I see two basic positions. Facing increased scrutiny on multiple fronts, particularly the Senatorial seating of Apostle Reed Smoot, President Joseph F. Smith issued a second manifesto on April 6, 1904 clarifying an end to polygamy. Carrying this burden, Emma agreed to let Joseph marry additional wives; provided she could select them. From: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition), 2015. The participants of the mob has also been a source of historical controversy, but their actions seem to point to defense of their younger sister instead of disagreements about doctrinal issues concerning a new translation of the Bible. According to Clayton, [Joseph] appears much troubled about E[mma] and the conflict between them surrounding polygamy simmered for the short remainder of Smiths life. It is difficult to read this section of scripture and not determine it to be justification for Josephs own desires and intentions, projected onto his personal notion of God. Had the U.S. government not intervened, the practice would have undoubtedly continued uninterrupted to this day in the mainstream church. And this church takes the position that we will abide by the law. Hinckley, a savvy public relations expert, was arguably playing with words when he inserted the as a practice caveat, as the prohibition by the U.S. Federal government is the only restraint preventing the LDS Church from openly engaging in the doctrine today. I cared not how many papers there were in the city if they would print the truth but would submit to not libel or slander. Smith believed that he retained ultimate power in Nauvoo and would never be forced to publicly deal with the illegality of polygamy. With the support of the mothers in Israel, Smiths success rate likely was higher than if he wouldnt have enlisted their help. Myth 1: It's Called the 'Mormon Church' Myth 2: Mormons Worship Joseph Smith Myth 3: Mormons Aren't Really Christians Myth 4: Mormons Practice Polygamy Myth 5: Mormons Can't Drink Caffeinated Beverages Myth 6: Mormons Wear 'Magic Underwear' Myth 1: It's Called the 'Mormon Church' It seems that Joseph Smith conveniently altered Gods will to coincide with his own sexual desires. Family trouble soon festered as Emma encountered her husband with Eliza in an upstairs room. JOSEPHS SECRET LETTER TO WHITNEY AND TEENAGE DAUGHTER SARAH, Another teenager Joseph Smith pursued was Nancy Rigdon, daughter of First Counselor Sidney Rigdon. Why is this? With the support of other dissenters, William Law obtained a warrant. The sisters were married to Bro. The brother missionaries have been in the habit of picking out the prettiest for themselves before they get here, and bringing on the ugly ones for us; hereafter you have to bring them all here before taking any of them, and let us all have a fair shake.. The brother missionaries have been in the habit of picking out the prettiest for themselves before they get here, and bringing on the ugly ones for us; hereafter you have to bring them all here before taking any of them, and let us all have a fair shake. [38], George Q. Cannon It is a fact worthy of note that the shortest-lived nations of which we have record have been monogamic. D&C 132, still canonized in LDS scripture, which defines eternal marriage, is suggested by some to be about marriage between one man and one woman. Smith held the door closed while Emma attempted to push through, calling Elizas name. Catherine Warren statement includes: William Smith has also been at my house on the 27th of last month being the day I was married and proposed unlawful connexions but I refused and told him that it was contrary to the teachings of Joseph on the stand. With the support of other dissenters, William Law obtained a warranton May 23rd for Smiths arrest on the charge of adultery with Maria Lawrence. But the phrase eternal marriage means polygamy, if viewed in context of the time and surrounding events when it was initially written. 4 February1842 The following week, Ebenezer is allowed to name his price for the whole establishment, to which he affixes the hefty sum of $6,600. The grand jury at the subsequent trial, which included Nauvoo Stake President William Marks, found good and sufficient evidence to indict on multiple counts. During the final year of Smiths life, it seemed as though everything was about polygamy. One such instance was Apostle Richard R. Lyman who was excommunicated in 1943 for practicing polygamy. Emma and Joseph Smith are also finally sealed the same month. Smith believed that he retained ultimate power in Nauvoo and would never be forced to publicly deal with the illegality of polygamy. W, omen would continue to be seen as rewards. Joseph Smith first approached Emily in the spring of 1842, but she rebuffed his advance. Yet according to the Bible, it was Abrahams wife Sarah, not God, who offered her handmaiden to Abraham so he could father children (Gen. 16:1-3). The letter, in essence, threatened Emmas eternal welfare if she did not accept Josephs taking of additional wives. With the support of the mothers in Israel, Smiths success rate likely was higher than if he wouldnt have enlisted their help. William Law had been a family friend of the Lawrences in Canada, perhaps endearing him to the plight of the young girls. Davids wives and concubines were given unto him of me. Polygamy is when a man has multiple wives. As a result, Sarah became vilified and garnered the reputation of being an unchaste woman who supported her daughter by providing sexual favors to either Joseph or Bennett. Our Heavenly Father is more liberal in his views, and boundless in his mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive. [16] Few members today understand that this phrase so often cited by LDS authorities, purportedly conveying Gods designs for our eternal happiness, actually originated from a manipulative solicitation of his counselors teenage daughter into a secret relationship with the prophet. Polygamy is illegal in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European countries. Brigham Young and others continued to argue that God was behind polygamy, even commanded it under threat, until Wilford Woodruff abruptly declared in 1890 that God wanted the practice ended, albeit