Joseph Smith's Marital Bed

[_Inconceivable]

I'd like to get more input from other believers, if possible, but so far I will say that charity's answer is what I expected.

So if it were all right for Joseph Smith to have sex with all of his wives, if he so choose, why do some believers insist on affidavits or some other proof that would stand up in a court of law before even being willing to discuss the issue? You think it's ok if Joseph Smith had sex with his wives, then the conversation should proceed.

This is what boggles the mind.

There was at least one.

For a sin that is next to murder, One is all it takes.

Now it was either forced upon Mormons by a God that confusingly proclaims the doctrine of free agency, or it was evil.

What is the difference?

It would be easier in my mind to believe that Joseph Smith and the other adulterers were evil than for me to conclude that there is a God of confusion.

[_dartagnan]

No one's trying to deny Brigham et al. had sex with all their wives. Why should it be any different with Joseph Smith?

Maybe because Joseph Smith married people who were already married. So you have the unique scenario where God permits a woman to have sexual reltions with two men. This one is impossible to defend, biblically or morally.

[Guest]

what I want to know is if you have multiple wives can you have a triple king size bed and have five there at the same time. If you are making up your rules as you go then it would'New Testament be long until the new and improved celestial marriage rule is implemented.

[_Maxrep]

No one's trying to deny Brigham et al. had sex with all their wives. Why should it be any different with Joseph Smith?

Maybe because Joseph Smith married people who were already married. So you have the unique scenario where God permits a woman to have sexual reltions with two men. This one is impossible to defend, biblically or morally.

Impossible to defend? YES! Nevertheless, it will be defended...

[_truth dancer]

Hi Charity,

And all these libidinous people who want to peek into people's bedrooms should just butt out.

Should we also butt out of the bedroom's of men who sleep with girls, and other men's wives? Should we ignore the harm and cruelty that results from men who manipulate girls into their bedrooms? Should we look the other way when men sexually use girls, bedroom or barn?

Are people who hold men accountable for the rape of girls wrong to criticize the behaviors of these men?

Sorry, but some people are concerned about the harm caused by sexual predators, men who sleep with girls, and men who manipulate girls and women, and lie to and cheat on their wives.

Odd that you don't seem to care, or equate caring with peeking into bedrooms.

~dancer~

[_Mercury]

And all these libidinous people who want to peek into people's bedrooms should just butt out.

Yep, Warren Jeffs certainly thinks so too.

[_charity]

Have I misunderstood you, Charity?

Nope.

[_Zoidberg]

No one's trying to deny Brigham et al. had sex with all their wives. Why should it be any different with Joseph Smith?

Maybe because Joseph Smith married people who were already married. So you have the unique scenario where God permits a woman to have sexual reltions with two men. This one is impossible to defend, biblically or morally.

The way A.E. Webb describes it, under the new and everlasting covenant all prior marriages became null and void. So the way I have understood it is that the polyandrous women weren't really polyandrous, they were meant to be Joseph Smith's wives only after being sealed to him, and he graciously let other men provide for them. Having sex with their "other husbands" probably was not viewed as permitted by God; maybe they thought he was turning a blind eye or something. You probably know more about this stuff anyway, and I'm not very far into Compton's book, but all marriages becoming null and void is an interesting perspective I'd like to know more about.

[_Jason Bourne]

No one's trying to deny Brigham et al. had sex with all their wives. Why should it be any different with Joseph Smith?

Maybe because Joseph Smith married people who were already married. So you have the unique scenario where God permits a woman to have sexual reltions with two men. This one is impossible to defend, biblically or morally.

I think Kevin nit the nail on the head. Most believing LDS accept that Joseph was commanded by God ( at least the ones that are aware of polygamy, of which most should be just via D&C 132) to practice polygamy. Sex with a polygamous wife would be quite fine since God commanded it and God can command it to raise up righteous seed. Polyandry is another matter. Even the staunch believing ones seem to want to make sure that these polyandrous relationships were not consummated by sex, but rather, were only eternal sealings. That still begs the question why at least the women who had faithful husbands that they could be sealed to. I guess the idea of dynastic relationships could be an answer there.

But, for even a believing member consummated polyandry is a tough. It has been for me. Look, I knew about plural marriage as long as I can recall, and that Joseph started it and did it. I was quite well read and had run into many critical arguments as a young missionary and all through my early adulthood. But I was about late 30's or early 40's before I ran across polyandry. Really! And I could list a pretty good list of books I had read.

Polyandry that has sex just has to be revolting to and believing LDS.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Jason,

Polyandry that has sex just has to be revolting to and believing LDS.

The thing is Jason, polyandry bothers you (and I think most men), more because it means you are potentially sharing your wife with whomever is higher up than you.

But from a woman's perspective, polygamy means she is sharing her husband.

See my point?

The only reason men are more bothered by polyandry is because it means THEY have to share.

The fact is, for most women in a healthy, mature, loving marriage, sharing their husbands feels as bad as you would feel sharing your wife. Nothing Godly about it.

I know you are not a supporter of the harem lifestyle, just making a little point! :-)

~dancer~