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SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Lucy still testifies to Martin's industriousness and implies that he was a respected individual in the community prior to publication of the Book of Mormon.) |
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Lucy still testifies to Martin's industriousness and implies that he was a respected individual in the community prior to publication of the Book of Mormon.) |
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::Martin Harris was once industrious[ly] attentive to his domestic concerns, and thought to be worth about ten thousand dollars. | ::Martin Harris was once industrious[ly] attentive to his domestic concerns, and thought to be worth about ten thousand dollars. | ||
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::It is in vain for the Mormons to deny these facts; for they are all well known to most of his former neighbors. The man has now become rather an object of pity; he has spent most of his property, and <b>lost the confidence of his former friends. If he had labored as hard on his farm as he has to make Mormons, he might now be one of the wealthiest farmers in the country.</b> He now spends his time in travelling through the country spreading the delusion of Mormonism, and has no regard whatever for his family. | ::It is in vain for the Mormons to deny these facts; for they are all well known to most of his former neighbors. The man has now become rather an object of pity; he has spent most of his property, and <b>lost the confidence of his former friends. If he had labored as hard on his farm as he has to make Mormons, he might now be one of the wealthiest farmers in the country.</b> He now spends his time in travelling through the country spreading the delusion of Mormonism, and has no regard whatever for his family. | ||
Claimant | Claims | Comments |
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Abigail Harris |
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Lucy Harris(Wife of Martin Harris) |
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It is interesting to note the similarity between the testimony for both women. It is more interesting however, to note how Abigail Harris has added the phrase "What if it is a lie," while Martin's wife, Lucy, did not. Abigail states that she stated what she did "for the good of all mankind". If Martin actually believed that Mormonism was a lie, why would his wife Lucy not have mentioned this? Keep in mind that these statements come five years after the supposed facts and that these statements were written within a day of each other (Lucy writing 29 November 1833 and Abigail on 28 November 1833).
In regard to Mrs. Haggard, it seems as though Martin may have had some feelings for this woman. Lucy seems to be very honest in her portrayal of Martin's behavior. Additionally, a contemporary revelation given to Joseph Smith (summer of 1829) states: "25 And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife; nor seek thy neighbor’s life." (D&C 19:25). Beyond this, however, there does not seem to be any conclusive evidence of Martin committing adultery with this woman.
Lucy wrote:
Lucy implies that Martin was considered respected in the community prior to the mortgaging of his farm in support of the Book of Mormon.
Lucy's report of abuse is the most disheartening of the affdavit. While on one hand Lucy may have exaggerated some of the elements about Martin, these claims are those to take most seriously. She stated:
Perhaps we can demonstrate a little skepticism towards the event since it comes years after the fact.[1] But that should be balanced with how we've interpreted Lucy's statements in the rest of the affidavit--as reliable. If we rely on her to dispel the claim from Abigal, and we rely on her to not give a definitive declaration of Martin's involvement with Mrs. Haggard, and if we rely on her as reliable to establish Martin as industrious and well-respected, then we should give Lucy some trust in stating that she was abused—at least in some form. While on one hand we may use Lucy's affirmation of Harris' industriousness and his firm conviction of the Book of Mormon as a positive evidence for the Book of Mormon, we should also recognize, like two accomplished historians noted about Martin, that "Martin was certainly not free from inherent human frailties and foibles, some of which are enumerated in Mormonism Unvailed."[2] We can recognize his contributions to the Book of Mormon and the work of God while also condemning and also extending charity to his more negative qualities.
Notes
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