Church leaders reportedly said the essay was part of an attempt to be truthful and transparent with followers. Joseph smiths polyandrous plural marriages mormons in. Polygamy, or plural marriage, in the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is generally believed to have originated with the founder of mormonism, joseph smith. Fundamentalist mormon polygamy from 1890 to the present. In recent years there have been several novels and at least three pseudoscholarly books by prominent lds apostates depicting plural marriage as adultery and the prophet joseph smith as the most debauched of libertines. It is thus important to realize that the public preaching of polygamyor announcing it to the general church membership, thereby informing the public by proxywas simply not a. Smith and some of the leading quorums of his church publicly denied he taught or practiced it in 1852, leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church acknowledged that smith had practiced. Joseph smith, brigham young and their associates were guilty of sexual transgression. Proponents of spiritual wifery taught that sexual relations were permissible outside of legalized marital relationships, on condition. That fact that latterday saints practiced polygamy in the early days of the church is well known. Emma hale smith nauvoo polygamy is s a thorough investigation.
Emma publicly denied that her husband had ever preached or practiced. While i disagree with some of haless conclusions, i admire his willingness to confront difficult topics and the depth of. Polygamy was started by joseph smith not brigham young. Similarly, william law, who was a polygamy insider in nauvoo, apostatized and went to carthage on may 23, 1844, to charge joseph smith with adultery with one of his previously unmarried plural wives, maria lawrence. In a book and an online series they attempt solid investigative methodology to support their thesis. Topics include the nature of smiths relationship to fanny alger in the mid1830s. How men nearest the prophet attached polygamy to his name in order to justify their own polygamous crimes. Early versions of the order beginning in 1831 attempted to implement the law of consecration, a form of christian communism, modeled after the new testament church which had all things in common. Sealings to legally married women joseph smiths polygamy. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. A faithful telling exploring an alternate polygamy narrative. Joseph smith, iii, prophetpresident of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter days until his death 1914 condemned polygamy and proclaims his fathers innocence with not being the author of the claimed lds doctrine and covenants 2, july 12, 1843. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. On july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept polygamy.
Description nauvoo polygamy is a meticulously researched and skillfully written work on mormon polygamy. It was a fantastic article in which i will definitely pass around. We have volumes 1 6 done and are working on volume 7. Joseph smiths polygamy, the first thorough treatment of joseph smiths plural marriages written by a conservative mormon scholar, is a landmark in the historiography of mormon polygamy. While i disagree with some of haless conclusions, i admire his willingness to confront difficult topics and the depth of his research. Emma smith was publicly and privately opposed to the practice and joseph may have married some women without emma knowing beforehand. If you want to read ogdens books online click here or the link on the left. Kimball, george albert smith family papers, manuscript 36, box 1, early smith documents, 17311849, folder 18, in the special collections, western americana, marriott library, university of utah. Joseph smith fought polygamy meet your next favorite book. Joseph smith and the origins of mormon polygamy independence, mo. He is the awardwinning author of six books on mormon polygamy, including a threevolume series on the history and theology of joseph smiths polygamy. As the author of modern polygamy and mormon fundamentalism. They pointed to the historical record that joseph smith publicly opposed the practice of polygamy.
The digital book download link is sent to your email address used to place the order, usually within 24 hours or next business day. Again it is confirmed that the only reason for the temple is to practice polygamy. The generations after the manifesto greg kofford books, 2006, he received the best book of 2007 award from the john whitmer historical association. Few american religious figures have stirred more passion among adherents and antagonists than joseph smith. Nauvoo polygamy is s a thorough investigation of sexual politics in the city of the saints, the 1840s mormon headquarters in the u. The lds church has now officially acknowledged in an article on its website that joseph smith was sealed to a number of women who were already married. Written with precision, clarity, and ease, it is a major contribution to mormon history, groundbreaking in identifying the other polygamists who followed the lead of their prophet, joseph. Smith s son joseph smith iii, his widow emma smith, and the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints rlds church, now called community of christ challenged the evidence and taught that joseph smith had opposed polygamy.
Joseph smith is frequently criticized for his introduction and practice of polygamy. Called plural marriage by mormons in the 19th century, polygamy began in nauvoo, illinois, where joseph smith established the religious practice in the early 1840s. For a second marriage to joseph smith, in may 1843, see marinda hyde affidavit, 1. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom. Latter day saints portal book v t e joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his ministry, and married multiple women during his lifetime. The diaries and journals of joseph smith salt lake city.
