Children of God: Analysis of Major Characters
"Children of God: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the prominent figures within the early history of the Church of Latter-day Saints, providing insights into their distinct personalities and roles. Central to this narrative is Joseph Smith, the church's founder, depicted as a visionary who claimed divinely inspired revelations and faced significant persecution throughout his life. Following his assassination, Brigham Young emerges as a steadfast leader, guiding the church's migration to Utah and serving as its governor. The analysis includes other key characters such as John Taylor, who succeeds Young, and Oliver Cowdery, Joseph's first convert, pivotal in the translation of the Book of Mormon.
The document also highlights figures like Emma Hale Smith, who navigates the challenges of plural marriage, and Sidney Rigdon, whose ambitions lead to his eventual excommunication from the church. Additionally, it touches on dissenting voices, such as Moroni and Nephi McBride, who depart after changes in church policy regarding plural marriages. Through these characters, the overview offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities and dynamics within early Mormonism, reflecting various perspectives and motivations that shaped the movement's history.
Children of God: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Vardis Fisher
First published: 1939
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York, Illinois, and Utah
Plot: Historical
Time: 1820–1890
Joseph Smith, a visionary and mystic, founder of the Church of Latter-day Saints; a poor, handsome, humorless giant who believes himself a prophet of God and who reports the finding of some inscribed golden plates, which he translates into a bible for his followers. Persecuted in New York, Ohio, and Missouri, he is finally killed by a mob in Illinois.
Brigham Young, the strong, able leader of the church after Smith's death. Unsentimental, hardheaded, and unceasingly devoted to the church, he leads his saints to Utah and becomes governor until the territory is made a state. After withstanding many onslaughts, he dies just before being tried for his reputed crimes.
John Taylor, leader of the church after Young's death.
Oliver Cowdery, a schoolteacher, Joseph's first convert, who records Joseph's dictated translation of the Book of Mormon and later becomes a missionary to the Indians.
Heber Kimball, Brigham's close friend and one of his chief aides. He dies of pneumonia after falling from a carriage.
Emma Hale Smith, Joseph's first wife, who complains, among many other things, about Joseph's many wives.
Newel Knight, a convert who introduces Joseph to conditions among his Ohio followers.
Ulysses S. Grant, disgusted president of the United States, who plans to wipe out the Mormon empire.
Bill Hickman, an adventurous former Methodist who becomes a volunteer avenger, scout, and Indian fighter for the Mormons until he finally sours on Mormonism.
Sidney Rigdon, an unpredictable, strong-voiced prophet who, after Joseph's death, is ambitious to head the church and is later excommunicated.
John Bennett, a handsome, sensual adventurer and jack-of-all-trades attracted to Mormonism by Joseph's plural marriage policy.
Jedediah Grant, a zealous preacher, the firebrand of the church, who pleads with Brigham for a casting out of the sinners.
Moroni and Nephi McBride, grandfather and grandson, leaders of a group of dissident Mormons who leave Salt Lake City after the abolition of plural marriages.
Alfred Cumming, the enormously fat governor of Utah.
Horace Greeley, Artemus Ward, and Richard Burton, three visitors to Salt Lake City who later write about the Mormons and their activities.
Wilford Woodruff, Mormon leader after John Taylor. He abolishes plural marriages in an attempt to save the church from destruction.
The Whitmers, a family of early converts.
Moroni, an angel who tells Joseph where to find the golden plates and commands him to translate them.