cinepro Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 When visiting Temple Square a few years ago, the statues of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other LDS leaders made me think of how interesting it would be if there were a small corner of Temple Square called "The Court of Friends" or something like that, where statues or busts of non-LDS "friends" to the Church were honored. Meaning, non-LDS who had a significant positive impact on the history of the Church, even though they never joined the Church. The first two that came to mind were Alexander Doniphan, the militia general in Missouri who flat out refused to follow orders and execute Joseph Smith. The second would be Thomas Kane, who has admittedly already been quite honored by the Church. Kane County, Utah was named for Thomas L. Kane,[2] as was the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains as a historic site the Thomas L. Kane Memorial Chapel, in Kane, Pennsylvania, in recognition of Kane's friendship and assistance. Kane was a founder of the Borough and is buried at the chapel. In addition, a bronze statue of Thomas L. Kane is displayed in Utah's Capitol Building, identified as a "Friend of the Mormons". So who else could be so honored? 1
rongo Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I second Doniphan and Kane. Jimmy Stewart? Howard Hughes?
Scott Lloyd Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) That's easy: Thomas L. Kane, friend and benefactor to Brigham Young and the Church of Jesus Christ. It was he who mediated between the Church leaders and the U.S. government to bring an end to tensions surrounding the Utah Expedition (Utah War) of 1857. I would also nominate Alexander W. Doniphan, sometime attorney for Joseph Smith and other Church leaders. It was he who, as an officer in the Missouri state militia, refused an illegal order to execute Joseph Smith and other Church leaders on the public square at Far West. Instead, Doniphan, with an oath to God, pledged to hold the errant commandant officer responsible before an earthly tribunal if the man dared to carry out the executions. Edited to add: Pardon, in my eagerness I didn't read the entire OP before responding. It's clear that Kane and Doniphan are the obvious choices. Edited February 10, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
Scott Lloyd Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Perhaps Mike Wallace, who as a muckraking journalist could have skewered President Gordon B. Hinckley. As it turned out, he gave very fair and even-handed treatment to the Church president and, in the end, became his friend.
cinepro Posted February 10, 2015 Author Posted February 10, 2015 The townspeople of 1852 Lexington, Missouri?
Scott Lloyd Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) The townspeople of 1852 Lexington, Missouri?Yes, a good one. I might nominate the townspeople of Quincy, Ill., in 1839 -- except that they largely turned against the Mormons after a few years. Edited February 13, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
KevinG Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 It is a pointless exercise. We will undoubtedly baptize them in proxy. They will undoubtedly accept. Then we are right back to only having statues of LDS on our grounds. 1
KevinG Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Jim McMahon? Only if he is carrying a stein of beer. (As a beauty pageant judge he once torpedoed the Mrs. Illinois contention of a friend of mine when he found out she was LDS/attended BYU. Not sure if he was hostile towards Mormons or Zoobies, but either way...)
Ahab Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 How about Satan? Sounds strange at first, I think, but Brigham said some things about how important he is to our education here and how we all need soneone like him to "help" us know the difference between right and wrong. All we need to do is the opposite of what he would do.Probably would confuse a lot of people, though, so just forget that I mentioned him.Besides, not many people know what he looks like.
KevinG Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 How about Satan? Sounds strange at first, I think, but Brigham said some things about how important he is to our education here and how we all need soneone like him to "help" us know the difference between right and wrong. All we need to do is the opposite of what he would do.Probably would confuse a lot of people, though, so just forget that I mentioned him.Besides, not many people know what he looks like. Its been done. 1
stemelbow Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 In the spirit of opposition in all things--any critic. They only make us better.
Buckeye Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 If we take "non-LDS 'friends'" literally, I suppose there already are statues: Peter, James, John, Christ, etc. Also ... seagulls. 2
smac97 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 When visiting Temple Square a few years ago, the statues of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other LDS leaders made me think of how interesting it would be if there were a small corner of Temple Square called "The Court of Friends" or something like that, where statues or busts of non-LDS "friends" to the Church were honored. Meaning, non-LDS who had a significant positive impact on the history of the Church, even though they never joined the Church. The first two that came to mind were Alexander Doniphan, the militia general in Missouri who flat out refused to follow orders and execute Joseph Smith. The second would be Thomas Kane, who has admittedly already been quite honored by the Church. So who else could be so honored? Hmm. Doniphan and Kane immediately came to mind, and you've already accounted for those. Thanks, -Smac
Duncan Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 If we take "non-LDS 'friends'" literally, I suppose there already are statues: Peter, James, John, Christ, etc. Also ... seagulls. isn't there a seagull statue already?
Duncan Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 probably the only seagull anyone would stand underneath!
KevinG Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I stood under that for a long time when I visited Salt Lake City. But to no avail. No gold droppings fell on my hat. 2
Gervin Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 If The Church Made Statues To Honor Non-Lds Friends Of The Church, Who Would You Nominate?Uncle Dale 2
Buckeye Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Does Emma Smith count? We've changed to now view her in a friendly light.
rongo Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Naw, we have Gracie Jones paintings of Joseph and Emma splashing each other with dish water, Joseph holding Emma's knitting yarn for her, etc. She's been "rehabilitated" for a long time, now . . . 1
Kenngo1969 Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Perhaps Mike Wallace, who as a muckraking journalist could have skewered President Gordon B. Hinckley. As it turned out, he gave very fair and even-handed treatment to the Church president and, in the end, became his friend. WALLACE: There are those who say: "This is a gerontocracy... this is a church run by old men." HINCKLEY: Isn't it wonderful to have a man of maturity at the head? A man who isn't blown about by every wind of doctrine? WALLACE: Absolutely, as long as he's not dotty. HINCKLEY: Thank you for the compliment.I daresay he won over the equally-hard-bitten, if not harder-bitten, Larry King. Edited February 11, 2015 by Kenngo1969 1
Scott Lloyd Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 I stood under that for a long time when I visited Salt Lake City. But to no avail. No gold droppings fell on my hat.Didn't you see all those coins in the fountain pool underneath? 1
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