On Joe and Mo

I've been doing some research on Mormons following my 2 years of reflecting on the Ignoble Qu'ran and Mohammed. Has anyone else noticed the somewhat remarkable similarities shared by Joseph Smith & the Book of Mormon / Mohammed and the Koran:

1. visitation by "angels"
2. exaltation of a "prophet"
3. extraction and rewording of biblical texts to make a "new scripture"
4. claims that the new, improved religion is God's response to universal apostasy, and all others are in error.
5. claims that the Bible has been "mistranslated" by Jews and Christians
6. denial of the true (as traditionally understood by most of Christendom) nature of the Biblical Christ.
7. polygamy

The result? a simple obedience and works-based salvation plan emphasizing rules and rituals, overlooking or diminishing the concept of grace. another ritualistic method to keep people in line, obedient, ensuring the progression of authoritarian rule by hierarchy.

and i started thinking, thank God Joseph Smith wasn't another Napoleon... but digging a little deeper revealed some hair-raising little historical factoids:

Joseph Smith printed a sermon by associate Sidney Rigdon in pamphlet form. In this July 4th oration, Rigdon threatened,

"And that mob that comes on us to disturb us; it shall be between us and them a war of extermination, for we will follow them, till the last drop of their blood is spilled, or else they will have to exterminate us: for we will carry the seal of war to their own houses, and their own families, and one party or the other shall be utterly destroyed." wiki, Rigdon's July 4th Sermon



and a sworn affidavit of Thomas B. Marsh from the Church History:

"The Prophet inculcates the notion, and it is believed by every true Mormon, that Smith's prophecies are superior to the laws of the land. I have heard the Prophet say that he would yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead bodies; and if he was not let alone, he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was, 'the Alcoran or the Sword.' So should it be eventually with us, 'Joseph Smith or the Sword.' These last statements were made during the last summer. The number of armed men at Adam-ondi-Ahman was between three and four hundred"
(History of the Church 3:167).

Seems Joe and Mohammed were similarly inspired, perhaps by the same source.