The child abusing polygamist legacy of Joseph Smith continues

[drumdude]

Given that Smith married children as young as 14 years old, and other men's wives, and coerced families into giving up their young women with promises of eternal dynastic favour alongside threats of damnation if they didn't, I doubt that there wasn't any child abuse or other abuse types taking place.

Was it even considered a crime back then? Outside of murder, how often was abuse really investigated and prosecuted on the American frontier?

[I Have Questions]

Given that Smith married children as young as 14 years old, and other men's wives, and coerced families into giving up their young women with promises of eternal dynastic favour alongside threats of damnation if they didn't, I doubt that there wasn't any child abuse or other abuse types taking place.

Was it even considered a crime back then? Outside of murder, how often was abuse really investigated and prosecuted on the American frontier?

That doesn't make it right. And surely it was considered a crime in the eyes of God? Or is "don't sexually abuse minors" one of those pesky temporary commandments that Oaks spoke about?

[drumdude]

Was it even considered a crime back then? Outside of murder, how often was abuse really investigated and prosecuted on the American frontier?

That doesn't make it right. And surely it was considered a crime in the eyes of God? Or is "don't sexually abuse minors" one of those pesky temporary commandments that Oaks spoke about?

I just mean it’s unlikely that we would have good records of it occurring. The fact that Joseph’s former allies called him out for Fanny Alger was probably the tip of an iceberg we will never see.

[I Have Questions]

That doesn't make it right. And surely it was considered a crime in the eyes of God? Or is "don't sexually abuse minors" one of those pesky temporary commandments that Oaks spoke about?

I just mean it’s unlikely that we would have good records of it occurring. The fact that Joseph’s former allies called him out for Fanny Alger was probably the tip of an iceberg we will never see.

I think you’re right.