Joseph’s Polygamy Problem
At the time of this statement Smith had 3 wives…
April 1837 –
Vol. 3, No. 8 Kirtland, Ohio, May, 1837. Messenger & Advocate, 3:511 (October 1836-Sept. 1837); “That we will have no fellowship whatever with any Elder belonging to the quorums of the Seventies who is guilty of polygamy or any offence of the kind, and who does not in all things conform to the laws of the church contained in the Bible and in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.”
By this time Smith had 21 wives…
August 1842 –
Millennial Star, Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 73; “But, for the information of those who might be assailed by those foolish tales about two wives, we would say that no such principle ever existed among the Latter-Day Saints, and ever will; this is well known to all who are acquainted with our books and actions.”
September 1842 –
Times & Seasons 4:909; “Inasmuch as the public mind has been unjustly abused… we make an extract on the subject of marriage, showing the rule of the church on this important matter. The extract is from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and is the only rule allowed by the church.
“All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled. Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman.”
By the time he said the following, Smith had at least 37 wives…also notice that Emma who hated polygamy wasn’t the one that died. However, Smith who said if you didn’t embrace it wholly died a year later.
July 12, 1843 –
D&C 132:4-6; “For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.”
Now Smith has 41 wives…
January 1844 –
Millennial Star, Vol. 4 No. 9, pg. 144; “Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe, that one man should have but one wife, and one woman but one husband… We wish these doctrines to be taught by all that are in the ministry, that the people may know our faith respecting them, and also to correct the public mind in respect to the church.”
At this point Smith had 50+ wives.
May 1844 –
History of the Church 6:410-411; “I had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made on proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives. This new holy prophet [William Law] has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dares not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this… What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago.”
If this was such a wonderful announcement God wanted everyone to know about, why are they hiding it and why are they lying?
Reblogged this on Life After Ministry and commented:
A new ex-Mormon Christian called the ministry this week and wanted to talk about Joseph Smith’s polygamy problem and asked me about this post we published a few years ago. I’m reposting it today to ask my prayer warriors to pray for him and his family. He and his daughter are the only ones that have left.
Thanks and God bless!
Michelle