Heroes

Ashlin Bradford
Period 5
April 15, 2015

Many individuals in our world's history are defined as heros because of their actions and
deeds. A hero is defined as any individual that can work for a good cause to help other people.
Joseph Smith and Martin Luther King Jr. were great examples of individuals working for great

causes. I admire these men and their work in helping our country progress through equal right
issues. They may seem different , but they actually fought for the same cause in different time
eras. Because of Martin Luther King Jr. and Joseph's Smiths religious practices and morals, they
were both able to help the people in America gain freedoms.
What was the problem?
African Americans came into the United States through slave trades. The constitution was
written to unite the nation. After the abolishment of slavery was established, three separate
amendments were passed that helped African Americans gain freedoms. The thirteenth
amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The fourteenth amendment provided
citizenship to African Americans. The fifteenth amendment gave African Americans the right to
vote. Even Though laws were made to free black people, segregation continued. Black people
were segregated from white people in transportation, public places, recreational facilities,
military, and schools. When slaves were freed, many states prohibited any white person to teach
young black children literature. Many black women were arrested for collaborating with and
teaching children. There were lawsuits and court orders against the segregation of schools. But
segregation was not officially at an end until Martin Luther King Jr.s influence was felt in the
United States.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Because of Martin Luther King Jr.s upbringing and homelife, he was able to accomplish
great things during the civil rights movement. Martin grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. As a young
child he was very intelligent, but questioned his religion and worship. But towards the end of his
high school experience. Martin took a bible class and renewed his faith in religion. He soon tried
to fulfil his fathers dream of having the career in the ministry. Martin Luther King Jr. was greatly

influenced by his fathers decisions and thoughts. African Americans were not receiving the
correct treatment, and Martin was shielded from that reality most of his life. But his views on
racism followed his fathers feelings, Martin Luther King Sr. fought against racial prejudice, not
just because his race suffered, but because he considered racism and segregation to be an affront
to God's will. He strongly discouraged any sense of class superiority in his children which left a
lasting impression on Martin Jr. (www.biography.com). Martin became a Baptist minister and
lead a group called the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This group consisted
of many southern preachers who all disagreed with solving the struggle for civil rights by using
direct contact and violence. Martins religion was the basis for his political and religious stands
against racism and segregation. The March on Washington was an important event and a large
turning point in the people's views. In 1963 black leaders prepared for the March on Washington.
John F. Kennedy did not support the March in the initial beginning, but as time progressed he
accepted the event. More than 200,000 black and white Americans marched to the Washington
memorial. This is where Martin Luther delivered his famous speech "I have a dream". He stated
that, I have a dream that my little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be
judged by the color of their skin, but but the content of their character
(www.milkonline.com.net). Martins gift of speech was a great tool to lead the people and
encourage, educate, and inform them on how to receive their more perfect union.
Problems for the Saints
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints endured many problems
originated from the churches formation. Many of the problems they encountered during their
time traveling were in Jackson County, Missouri. They had many occurrences with mobs and
people who tried to hurt or kill them. In one specific instance, there was a lot of damage caused

by these men. The Saints tried to gain support and help from the Governor of Missouri. William
Phelps and Orson Hyde told the governor that their houses and homes were being destroyed by
the mobs but the Governor and all other Judges refused to help them. The mob had attacked
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for six full days causing them to
become homeless. Much death followed these people because they were left in cold wet weather.
All farms, homes, and stores were destroyed by the mob. In 1838, an extermination order was
made and put in place which states that, The Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be
exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond
all description. (www.lds.org). People in Jackson county tried to drive the Saints out of the land.
These actions were a cause of fear for their families.
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was the Prophet and Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. Joseph Smith had visited many churches as a child, but felt none were true to the Bible
and the teachings therein. He prayed alone in a quiet area to know which church he should join.
He was answered that all creeds were an abomination in His sight: they draw near to me with
their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men,
having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. (Joseph SmithHistory 1:19).
Joseph Smith then went on to help the church by, translating the Book of Mormon. Because of
Joseph's Smiths work, there now is another sacred book in addition to the Bible. It is the Book of
Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Another thing that Joseph Smith did was started the
building of temples. Due to his work, there are now 144 temples operating all over the world. the
church, as it was when Christ was on the earth, was again restored to the earth. The priesthood
was restored and twelve apostles which are twelve worthy men who preside under the president

of the church. Joseph smith organized the Saints to prepare to move from persecution and
relocate time and time again, due to his divine guidance and morals. Not only was the prophet
Joseph Smith (president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) the founder of this
church, but he was also the one to organize it. While the saint were in Nauvoo Illinois, the
Prophet and President of the church was martyred. An apostle of our restored church today stated
that, "This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church. This is something that ranks
with the great events that have happened in past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the
Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel, like all of the things that build that
foundation for us to go forward and teach in our Father in Heavens kingdom," (Perry, Church
History Library). The support and foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
rely on Christ. The church and its members have been persecuted since the restoration, by mobs
and men. Joseph Smith was a Prophet who led the Saints peacefully so they could escape people
hurting them. This was possible because of Joseph's religion background.

Similarities vs. Differences

Martin Luther King Jr. had challenged the views of his time, by using his strong faith in
his religion at that time. His religious views encouraged his beliefs in nonviolent tactics and
freedom. Joseph Smith faced large criticism all his life because of his religious beliefs and
direction by the Lord to organize his church once again on the earth. This led to the new
scriptures and revelations that he had in order to lead the people in the right direction. Martin
Luther always looked toward God's words as interpreted in Bible text to light a fire in his
ambition to gain rights. It was the interpretations of biblical text that led to his non aggressive
tactics and feelings. Joseph Smith also used scriptural context and the interpretations of God to
lead the people. He also taught and encouraged non aggressive actions towards the people that

wanted to hurt and exterminate them. The religions backgrounds of Joseph Smith and Martin
Luther King Jr. influenced them to share the same ideas and opinions. The similarities between
Joseph and Luther was because of their strong moral character, religion, and ideas.
Martin Luther King Jr. tried to help the people, in their fight for civil rights. Joseph Smith
tried to help the Saints to grow and prosper in the land as free religious people. Both endured
great trials and heartaches along the way. After their lives prematurely ended their people finally
gained equal rights. The way they were raised and their home life defined them as heroes, and
great people we remember today. Their sacrifices for the right have caused great improvements
in the future ahead. The Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were able to
find peace in Zion. Martin Luther King Jr. was able to influence African Americans to fight for
equal rights in their efforts in preventing racial discrimination.

Works Cited

"Martin Luther King." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.

"Doctrine and Covenants Stories Chapter 35: The Saints Leave Jackson County,

Missouri:

SeptemberDecember 1833." Doctrine and Covenants Stories Chapter 35: The Saints Leave
Jackson County, Missouri: SeptemberDecember 1833. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Martin Luther." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <www.milkonline.net%2Fdream.html>.
Dillenberger, John. "Religious Studies Center." 10. Grace and Works in Martin Luther and
Joseph Smith. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/reflectionsmormonism-judaeo-christian-parallels/10-grace-and-works-martin-luther-and>.

Smith, Joseph. "Joseph Smith-History 1." Joseph Smith-History 1. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
<https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng>.
"Martin Luther King Jr." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr>.