Biographies of josephs plural wives joseph smiths polygamy. The lds churchs simplistic description of polygamy is complicated by the reality of josephs smiths practice of polyandry. The 1843 polygamy revelation, published posthumously, counseled smith s wife emma to accept all of smith s plural wives, and warns of destruction if the new covenant is not observed. 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. He is the awardwinning author of six books on mormon polygamy, including a threevolume series on the history and theology of joseph smiths polygamy. Within months of my aquaponics book being published, my husband told me about brian hales threevolume work regarding joseph smiths polygamy, a series of books professor millet at byu had told my husband about when my husband had conveyed my theory that joseph smith might have refrained from having sex with his plural wives. Org the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, salt lake city mormon polygamy. Joseph was secretive about his practice of polygamy, even lying about it.
Create amazing picture quotes from joseph smith, jr. Despite claims that joseph smith fathered children within plural marriage, genetic testing has so far been negative, though it is possible he fathered two or three children with plural wives. Navigating lds doctrine and church history edited by laura harris hales. On july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept 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.
Please note that supportive evidence for each of these sealings varies, with some being highly reliable and others based upon a single attestation or sources of lesser credibility. Join lindsay as she talks about the history of the word of wisdom, following the death of joseph smith to the modern observances of lds people today. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom. None of joseph smiths plural marriages were nonsexual eternityonly sealings. Toward a better understanding, authors brian and laura hales provide readers with a concise history of joseph smiths practice of plural matrimony. Careful estimates put the number between 30 and 40.
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 plural. A history van wagoner, signature books, salt lake city, 1989 mormon enigma. History few american religious figures have stirred more passion among adherents and antagonists than joseph smith. Joseph smith hid polygamy from the general church membership summary. 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. Discusses joseph smiths introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. However, the private writings of nauvoo participants and other 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. Brians entire database of polygamy related documents may be accessed at. Brians entire database of polygamyrelated documents may be accessed at. He has presented at numerous meetings and symposia and published articles in the journal of mormon history, mormon historical studies, and dialogue, as well the persistence of polygamy series. Joseph smith fought polygamy index affidavits and certificates disproving the statements and affidavits contained in john c. Toward a better understanding, is more than a condensation of those three volumes.
Polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for more than half of the 19th century in semisecrecy and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by up to 30 percent of church families. The plural wives of joseph smith, i look at the 33 women who married the first mormon prophet, taking them from birth to death. Polyandry is an unfamiliar topic to most faithful members, as it is a form of polygamy where a woman has more than one husband. Description nauvoo polygamy is a meticulously researched and skillfully written work on mormon polygamy. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present with millions of global adherents. Mary elizabeth rollins lightner, utah genealogical and historical magazine july 1926. What a lot of people dont know, though, is that polygamy was first practiced by joseph smith and not brigham young. Subjects include polyandry, young brides, theology, children, and emma smith. For a summary article of these women after the death of joseph smith, read joseph smith s plural wives after the martyrdom.
Gary james bergera, identifying the earliest mormon polygamists, 184144, dialogue. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. At only 175 pages in length, excluding endnotes and the index, the haless work will be both easy to read and informative for the general public. 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. Toward a better understanding greg kofford bookswere at benchmark books to. Joseph smiths polyandrous plural marriages mormons in. According to several of his associates, smith taught that polygamy was a divine commandment and practiced it personally, by some accounts marrying more than 30 women, some of whom had existing marriages to other men. Emma hale smith nauvoo polygamy is s a thorough investigation. If you want this digital book download link sent to a different email, please indicate in the special instructionscomments section at checkout purchasing grants one user license for the. Joseph smith of new york founded the mormon church in 1830 after having earlier experienced a series of visions, one of which directed him to ancient hidden golden tablets that. 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.
How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. Hales is the author of seven books dealing with mormon polygamy. The joseph smith papers project will eventually constitute approximately 30 volumes, organized into six series. Emma publicly denied that her husband had ever preached or practiced polygamy. Twosided broadside published in nauvoo, illinois, august 31, 1842.
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. Andrew jensons plural marriage article that appeared in the historical record, july 1887. Two chapters on plural marriage with fifteen others on controversies in lds doctrine and church history. A comprehensive pdf many were teenagers, as young as years old. Laying it out this way in the book allows the reader the draw his own conclusion.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Emma smith was publicly and privately opposed to the practice and joseph may have married some women without emma knowing beforehand. They pointed to the historical record that joseph smith publicly opposed the practice of polygamy. He did, however, make some attempt to teach the doctrine to the saints. 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. The plural wives of joseph smith in my book, in sacred loneliness. Hales author of the 3volume joseph smiths polygamy set and laura h. Joseph smith had sexual relations with 14 year olds. Joseph smith, founder of mormonism, was the first mormon prophet to practice polygamy.
While i disagree with some of haless conclusions, i admire his willingness to confront difficult topics and the depth of. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught. For an overview, see our article the lds church addresses joseph smiths polygamy. Hales wade through the murky waters of history to help. Polygamy was started by joseph smith not brigham young. Victorian america saw plural marriage as immoral and joseph smith as acting on libido. 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. Joseph smith fought polygamy restoration bookstore. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. All three volumes may be purchased in either paper or ebook format. 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.
I very much appreciated this approach and wish all lds history books were. These articles have been compiled into three books, joseph smith fought polygamy volumes 1, 2, and 3, which you can purchase online, by telephone 816. While jfs had collected records of over a hundred affidavits attesting to the reality and circumstances of joseph smith jr. I started writing the book because i was fascinated by the puzzle of trying to work out their complex marriage histories many married four or five times, sometimes with. 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.
December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Joseph smiths polygamy was all about sex, in other words, multiply and replenish the earth. That fact that latterday saints practiced polygamy in the early days of the church is well known. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, taught and practiced polygamy during his ministry, and married multiple women during his lifetime. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths. Wikipedia book book v t e joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and. In recent years there have been several novels and at least three. Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus. Hales admits that joseph lies, but he defends these lies every time they get a reference. Marijuana, mormon racists, mexican bandidos, and crazy queen carlotta. In a book and an online series they attempt solid investigative methodology to support their thesis.
Discusses joseph smith s introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. On april 22, 2015, laura and brian halesauthors of joseph smiths polygamy. The first in a threevolume anthology in which top scholars examine the entire range and history of mormon polygamy. A distinctly different view of joseph smiths polygamy. Polygamy revelations of joseph smith worlds without end. Mormon historian todd compton, whos written a book on smiths polygamy, says theres good evidence smith married at least 33 women by. 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. 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. Topics include the nature of smiths relationship to fanny alger in the mid1830s. These materials include affidavit books compiled by joseph f. It is true that joseph did not always tell others about plural marriage. Joseph smith and the origins of mormon polygamy kindle edition by don bradley author, brian c.
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