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. Sometime later, whitmer wrote not to be published now on the first page of the manuscript in revelation book 1. After receiving a revelation commanding him to practice plural marriage, joseph smith married multiple wives and introduced the practice to close associates. 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. Very interesting book documenting the lives and views of the polygamous and polyandrous wives of joseph smith. Whitney made a typescript of the revelation at the request of church president joseph f.
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. 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. In recent years there have been several novels and at least three. Emma smiths path through polygamy joseph smiths polygamy. In fact, fully onethird of his plural wives, eleven of them, were married civilly to other men when he married them. Smith kept books 1 and 2 in his personal possession. The bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise see 2 samuel 12. Joseph smiths practice of plural marriage religious.
Why did joseph smith marry women who were already married to. A common misconception concerning joseph smiths polyandry is that he participated in only one or two such unusual unions. 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. Verily, verily, i say unto you my servant frederick g. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. 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. Smith, probably in early 1912, and gave the typescript to smith on 1 april 1912. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. Of course, joseph smith had a background of angelic tutoring that none of us share.
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 generations after the manifesto received the 2007 best book award from the john whitmer historical association. Joseph smith was a pedophile very informative and welldocumentedthank you. 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. This second volume of the revelations and translations series of the joseph. Revelation, 27 july 1842, page 1 the joseph smith papers. Century, but the revelations about joseph smith have shocked followers.
In the entire doctrine and covenants there are just two. 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. 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. However, behind the controversy, lies the untold history and inspiring stories of real women with their personal experiences, successes, failures, trials, and legacies. Joseph smith and plural marriage church of jesus christ. The digital book download link is sent to your email address used to place the order, usually within 24 hours or next business day. Joseph smith was a pedophile as confirmed by even mormon sources.
A journal of mormon thought, classical quarterly, and the journal. Partridge, meanwhile, had bought around twelve hundred acres of land to be used as. Phelps, martin harris, sidney rigdon, and several others traveled to jackson county, missouri, on a missionary journey arriving there a few weeks later. Smith came from an unremarkable new england family. Book of mormon translation on trial, and faith crisis, volume 2. 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. Thompson became the prophets scribe and personal secretary.
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. Pratt, and leman copley, kirtland, ohio, march 1831. 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. On july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept polygamy. 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. Hannah stoddard is the lead author of faith crisis, volume 1. A journal of mormon thought, classical quarterly, and the. Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid.
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. They were married on january 18, 1827 in south bainbridge, chenango county, new york. Emma surrendered to josephs revelation, even allowing several of his wives to live in her home. The plates of the book of mormon were translated in a sense by joseph smith and in a sense not by joseph smith. Among joseph smith s other plural wives were the two daughters of the late. Joseph smith s published revelations contained no reference to samesex marriage. History and recollections inscribed in this book book 2 on november 19, 1903.
By june 1844, when joseph died, approximately 29 men and 50 women had entered into plural. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his. The topic of joseph smiths polygamy 1 tends to polarize those who grapple with it. Smith, probably in early 1912, and gave the typescript to smith on 1. Joseph smith s wives the mormon churchs first prophet.
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. Revelation joseph smith seer welcome joseph smith jr. This principle was among the most challenging aspects of the restoration. Mar 30, 2015 history and recollections inscribed in this book book 2 on november 19, 1903. Some of the missionaries were to marry native american women. The false lds joseph smith and the real historical. Revelation through joseph smith to sidney rigdon, parley p. 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. Law undoubtedly knew of josephs sealings to legally married women, but he ignored the chance to accuse him of practicing polyandry. Nov 09, 2014 on july 12, 1843, hyrum smith asked joseph smith to provide a revelation to help convince emma smith to accept polygamy.
Dec 21, 2016 four of the eleven polyandrous wives of the prophet joseph smith. Joseph didnt have the capacity to translate any modern or ancient language. She has been called the first plural wife of the prophet joseph smith. 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. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. His grandfather, asael smith, lost most of his property in topsfield, massachusetts, during the economic downturn. One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smith s practice of plural marriage. Joseph smith foundation director, author, film producer, speaker.
