Mormon Dilemmas 15
The ex-communication of Hyram Brown
It’s a problem when the Church practices one thing while preaching another. On Thursday, February 1, 1844 the Times and Seasons published a notice declaring one of their adherents, Hyram Brown, had “been preaching polygamy and other false and corrupt doctrines…” (Times and Seasons vol. 5, pg. 423)
The punishment for his actions was swift and severe; immediate excommunication.
Why would Joseph Smith do such a thing when in fact he was the instigator of polygamy in the Mormon Church and at that point in time had at least 34 wives of his own?
Additionally by that time Smith had already received revelation and published the mandatory ordinance in Doctrine and Covenants 132.
Growing up in the Church I had the utmost respect for Joseph Smith and revered all of his teachings, believing that everything he taught was from God Himself. I had never been taught he ex-communicated anyone for doing the very thing required for salvation and also found in Mormon scripture. This should be a dilemma for every single member of the Church.