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=="Joseph Smith married over 30 women"== | =="Joseph Smith married over 30 women"== | ||
{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph Smith married over 30 women |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=This is true. Subsequent questions, however, demonstrate that the author seems determined to paint a simplistic portrait of plural marriage: one that draws heavily on anti-Mormon sources and interpretations. | |answer=This is true. Subsequent questions, however, demonstrate that the author seems determined to paint a simplistic portrait of plural marriage: one that draws heavily on anti-Mormon sources and interpretations. | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=some as young as 14 years old |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=There were two wives aged fourteen. We can say nothing about one marriage, due to a lack of evidence. The other marriage was instigated by the bride's parents, and there is considerable evidence that the marriage was not consummated. Many of Joseph's marriages were concerned about sealing families together. | |answer=There were two wives aged fourteen. We can say nothing about one marriage, due to a lack of evidence. The other marriage was instigated by the bride's parents, and there is considerable evidence that the marriage was not consummated. Many of Joseph's marriages were concerned about sealing families together. | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=many of whom were married to other men at the time he married them |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=Again, the author gives no context or nuance to his critical picture. In all the cases of polyandry, there is little evidence that the relationships were consummated. In many cases, we know the husbands (some of them non-members) knew of the marriages and did not object. Emma never objected to the polyandrous marriages. No husband attacked Joseph or reproached him for violation of his marital rights or wife's honor. Many of Joseph's marriages—including these—seem to have been intended to seal families together. | |answer=Again, the author gives no context or nuance to his critical picture. In all the cases of polyandry, there is little evidence that the relationships were consummated. In many cases, we know the husbands (some of them non-members) knew of the marriages and did not object. Emma never objected to the polyandrous marriages. No husband attacked Joseph or reproached him for violation of his marital rights or wife's honor. Many of Joseph's marriages—including these—seem to have been intended to seal families together. | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph Smith would frequently approach other men’s wives about being his own plural wives — often while the men were away |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=This claim is false. There is only one recorded case of Joseph approaching a potential plural wife while her husband was on a mission. This case occurred at least two years after her husband's departure. The husband ratified the sealing upon his return. This claim too derives from discredited anti-Mormon sources. | |answer=This claim is false. There is only one recorded case of Joseph approaching a potential plural wife while her husband was on a mission. This case occurred at least two years after her husband's departure. The husband ratified the sealing upon his return. This claim too derives from discredited anti-Mormon sources. | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph Smith publicly lied about his practice of polygamy |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=The author ignores three vital facts: | |answer=The author ignores three vital facts: | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph Smith...lied to his own wife (Emma) about the practice |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer=We know very little about what Joseph told Emma, and when he told her. Emma would always insist Joseph never practiced plural marriage, though she knew differently. We should be cautious, then, in being too dogmatic about Joseph's treatment of Emma. Once again, there is far more nuance than the author seems willing to admit, or is even aware of. | |answer=We know very little about what Joseph told Emma, and when he told her. Emma would always insist Joseph never practiced plural marriage, though she knew differently. We should be cautious, then, in being too dogmatic about Joseph's treatment of Emma. Once again, there is far more nuance than the author seems willing to admit, or is even aware of. | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph publicly slandered both Jane and William Law, including publicly calling Jane Law a 'whore' |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
|answer={{nw}} | |answer={{nw}} | ||
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{{DehlinIndexItem | {{DehlinIndexItem | ||
− | |claim= | + | |claim=Joseph ordered the destruction of the printing press, which was both a violation of the 1st Amendment |
|authorsources= | |authorsources= | ||
− | |answer=The First Amendment had no legal standing in the suppression of the ''Nauvoo Expositor''. It would not apply to anything except acts by the federal government until after the Civil War. The author is here displaying his ignorance of historical fact. It shows how little study he has given the matter. | + | |answer= |
− | + | * The First Amendment had no legal standing in the suppression of the ''Nauvoo Expositor''. It would not apply to anything except acts by the federal government until after the Civil War. The author is here displaying his ignorance of historical fact. It shows how little study he has given the matter. | |
− | Furthermore, the suppression of the ''Expositor'' was not ordered by ''Joseph'' alone, but by the Nauvoo city council, which included non-Mormons. | + | * Furthermore, the suppression of the ''Expositor'' was not ordered by ''Joseph'' alone, but by the Nauvoo city council, which included non-Mormons. |
− | + | * Finally, the suppression of the ''Expositor'' was legal under the law of the day—as courts found in later incidents under the same legal regime. (The destruction of the press itself was not legal and a misdemeanor—but Joseph quickly indicated his willingness to pay the fine if this was the case.) | |
− | Finally, the suppression of the ''Expositor'' was legal under the law of the day—as courts found in later incidents under the same legal regime. (The destruction of the press itself was not legal and a misdemeanor—but Joseph quickly indicated his willingness to pay the fine if this was the case.) | ||
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First Vision | A FAIR Analysis of: John Dehlin's "Questions and Answers" A work by author: John Dehlin
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Treasure digging |
"Joseph Smith married over 30 women"
This is true. Subsequent questions, however, demonstrate that the author seems determined to paint a simplistic portrait of plural marriage: one that draws heavily on anti-Mormon sources and interpretations.
"some as young as 14 years old"
There were two wives aged fourteen. We can say nothing about one marriage, due to a lack of evidence. The other marriage was instigated by the bride's parents, and there is considerable evidence that the marriage was not consummated. Many of Joseph's marriages were concerned about sealing families together.
"many of whom were married to other men at the time he married them"
Again, the author gives no context or nuance to his critical picture. In all the cases of polyandry, there is little evidence that the relationships were consummated. In many cases, we know the husbands (some of them non-members) knew of the marriages and did not object. Emma never objected to the polyandrous marriages. No husband attacked Joseph or reproached him for violation of his marital rights or wife's honor. Many of Joseph's marriages—including these—seem to have been intended to seal families together.
"Joseph Smith would frequently approach other men’s wives about being his own plural wives — often while the men were away"
This claim is false. There is only one recorded case of Joseph approaching a potential plural wife while her husband was on a mission. This case occurred at least two years after her husband's departure. The husband ratified the sealing upon his return. This claim too derives from discredited anti-Mormon sources.
"Joseph Smith publicly lied about his practice of polygamy"
The author ignores three vital facts:
"Joseph Smith...lied to his own wife (Emma) about the practice"
We know very little about what Joseph told Emma, and when he told her. Emma would always insist Joseph never practiced plural marriage, though she knew differently. We should be cautious, then, in being too dogmatic about Joseph's treatment of Emma. Once again, there is far more nuance than the author seems willing to admit, or is even aware of.
"Joseph publicly slandered both Jane and William Law, including publicly calling Jane Law a 'whore'"
"Joseph ordered the destruction of the printing press, which was both a violation of the 1st Amendment"
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