December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. The sealing of husband and wife for eternity was made possible by the restoration. Contradictions in joseph smiths polygamy revelations. Joseph smithera publications of revelations the joseph smith. 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. Includes a list of 84 women who may have been married to joseph smith. 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. 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. Page 109 adds that davids polygamy was a wicked practice. Polygamy revelations of joseph smith worlds without end. The plural wives of joseph smith, editor of mormonism and early christianity, a contributor to the encyclopedia of mormonism and women and authority. Phelps wrote a letter to his wife on april 3 mentioning the lords visit. But her submission soon faltered and joseph arranged for these wives to live elsewhere.
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. Life early years 180527 smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont to lucy mack smith and her husband joseph sr. The plural wives of joseph smith signature books, 1997 788 pages, cloth, isbn 156085085x. 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. Missouri, on sunday morning, july 17, 1831, when seven elders, viz. Joseph smiths first wife was emma hale 180479 the daughter of isaac and elizabeth lewis hale. Why did joseph smith marry women who were already married. Sealings to legally married women joseph smiths polygamy.
Four months before, joseph smith received a revelation for her. Polygamy bookinitiation of the practice fairmormon. The prophet secretly teaches polygamy joseph smith s. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Joseph smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont. 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.
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. Joseph smiths revelation on marriage declared that the continuation of the. A statue of joseph smith and his first wife, emma, at temple square in salt. An angel, moroni, instructs him and shows him where to find an ancient record. Reportedly while they were on this mission joseph received a revelation relevant to polygamy. 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. Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid he. This product will release and ship by midseptember. Not found in book 4, undoubtedly because book 4 was located in the church historians office along with book 3, whereas joseph f. The assets of the firm at its organization were likely not extensive. 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. Authoritative sources for joseph smiths theology, pp. Hales is the author of seven books dealing with the restoration of plural marriage among the latterday saintsmost notably joseph smiths polygamy, 3 vols. The second page of the manuscript was crossed out, likely also to indicate the intention not to publish the revelation at that time.
The false lds joseph smith and the real historical reality. On august 16, 1843 william clayton wrote in his diary, this a. Joseph smith reportedly learned that plural marriage had in the past been a. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Nancy black eldredge, hannah mariah savage eldredge, and helvig marie andersen eldredge. Reemerging mormon feminism, and has been published in the american journal of philology, dialogue. Joseph smith sees a vision of god and jesus christ.
New mormon history exiled from church headquarters. The younger age of brides in the 19th century which is shown false. One further note joseph smith s 1843 revelation on celestial marriage. Aug 11, 2011 throughout life and on her deathbed denied joseph smith, jr. Following a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriage was instituted among church members in. One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smiths practice of plural marriage. Saints lds church acknowledged that smith had practiced plural marriage and produced a written revelation of smiths that authorizes its practice. Emma hale smith, lds researchers linda king newell and valeen tippetts avery clearly show this to be a fact. 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. She is the executive director of the joseph smith foundation, and producer or director of seven. Revelation received at harmony now oakland, susquehanna county, pennsylvania, in july 1 1828 for joseph smith jr.
The church made the disclosure about joseph smith to show. Joseph smith changing the words of this book revelation. Whitney and gilbert both had stores, and phelps had his printing operation in independence. Questionwhat would church leadersmembers main attempt at defense against this be. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. The church has previously sought to portray smith as loyal to his first wife emma. Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus christ. Mormonism, joseph smith, revelation, prophecy, contradictions. Chart of joseph smiths plural wives mormons in transition.
Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and. Plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo church of jesus. The preceding year, joseph smith had published the book of mormon, which his. The first plural marriage in nauvoo took place when louisa beaman and joseph smith were sealed in april 1841. This revelation is believed to have been given through the seer stone that joseph smith had in his possession. 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. 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.
This reiterated a commandment given in a 12 november 1831 revelation. Joseph smith and the many wives of david and solomon. Joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, ed. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. 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.
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