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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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− | {{PolygamyPortal}}<onlyinclude> | + | {{PolygamyPortal}} |
− | =Joseph Smith and polygamy= | + | <onlyinclude> |
+ | =Joseph Smith and polygamy=<noinlcude> | ||
=={{Criticism label}}== | =={{Criticism label}}== | ||
Critics attack Joseph Smith for his introduction and practice of polygamy. These attacks usually focus on arguing that: | Critics attack Joseph Smith for his introduction and practice of polygamy. These attacks usually focus on arguing that: | ||
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link= | + | |link=Mormonism and polygamy/Book of Mormon condemns the practice |
|subject=Does the Book of Mormon condemn polygamy? | |subject=Does the Book of Mormon condemn polygamy? | ||
|summary=Critics use the Book of Jacob to show that the Book of Mormon condemns the practice of polygamy, and go on to claim that Joseph Smith ignored this restriction by introducing the doctrine of plural marriage. | |summary=Critics use the Book of Jacob to show that the Book of Mormon condemns the practice of polygamy, and go on to claim that Joseph Smith ignored this restriction by introducing the doctrine of plural marriage. | ||
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=Early Christians on plural marriage | + | |link=Mormonism and polygamy/Early Christians on plural marriage |
|subject=Early Christians on plural marriage | |subject=Early Christians on plural marriage | ||
|summary=There is extensive, unequivocal evidence that polygamous relationships were condoned under various circumstances by biblical prophets, despite how uncomfortable this might make a modern Christian. Elder Orson Pratt was widely viewed as the victor in a three-day debate on this very point with Reverend John P. Newman, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, in 1870.{{ref|newmanpratt1}} | |summary=There is extensive, unequivocal evidence that polygamous relationships were condoned under various circumstances by biblical prophets, despite how uncomfortable this might make a modern Christian. Elder Orson Pratt was widely viewed as the victor in a three-day debate on this very point with Reverend John P. Newman, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, in 1870.{{ref|newmanpratt1}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Polygamists are to go beyond normal "bounds" | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Polygamists are to go beyond normal "bounds" |
|subject=Claims that polygamists are allowed to go beyond normal "bounds" | |subject=Claims that polygamists are allowed to go beyond normal "bounds" | ||
|summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young admitted that the practice of polygamy meant they were "free to go beyond the normal 'bounds'" and "the normal rules governing social interaction had not applied to" Joseph. | |summary=Critics claim that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young admitted that the practice of polygamy meant they were "free to go beyond the normal 'bounds'" and "the normal rules governing social interaction had not applied to" Joseph. | ||
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|summary=Neutral observers have long understood that this attack is probably the weakest of them all. One might reasonably hold the opinion that Joseph was wrong, but in the face of the documentary evidence it is laughable to argue that he and his associates were insincere or that they were practicing their religion only for power and to satisfy carnal desires. Those who insist that “sex is the answer” reveal more about their own limited perspective than they do of the minds of the early Saints. }} | |summary=Neutral observers have long understood that this attack is probably the weakest of them all. One might reasonably hold the opinion that Joseph was wrong, but in the face of the documentary evidence it is laughable to argue that he and his associates were insincere or that they were practicing their religion only for power and to satisfy carnal desires. Those who insist that “sex is the answer” reveal more about their own limited perspective than they do of the minds of the early Saints. }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Youthful struggle with unchastity | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Youthful struggle with unchastity |
|subject=Critical claims that Joseph had a youthful struggle with unchastity | |subject=Critical claims that Joseph had a youthful struggle with unchastity | ||
|summary=Some critics charge that Joseph Smith had youthful struggles with immoral actions. They claim that these are what eventually led him to teach the doctrine of plural marriage. | |summary=Some critics charge that Joseph Smith had youthful struggles with immoral actions. They claim that these are what eventually led him to teach the doctrine of plural marriage. | ||
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===Keeping plural marriage a secret=== | ===Keeping plural marriage a secret=== | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Hiding the truth | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Hiding the truth |
|subject=Hiding the truth about polygamy | |subject=Hiding the truth about polygamy | ||
|summary=It is true that Joseph did not always tell others about plural marriage. He did, however, make some attempt to teach the doctrine to the Saints. It is thus important to realize that the public preaching of polygamy—or announcing it to the general Church membership, thereby informing the public by proxy—was simply not a feasible plan. Critics of Joseph's choice want their audience to ignore the danger to him and the Saints. | |summary=It is true that Joseph did not always tell others about plural marriage. He did, however, make some attempt to teach the doctrine to the Saints. It is thus important to realize that the public preaching of polygamy—or announcing it to the general Church membership, thereby informing the public by proxy—was simply not a feasible plan. Critics of Joseph's choice want their audience to ignore the danger to him and the Saints. | ||
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Illegal | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Illegal |
|subject=Illegal to practice polygamy? | |subject=Illegal to practice polygamy? | ||
