G.Palmer Mormon Discussions Podcast on Joseph Smith Sexual Allegations

[_Drifting]

Joseph Smith's marital CV:

33 'ish wives (give or take a few either way).
11 of whom had living husbands.
14 was the age of his youngest wife, whom he married when in middle age. By no means his only teenage bride.
Kept marriages, where possible, secret from his first wife and the membership.
Was coerced into polygamy by an angel with a flaming sword.
Sired no children from any polygamous marriages despite being commanded that this was precisely the reason for it in the first place.
Was caught with Fanny Alger long before the sealing keys were restored by Elisha (therefore putting paid to any defence of "it was only a spiritual sealing).


How does William Law stack up against that?

[_Mary]

Okay, here is a link to three letters he wrote at the end of his life (William Law). Shows some of his prejudices and bias, but also insightful I think.

http://www.mazeministry.com/Mormonism/n ... awint2.htm

Not interested in mazeministry by the way. Just the 3 letters.

[_Mary]

Also here

http://www.mrm.org/law-interview

Also interesting... I don't get the impression that William Law is/was a 'bad' man...

[_Drifting]

Also here

http://www.mrm.org/law-interview

Also interesting... I don't get the impression that William Law is/was a 'bad' man...

Maybe Tobin will be along with his links and references to back up his claims about the character of William Law....but then again....

[_Tobin]

Tobin, so, what kind of man was William Law then? In your opinion? Please source your response!

William Law was a member of the First Presidency of the church and was excommunicated. He met with opponents of the prophet, formed a church, and published the Nauvoo Expositor. Again, he is not going to have anything nice to say about Joseph Smith period. Any TBM that believes otherwise is deluding themselves.

All you need to know about this guy is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Law_(Latter_Day_Saints)

Nothing to see TBMs, move along - this is NOT a nice guy.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

Let's say Law was a dirt bag, Tobin, what did he say that was untrue?

[_Blixa]

I used to post there as Abulafia...

I used to love reading Abulafia!

[_Tobin]

Let's say Law was a dirt bag, Tobin, what did he say that was untrue?

Oh, I'm sure he had some very true and bitter things to say about Joseph Smith. Some of the nastiest things you can say about someone is pointing out their faults. In fact, I've often had the view that Joseph Smith was rather full of himself too. And most disputes, especially the really bitter ones like this one, are grounded in some kind of real nasty issue and William Law was rather appalled at the practice of polygamy that Joseph Smith was secretly engaged in. But there is no new information here. That being said, this guy (and his wife) is NOT going to be objective about his remarks because he had some very bitter feelings towards Joseph Smith and he is most definitely not going to be nice about it.

[_Mary]

Thanks Blixa!

Tobin ...... Here's a reasonable response by Law...


On being asked about abortions in Nauvoo.

'Yes. There was some talk about Joseph getting no issue from all the women he had intercourse with. Dr. Foster spoke to me about the fact. But I don't remember what was told about abortion. If I heard things of the kind, I didn't believe in them at that time.'

[_Mary]

From Law's letter, another very reasonable response.

'I never resided with the Mormons as a people, only during my short stay in Nauvoo. I think that to have a thorough knowledge of any people it is necessary to live amongst them a considerable length of time. Before reading your book I had but very little knowledge of the family history of the Smiths or Rigdon; had never inquired into the particulars. After I left Nauvoo I did not care or trouble myself about them. I had no personal knowledge of the swindling and other wicked doing at Kirtland, nor did I know anything about the Missouri trouble; was told that their troubles in Ohio and Missouri all grew out of "religious persecution." I went from my home in Canada to Navuoo and found a very poor, but industrious people; they appeared to be moral and religiously disposed; the Smiths and others preached morality and brotherly kindness every Sunday. I saw nothing wrong until after the city charter was obtained.'

My bold..