One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smiths practice of plural marriage. The false lds joseph smith and the real historical. Following a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriage was instituted among church members in. Claimed that the very first time she ever became aware of a polygamy revelation being attributed to joseph smith was when she read about it in orson pratts booklet the seer in 1853. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The prophet secretly teaches polygamy joseph smith s. Modern dna testing of smith s relatives suggests that his family were of irish descent, as he carried a rare ydna marker within haplogroup r1b which is found almost entirely in people of northwestern irish descent.
Jan 29, 2017 of course, the most authoritative of sources would be the prophet himself, but his writings and recorded instructions on plural marriage are limited to the revelation on celestial and plural marriage, doctrine and covenants 2. His grandfather, asael smith, lost most of his property in topsfield, massachusetts, during the economic downturn. Sealings to legally married women joseph smiths polygamy. Emma smiths path through polygamy joseph smiths polygamy. Joseph didnt have the capacity to translate any modern or ancient language. The plural wives of joseph smith signature books, 1997 788 pages, cloth, isbn 156085085x. Phelps wrote a letter to his wife on april 3 mentioning the lords visit. Joseph smiths revelation on marriage declared that the continuation of the. Page 109 adds that davids polygamy was a wicked practice. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and found its. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. Four months before, joseph smith received a revelation for her. But her submission soon faltered and joseph arranged for these wives to live elsewhere.
Smiths marriage to louis beaman is considered by some to be his first official plural marriage since it is the first for which there is a witness and a. Joseph smith s wives the mormon churchs first prophet. Joseph smith changing the words of this book revelation. Very interesting book documenting the lives and views of the polygamous and polyandrous wives of joseph smith. Some of the missionaries were to marry native american women. She has been called the first plural wife of the prophet joseph smith. Revelation through joseph smith to sidney rigdon, parley p. Law undoubtedly knew of josephs sealings to legally married women, but he ignored the chance to accuse him of practicing polyandry. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Joseph smith was a pedophile very informative and welldocumentedthank you. Joseph smiths practice of plural marriage religious. Nov 09, 2014 on july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept polygamy. Whitney and gilbert both had stores, and phelps had his printing operation in independence. Authoritative sources for joseph smiths theology, pp.
May 01, 2003 eventually, on july 12,1843, smith received the divine seal of approval in the form of a new revelation to the effect that polygamy was now commanded by the lord. Hannah stoddard is the lead author of faith crisis, volume 1. Not found in book 4, undoubtedly because book 4 was located in the church historians office along with book 3, whereas joseph f. Sometime later, whitmer wrote not to be published now on the first page of the manuscript in revelation book 1. Of course, joseph smith had a background of angelic tutoring that none of us share. Contradictions in joseph smiths polygamy revelations. Joseph smith reportedly learned that plural marriage had in the past been a. Joseph smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont. Actually, emma smith approved of plural marriage for only a short timemaybe a few weeksbut she otherwise always despised polygamy and her husbands involvement with this practice.
Nov 11, 2014 the founder of the mormon church, joseph smith, wed as many as 40 wives, including one as young as 14 years old, the church acknowledged. Joseph smith s published revelations contained no reference to samesex marriage. This product will release and ship by midseptember. 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. Revelation joseph smith seer welcome joseph smith jr. Emma surrendered to josephs revelation, even allowing several of his wives to live in her home. A journal of mormon thought, classical quarterly, and the. Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid. Joseph smith foundation director, author, film producer, speaker.
Joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, ed. Includes a list of 84 women who may have been married to joseph smith. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. In fact, fully onethird of his plural wives, eleven of them, were married civilly to other men when he married them. Smith, probably in early 1912, and gave the typescript to smith on 1. In recent years there have been several novels and at least three. Joseph smith was a pedophile as confirmed by even mormon sources. Reportedly while they were on this mission joseph received a revelation relevant to polygamy.
Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus christ. And let mine handmaid, emma smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me. Emma hale smith, lds researchers linda king newell and valeen tippetts avery clearly show this to be a fact. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. 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. Smith, probably in early 1912, and gave the typescript to smith on 1 april 1912.
Mar 28, 2011 a motion picture about the life and legacy of joseph smith, the founding prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who translated the book of mormon. When he was a child his family moved to palmyra in western new york where there was a lot of revivalism and religious fervor due to the second great awakening. Well researched, and one of the probable reasons the mormon church has been forced to confront its history and admit that joseph not only married multiple wives, but sent other men away on missions for years at a time and then claimed their wives as his, appointed by god through. A common misconception concerning joseph smiths polyandry is that he participated in only one or two such unusual unions. The topic of joseph smiths polygamy 1 tends to polarize those who grapple with it. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his. The bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise see 2 samuel 12. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon.
Saints lds church acknowledged that smith had practiced plural marriage and produced a written revelation of smiths that authorizes its practice. Reemerging mormon feminism, and has been published in the american journal of philology, dialogue. The first plural marriage in nauvoo took place when louisa beaman and joseph smith were sealed in april 1841. Joseph smith and plural marriage church of jesus christ. Mar 30, 2015 history and recollections inscribed in this book book 2 on november 19, 1903. One of the fruits of placing all perceived revelatory power in the hands of a leader is the suspension of personal revelation for everyone else. A statue of joseph smith and his first wife, emma, at temple square in salt. On august 16, 1843 william clayton wrote in his diary, this a. Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the lord your god, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant joseph smith, jun. Joseph smith s journal contains a list of a few of his plural wives written after the july 14, 1843, entry in the handwriting of thomas bullock. The plates of the book of mormon were translated in a sense by joseph smith and in a sense not by joseph smith. The assets of the firm at its organization were likely not extensive.
