SEVERUSMAX
Benevolent Master
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Posts
- 28,995
Set in the background laid out by the sci-fi novel by Eric Flint.
Joseph Smith Caldwell was only in Grantville for a short time of preparation, before beginning his scheduled mission to Denmark for two years on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That was, however, long enough to get caught in the Ring of Fire that sent Grantville, West Virginia, back in time to the year 1632.
Caldwell had to stop his plans to some extent long enough to help drive out the forces of Wallenstein and Tilly, but now he had a crisis of faith. He was not able to do his mission now, despite special effort at learning the Danish language and getting his visa to the country. What now, however? Was his religion still right, and did it still have a chance? What did God intend by this Ring of Fire? Had God done this as a revelation to him to preach the Word to the people of 17th Century Europe and bring the restored church back some two centuries earlier than it had happened in his own timeline?
Well, he had no reason to doubt that, did he? What did this mean, however? This was before the Woodruff Declaration, but also before Joseph Smith had instituted plural marriage under divine revelation? Should he be monogamous or polygamous? Well, he decided, no need for haste. Easier to take a second wife later if God commanded him through a special revelation, as he did with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He didn't have one wife, and wasn't expected to for another two years at least. Better to preach God's Word and the Prophet that restored His Church to Europe, as well as find one wife, than to have to drop a second wife and embarrass himself if there was a mistake.
Despite his dislike of booze, he had been in favor of welcoming the German refugees to Grantville because of his belief that it was God's will to take care of these people. The Mormon Church had a long history of benevolence toward one's fellow man, and he saw no reason to discontinue that.
There were only 4 other Mormons in Grantville: the Bryant family. There was a son and daughter, as well as William and Martha Bryant. They supported his work very intently, but couldn't be expected to financially support him much. No, he had deliberately learned the trade of a printer to support himself and also to learn how to print the Book of Mormon into Danish.
However, he still had doubts at times. Resistance to Mormonism was strong in Grantville and Gerrmany, so what would happen in Copenhagen, since he was convinced that he should go to the earlier version of that country instead of the modern form now.
As he paid for the voyage and landed in Denmark at last, Caldwell truly wondered how large of a task he had set himself. Was this how the Apostle Paul had felt, spreading the Gospel to the Macedonians? He would have to read Acts again on that issue.
Denmark had a large and powerful national church. What kind of opposition would the Lutherans have to his mission, seeing as he was probably viewed as a heretic?
Joe quickly rented a room in an inn, and then sent out to find work and converts....walking briskly through the bustling streets....also seeking a meal....was there a place to eat that didn't serve beer, tea, or coffee?
Joseph Smith Caldwell was only in Grantville for a short time of preparation, before beginning his scheduled mission to Denmark for two years on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That was, however, long enough to get caught in the Ring of Fire that sent Grantville, West Virginia, back in time to the year 1632.
Caldwell had to stop his plans to some extent long enough to help drive out the forces of Wallenstein and Tilly, but now he had a crisis of faith. He was not able to do his mission now, despite special effort at learning the Danish language and getting his visa to the country. What now, however? Was his religion still right, and did it still have a chance? What did God intend by this Ring of Fire? Had God done this as a revelation to him to preach the Word to the people of 17th Century Europe and bring the restored church back some two centuries earlier than it had happened in his own timeline?
Well, he had no reason to doubt that, did he? What did this mean, however? This was before the Woodruff Declaration, but also before Joseph Smith had instituted plural marriage under divine revelation? Should he be monogamous or polygamous? Well, he decided, no need for haste. Easier to take a second wife later if God commanded him through a special revelation, as he did with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He didn't have one wife, and wasn't expected to for another two years at least. Better to preach God's Word and the Prophet that restored His Church to Europe, as well as find one wife, than to have to drop a second wife and embarrass himself if there was a mistake.
Despite his dislike of booze, he had been in favor of welcoming the German refugees to Grantville because of his belief that it was God's will to take care of these people. The Mormon Church had a long history of benevolence toward one's fellow man, and he saw no reason to discontinue that.
There were only 4 other Mormons in Grantville: the Bryant family. There was a son and daughter, as well as William and Martha Bryant. They supported his work very intently, but couldn't be expected to financially support him much. No, he had deliberately learned the trade of a printer to support himself and also to learn how to print the Book of Mormon into Danish.
However, he still had doubts at times. Resistance to Mormonism was strong in Grantville and Gerrmany, so what would happen in Copenhagen, since he was convinced that he should go to the earlier version of that country instead of the modern form now.
As he paid for the voyage and landed in Denmark at last, Caldwell truly wondered how large of a task he had set himself. Was this how the Apostle Paul had felt, spreading the Gospel to the Macedonians? He would have to read Acts again on that issue.
Denmark had a large and powerful national church. What kind of opposition would the Lutherans have to his mission, seeing as he was probably viewed as a heretic?
Joe quickly rented a room in an inn, and then sent out to find work and converts....walking briskly through the bustling streets....also seeking a meal....was there a place to eat that didn't serve beer, tea, or coffee?
Last edited:
