Question On Joesph Smith And Other Prophets

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by bytebear

In the case of Alger, the supposed relationship occurred in 1833, when she lived with the Smith's and got pregnant. The problem I have is that Joseph never even mentioned plural marriage until 1838,

From the Wikipedia (with citation links):

According to George D. Smith, Alger's marriage to Smith may have been attested by several contemporaries at the time, including Emma Smith, Warren Parish, Oliver Cowdery, and Heber C. Kimball,[9] even though publicly the leadership of the church, including Joseph Smith and Emma, [10] denied throughout their lives that Joseph Smith had been a polygamist.[11][12][13]
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[Ezequiel]

this can be such a stumbling block for so many people in their faith. I completely agree with Anatess on this subject. I have heard of different reasons concerning why polygamy was instituted. I don't say that any of them are doctrinal or any of them are false. But I mostly allude to the idea that poligamy was a method, set by the Lord to increase the population of the Saints.

I'm sure there were alot of mistakes made. The early saints made many mistakes in a number of ways, because of the lack of comprehension of doctrines and lack of faith - or simply the weakness of men. But we can't deny the heritage of faith they have left us behind. Joseph Smith will be held responsible before the Lord for the things he has done, and it isn't for us to make that judgement. Without a question in mind, I know that he is a prophet of God.

At any case, I think we should be placing our priority of lissening and following the prophets that we have today. They were prepared for us, and for our time. Just as Joseph was prepared for them and for their time.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by anatess

When I was investigating the Church and I first heard of the practice of polygamy, I never had any problem understanding the Lord's purpose for it. My grandmother got widowed in World War 2 - around 1944. She had 3 kids at this time, the youngest only 4 years old. She had to send her children kicking and screaming to the nunnery because it was just impossible for her to take care of them. Women in 1944 in the Philippines have no means to support themselves as they cannot work, cannot own property, etc. etc.

Here we are talking about the 1830's - over a century earlier than World War 2. With the early history of the LDS church, I can completely feel the desperation of these faithful women who have lost their husbands in massacres, etc. I would think that the Lord desired that these women stay in LDS families and be supported by upstanding priesthood holders. It is also one way for the Church to increase in member population in so short a time before all the males get killed! Polygamy to me makes sense. But then, if you see my other posts in a different thread, I am about the only one in this planet that do not immediately attach sexual relations to a relationship between opposite genders. I have no problem understanding that many of these polygamous relationships are not for the purpose of sex but for protection.

Very well stated. Thank you. Regarding your closing comments, you're not the only one, but there aren't too many out there.

[bytebear]

Originally Posted by Moksha

From the Wikipedia (with citation links):

According to George D. Smith, Alger's marriage to Smith may have been attested by several contemporaries at the time, including Emma Smith, Warren Parish, Oliver Cowdery, and Heber C. Kimball,[9] even though publicly the leadership of the church, including Joseph Smith and Emma, [10] denied throughout their lives that Joseph Smith had been a polygamist.[11][12][13]
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Emma Smith denied polygamy ever with Smith, and said it was Young who started it up, but I think she may have believed in the affair (but I think she was mistaken). As to other testimonies, several church leaders after the move to Utah attempted to bolster the idea of polygamy by gathering testimonies of Smith's involvement in the practice. The Community of Christ (RLDS) historically have denied Smith's involvement completely, so it was a battle in the late 1800s as to who was right which is where I believe many of those testimonies come from. So I can see how the Alger story got made to be part of the "wives" list, but I don't believe them.

[Justice]

There's no evidence he even slept with all his wives. I believe he didn't, especially the ones underaged.

We tend to think others see things the same way we do. It's called projecting. It is apparent from my studies that Joseph Smith hated the thought of polygamy, and he only did so because he was commanded to. Also, he knew the problem it was going to cause in the church and that's why it took him several years to make it known.

[Just_A_Guy]

Frankly, for someone of Smith's charisma and influence, there were easier ways to satisfy an active libido than to marry every hottie that came along.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Guy

Frankly, for someone of Smith's charisma and influence, there were easier ways to satisfy an active libido than to marry every hottie that came along.

Yeah right....and have you seen the pics of some of the women??!!

[Just_A_Guy]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

Yeah right....and have you seen the pics of some of the women??!!

Oh, I am SO not going there . . .

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

Yeah right....and have you seen the pics of some of the women??!!

I think the average standard of beauty was different throughout the 19th Century.

[rameumptom]

Even Joseph Smith was reluctant to practice polygamy. It took an angel with a sword to cause him to finally do it. The key is, God sometimes demands tough things from us. Do you think that when Abraham went to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he was following God, or just wishing to copy the pagan gods in the area, who frequently demanded the sacrifice of a child?

Those involved in plural marriage, for the vast majority of them, gained a spiritual testimony of it. Some had major visions regarding it, such as Vilate Kimball. When Heber C. Kimball was commanded to find a young wife and not tell his beloved Vilate about it (as a test), he became very ill. She asked him what was wrong, and he told her to pray about it, as he couldn't say. She saw in vision, not only Heber's second wife, but many of the wives he eventually would have. She went back to his bed, told him to get up and get married. Was it easy for either of them? No. But they were extremely faithful and obedient to God's command.

Very very few of the teachings of any of the prophets have been refuted over the years. Most of them have been viewed more as opinions, rather than official statements. At this site, the Church tells us how to know the difference between core doctrine, regular doctrine, and occasional teachings of leaders (Approaching Mormon Doctrine).