Explain How Conversion Motives Shape Early American Religion

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How Conversion Narratives Shaped Early American Religion

Early American religion over the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries experienced multiple revivals and movements that led to the birth of many different churches and doctrines. A few notable Americans became very influential leaders of these revivals like the First and Second Great Awakening, for example. Anne Hutchinson, Charles Finney, and Joseph Smith and their conversion stories allowed them to influence many people and change the course of American Christianity.

Anne Hutchinson was a key religious reformer in the 17th century. She was a part of the new Puritan colonists that left England in search of religious freedom in America. Anne sought to reform the Puritan religion and preach her revelations from God. She claimed in her …show more content…
Joseph lived in the “Burned Out District” where there was a great variety of Christian denominations. The majority of his family followed the Presbyterian Church, but Joseph sought to find which church he should join. In 1820, Joseph went into the Sacred Grove at the age of 14 and experienced the First Vision. He witnessed Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who instructed Joseph to join none of the current churches, but to follow the commandments. In Joseph Smith History, Joseph said to his mother after he returned from the Sacred Grove, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” After the First Vision Joseph shared his story with many people and would go on to convert his wife, Emma, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and many more. The reason Joseph was able to convert and lead so many people was because of his vivid accounts of revelation and because in 1829 when John the Baptist bestowed the Aaronic Priesthood upon him. His experiences with God and translating the Book of Mormon sparked a whole new religion and testament of the Savior Jesus Christ. The LDS church now has over 15 million
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