Ex-Mormon harassed for Nauvoo witness

Townhall ^ | February 28, 2008 | Jerry Higgins

[Zakeet]

NAUVOO, Ill. (BP)--Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River about 270 miles southwest of Chicago, the Illinois town of Nauvoo is just a dot on the map for most people.

Nauvoo had seen better days as a thriving producer of cheese and wine until the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a $30 million temple in the community that was founded by Mormon patriarch Joseph Smith in 1939.

Now an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 visitors come to Nauvoo each year. Many of them pass the stucco storefront of the Christian Visitors Center, where Rocky Hulse and his wife Helen stand ready to tell anyone who will listen the differences between Mormonism and authentic Christian faith.

Hulse, 52, is a former Mormon and a retired U.S. Navy chief warrant officer who served in the Persian Gulf. Instead of using his Navy skills to land a high-paying job in San Diego or Dallas, however, the Hulses settled in Nauvoo to focus on sharing the truth about Jesus Christ with the town's 1,000 residents and the influx of tourists visiting the Mormon "mecca."

According to Mormon history, Joseph Smith received his last revelations in Nauvoo, where he served as mayor and built a temple. He was murdered in 1844 by a mob while awaiting trial on charges of destroying an opposition Mormon newspaper. The Mormon migration to Utah came a couple of years later.

Hulse has a weekly television show called "Truth Proclaimed" and is the author of a new book, "When Salt Lake City Calls: Is There a Conflict Between Mormonism and the Public Trust?" dealing largely with Mormon temple ceremonies. He says all he is doing is comparing Mormon teachings to the Bible and exposing the true history of Mormonism.

Not everyone welcomes his message.

Bishop David Wright, a Mormon leader in Nauvoo, described Hulse's ministry to The Chicago Tribune as "a non-Christian center or anti-Mormon center," saying, "I don't see anything Christian about it."

Hulse said his home office above the visitors center has been trashed and he has received several threatening e-mails. One e-mail, received a couple of days before Christmas 2006, read: "I'd love to watch you all die, then witness the looks on your faces when you realize how stupid and counterproductive your fight really was."

Hulse reported that threat to police in Nauvoo, who passed it on to Illinois and Utah authorities. The e-mail was traced to the computer of Phil Rogers, a Mormon who works as a court officer in Farmington, Utah, near Salt Lake City. An April 15, 2007, article in The Chicago Tribune quoted Rogers as saying that someone hacked into his Internet account while he was using an open router. The Tribune interviewed Internet security experts who said such tampering could have easily occurred.

Nauvoo Chief of Police Don Faulkner said Utah authorities refused to prosecute because they didn't have enough evidence. Faulkner, who is not a Mormon, said, "It's up to the state, the county and the attorney in the jurisdiction. It's up to the attorney whether he thinks the case is winnable. Opinions bear no weight. He won't take a case to court if he doesn't have enough evidence regardless of what anyone thinks."

Hulse said he wasn't surprised at the decision not to prosecute.

"In the Mormon world, the absolute worst thing you can be is an apostate ," Hulse said. "In their doctrine, on Judgment Day Hitler will go to a better place than someone who leaves the Mormon Church."

After the death threat, the Hulses increased security around the visitors center and were much more careful in their daily routines. Faulkner said he believes they have nothing to worry about from the locals. Police investigations have not come up with any suspects in the ransacking of his office.

"He spent time in the Navy protecting everyone's rights," Faulkner said. "He protected Mormons' religious beliefs, whether he agrees or not, along with Islam, Catholic, Baptist, Jewish … whatever religious beliefs."

But, Faulkner said, "When you have radio and TV programs and a storefront establishment preaching against a religion, people of that faith look at you and will make comments about you."

Hulse's straightforward evangelistic technique obviously rubs people the wrong way, said Jane Langford, editor of the local weekly newspaper, The Nauvoo New Independent. She said Hulse's expertise gives him credibility and rankles the Mormons.

"Rocky has done his research," said Langford, a Catholic who has published several of Hulse's articles. "I've given him a platform and he took it. At times maybe he took it too far. I've had a backlash, but I've tried to keep the tradition of the newspaper. I'm sure if I folded up, the Mormon Church would finance and start a newspaper which would have their slant to it."

Hulse was a Mormon for 31 years before he heard a "cowboy preacher" at a rodeo on Jan. 1, 1986. He was saved on the spot and felt God leading him to evangelize Mormons and tell Christians about Mormonism. In 1999, while stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Hulse and his wife started an outreach to Mormons. Their first taste of Nauvoo, according to the Tribune news story, came in 2002 when Hulse was barred from an open house at the new Mormon temple because he was deemed "disruptive."

The Nauvoo Christian Visitors Center is one of three visitors centers in the community. One is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the other by the reorganized Community of Christ, an offshoot of the main Mormon body. The other visitors centers, Hulse said, claim the only true church is the one started by Joseph Smith.

The visitors center the Hulses operate existed before they arrived in Nauvoo in 2005.

"No one ever challenges the Mormon Church at the level we do it," Hulse said. "Our TV show has us in many markets. They have rewritten doctrines that they don't tell anyone.

"If we are being untruthful, they have every right to expose us. No one has come forth because there is nothing to expose."

The Nauvoo Christian Visitors Center may be found on the Internet at http://www.nauvoochristian.org/.

[pby]

I was at the Impeachment Rally with JR, the House Managers Dinner in Washington DC, and other rallies that this forum has supported.

I was at the Impeachment Rally, as well.

Ann Coulter and Alan Keyes were great that day.

[Godzilla]

But the fruit of the poor coffee is impossible to eat.

Not if covered with dark chocolate!!!! :0

[CommerceComet]

Didn't you know the tree of life is a coffee tree :)

I'd believe that. When I was in the Ph.D. program, I told my Mormon office mate that I really liked sharing an office with him because I wouldn't have to worry about him stealing my coffee.

[Elsie]

Most interesting site. Author is VERY neutral and the way he deals with BOA almost suggests that he is a RLDS since they do not hold BOA as ‘inspired’.

They also don't think that D&C 132 is 'inspired'!

(By GOD at least!)

[Elsie]

But... did your Jello® stay around for long?

[Rameumptom]

IIRC, there is a statue of pioneers by the river. There are also many statues by the Mormon visitors center dedicated to the family. The one linked above is a statue that is actually at Carthage not Nauvoo and is of Joseph and his brother Hyrum.

>>But sometime, Lord willing, I shall return to Nauvoo’s ‘Mars Hill’ and testify the truth to whoever I may.

Fair enough as we send our missionaries to preach wherever Evangelicals live.

Actually there is one reason any FReeper worth their salt has to go to Nauvoo. For the collection of Browning guns (including his patents and machine gun) in the Browning gunsmith shop and home in Nauvoo. He was the most influntial inventor on modern weaponry and weapon systems in WWI and WWII. His patents were used in more weapon systems by the US military than any other inventor.

What I find interesting in this thread though is the fact that there is such ire raised over a threatening email while there is no mention of the circumstances of the Nauvoo exodus. Yes the SLC man is decidedly wrong and an idiot, especially for threatening a veteran.

For example, a 70 year old man was beaten to death on the steps of the original Nauvoo temple. He was left on the steps pleading for water for 2 days while he died from his head wounds. The mob wouldn't let anyone near him to help. The Winter Exodus occurred at gunpoint similar in manner to the Trail of Tears with a trail of blood left by the women and children in the snow. One woman crossed the river with her 2 and 4 year old, Then tied them to a tree so they wouldn't wander away and get lost while she went back accross the river to get her 6 year old. The historical record is plain on the atrocities committed against the Mormons there. Over 500 children ages 0-5 are buried at Winter Quarters Nebraska where they were forced to winter. Some anti-Mormons try to justify the actions against the Mormons with some arguments of moral equivalence. While there were wrongs committed on both sides any objective reader of history who cares to search the matter can find the truth.

Another example, some like to cite the fact that Smith destroyed a printing Press to show he was against Freedom of Speech. But they fail to mention the fact that a mob of non Mormons had already done it to the Mormons, tarring and feathering the printers and burning it down. They even took some potshots at young Mormon girls who ran away with some of the printing paper which the Doctrine and Covenants was printed on. Smith was wrong to destroy the press but it wasn't done in a vacuum.

>>>My wife just loves the old homes of the era, all the antique furnishings, etc. The fact that she didn’t want to do the tourist thing, and walk through them, was a clear sign to me of just how upset she was to the sad deception that took place there, and still does.

The primary mission of the Nauvoo tour guides is not proselyting but strengthening the testimony of members. Of course they will promote the Church to non members but that is not their primary focus. They are considered service missionaries rather than proselyting ones. The young men in suits are the ones dedicated to full time proselyting.

I've found both the Mormons and non Mormons there to be pretty friendly. The rest of the country could learn a thing or two about good Midwestern Values and Courtesy. Good luck Preaching in Nauvoo.

[Godzilla]

I'd believe that. When I was in the Ph.D. program, I told my Mormon office mate that I really liked sharing an office with him because I wouldn't have to worry about him stealing my coffee.

Cleaning up monitor!!!???!!!! :0

[MHGinTN]

Runnin’ in your wake ...

