StaggShire

The Second Great Awakening was an important basis for that later theological development, specifically that of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The term Kentucky Ablaze is kind of a misnomer, because the religious enthusiasm wasn’t so much a fire as a religious tsunami, a baptism forever changing American and religious society. America didn’t start out religious; rather there were pockets of religion all over. The Second Great Awakening, in Dr. Holzapfel’s words, churched America. The Smith family was living in an area of revival, and there was religious division in Joseph Smith’s own family. His mom was Presbyterian, and his dad had Universalist leanings, which his eldest brother Alvin shared. His dad does have a number of religious visions though, which was certainly not unheard of at the time. However, the fact that he was Joseph Smith Sr. leads me to believe that at least the majority of his visions were actually truthful and from God. Joseph Smith himself leaned toward Methodism, but when we went to camp meetings he didn’t feel what other people were feeling. Due to the religious fervor of the time, he has quite concerned for the welfare of his eternal soul. After studying out these matters in his mind and in his heart, he decided to go ask God about it.
I’m glad that Joseph Smith got involved in the Great Awakening, and that he got involved in the WAY he did. He didn’t get swept up in the falseties of it, but what did concern him were the truths and questions the Second Great Awakening quested for. He studied scripture and many different religions, making the logical decision to pray to God about it, considering that the ministers of the different religions pulled him hither and thither. It’s a testimony to me, actually, of how important it is to be aware of what is going on in our nation, and the importance of being able to sieve through the good and bad, keep the good in your heart, and exercise that good.