Joseph Smith and Social Power
Introduction
Since its start, the Mormon religion has been a controversial religion. This paper is not a debate but simply an analysis of how Joseph Smith was successful in establishing a new religion and did so by using social power. Religion has and always will be a touchy subject for most people. Some are firm believers in their religious view, while others feel that all religion is nonsense. Regardless of the feeling, it is undeniable that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, was extremely profitable and was able to introduce an entirely new idea and convince people it was the right idea.
Some argue that Joseph Smith was a con artist (Broadhurst, 2009) while the people who follow the Mormon religion view him as the “Chosen One”. Although it may be true that Joseph Smith did not actually receive the visions he claimed to have had, he was able to convince people that he did. That is the most important aspect, the ability to convince individuals. Joseph Smith used his charismatic character to successfully implement the theory of social power in order to gain followers. The theory of social power claims that by the use of one or all of the bases (expert power, legitimate power, reward power, coercive power, and referent power) an individual will have the ability to change the behavior of targeted individuals or a group of individuals (French & Raven, 1959, 261).
In the film, Joseph Smith: The Prophet of Restoration, Joseph Smith Jr’s life is revealed to its audience. Starting with his parents, Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack Smith migrated to America to acquire civil and religious freedom, little did they know one of their very own son’s would go on to lead a very virtuous and religious life. Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont Joseph Smith Jr. grew up in a large family of eight brothers and sisters. Joseph Smith’s two eldest brothers, Alvin and Hyrum, were his role models. He looked up to his two older brothers and they both
Since its start, the Mormon religion has been a controversial religion. This paper is not a debate but simply an analysis of how Joseph Smith was successful in establishing a new religion and did so by using social power. Religion has and always will be a touchy subject for most people. Some are firm believers in their religious view, while others feel that all religion is nonsense. Regardless of the feeling, it is undeniable that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, was extremely profitable and was able to introduce an entirely new idea and convince people it was the right idea.
Some argue that Joseph Smith was a con artist (Broadhurst, 2009) while the people who follow the Mormon religion view him as the “Chosen One”. Although it may be true that Joseph Smith did not actually receive the visions he claimed to have had, he was able to convince people that he did. That is the most important aspect, the ability to convince individuals. Joseph Smith used his charismatic character to successfully implement the theory of social power in order to gain followers. The theory of social power claims that by the use of one or all of the bases (expert power, legitimate power, reward power, coercive power, and referent power) an individual will have the ability to change the behavior of targeted individuals or a group of individuals (French & Raven, 1959, 261).
In the film, Joseph Smith: The Prophet of Restoration, Joseph Smith Jr’s life is revealed to its audience. Starting with his parents, Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack Smith migrated to America to acquire civil and religious freedom, little did they know one of their very own son’s would go on to lead a very virtuous and religious life. Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont Joseph Smith Jr. grew up in a large family of eight brothers and sisters. Joseph Smith’s two eldest brothers, Alvin and Hyrum, were his role models. He looked up to his two older brothers and they both
References: Broadhurst, D. R. (2009). Joseph Smith: Nineteenth century con man? Retrieved from http://sidneyrigdon.com/criddle/Smith-ConMan.htm Bushman, R. L. (1977). The character of Joseph Smith: Insights from his holographs. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1977/04/the-character-of-joseph-smith-insights-from- French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. Studies in Social Power, 259- 269. Hill, M. S. (1968). The first vision controversy: A critique and reconciliation. A Journal of Mormon Thought, 15, 35-53. Mormon Channel (2011). Joseph Smith: The prophet of restoration [Motion picture]. United States: Youtube. Prive, T. (2012). Top 10 qualities that make a great leader. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaprive/2012/12/19/