How men nearest the prophet attached polygamy to his name in order to justify their own polygamous crimes 97818953055. A careful study of genesis 16 shows that it was sarais idea for abram to have sexual relations with hagar in order to produce a child. While jfs had collected records of over a hundred affidavits attesting to the reality and circumstances of joseph smith jr. Joseph said he knew the revelation by heart and did not need to use the urim and thummim, and dictated the revelation on marriage as its referred to in the essay published in the lds doctrine and convents, section. The 1843 polygamy revelation, published posthumously, counseled smiths wife emma to accept all of smiths plural wives, and warns of destruction if the new covenant is not observed. While the utah mormon church went to salt lake and continued to take the money from the people, the reorganized church was a little careful along money matters and for years young joseph smith had little to say regarding the order of enoch, indeed the lord seemed to be a little doubtful of young joseph and the money question, as would seem from.
Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his. Popular polygamy books showing 150 of 480 escape hardcover by. Signature books in association with smith research associates, 1989, 396. By far the most shocking aspect of joseph smiths polygamy is the fact that a dozen or more of his plural wives were legally married to other men.
Jun 23, 2018 the joseph smith papers project will eventually constitute approximately 30 volumes, organized into six series. In 1852, leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints acknowledged that smith had practiced plural marriage and produced a written revelation of smiths that authorizes its practice. Nov 09, 2014 the polygamy revelations of joseph smith posted on november 9, 2014 by clair barrus the recent gospel topics essays by the church on plural marriage provide an unprecedented, frank look at a number of aspects of plural marriage previously not included in church discourse. Spencer fluhman, a subject that can bear investigation. Anguish, faith, and joseph smiths youngest plural wife, in robert l. From a christian perspective, these attacks usually focus on arguing that polygamy is unchristian or unbiblical, and that joseph hid the truth from the world. From joseph smiths martyrdom to the first manifesto, 18441890. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his ministry, and married multiple women during his lifetime.
In the latter day saint movement, the united order also called the united order of enoch was one of several 19th century church collectivist programs. Born in 1805 and silenced thirtynine years later by assassins bullets, he dictated more than onehundred revelations, published books of new scripture, built a temple, organized several new cities, and became the proclaimed prophet to tens of thousands during his abbreviated life. This is a series of articles on joseph smiths polygamy in light of the statement issued in october 2014 by the lds church on its official website. It is true that joseph did not always tell others about plural marriage.
Joseph was secretive about his practice of polygamy, even lying about it. Some might wonder if sarais words my wrong in genesis 16. At that time, he allegedly received a revelation in 1843 that living the principle of plural or celestial marriage in this life was a prerequisite to receiving the fullness of gods celestial glory in the next. Wikipedia book book v t e joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and. Hales author of the 3volume joseph smiths polygamy set and laura h. Law undoubtedly knew of josephs sealings to legally married women, but he ignored the chance to accuse him of practicing polyandry. An easier way to understanding joseph smiths polygamy. Two apostles who had been prominent in postmanifesto plural marriages, john taylor and matthias cowley, were released from the quorum of the twelve and subsequently dismissed from the churchexcommunicated in one case. Several of joseph smith s plural wives provided insight into how a plural marriage might be proposed. The plural wives of joseph smith compton, signature books, salt lake city, 1997 doctrine and covenants the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, salt lake city available at the deseret book special order desk.
Compton dates this marriage to march or april 1833, well before joseph was accused of an affair. Polygamous revelation contradicts the book of mormon. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths polygamy. With access to texts not previously available, and certainly never in one collection, the joseph smith papers project provides new information and insights about joseph smith, early mormonism, and nineteenthcentury american religion. Smith and some of the leading quorums of his church publicly denied he taught or practiced it. A valuable collection of scholarly essays by preeminent researchers and historians concerning the origins of mormon polygamy and joseph smiths involvement in itimplementation of it. Includes a list of 84 women who may have been married to joseph smith. Nancy black eldredge, hannah mariah savage eldredge, and helvig marie andersen eldredge. Org the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, salt lake city mormon polygamy. For an overview, see our article the lds church addresses joseph smiths polygamy.
