Abstract

It is felt by some historians that Joseph Smith was a product of his environment; that his teachings were the amplifications of religious doctrines surrounding his life experience in early America.
Some writings which have been published show similarities between Joseph's "Mormonism" and contemporary religions.
It should be rememebered, however, that if Joseph Smith's call, as restorer, were all that he professed it to be (and he was not alone in that profession), there would, indeed, exist paralleling truths surrounding his "restored" gospel. For, as Joseph tells us, the gospel was preached from the beginning. If that is true, we should then be able to find remnants of its existence throughout the world at practically any time and at any place that we might look. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to explain parallels, throughout the history of the world, to Joseph Smith's doctrines.

Degree

EdD

College and Department

Religious Education; Church History and Doctrine

Rights

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