Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, the sexual schemes Joseph Smith used with victims, and the abusive childhoods of both men.
Catholic Bishop Fredrick Ladysmith-Jones was a malignant narcissist. Born into a life of poverty, Fred Jones only received love from his mother when he was playing the role of a priest. Mr. Jones was an alcoholic who spent money on booze and gambling instead of providing for his family. Mrs. Jones saw her son as a "toy savior" who would help the family escape their situation. But she only loved him when he mirrored her narcissistic expectations, which were filled with HER hopes and dreams. Fred left behind a childhood of shame, changed his name to "Fredrick Ladysmith-Jones, ascended in the Catholic church, and became untouchable. For twelve years he healed his people from illnesses, abused people, misused church funds, had an affair, ranted against those who didn't idolize him as "enemies," spoke of conspiracies to bring down God's "prophet," and used others to destroy the lives of apostates and anyone else who knew too much about him. Then it all fell apart when the indictments came rolling in and he couldn't escape reality anymore.
In this episode, I discuss malignant narcissists, Fred Jones and the similarities with the Mormon Church's first prophet Joseph Smith.
Topics discussed:
Both were born with neglectful fathers and overly religious mothers who dreamed their sons would become important religious figures.
Both suffered trauma in their childhoods.
Both had parents who viewed their children as a means to get out of poverty.
Both men pretended to be military leaders and were extremely imaginative
Both changed their names and left their childhoods behind-- with "Joe" ditching his money digger past to become a prophet
Both used others to destroy the reputations of apostates.
Both had blue mesmerizing eyes, were extremely charismatic, and used scriptures to manipulate their people who believed they were God's representative on earth.
Smith's childhood and upbringing as well as some of the charges he faced throughout life.
Some of Joseph Smith's tactics to manipulate members, including some of his sexual predator behaviors.
The two specific papers mentioned in this episode are: "Malignant Narcissism: From Fairy Tales to Harsh Reality," by Mila Goldner-Vukov and "Malignant Narcissism and Power: A Psychodynamic Exploration of Madness and Leadership," by Charles Zeiders and Peter Delvin.
