Tag Archives: Jedediah Smith

(This blog is part of series on famous people in Church history.  It is written as if the person himself were telling you about their life.  Paul says “These things happened as our examples” 1 Corinthians 10:6,11.) JOHN CHAPMAN, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in Mass.  His father was a minuteman at Lexington and Bunker Hill, but was kicked out of the Revolutionary Army in 1780 for misusing military money and supplies.  The family then moved to Pa.  John found church life in New England dead and dull so he turned elsewhere for spiritual truth.  Of course he is known as a Bible-carrying, pot-wearing, apple-seed planter.  He knew much Scripture by memory and told stories wherever he went.  Unfortunately, he believed in Swedenborgianism (Church of the New Jerusalem).  They rejected the need of salvation as well as the work of Jesus in providing salvation. They believed God was … Continue reading →