succeed.
In August 1881, Apostle George Q. Cannon reported having seen the Bear Lake Monster or something of that kind while strolling along the lake's shore line.
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