[SkyPilot]

I was at the Impeachment Rally, as well. Ann Coulter and Alan Keyes were great that day.

My wife was watching it on C-SPAN while I was there. She commented to me that "whoever that blond speaker was, she is beautiful."

[MHGinTN]

There is a gourmet candy which features coffee beans in chocolate; can’t remember the name but even Wal-Mart carries them! The bitter and sweet are interesting together, but don’t eat too many, the buzz is a trumper!

[Elsie]

The primary mission of the Nauvoo tour guides is not proselyting but strengthening the testimony of members.

Can't have them LDS, Inc. members learning OTHER things about the starting of their faith. They might just become an ANTI.

[Godzilla]

the buzz is a trumper!

Ohhhh you bet cha!

[conservativegramma]

So this visitor center is more to preach against Mormons then it is to preach the Gospel? Sorry but that is not Christian, and neither are you.

Your first error is you are pre-supposing that Mormonism is Christian instead of the cult that it is. All Mormons follow a false prophet - Joseph Smith - and it is very Christian to expose False Prophets. Read Jude, especially the part where it says to "....contend earnestly for the faith...."

Your 2nd error is that non-Mormons have as much right to call a Mormon as follower of a false prophet as Mormons have the right to go door to door pronouncing all non-Mormons as being apostate. Unless of course evangelism is only allowed to be practiced BY Mormons and all evangelism which exposes the false prophecies of Smith is to be silenced??????

Let's see where's my copy of the U.S. Constitution particularly that 1st amendment clause ...............

[Zuriel]

**IIRC, there is a statue of pioneers by the river.**

Thanks for trying to find a pic, Elsie.

This may help get me over to Nauvoo sooner than planned! lol

IIRC, they were dapper dressed w/o hats with one gesturing across the river, and the other holding a monocular. I THINK one was supposed to be Young.

**..a 70 year old man was beaten to death..**

That’s terrible, but what’s the ‘rest of the story’? 70 years old is not too old to be criminal. I don’t approve of mob violence though.

I live near Monmouth, IL, where in 1841 Mr. Smith was brought before Judge Stephen Douglas for an extradition hearing on murder charges in Missouri. But Missouri couldn’t extradite him because the statute of limitations had run out.

My dad used to remind me, “Most of the problems we have, we bring on ourselves.”
I believe Mr. Smith was a victim of his own ‘cunning craftiness’ (Eph. 4:14). The historical records certainly fail to show him as a humble servant of God. The historical records do show him to have a thirst for power on this earth.

**I’ve found both the Mormons and non Mormons there to be pretty friendly.**

There’s nice folk everywhere. I’ve known a real sweet lady that is buddist, a super polite coworker that claims atheism. Yet, God sets the rules for entering into the kingdom of heaven.

**Good luck Preaching in Nauvoo.**

If God be for me, who can be against me! (that’s the key,...God).

[tracer]

"If we are being untruthful, they have every right to expose us. No one has come forth because there is nothing to expose."

Alternative, more likely explanation -- Hulse is a bitter mosquito who is not worthy of a swat....

[tracer]

"I have NO idea."

An appropriate epitaph for you. Hold that thought....

[tracer]

"Nauvoo had seen better days as a thriving producer of cheese and wine until the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a $30 million temple in the community that was founded by Mormon patriarch Joseph Smith in 1939."

Payback is hell.....

[tracer]

"Nauvoo had seen better days as a thriving producer of cheese...."

Blessed are the cheesemakers....

[Elsie]

 Alternative, more likely explanation -- Hulse is a bitter mosquito who is not worthy of a swat....

An appropriate epitaph for you. Hold that thought....

Payback is hell.....

Blessed are the cheesemakers....

 

 Glad to see you back!!

 

You can take up where OMM has left off.

 

 Alternative, more likely explanation -- Hulse is a bitter mosquito who is not worthy of a swat....

An appropriate epitaph for you. Hold that thought....

Payback is hell.....

Blessed are the cheesemakers....

[Elsie]

Word of Wisdom

 

Or...

 

Word of Confusion???

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Doctrine and Covenants Section 89

Revelation through Joseph Smith, Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. History of the Church 1:327-29.

¹ A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion
² To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days
³ Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
⁴ Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation
⁵ That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
⁶ And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
⁷ And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
⁸ And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
⁹ And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
¹⁰ And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man
¹¹ Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
¹² Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
¹³ And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
¹⁴ All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
¹⁵ And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
¹⁶ All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground
¹⁷ Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
¹⁸ And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
¹⁹ And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
²⁰ And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
²¹ And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

 

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It would appear, given all the LDS INTERNAL disagreements over just what the above REALLY means,
that the Living Prophet® should AGAIN petition the Lord for clarification of the matter.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom