Universalism & The Smith Family
Asael Smith (Joseph Smith’s grandfather) and his sons Jesse and Joseph Smith Sr. found a Universalist society in Tunbridge, Vermont 1797.
In a letter to his family members, Asael Smith writes, “God is just to all and his tender mercies are over all his works…there is no respect of persons with God, who will have all mankind to be saved.”
Universalists believed that all people will receive salvation and a God of love wouldn’t destine anyone (even sinners) to damnation, therefore there is no Devil or hell. These progressive views caused a widespread drifting apart from the settled religious customs and practices in New England. Orthodox disapproval for Universalism became a big concern! Universalist verses non-universalist views became a big controversy of the day, evident in newspapers during the nineteenth century.
In 1818, a man named Millard stated that in Mendon, NY (less than 15 miles from where the Smith family resided in Manchester) that “Universalism is the reigning heresy of the day. It is spreading itself far and wide. It is poisoning more minds, and ruining more souls, than any, if not all heresies among us.” (Trumpet 17, May 1834).
The Book of Mormon also reflects anti universalist sentiment. “...and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. ...nevertheless fear God- he will justify committing a little sin...there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we’re guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner...” (2 Nephi 28:7-9). The idea that sinners would not be punished for their wrong doings was blasphemy to orthodox religionists.
By the mid 1800’s Universalism was the 5th largest religion in America. The Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge Massachusetts, was founded in 1816 upon Unitarian/Universalist principles. Universalists were often viewed as radicals by traditionalists.
Lucy Mack, Joseph’s mother, recalls her father Solomon Mack as a Universalist during her childhood until he changed views in 1810 at age 78. This could have been a change of heart due to increasing anti-universalist sentiment. In Latter-day Saint history, it may be assumed that Joseph Smith Sr. wasn’t interested in religion because he didn’t want to attend a protestant church while living in Palmyra, NY. However, Joseph Smith Sr. had religious beliefs of his own in Universalism. These beliefs served as a backdrop for Joseph Smith Jr. as he would have been well acquainted with the debate between Universalism and orthodoxy through his parents and grandfathers. Joseph Smith Sr’s liberal views in Universalism conflicted with his wife Lucy's religious conservatism.
Alvin, the oldest son in the Smith family, died without having been baptized. Younger brother William Smith recalled in the funeral eulogy given by Rev Benjamin Stockton, that he inferred very strongly Alvin had gone to hell because he was not a church member. Joseph Smith Sr. did not agree with these remarks and refused participation in future services. A couple years after Alvin’s death, Lucy and four children Hyrum, Samuel, and Sophronia joined Reverend Stockton’s Presbyterian congregation.
The Latter-day Saint doctrine that even those who die without being baptized will still have the opportunity to be saved is reflective of Universal salvation, not traditional Christianity. This teaching would have been tremendously meaningful to both Joseph Smith Jr. and his parents after the death of Alvin. The coming forth of The Book of Mormon and the establishment of the church unified the Smith family’s religious beliefs.