Why did God want plural marriages between 1844 and 1890?

[_bcspace]

Given what is known of Joseph Smith's character and personal interests, it's a well-educated guess.

There are no such characterizations that are known.

[_Drifting]

Given what is known of Joseph Smith's character and personal interests, it's a well-educated guess.

There are no such characterizations that are known.

Not true.
One aspect of his character can be clearly seen by searching the records on family search. Just click on 'marriages'...

[_Yoda]

Is that what he was doing in the barn with Fanny, balking?

I'd like to see some references for the idea that Joseph was reluctant to practice plural marriage. From what I've seen, the only indication that he was reluctant was his story about the angel with a drawn sword, which he repeated to a lot of people. Of course, that's exactly the kind of story you'd tell if you wanted to legitimize your behavior.

And for the record, I don't take Joseph Smith's word for it that he asked God about polygamy. That's in the scriptures, so I'm accepting that the church believes he asked about it.

When did the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happen? Wasn't he already married to several women, at that point, or did he claim that the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happened before Fanny?

[_Runtu]

When did the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happen? Wasn't he already married to several women, at that point, or did he claim that the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happened before Fanny?

Seems that way. If you read the accounts of people who report that story, it's usually around the time that Joseph got "serious" about plural marriage in Nauvoo.

[_Drifting]

I'd like to see some references for the idea that Joseph was reluctant to practice plural marriage. From what I've seen, the only indication that he was reluctant was his story about the angel with a drawn sword, which he repeated to a lot of people. Of course, that's exactly the kind of story you'd tell if you wanted to legitimize your behavior.

And for the record, I don't take Joseph Smith's word for it that he asked God about polygamy. That's in the scriptures, so I'm accepting that the church believes he asked about it.

When did the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happen? Wasn't he already married to several women, at that point, or did he claim that the "angel with a drawn sword" issue happened before Fanny?

Wasn't it reputed to have happened shortly after Emma rumbled Joseph's extra marital games of hide the sausage?

[_Runtu]

Not true.
One aspect of his character can be clearly seen by searching the records on family search. Just click on 'marriages'...

The historical record is pretty clear: he was an ambitious man who disliked being contradicted and who enjoyed attention from others. Add to that his history with women, it's not a huge leap to believe he was quite happy to be a polygamist. He just didn't want to get caught.

[_Buffalo]

Given what is known of Joseph Smith's character and personal interests, it's a well-educated guess.

There are no such characterizations that are known.

Joseph sure "balked" a lot of women. Must be because he hated it so much.

[_bcspace]

There are no such characterizations that are known.

Not true.
One aspect of his character can be clearly seen by searching the records on family search. Just click on 'marriages'...

Not that would match Runtu's guess.

[_Investigator]

Maybe polygamy is for times when there's a shortage of good men?

If there are more good women than there are good men, and God wants to raise up good seed, maybe He orders polygamy?

[_Drifting]

Maybe polygamy is for times when there's a shortage of good men?

If there are more good women than there are good men, and God wants to raise up good seed, maybe He orders polygamy?

So its divine renunciation in 1890 was because the level of good men had increased to an acceptable level rather than the 'coincidental' Government actions and financial sanctions that were about to befall the Church?