Whatever biology might have to say, according to the morals of his time, several of joseph smith\s wives were still inappropriately young for him. Subjects include polyandry, young brides, theology, children, and emma smith. Discusses joseph smith s introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. The plural wives of joseph smith, is a calmly crafted work designed to bring truth and understanding to this segment. Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid he. Joseph smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont.
After receiving a revelation commanding him to practice plural marriage, joseph smith married multiple wives and introduced the practice to close associates. One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smith s practice of plural marriage. However, the example he cites from the 1830 palmyra reflector, refers to walters the magician, and not to smith precisely. In other words, joseph smith practiced what the world calls polyandry. Citing the book of mormon, smith ended his pamphlet emphasizing that the book of mormon, while generally proscribing biblicaltype polygamy, does include the caveat, for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up. Did you know joseph smiths famous leg surgery was the fourth in a series of surgeries. However, behind the controversy, lies the untold history and inspiring stories of real women with their personal experiences, successes, failures, trials, and legacies. This is an interesting book for both mormon and nonmormon women. Joseph smith, hyrum smith, presidents of said church. 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. Why did joseph smith marry women who were already married to. Dna rules out joseph smith has descendants from polygamist.
Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirtythree women married j. Lds scripture instructs that joseph smith, the prophet and seer of the lord, has done more, save jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in. There is substantial evidence to show that joseph smith was sealed to the wives of other men. 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 wives of joseph smith brigham young wives of brigham young list of mormon polygamists. The plural wives of joseph smith, editor of mormonism and early christianity, a contributor to the encyclopedia of mormonism and women and authority. Joseph smith was a conartist, impostor, necromancer. Misrepresenting polygamy, especially that of joseph.
Contains a detailed study of the mormon doctrine of plural marriage, the spiritual wife doctrine, the john c. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. The 34 wives of joseph smith and their 11 husbands, by chip. The lds church and joseph smith s polygamy doug fabrizios interview of assistant lds church historian richard turley and scholars patrick q. Whatever biology might have to say, according to the morals of his time, several of joseph smith \s wives were still inappropriately young for him. Benjamin johnson, a close friend of joseph smith, described fanny as, varry nice and comly, to whom everyone seemed partial for the ameability of her character. The plural wives of joseph smith compton, signature books, salt lake city, 1997. 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 smiths famous leg surgery was actually the fourth in a series of surgeries. 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.
Most of smiths wives were between the ages of 20 and 40, the essay says, but he married helen mar kimball, a daughter of two close friends. Preorder now and receive your copy immediately upon release. Wikipedia book book v t e joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and. In summary, joseph smith knew about polygamy in 1831, he practiced it long before 1842. This product will release and ship by midseptember. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. Mar 30, 2015 while jfs had collected records of over a hundred affidavits attesting to the reality and circumstances of joseph smith jr. Joseph smiths sealings to women already married may have been an early version of. 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.
The book, which included an appendix of smiths 48 wives she wrote that there were probably more, resulted in brodies excommunication for apostasy by the lds church after its release. By the time the latterday saints settled in illinois, the young women joseph once met as preteenagers had become old enough for him to marry. Joseph smiths life is a testimony to the reality of that calling. Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon life.
Joseph smith jr 34 wives at manti sharing their stories. While jfs had collected records of over a hundred affidavits attesting to the reality and circumstances of joseph smith jr. This occurred while the men were still legally married to their wives. Devoted members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints honor its founder, joseph smith, with saintlike reverence. Four of the eleven polyandrous wives of the prophet joseph smith. Dec 01, 1997 this book is a compilation of biographies of all of joseph smith, jr. Goodstein opened her article with the line, largely addressed joseph smith s practice of plural marriage. Dna rules out joseph smith has descendants from polygamist wives. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. Louisa beaman was born february 7, 1815, to alvah beaman and sarah burtts in livonia, new york, some twentyfive miles south of palmyra. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths.
Bennett book, the nancy rigdon affair, the sarah pratt affair and also the martha h. This essay appeared in slightly modified form as a subject that can bear investigation. Immediately upon his return to salt lake city in february 1858, joseph f. Polygamy wasnt a theological debate for early mormon women. I was called of my heavenly father to lay the foundation of this great work and kingdom in this dispensation, and testify of his revealed will to scattered israel.
December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Reemerging mormon feminism, and has been published in the american journal of philology, dialogue. The plural wives of joseph smith compton, signature books, salt lake city, 1997 doctrine and covenants the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, salt lake city available at the deseret book special order desk. They went through all the beginning years of the mormon church and suffered the consequences. There are certainly more possible wives, but tod compton only focused on women who are widely accepted as josephs wives by historians and scholars alike. Dec 20, 2019 after more than a century of speculation about whether lds church founder joseph smith had children with any of his plural wives, a local geneticist said he recently has crossed two such purported descendants off the list of potential candidates. By june 1844, when joseph died, approximately 29 men and 50 women had entered into plural. By the time the latterday saints settled in illinois, the young women joseph once met as pre. The plural wives of joseph smith kindle edition by compton, todd m download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The april 2020 liahona carried an enlightening article on how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Joseph smith and plural marriage church of jesus christ. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading in sacred loneliness. A well written book about a shameful period of history.