only reluctantly following the federal governments passage of numerous anti-bigamy laws which would have assured the destruction of the entire church. it redacted any mention of Apostle William Smith, focusing the blame instead upon Bennett. But the phrase eternal marriage means polygamy, if viewed in context of the time and surrounding events when it was initially written. Orson did eventually embrace polygamy, becoming a staunch advocate of the practice in Utah and taking ten wives. Emma consents to allow Joseph to be sealed to Emily and Eliza Partridge as well as Sarah and Maria Lawrence, sisters who are living in the Smiths large home. Brigham Young stated, Now, where a man in this church says, I dont want but one wife, I will live my religion with one. He will perhaps be saved in the Celestial Kingdom; but when he gets there he will not find himself in possession of any wife at all. She would then disseminate it to the other women Because Emma was resisting plural marriage, Joseph would not let her participate in the endowment, thus risking her own exaltation as well as delaying ceremonial endowments for other women. . . Everyone was excommunicated except for William Smith, and the episode to this day is commonly referred to as John C. Bennetts practice of spiritual wifery, thought, former presidency counselor, Smith called a special conference to give instructions to the Elders, and call upon them to go forth upon this important mission. Held on, To affect public opinion and further motivate his followers to abandon their families and livelihoods in the pursuit of convincing distant audiences, disingenuous rebuttal on September 1 of the ongoing accusations of polygamy. Whereas the polar opposite, that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, is suggested when exploring the archaeological implications of the Book of Mormon. Hinckley stated. The article ultimately concludes that while polygamy and same-sex marriage may share some common ground, Durfee would then return with information about how receptive a woman was to polygamy or how to best approach the proposal. Polyandry is when a man marries another man's wife. Section 132. The history of polygamy in Mormonism is rife with secrecy and inconvenient truths which only reluctantly seeped into public view. William recorded in his journal on May 13 that Smith had attempted to seduce his wife Jane. at damnation would follow LDS men who were not polygamous endured at the highest levels. . Also a deed to Emma for over 60 city lots. [2]. Indignant over ongoing abuses of power within their small community, the crowd resolved to drive the Mormons out. Despite their earlier clandestine sealing, Joseph holds a faux second ceremony with Emily and Eliza Partridge, this time in Emmas presence. Hyrum Smith convinced Joseph Smith to allow him to present the revelation to Emma. His statement is ironic, given that the practice was equally illegal when the LDS Church previously practiced it. marriage may have begun failing at this point. This is due, in part, to the Churchs recent relocation into distant territory over which it exerted near total control; one that had originally been part of Mexico and only later became a territory of the United States. Additionally, they argue that Joseph was out of town when Cowderys article was affirmed. Was it really a commandment from God, or was polygamy the offspring of Smiths unchecked sexual appetite? My father had but one ewe lamb, but willingly laid her upon the alter [. Brigham Young also had many children, but statistics argue that the number of children under the practice of polygamy was lower than it would have been under monogamy. So in 1885. s Federal pressure against polygamy increased, OnOct 6, 1890, the first polygamy manifesto. [1] The relevant text is as follows: The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 11:269 .) William Law, Josephs counselor in the first presidency, reported that Emma confided to him in the fall of 1843, Joe and I have settled our troubles on the basis of equal rights. [32], I give a commandment unto Emma Smith that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it to prove you all. This episode is consistent with Smiths tendency to pursue women and girls over whom he could exert influence because of. Lucy Walker was also sealed to Joseph at this time, reportedly with Emmas consent. In Jacob, God speaks about polygamy as an abomination: Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. (Jacob 2:24)But in D&C 132: 38-39, a mere thirteen years later, God approves of polygamy:David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. Discard ityou lose a pillar of celestial marriage doctrine. But it wasnt just eternal salvation Smith seemed to be peddling to the Whitneys and to young Sarah Ann. President Hinckley further asserted that polygamy is not doctrine, despite numerous statements by earlier Church leaders to the contrary, and despite the ongoing practice of polygamy as an eternal principle in LDS temples. was a successful man from Canada who invested in real estate, lumber, and construction, which is why Smith promptly sought his credibility upon meeting him. In full dress uniform, he delivered another rousing speech before promptly fleeing town. . The Relief Society, which was led by Emma Smith, was also conscripted to excuse Josephs polygamy. Other attempts to justify the purpose of polygamy involve the notion that there were too many women and children in need of support, given the persecution the Saints faced wherever they went. Elizabeth Durfee was a mother in Israel, a wife of Smith who helped teach the doctrine of polygamy to women who may have been otherwise averse to hearing the teaching directly from Smith or other Church leaders. According to John Rigdon, Sidney told the family that Smith could never be sealed to one of his daughters with his consent as he did not believe in the doctrine . what a thing it is for a man to be accused of adultery, of having seven wives, when I can only find one. [34] It seemed Smith still believed that he would get away with polygamy and that any lawsuit could be swayed by his influence, as he had surrounded himself with so many loyalists in both governmental and