Criticism of Mormonism/Books/No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith/Chapter 13

Chapter 13: My Kingdom is of this World

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
181	Joseph Smith was rumored to have "seduced" Fannie Alger.	Joseph Smith's marriages to young women—Fanny Alger
181	It was rumored that Fannie Alger was driven out of the house by Emma.	Joseph Smith's marriages to young women—Fanny Alger
181	Joseph and Fannie were "found together."	Joseph Smith's marriages to young women—Fanny Alger
182	Joseph accused Oliver Cowdery of "perpetuating the scandal."
182	Oliver was excommunicated for "insinuating that the prophet had been guilty of adultery."
182	Fannie Alger did not admit to being the Prophet's plural wife.	Joseph Smith's marriages to young women—Fanny Alger
183	Martin Harris was brought to trial for adultery "as early as 1832."
182	Joseph told Ezra Booth to "take a wife from among the Lamanites."	Native Americans to become "white and delightsome" through polygamous marriage? The Hurlbut affidavits—Ezra Booth
183	Joseph performed marriages even though it was against Ohio law. The marriage of Newel Knight and Lydia Goldthwait Baily was performed by Joseph against the law.	The Knight-Bailey wedding was not illegal, since Newel Knight obtained a marriage license from the secular authorities. The state of Ohio did not contest Joseph's performance of the marriage, since it then issued a marriage certificate for the Knights' marriage. Joseph later performed other marriages in Ohio, and these couples likewise received marriage certificates after Joseph submitted the necessary paperwork. Illegal marriages in Ohio Joseph Smith and polygamy	No source provided.
185	Oliver Cowdery wrote a formal statement that the Church denied polygamy in August 1835.	1835 Doctrine and Covenants denies polygamy
187	Joseph realized "that for a prophet it is easier to change marriage laws than to contravene them."	Joseph Smith and polygamy	Author's opinion
187	The Mormons believe that when they become "sufficiently purified" that the treasures in the earth would be "poured into their lap."	The Hurlbut affidavits—Ezra Booth
189	Isaac McWithy was brought to trial before the High Council because he would not sell his farm to Joseph Smith.
192	Joseph's trip to Salem in August 1836 with Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum was to look for buried gold beneath a house.	Joseph Smith's "treasure hunting" trip to Salem