A common misconception concerning joseph smiths polyandry is that he participated in only one or two such unusual unions. The plural wives of joseph smith, is a calmly crafted work designed to bring truth and understanding to this segment of latterday saint history which too often has been characterized by either deliberate obfuscation or shameless sensationalism. In response to the often ignored and usually biased. When people write something in a book, many people refer to that almost as a fact. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. This book is a compilation of biographies of all of joseph smith, jr. The lord jesus christ called joseph smith as a prophet to prepare the way for his coming in glory. She is generally considered the first plural wife of joseph smith. Is it possible that joseph smith fathered children with some of his plural wives, and that he covered up the evidence of pregnancies. Let us now do a closeup of the personality and character of the prophet joseph smith may i begin with the comment of the late sidney b. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints praises the balanced analysis in the book. Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirtythree women married joseph smith, the founder of mormonism. If we are going to question the legitimacy of joseph smiths young wives, we would also need to question the purity.
What do latterday saint churches believe and teach about polygamy today 3. In conclusion, though it is possible that joseph had some marriages in which there were no sexual relations, there is no explicit or convincing evidence for this except, perhaps, in the cases. The church made the disclosure about joseph smith to show. It seems as if they threw caution to the wind, but held fast to the claim it was done through the power of god. Joseph smithpolygamychildren of polygamous marriagesdid. The first plural marriage in nauvoo took place when louisa beaman and joseph smith were sealed in april 1841. Brodie went on and on about buell, talking about the timing and the picture everything seems to indicate buell was joseph smith s son. Media related to wives of joseph smith at wikimedia commons. Authors name withheld on november 11, 2014, the new york times posted an article by its awardwinning national religion writer laurie goodstein on the new lds gospel topics essays on plural marriage. This conviction was four years before he published the book of mormon. A subject that can bear investigation religious studies. One of the most controversial facets of latterday saint history is joseph smiths practice of plural marriage.
Nancy black eldredge, hannah mariah savage eldredge, and helvig marie andersen eldredge. What is known about possible children through joseph smiths polygamous marriages. Two of my greatgreat grandmothers were polygamist wives and they knew joseph smith. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. This principle was among the most challenging aspects of the restoration.
Louisa beaman was born february 7, 1815, to alvah beaman and sarah burtts in livonia. The first mormon prophet, joseph smith, was arrested and convicted in new york and was found guilty of being a conartist, an impostorhe was a necromancer and a charlatan. Joseph smith 18051844, the founder of the latter day saint movement, secretly taught and practiced polygamy during his. The mormon church says for the first time that its founder joseph smith took up to 40 wives, including a 14yearold and others who were already married. A journal of mormon thought, classical quarterly, and the. Many of the poor guys were on their missions when joseph smith married their wives. What is known about possible children through joseph smith s polygamous marriages. Sperry, who was perhaps the churchs most knowledgeable hebraist. Anguish, faith, and joseph smiths youngest plural wife, mormon historical studies 11, no.
Most of smiths wives were between the ages of 20 and 40, the essay says, but he married helen. After more than a century of speculation about whether lds church founder joseph smith had children with any of his plural wives, a local geneticist said he recently has crossed two such purported descendants off the list of potential candidates. Dec 23, 2016 did you know joseph smiths famous leg surgery was the fourth in a series of surgeries. As we celebrate joseph smiths birthday, heres a list of 15 other interesting facts about joseph smith. Nov, 2014 the book, which included an appendix of smiths 48 wives she wrote that there were probably more, resulted in brodies excommunication for apostasy by the lds church after its release. What do we know about mormon leader joseph smiths wives. Biographies of josephs plural wives joseph smiths polygamy. Pdf version of remembering the wives of joseph smith. There are certainly more possible wives, but tod compton only focused on women who are widely accepted as joseph s wives by historians and scholars alike. Dec 21, 2016 in other words, joseph smith practiced what the world calls polyandry. Includes a list of 84 women who may have been married to joseph smith. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd ed.
For a summary article of these women after the death of joseph smith, read joseph smiths plural wives after the martyrdom. In conclusion, though it is possible that joseph had some marriages in which there were no sexual relations, there is no explicit or convincing evidence for this except, perhaps, in the cases of the older wives, judging from later mormon polygamy. Discusses joseph smiths introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. One of the best resources available about the plural wives of joseph smith. These were passionate relationships which also had some.
The churchs public affairs department directed huffpost to todd compton, a mormon researcher whose 1997 book in sacred loneliness compiles a list of 33 welldocumented wives of joseph smith although the total number is likely as high as 40. For 160 years people have been writing in books or speculating that these people could have been joseph smith s children. Did joseph smith have sexual relations with wives other than emma. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom. Sometimes these second marriages even occured outside the presence of their husbands. Joseph smith married lucy walker age seventeen on may 1. Lds church history documents that their mormon founder, joseph smith, lied to a large group of people about his having multiple wives. I was a little disappointed on some of the limitations of comptons research on hannah ann dubois dibble and some of the other more controversial extramarital relationships of joseph smith, jr. God declared in the book of mormon that monogamy was the standard. 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. 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.