ecclesiastic affairs. Given his inability to abide by the one woman standard previously established in LDS scripture, one wonders if Smith would have presented the new revelation if only hed lived long enough to do so, or possibly have altered this particular scripture to suit his practice of polygamy, as he did in many other documented cases. The Bible contains historical accounts of past events, prophesies about the future events, and instructions from God about spiritual life. But Marindas history with Smith is rather complicated and unfolds over many years. The LDS Churchs Gospel Topics essay, Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo, confirms the function of the scriptural loophole: He may have thought Emmas rejection of plural marriage exempted him from the law of Sarah. Once again, however, her statements are regarded as untrustworthy by many who tend to favor Joseph Smith more than his victims. I will give you until to-morrow to decide this matter. If Law had been motivated by power or wealth rather than the truth, he would surely have pursued a different course of action. Images of the revelation confirms that it was written in John Taylors handwriting, suggesting that there is good reason why fundamentalist sects of Mormonism believe their continued practice of the sacred principle is truer to the original church of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young than the mainstream LDS Church. . Helen Mar Kimball Whitney 1881 Autobiography, LDS.org, Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo. Smith first met Marinda in March 1832while staying in the Johnson home. This ambiguous statement may refer to Joseph having offered Emma the ability to pick an additional husband, possibly William Law, to offset his numerous young wives. [6] The biggest difference with polygamy is that certain powerful men have many more children than the men who do not rise into leadership. Upon this denial to become another of Smiths wives, Sarah Pratt became the target of a vicious character-assassination plot which has sullied her name even to this day. While the LDS Church today prides itself on its family focus with carefully crafted images of nuclear families. April 9, 1842 During the funeral of Ephraim Marks, Marinda engages teenage Nancy Rigdon on Smiths behalf, informing her that he desires to talk with her in private. Shortly after Joseph F. Smiths second manifesto, groups began splitting off from the mainstream church, accusing it to be in apostasy for caving into the U.S. federal governments demands rather than following Gods commands of continuing the everlasting principle of plural marriage. Another demonstration of Smiths tendency to pursue vulnerable women is Lucy Walker. July 1843 Joseph and Emma Smiths marriage may have begun failing at this point. The list of Smiths polygamous wives (and their husbands) is damning in itself, but the level of deceit. At the time, U.S. territories were governed through federal oversight, while states conversely operated as near-independent republics. Introduced to the membership by W. W. Phelps as Article on Marriage, it was sustained at a church conference in August 1835 and included in the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as. Related terms: Monogamy; Rape; Gender-Based . To affect public opinion and further motivate his followers to abandon their families and livelihoods in the pursuit of convincing distant audiences that he wasnt practicing polygamy,Smith leveraged his power as editor of Times and Seasonsto publish a disingenuous rebuttal on September 1 of the ongoing accusations of polygamy. . All rights reserved. Fundamentalist sects today largely operate with this same doctrinal law in place. Though LDS President Wilford Woodruff announced the official end of the practice in 1890, Mormon leaders continued to quietly marry plural wives up until the issue of the "Second Manifesto" in 1904. TheNauvoo Expositorwas not alone in accusing the prophet of grave misdeeds. Joseph dictated the plural marriage revelation (D&C 132) at this moment, likely in response to Emmas agitation over his arrangement of marriages to young women in their household. Smith used the entire proceeds of the Lawrence estate to acquire. Hinckley stated, I condemn it, yes, as a practice, because I think it is not doctrinal. Such changes helped encourage a second period of religious revivalism, during which evangelical ministers preached against excess and declared salvation by free will. Joseph also proposed to John Taylors wife Leonora, but when rebuffed, suggested it was only a test of her husbands faith a test which Taylor passed by agreeing to Smiths proposal. Stance N requires polygamists to make a complete change before baptism and admission into the church as members. The statements emphasized that the Church practiced no marital law other than monogamy while implicitly leaving open the possibility that individuals, under the direction of Gods living prophet, might do so. [8] Simply put, redefining his relationships with numerous polygamous wives as celestial marriage while simultaneously publicly vilifying spiritual wifery and polygamy was merely a mechanism to sidestep valid accusations of impropriety and misdirect criticism toward public enemies of the Church like John C. Bennett, Charles A. This was not an uncommon idea under Mormon polygamy. Another teenager Joseph Smith pursued was Nancy Rigdon, daughter of First Counselor Sidney Rigdon. This assumption would soon be proven incorrect. Willard fell asleep after dinner while Smith spent time with Agnes. [26], Emily Partridge saidshe roomed with Joseph the night following her marriage to him and said that she had carnal intercourse with him. Here's the lowdown on the legal status and emotional impacts of such partnerships. Despite his elaborate attempts at secrecy, rumors of Smiths infidelities began to spread within the tight-knit community of Nauvoo and their non-Mormon neighbors in Hancock County. If Utah had been granted statehood under the governorship of Brigham Young, the chances of developing a religious theocracy/dictatorship with polygamy protected by state constitution would have been much higher.
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