2007-03-21 00:49:20 · 8 answers · asked by bobo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to LDS Church records, he was married to 34 women and sealed to 24 of them (about 5 of them after his death).
According to composite records held by other LDS groups (RLDS, Strangite, Bickertonite, Temple Lot LDS, etc.) as well as state and county records, he had 52 of them... 46 being well-documented and confirmed by more than one source.
Until the Nauvoo Expositor was printed (less than 30 days before his death), the vast majority of the LDS Church didn't know that anyone was practicing plural marriage. It was printed by General Authorities who were disgusted with how Joseph's conduct had changed since Nauvoo had been established. They told of his problems with alcohol, rage, and polygamy. Upon hearing of the Expositor, Joseph ordered the printing press to be destroyed and canonized the document that later became section 132 of the D&C. Because many Church members didn't believe that it was actually a revelation from God, Joseph later claimed that he had received the revelation in 1833 but had not actually begun practicing its precepts (polygamy) until 1842. His first plural marriage, however, was in 1840.
It was because of these actions by Joseph Smith that he was put in prison and ultimately killed by a mob. It had almost nothing to do with people's prejudice of the Church.
2007-03-23 06:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Joseph Smith was polygamous. Here is a statement from the current president of the church regarding polygamy:
'In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley made the following statement about the Church's position on plural marriage:
"This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. . . . If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church."
At various times, the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, He gave this command to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon (Doctrine and Covenants 132:1).
In this dispensation, the Lord commanded some of the early Saints to practice plural marriage. The Prophet Joseph Smith and those closest to him, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were challenged by this command, but they obeyed it. Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1). '
Hopefully, that says it all for you. If not email me and I will try to get some more information for you. By the way, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (A Mormon)
2007-03-21 13:26:31 · answer #2 · answered by Michael H 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is suspected, but not known for sure by the general populace.
Polygamy was just getting a start in the LDS faith when Joseph was martyred.
2007-03-21 10:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by Raising6Ducklings! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
*genuine genuine mormons do no longer in any way prepare polygamy.* i think that Brigham youthful grow to be no longer a real, genuine Mormon. i think that John Taylor wasn't a real, genuine Mormon. those leaders the two asserted that polygamy grow to be needed for salvation and that it would proceed between the righteous until eventually the 2d coming. i think of that those founding leaders would not evaluate you to be a member of their faith.
2016-10-02 12:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Person above me, perfectly said. =)
People only think its weird that that practice is weird because its not common today.
If it was still it would be of course normal.
People used to dress crazy with hair in the 70s, I think they are crazy, its only because of the different era and society...
Get over it you guys, things change just because lds practiced it, doesn't mean it was bad, who are you to say it is bad when commanded to?
2007-03-22 18:01:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-03-21 00:54:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
And isn't it also true that many prophets in the bible had multiple wives?
Your point is...?
Jessica is right.
2007-03-21 11:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
62 wives according to Jay Leno.
2007-03-21 00:58:10 · answer #8 · answered by deacon 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