The preceding year, joseph smith had published the book of mormon, which his. Was the prophet joseph smith commanded to practice plural. Mormonism, joseph smith, revelation, prophecy, contradictions. Among joseph smith s other plural wives were the two daughters of the late. They were married on january 18, 1827 in south bainbridge, chenango county, new york. It is difficult to convince the prejudiced mind that any but base intents and impure desires prompted the practice of plural marriage, but nevertheless it was entered into, god knows, with the highest religious and moral motives. The false lds joseph smith and the real historical reality.
Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid he. Revelation, 27 july 1842, page 1 the joseph smith papers. Chart of joseph smiths plural wives mormons in transition. Verily, verily, i say unto you my servant frederick g. As previously reported in joseph smith fought polygamy, volume 1, the article on marriage was accepted by a special general assembly at kirtland and placed in the 1835 edition of the doctrine and.
The church made the disclosure about joseph smith to show. Hales is the author of seven books dealing with the restoration of plural marriage among the latterday saintsmost notably joseph smiths polygamy, 3 vols. This revelation is believed to have been given through the seer stone that joseph smith had in his possession. Smith s book takes us on a fresh perspective, dealing directly with the revelation and how each section related to major periods of the church under joseph smith, brigham young, wilford woodruff, joseph f. The sealing of husband and wife for eternity was made possible by the restoration. In the entire doctrine and covenants there are just two. Understandably, it is difficult to remain neutral when faced with the fact that joseph smith took at least thirty women as wives, that he physically consummated many of those.
One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smith s practice of plural marriage. The digital book download link is sent to your email address used to place the order, usually within 24 hours or next business day. The second page of the manuscript was crossed out, likely also to indicate the intention not to publish the revelation at that time. 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. Joseph smithera publications of revelations the joseph smith. What is known is that in 1843, joseph smith dictated the revelation authorizing polygamy, claiming god had commanded his people to live in plural marriages and. After receiving a revelation commanding him to practice plural marriage, joseph smith married multiple wives and introduced the practice to close associates. Polygamy bookinitiation of the practice fairmormon. The younger age of brides in the 19th century which is shown false. Young went so far as to say that joseph and oliver were given a revelation on polygamy while they worked at translating the book of mormon in 1829. On july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept polygamy. The plural wives of joseph smith, editor of mormonism and early christianity, a contributor to the encyclopedia of mormonism and women and authority. Century, but the revelations about joseph smith have shocked followers.
Why did joseph smith marry women who were already married. Phelps, martin harris, joseph coe, ziba peterson and joshua lewis united their hearts in prayer, in a private place, to inquire of the lord who. Joseph smith and the many wives of david and solomon. Life early years 180527 smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont to lucy mack smith and her husband joseph sr. Pratt, and leman copley, kirtland, ohio, march 1831. 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. Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation. Missouri, on sunday morning, july 17, 1831, when seven elders, viz. Questionwhat would church leadersmembers main attempt at defense against this be. Smith tells his readers that until decisive dna testing of possible joseph smith descendantsdaughters as well as sonsfrom plural wives can be accomplished, ascertaining whether smith fathered children with any of his plural wives remains hypothetical pp. Book of mormon translation on trial, and faith crisis, volume 2. 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. One further note joseph smith s 1843 revelation on celestial marriage. Phelps, martin harris, sidney rigdon, and several others traveled to jackson county, missouri, on a missionary journey arriving there a few weeks later.
Joseph smith sees a vision of god and jesus christ. Smith kept books 1 and 2 in his personal possession. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. An angel, moroni, instructs him and shows him where to find an ancient record. Partridge, meanwhile, had bought around twelve hundred acres of land to be used as.
This principle was among the most challenging aspects of the restoration. History and recollections inscribed in this book book 2 on november 19, 1903. Smiths book takes us on a fresh perspective, dealing directly with the revelation and how each section related to major periods of the church under joseph smith, brigham young, wilford woodruff, joseph f. Aug 11, 2011 throughout life and on her deathbed denied joseph smith, jr. Smith came from an unremarkable new england family. Polygamy revelations of joseph smith worlds without end. By june 1844, when joseph died, approximately 29 men and 50 women had entered into plural. 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. Smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont to lucy mack smith and her husband joseph sr. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and. However, behind the controversy, lies the untold history and inspiring stories of real women with their personal experiences, successes, failures, trials, and legacies. Revelation received at harmony now oakland, susquehanna county, pennsylvania, in july 1 1828 for joseph smith jr. Why did joseph smith marry women who were already married to.
Thompson became the prophets scribe and personal secretary. Joseph smiths first wife was emma hale 180479 the daughter of isaac and elizabeth lewis hale. Nancy black eldredge, hannah mariah savage eldredge, and helvig marie andersen eldredge. The generations after the manifesto received the 2007 best book award from the john whitmer historical association. Following hyrum, joseph smith said they make a criminality for a man to have a wife on earth while he has one in heaven and that the revelation was given in. New mormon history exiled from church headquarters. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. The church has previously sought to portray smith as loyal to his first wife emma. Joseph describes an earlier meeting where the gift of tongues fell upon us in mighty power, angels mingled their voices with ours, while their presence was in our midst, and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms for the space of half an hour see entry of january 22, 1836, in diary of joseph smith, 183536, p. This reiterated a commandment given in a 12 november 1831 revelation. This second volume of the revelations and translations series of the joseph. Galbraith enlarged the same book by adding many scriptural references and entitled it scriptural teachings of the prophet joseph smith selected and arranged by joseph fielding smith, scriptural annotations and introduction by richard c. A journal of mormon thought, classical quarterly, and the journal. Dec 21, 2016 four of the eleven polyandrous wives of the prophet joseph smith.
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