Having read the "Affidavit of Isaac Hale, father-in-law of Joseph Smith, Jr., given at Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on 20 March 1834" , I was wondering what record
of Hales relationship with his son-in-law existed. I am aware of Hale having a beef with Smith for eloping with his daughter, Emma, but given the damning testimony in this affidavit, especially the
last paragraph:
"Joseph Smith Jr. resided near me for some time after this, and I had a good opportunity of becoming acquainted with him, and somewhat acquainted with his associates, and I conscientiously believe from the facts I have detailed, and from many other circumstances, which I do not deem it necessary to relate, that the whole "Book of Mormon" (so called) is a silly fabrication of falsehood and wickedness, got up for speculation, and with a design to dupe the credulous and unwary - and in order that its fabricators might live upon the spoils of those who swallowed the deception."
a relationship between the two, much less a good one, would not seem probable. Less probable would be Hales conversion to his son-in-laws church.
Any help would be appreciated.
Was Isaac Hale ever Mormon?
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_honorentheos
- _Emeritus
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Re: Was Isaac Hale ever Mormon?
Hi plunderpunk,
The resource with which I am most familiar is Emma's biography, Mormon Enigma. You can read selections from it through google books. If you select chapter 1 from the link, titled "Emma and Joseph 1825-1827", for example, you should be able to read enough to get a few more details beyond the ones you listed above.
Mormon Enigma
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for anyone interested in early Mormonism.
The resource with which I am most familiar is Emma's biography, Mormon Enigma. You can read selections from it through google books. If you select chapter 1 from the link, titled "Emma and Joseph 1825-1827", for example, you should be able to read enough to get a few more details beyond the ones you listed above.
Mormon Enigma
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for anyone interested in early Mormonism.
The world is always full of the sound of waves..but who knows the heart of the sea, a hundred feet down? Who knows it's depth?
~ Eiji Yoshikawa
~ Eiji Yoshikawa
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_Blixa
- _Emeritus
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Re: Was Isaac Hale ever Mormon?
And the answer to your initial question is, no.
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
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_plunderpunk
- _Emeritus
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Re: Was Isaac Hale ever Mormon?
thank you, honorentheos. i will certainly look into your link.
the crucial, make or break part of the church when the Book of Mormon was just coming into the picture
fascinates me. namely, the transition of smiths pre-church era into a prophet. this change must
have had a profound effect on the people he was already around (in-laws, neighbors, associates),
especially his in-laws. one doesn't go from being a borderline destitute, underemployed laborer to the voice of God seemlessly. in this context, the fact that his father-in-law never converted is all the more interesting.
does the church hold any official views on why Isaac Hale never converted?
the crucial, make or break part of the church when the Book of Mormon was just coming into the picture
fascinates me. namely, the transition of smiths pre-church era into a prophet. this change must
have had a profound effect on the people he was already around (in-laws, neighbors, associates),
especially his in-laws. one doesn't go from being a borderline destitute, underemployed laborer to the voice of God seemlessly. in this context, the fact that his father-in-law never converted is all the more interesting.
does the church hold any official views on why Isaac Hale never converted?