Podcast

Dear friends,

Thank you for your hard work. My views on this complex history have evolved over time. My journey began with purchasing a copy of Signature Books’ Joseph Smith journals while starting my mission. I thought the journals would shed light on Joseph Smith’s teachings, but I was disappointed to find nothing about his polygamous marriages or teachings on plural marriage, though a few references, like the Sarah Whitney letter, were later added on the JS Papers project.

I later discovered that Joseph had condemned spiritual promiscuity, as referenced in the Book of Revelation, long before Nauvoo. He frequently held courts for leaders guilty of polygamy. However, when I came across the Clayton diaries, I was shocked to learn that Joseph told Clayton he had a “right to all the sex he can get,” despite the Book of Mormon teaching against destroying families through polygamy. Clayton’s behavior towards his family was tyrannical, preying on their vulnerability, as the Book of Mormon warns. Thankfully, even pro-church scholars now reject the authenticity of the Clayton diaries.

My research has since focused on the Twelve, particularly Brigham Young, who is often absent from key events in Nauvoo despite clearly playing a leading role. The Saints History series details a clash between Brigham and Hyrum, which was new to me, but also mentioned in the Clayton diaries. I suspect Brigham may have plotted to use Joseph’s name to promote polygamy. When John C. Bennett was on trial, Joseph asked him if he had ever been taught polygamy by Joseph himself, and Bennett said no, but Joseph didn’t press him to name names. Joseph likely sought secrecy as an investigation into polygamy, involving the Relief Society, was ongoing. The Relief Society was created to protect women’s morality against usurpers and opportunists.

I think Brigham may have worked with Bennett, even after Bennett’s excommunication, to push the narrative that polygamy originated with Joseph Smith. Bennett had introduced polygamy to the Strangites, and perhaps Brigham saw them as a threat to his version of history. Polygamy was subversive to the existing church structure, and Joseph Smith saw it as a secret priesthood competing with the church’s priesthood. While Joseph didn’t need a secret priesthood, Brigham did.

Best regards.