Difference between revisions of "Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Nauvoo Polygamy/Mind reading"

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Presentism
A work by author: George D. Smith
 Censorship

Mind reading

The author often attempts to interpret what Joseph was thinking as a way to lead the reader to a predetermined conclusion regarding Joseph Smith:

Reading Joseph's thoughts about women and marriage

The author claims that Joseph had a "predilection" to "take an interest in more than one woman" (p. x) and that he was on a "quest for female companionship," (p. xiv) Joseph's mind is read once again when the author claims that Sidney Rigdon "was not someone Joseph felt comfortable approaching to ask for his daughter's hand in polygamy. So Joseph appealed to the young woman directly."(p. 149). How does the author know that Joseph felt uncomfortable approaching Sidney? One can only guess.

A Book of Mormon "marriage formula" that justifies polygamy?

The author claims to know that the topic of polygamy was already on Joseph's mind as early as the 1820s! (p. xiv). How does he know this? Oddly enough, in the spirit of Dan Vogel, the author attempts to use the Book of Mormon as a means to deduce Joseph's thoughts. Thus, the author claims that the subject of polygamy "was evidently on Smith's mind even before founding the Mormon Church, if that can be deduced from the marriage formula inscribed in the Book of Mormon." A "marriage formula" in the Book of Mormon that supports polygamy? Most critics are quick to point out the Book of Mormon's condemnation of polygamy! Of course, critics always ignore the qualifier in Jacob 2꞉30 that polygamy is forbidden unless the Lord commands it. There is no "marriage formula" in the Book of Mormon which would serve as a justification for polygamy.

Joseph's inspiration?

Napoleon's Egyptian findings are speculated to have "lit a fire in Smith that inspired even the language of his religious prose." (p. x) and to have "coalesced astronomy, biblical mystery, ancient Egyptian writing, and Masonic ritual into portentous ceremony for his followers." (p. 114)

The "love letter"

The author assigns motives to Joseph's actions when he states that "[t]hree weeks after the wedding, Joseph took steps to spend some time with his newest bride." Joseph is claimed to have "judiciously addressed the letter to 'Brother, and Sister, Whitney, and &c." when in reality he "urged his seventeen-year-old bride to 'come to night' and 'comfort' him." (p. 114-115)


Further reading

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{{To learn more box:responses to: 8: The Mormon Proposition}} To learn more box:responses to: 8: The Mormon Proposition edit
{{To learn more box:''Under the Banner of Heaven''}} To learn more about responses to: Under the Banner of Heaven edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Robert Price}} To learn more about responses to: Robert Price edit
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{{To learn more box:responses to: Ashamed of Joseph}} To learn more about responses to: Ashamed of Joseph edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Beckwith and Moser}} To learn more about responses to: Beckwith and Moser edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Beckwith and Parrish}} To learn more about responses to: Beckwith and Parrish edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Benjamin Park}} To learn more about responses to: Benjamin Park edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Bible versus Joseph Smith}} To learn more about responses to: Bible versus Joseph Smith edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Bible versus Book of Mormon}} To learn more about responses to: Bible versus Book of Mormon edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: ''Big Love''}} To learn more about responses to: Big Love edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Brett Metcalfe}} To learn more about responses to: Brett Metcalfe edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Bill Maher}} To learn more about responses to: Bill Maher edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Bruce H. Porter}} To learn more about responses to: Bruce H. Porter edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Carol Wang Shutter}} To learn more about responses to: Carol Wang Shutter edit
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{{To learn more box:responses to: Charles Larson}} To learn more about responses to: Charles Larson edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Christopher Nemelka}} To learn more about responses to: Christopher Nemelka edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Colby Townshed}} To learn more about responses to: Colby Townshed edit
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{{To learn more box:responses to: Jerald and Sandra Tanner}} To learn more about responses to: Jerald and Sandra Tanner edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Jesus Christ-Joseph Smith or Search for the Truth DVD}} To learn more about responses to: Jesus Christ-Joseph Smith or Search for the Truth DVD edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: John Dehlin}} To learn more about responses to: John Dehlin edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Jonathan Neville}} To learn more about responses to: Jonathan Neville edit
{{To learn more box:responses to: Kurt Van Gorden}} To learn more about responses to: Kurt Van Gorden edit
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