Victorian america saw plural marriage as immoral and joseph smith as. The author does not take sides in this tangled web of theology and practice, but instead has produced what may well be the definitive work on polygamy. Hales wade through the murky waters of history to help. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. In recent years there have been several novels and at least three pseudoscholarly books by prominent lds apostates depicting plural marriage as adultery and the prophet joseph smith. Hales wade through the murky waters of history to help bring some clarity to this episode of mormonisms past, examining both the theological explanations of the practice and the accounts of those who experienced it first hand. Joseph smith hid polygamy from the general church membership summary. Joseph smith taught his polygamy doctrines only in secret and dictated a. Our pdf books are fully text searchable in pdf readers, and can be saved with highlighting and annotations in programs that support those features, such as adobe acrobat reader. Mar 30, 2015 while jfs had collected records of over a hundred affidavits attesting to the reality and circumstances of joseph smith jr. Michael marquardt, 1973 pamphlet the strange marriages of sarah ann whitney to joseph smith the mormon prophet, joseph c. A plenary reference and bibliography and a collection of the wives photographs fill out this. How men nearest the prophet attached polygamy to his name in order to justify their own polygamous.
Discusses joseph smiths introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus. From a secular perspective, it is asserted that the practice of polygamy sprung from joseph s. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints history of plural marriage can be difficult and uncomfortable for even the most stalwart of modern members. Joseph possibly had an affair of some sort and may have practiced polygamy to a degree or this book may be accurate and lots of women jumped on the im a wife of the dead prophet bandwagon, but it is likely that he sought to remove the practice and was killed for it.
The cover design is from vernon roy horning, with original artwork based on the death mask of joseph smith. If you have been ordering the set one book at a time and we didnt get you notified when they were done. Hales is a boardcertified anesthesiologist in layton, utah, and graduated from utah state university. Joseph smith fought polygamyvolume i, by richard and pamela price, can be purchased at the restoration bookstore or from our online store. Noble, deposition, temple lot transcript, respondents testimony, part 3, page 395, questions 3942.
Joseph smith and polygamy latterday commentary last. Nov 14, 2014 mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smith s polygamy the mormon churchs founder was married to as many as 40 women in the years before his murder in 1844, the church acknowledged in. Articles on this subject continue to be published in vision magazine, which also can be purchased at the restoration bookstore or online. The joseph smith papers project will eventually constitute approximately 30 volumes, organized into six series. Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus christ. Critics also assert that joseph smith instituted polygamy in order to cover up an 1835 adulterous affair with a neighbors daughter, fanny alger, by taking alger as his second wife.
Joseph possibly had an affair of some sort and may have practiced polygamy to a degree or this book may be accurate and lots of women jumped on the im a wife of the dead any claim it is simply propaganda hasnt read the recent lds brigham young manual that has had polygamy washed out of it and supporting faithful marriage. It is an amazement to me that people would rather believe that joseph smith lied publicly about polygamy and secretly practiced it than believe he was speaking the truth. It was brigham young who first flaunted his polygamous ways. Joseph smith s sermon in which he denied being a polygamist is a fitting closing for this volume, even though there are many more conclusive proofs of his innocence in the long and complicated story of utah mormon polygamy. What a lot of people dont know, though, is that polygamy was first practiced by joseph smith and not brigham young. Joseph smith and the origins of mormon polygamy kindle edition by don bradley author, brian c. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths. Joseph often used intermediaries to assess the willingness of a potential bride. Carolyn jessop shelved 80 times as polygamy avg rating 3. Description contains a detailed study of the mormon doctrine of plural marriage, the spiritual wife doctrine, the john c. He did, however, make some attempt to teach the doctrine to the saints. The temple is all about polygamy recovery from mormonism.
Subjects include polyandry, young brides, theology, children, and emma smith. Dec 15, 2014 by far the most shocking aspect of joseph smiths polygamy is the fact that a dozen or more of his plural wives were legally married to other men for at least part of the time. He is the awardwinning author of six books on mormon polygamy, including a threevolume series on the history and theology of joseph smith s polygamy. Smith released a second manifesto in 1904, reiterating that the church had abandoned polygamy. Claytons journals, which are late entries into the polygamy narrative, but essential to understand nauvoo polygamy, have joseph hiding wives and trysts from emma smith, making her an enemy, a jealous and almost violent creature who burned section 2 in the fireplace, poisoned joseph, and pushed eliza r snow down the stairs. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths polygamy the mormon churchs founder was married to as many as 40 women in the years before his murder in 1844, the church acknowledged in. However, until his death, smith and the leading church quorums denied that he preached or practiced polygamy.
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