Did Joseph Smith marry for love?

[_truth dancer]

Hi Wade,

Thank you for your insights.

Actually I'm not basing my assertion on mind reading but on the words and actions of Joseph Smith himself.

Some examples...

Joseph Smith crowned himself King of the world.

Joseph Smith believed he could grant and assure individuals and their families admittance into the CKHL.

Joseph Smith believed he would be the heavenly judge for those of this dispensation.

Joseph Smith believed he did more for humankind than anyone save Jesus Christ himself.

I could be wrong, but these sorts of ideas, along with many others, are those which lead me to believe as I do.

:-)

~dancer~

[_moksha]

For example, I think a strong case could be made to suggest that some people got into therapy because they were mentally deranged and wished to prey on the vulnerable. If so, then would it be fair to make that the basis for concluding that since you have gotten into therapy, you did so because you were deranged and wish to prey on the vulnerable? I certainly don't think so.

Just something to think about.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Right you are! We should not be so hasty in our judgments that we forget that some may have been in such therapy
because an Angel with a sword commanded them to be there. How could they then not be committed to such therapy?

[_moksha]

...we both had various reasons for wanting to marry as well as to not marry...

I bet I know what they were for you. My gaydar just spiked.

Was that all that spiked?

[_wenglund]

Hi Wade,

Thank you for your insights.

Actually I'm not basing my assertion on mind reading but on the words and actions of Joseph Smith himself.

Some examples...

Joseph Smith crowned himself King of the world.

Joseph Smith believed he could grant and assure individuals and their families admittance into the CKHL.

Joseph Smith believed he would be the heavenly judge for those of this dispensation.

Joseph Smith believed he did more for humankind than anyone save Jesus Christ himself.

I could be wrong, but these sorts of ideas, along with many others, are those which lead me to believe as I do.

:-)

~dancer~

While those are certainly things that Joseph Smith said (to some degree, and within important context), none of those statements contain the words (or similar cognants or implications): "I believe these things because I am power and fame hungry and sex crazed".

Hense, that is an interpretation you are mind-reading into those statement.

One can just as easily interpret those statements in terms of a man humbly rising up to, and in acknowledgement of, his divine calling--which, for those who have reasonably and respectfully read Joseph personal history, would be the more likely impression.

However, those with a jaded view of the Church, and perhaps a chip on their shoulder regarding men and leaders in general, may see it as you do. Let us hope that those looking to judge you and your actions won't be so uncharitable.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_Mercury]

...we both had various reasons for wanting to marry as well as to not marry...

I bet I know what they were for you. My gaydar just spiked.

Was that all that spiked?

ha..ha..ha

[_Sethbag]

Wade, when I get caught telling my potential 30somethingth wife that God has already given her to me and that if I don't marry her God will kill me, and by the way she's 17 and I'm 38, then feel free to judge me just as harshly as I judge Joseph Smith.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Wade...

Let us hope that those looking to judge you and your actions won't be so uncharitable.

Thankfully, I am quite sure those looking to judge me and my actions are more charitable than am I.

I have a long way to go and am slowly learning from many exemplary people who live with charity, kindness, and love.

Blessings to you,

~dancer~

[_harmony]

I have a long way to go and am slowly learning from many exemplary people who live with charity, kindness, and love.

None of those exemplary people are the head 15 in the LDS church, I'll bet. They're much more interested in obedience, buying malls, and invading the privacy of the members.

[Guest]

I stand by my comments.


The justification of Joseph Smiths adultery is the foundation of my disaffection towards the church.


Shame on those that call evil good and good evil.

I seek no sign. But if the Mormon God himself appeared to me and told me Joseph Smith was justified in betraying the sacred trust of his wife and the inocent of his flock, I would reject both of them.

I have stated before that If an angel claiming to have decended from the God of love with a flaming sword appeared to force my will toward adultery, I would fight and die with my honor and the sacred covenants I had made to my only bride.

The Mormon God would make a mockery of civilization, my moral compass, let alone human decency. The sacred bond of marriage is what it is.

I would prefer to make a nice place in hell than to spend eternity with the Mormon God of whoredoms.


But, truth be told, this is not the God or Jesus I ever thought I knew. But sometimes things aren't as they seem.

[_Inconceivable]

..According the the Bible GOd forgave him of these sins. He could forgive Jospeh too. I hope he does if Joseph really repented of plural marriage like William Marks claims he did just before Joseph was murdered.

Jason, where can you go with this? Look at the horrific damage path. This was not a white lie. If plural marriage was evil and necessitated his repentance, look at what you are implying:

As a predator, he raped the virginity from our ancestor's daughters. He stole the virtue of married women and destroyed their homes. He betrayed the sacred trust of his only legal wife. He destroyed the honor and peace of entire families and even communities.

And yet today, the weak or naïve see him as having done more for mankind than Jesus only.



Many hearts died and continue to die, pierced with deep wounds - including my own.