| Menu |
In the early days of Mormonism, Joseph Smith "'refused to establish a pattern of orthodox belief for Latter-day Saints," and in fact "evolved an all-embracing policy of tolerance toward many divergent beliefs." Joseph Smith was asked to comment at the excommunication trial of Pelatiah Brown for his beliefs about the four beasts in Daniel: "I did not like the old man being called up for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodist, and not like the Latter-day Saints. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammelled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine."
Source: Roberts, B.H. Introduction. History of the Church, Volume 5 Period I. History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, by himself. By Joseph Smith Jun. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1978. 340.