|summary=Polygamy was certainly declared illegal during the Utah-era anti-polygamy crusade, and was arguably illegal under the Illinois anti-bigamy statutes. This is hardly new information, and Church members and their critics knew it. Modern members of the Church generally miss the significance of this fact, however: the practice of polygamy was a clear case of civil disobedience. | |summary=Polygamy was certainly declared illegal during the Utah-era anti-polygamy crusade, and was arguably illegal under the Illinois anti-bigamy statutes. This is hardly new information, and Church members and their critics knew it. Modern members of the Church generally miss the significance of this fact, however: the practice of polygamy was a clear case of civil disobedience. | ||
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===Entering into plural marriage=== | ===Entering into plural marriage=== | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Marriages to young women | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Marriages to young women |
|subject=Why was Joseph sealed to young women? | |subject=Why was Joseph sealed to young women? | ||
|summary=Critics argue that Joseph Smith's polygamous marriages to young women are evidence that he was immoral, perhaps even a pedophile.}} | |summary=Critics argue that Joseph Smith's polygamous marriages to young women are evidence that he was immoral, perhaps even a pedophile.}} | ||
− | {{SummaryItem|link=/Fanny Alger and William McLellin | + | {{SummaryItem |
+ | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Fanny Alger and William McLellin | ||
|subject=Fanny Alger and William McLellin | |subject=Fanny Alger and William McLellin | ||
|summary=With a lone exception, there is no account after Joseph’s death of Emma admitting Joseph’s plural marriages in any source. The reported exception is recorded in a newspaper article and two letters written by excommunicated Latter-day Saint apostle William E. McLellin. The former apostle claimed to have visited Emma in 1847 and to have discussed Joseph’s relationship with Fanny Alger. McLellin also reported a tale he had heard about Joseph and Fanny Alger in which they were allegedly observed by Emma together in the barn. | |summary=With a lone exception, there is no account after Joseph’s death of Emma admitting Joseph’s plural marriages in any source. The reported exception is recorded in a newspaper article and two letters written by excommunicated Latter-day Saint apostle William E. McLellin. The former apostle claimed to have visited Emma in 1847 and to have discussed Joseph’s relationship with Fanny Alger. McLellin also reported a tale he had heard about Joseph and Fanny Alger in which they were allegedly observed by Emma together in the barn. | ||
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Women locked in a room|subject=Women locked in a room | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Women locked in a room |
+ | |subject=Women locked in a room | ||
|summary=Were women locked in a room while Joseph attempted to persuade them? | |summary=Were women locked in a room while Joseph attempted to persuade them? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Did women turn Joseph down | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Did women turn Joseph down |
|subject=Did women turn Joseph down? | |subject=Did women turn Joseph down? | ||
|summary=Some critics have claimed that significant pressure was put on women to practice plural marriage in Nauvoo. Did any of these women resist or refuse? What were the consequences of doing so? | |summary=Some critics have claimed that significant pressure was put on women to practice plural marriage in Nauvoo. Did any of these women resist or refuse? What were the consequences of doing so? | ||
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===Complex plural marriages=== | ===Complex plural marriages=== | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=Joseph Smith | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Polyandry |
|subject=Joseph Smith and polyandry | |subject=Joseph Smith and polyandry | ||
|summary= Joseph Smith was sealed to women who were married to men who were still living. Some of these men were even active members of the Church. | |summary= Joseph Smith was sealed to women who were married to men who were still living. Some of these men were even active members of the Church. | ||
}}<noinclude> | }}<noinclude> | ||
{{SummaryItem2 | {{SummaryItem2 | ||
− | |link=/Zina and Henry Jacobs | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Zina and Henry Jacobs |
|subject=Zina and Henry Jacobs | |subject=Zina and Henry Jacobs | ||
}}</noinclude> | }}</noinclude> | ||
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===Other issues=== | ===Other issues=== | ||
{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
− | |link=/Sealing brother and sister together | + | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Sealing brother and sister together |
|subject=Sealing brother and sister together | |subject=Sealing brother and sister together | ||
|summary=Critics announce that Joseph "sealed" brothers and sisters together, perhaps hoping that readers will conclude that brothers and sisters were thus married and engaging in incestuous relationships. | |summary=Critics announce that Joseph "sealed" brothers and sisters together, perhaps hoping that readers will conclude that brothers and sisters were thus married and engaging in incestuous relationships. |
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Plural marriage |
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=Joseph Smith and polygamy=<noinlcude>
==== Critics attack Joseph Smith for his introduction and practice of polygamy. These attacks usually focus on arguing that:
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
====
==
Plural marriage was perhaps the greatest challenge to the early members of the Church. Critics are anxious to avoid putting the choices of early members in context, in an effort to make the early members look like reprobates or dupes. In doing so, they hope to discourage those who hear their version of events from even considering whether these men were true prophets of God.
== Notes ==
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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