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SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Question: What did the Hurlbut affidavits say about Martin Harris?) |
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Addressing the Abuse) |
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::When he found out that I was going to Mr. Putnam's, in Marion, he said he was going too, but they had sent for him to pay them a visit. On arriving at Mr. Putnam's, I asked them if they had sent for Mr. Harris; they replied, they knew nothing about it; he, however, came in the evening. Mrs. Putnam told him never to strike or abuse me any more; he then denied ever striking me; she was however convinced that he lied, as the marks of his beating me were plain to be seen, and remained more than two weeks. Whether the Mormon religion be true or false, I leave the world to judge, for its effects upon Martin Harris have been to make him more cross, turbulent and abusive to me. His whole object was to make money by it. | ::When he found out that I was going to Mr. Putnam's, in Marion, he said he was going too, but they had sent for him to pay them a visit. On arriving at Mr. Putnam's, I asked them if they had sent for Mr. Harris; they replied, they knew nothing about it; he, however, came in the evening. Mrs. Putnam told him never to strike or abuse me any more; he then denied ever striking me; she was however convinced that he lied, as the marks of his beating me were plain to be seen, and remained more than two weeks. Whether the Mormon religion be true or false, I leave the world to judge, for its effects upon Martin Harris have been to make him more cross, turbulent and abusive to me. His whole object was to make money by it. | ||
− | Perhaps we can demonstrate a little skepticism towards the event since it comes years after the fact.<ref>Susan Easton Black and Larry C. Porter, ''Martin Harris: Uncompromising Witness of the Book of Mormon'' (Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2018), 253. ISBN: 9781942161554: "Anderson suggests in his set of criteria, it is necessary to be aware of 'statements of contemporaries [that] show a distinct tendency to report community rumor, not personal experience.'" Citing Richard Lloyd Anderson, "Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Reappraised," ''BYU Studies'' 10, no. 3 (1970): 283-314.</ref> 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 Abigail, 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. 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''."<ref>Black and Porter, "Uncompromising Witness" Ibid.</ref> 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. | + | Perhaps we can demonstrate a little skepticism towards the event since it comes years after the fact.<ref>Susan Easton Black and Larry C. Porter, ''Martin Harris: Uncompromising Witness of the Book of Mormon'' (Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2018), 253. ISBN: 9781942161554: "Anderson suggests in his set of criteria, it is necessary to be aware of 'statements of contemporaries [that] show a distinct tendency to report community rumor, not personal experience.'" Citing Richard Lloyd Anderson, "Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Reappraised," ''BYU Studies'' 10, no. 3 (1970): 283-314.</ref> 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 Abigail, 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. Abuse connected to disagreement over the legitimacy of Joseph's claims is a more than plausible reason for Lucy and Martin's separation in 1830. 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''."<ref>Black and Porter, "Uncompromising Witness" Ibid.</ref> 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. |
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[[pt:Pergunta: O que os depoimentos Hurlbut dizer sobre Martin Harris?]] | [[pt:Pergunta: O que os depoimentos Hurlbut dizer sobre Martin Harris?]] |
Claimant | Claims | Comments |
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Abigail Harris (28 Nov. 1833) |
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Lucy Harris (29 Nov. 1833)(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?[1]. She in fact makes it clear in her affidavit that Martin did believe in Mormonism to the point of having "no one in his house that did not believe in Mormonism"[2]
With regards to the motives to make money, it makes sense that both Abigail and Lucy would testify this way against Martin. But they may have been selectively remembering this. Keep in mind that Martin had a firm conviction of the Book of Mormon, which Lucy makes more than clear in her statement. What if Martin, in the first instance of the statement being made, meant to assuage Lucy's concern over mortgaging the Harris farm to fund the publication of the Book of Mormon? It's a plausible interpretation that can cut back some of the exaggerations in their statements fomented by Howe's impetus and their shared prejudice of Martin looking back. It would be especially understandable if Martin's history of abuse reported by Lucy is true (which it likely is).
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.[3] 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 Abigail, 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. Abuse connected to disagreement over the legitimacy of Joseph's claims is a more than plausible reason for Lucy and Martin's separation in 1830. 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."[4] 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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