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Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith
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Contents
Criticism
A brief explanation of the criticism.
Source(s) of the Criticism
Newell, Linda King, Valeen Tippett Avery. Mormon Enigma: Emaa Hale Smith, Prophet's Wife, "Elect Lady," Polygamy's Foe. Doubleday & Company, Inc.:Garden City, New York. 1984
Response
Need more; these are here so we don't lose them! Critics often neglect to provide citations from eye-witnesses who reported Emma's attitude toward plural marriage at other times:
- Allen J. Stout, who served as a bodyguard for Joseph, recounted a conversation he overheard in the Mansion House between Joseph and his tormented wife. A summary of his account states that “from moments of passionate denunciation [Emma] would subside into tearful repentance and acknowledge that her violent opposition to that principle was instigated by the power of darkness; that Satan was doing his utmost to destroy her, etc. And solemnly came the Prophet’s inspired warning: ‘Yes, and he will accomplish your overthrow, if you do not heed my counsel.’”[1]
Emma's inner conflict was also dramatized in another report:
- Maria Jane Johnston, who lived with Emma as a servant girl, recalled the Prophet’s wife looking very downcast one day and telling her that the principle of plural marriage was right and came from Heavenly Father. “What I said I have got [to] repent of,” lamented Emma. “The principle is right but I am jealous hearted. Now never tell anybody that you heard me find fault with that[principle[;] we have got to humble ourselves and repent of it.” [2]
Conclusion
A summary of the argument against the criticism.
Endnotes
- [note] Allen J. Stout, “Allen J. Stout’s Testimony,” Historical Record 6 (May 1887): 230–31; cited in Wendy C. Top "'A Deep Sorrow in Her Heart' – Emma Hale Smith," in Heroines of the Restoration, edited by Barbara B. Smith and Blythe Darlyn Thatcher (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997), 17–34.
- [note] Emma Smith to Maria Jane Johnston, cited in Wendy C. Top "'A Deep Sorrow in Her Heart' – Emma Hale Smith," in Heroines of the Restoration, edited by Barbara B. Smith and Blythe Darlyn Thatcher (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997), 17–34.; quoting Newell and Avery, Mormon Enigma, 161.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
External links
- Links to external web pages