Joseph: Polygamy was a mistake.

[_Corpsegrinder]

I recall reading somewhere that Joseph Smith, near the end of his life, said something to the effect that polygamy had been a "mistake".

Does anyone know where I can learn more about the context & circumstances under which this statement was made? Thanks!

[_Dr. Shades]

I don't know where it's possible to verify it, but No Man Knows My History reports that Joseph approached William Marks, the stake president over Nauvoo, shortly before the end of his life (right after the Nauvoo Expositor incident, I think?) and said that the revelation on polygamy was of the devil, and it would have to be renounced or it would destroy the church.

I think Marks was the only eyewitness to this, though, so your mileage may vary.

[_Corpsegrinder]

Cool! Thanks!

Edited to add the following:

The fact that Joseph made this statement after the Nauvoo Expositor incident (assuming he made it at all) proves one thing: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

[_moksha]

... and it would have to be renounced or it would destroy the church.

This certainly was a prophecy that came true.

[_LDS truthseeker]

"In conclusion of this matter, it should be noted that there seems to be evidence that even Joseph Smith himself renounced his personal involvement in polygamy, acknowledging that the 1843 revelation to institute it as official Church doctrine, originated with the Devil and not God. The following statement made by William Marks, who was Presiding Elder at Nauvoo, Illinois in 1844, may be quoted in this regard: "[Joseph] said it [plural marriage] eventually would prove the overthrow of the church, and we should soon be obliged to leave the United States unless it could be speedily put down. He was satisfied that it was a cursed doctrine, and that there must be every exertion made to put it down." William Marks, Saints' Herald, Volume I, Number 1, page 22.

The testimony of Isaac Sheen, who later became a leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS), matched that of Marks when he stated, "Joseph Smith repented of his connection with this doctrine, and said that it was of the devil. He caused the revelation on that subject to be burned, and when he voluntarily came to Nauvoo and resigned himself into the arms of his enemies, he said that he was going to Carthage to die. At that time he also said that, if it had not been for that accursed spiritual wife doctrine, he would not have come that." Isaac Sheen, ibid., page 24.

http://www.mormonthink.com/joseph-smith ... tm#mistake

[_Corpsegrinder]

Fascinating. Thank you all very much.

One more question--Didn't Brigham Young publish a tract to the effect that insofar as Joseph Smith had renounced polygamy he was therefore a fallen prophet?

Or am I thinking of one of Brigham's other heavy-handed revisionary tracts?

[_DaniteMason]

There are two significant trends in RLDS thought concerning polygamy, one that Joseph practiced polygamy - but was mistaken by doing so (and did or did not repent), and the other that Joseph Smith never did it at all.

While the testimonies of Marks, Sheen, and those of Jason Briggs and Zenas Gurley have linked Joseph Smith with polygamy (statements that continue to counter Richard Price's fundamentalist scholarship), none of them provided actual statements from Joseph claiming this.

Marks and his brother were vehemently opposed to Joseph until the day he died. The notion that Joseph somehow repudiated the practice is, in all likelihood, an RLDS fabrication falling closely in line with Joseph Smith III's claim that his father never practiced polygamy at all. The alleged repentance of Joseph Smith's involvement has no date, and Marks (who influenced Sheen's statements, since Sheen was nowhere close to Nauvoo to observe) was simply trying to gain the trust of Joseph Smith's family. Marks' recorded actions leading up to the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum do not correspond with his statements made sixteen years after the fact.

Jason Briggs (under whose hands Joseph III was ordained along with Gurley and Marks), would eventually leave the Reorganization over the dispute.

Historians George D. Smith and D. Michael Quinn have inferred that the removal of Joseph Smith's, Hyrum Smith's, and John Taylor's temple garments prior to the martyrdom is suggestive of the fact that the men were trying to cover up their involvement in polygamy. There is no documentation however, that ties the wearing of garments to the practice of polygamy.

[_Mihalj]

The whole thing is based on here say, and smells similar of the white horse prophesy ETC. I used to be a born again before i joined the church some 27years ago, and the same arguments reigned. It was excellent ammo against those evil Mormons. But like all things once I prayed all was revealed, and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are all they claim to be.
Perhaps polygamy is similar to the law of tithing in its timing, perhaps it was correct then but only for a short while, perhaps the time will soon be for it to be operational once more.
The amount of single sisters compared to men is tragic, including abandoned and abused wives. It makes sense for it to be reintroduced again.
My beautiful wife has spoken about whom she would like to be a sister bride, not me. Furthermore do not the scriptures say something about seven women grabbing hold of one man asking their reproach to be taken away.
Besides i personally believe that when it comes to polygamy, men should be removed from the discussion, and it should be all done by the sisters.
Hey anyway that is my rant.

[_Equality]

There is no documentation however, that ties the wearing of garments to the practice of polygamy.

I was with you right up to this point. I do not think this is an accurate statement. I think there is evidence that the garment was introduced in conjunction with the introduction of secret plural marriage in the Nauvoo period. I am not arguing that the fact that Taylor was not wearing his garments at the time of Smith's death shows that he had renounced polygamy. But to say there is no connection between the garment and plural marriage is overstating your case, I think.

[_harmony]

The whole thing is based on here say, and smells similar of the white horse prophesy ETC. I used to be a born again before i joined the church some 27years ago, and the same arguments reigned. It was excellent ammo against those evil Mormons. But like all things once I prayed all was revealed, and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are all they claim to be.
Perhaps polygamy is similar to the law of tithing in its timing, perhaps it was correct then but only for a short while, perhaps the time will soon be for it to be operational once more.
The amount of single sisters compared to men is tragic, including abandoned and abused wives. It makes sense for it to be reintroduced again.
My beautiful wife has spoken about whom she would like to be a sister bride, not me. Furthermore do not the scriptures say something about seven women grabbing hold of one man asking their reproach to be taken away.
Besides i personally believe that when it comes to polygamy, men should be removed from the discussion, and it should be all done by the sisters.
Hey anyway that is my rant.

Welcome to the board.

I'd like to see your documentation for the current amount of single LDS women compared to single LDS men. (good luck with that, since those numbers are not revealed by any official source).

Your comments make no sense, in light of the early history of LDS polygamy. You might want to become a little more knowledgable about it.