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I can't seem to find much information about how Joseph Smith became the manager of the Lawrence estate and guardian of the children (two of whom he married). It seems odd, given that the mother was still alive, and her second husband contested Joseph Smith's control over the estate. Does anyone know of a good resource?

Runtu wrote:I can't seem to find much information about how Joseph Smith became the manager of the Lawrence estate and guardian of the children (two of whom he married). It seems odd, given that the mother was still alive, and her second husband contested Joseph Smith's control over the estate. Does anyone know of a good resource?

I found this on a google search. Be careful as it's a FARMS review of Todd Compton's book:

see page 25:

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:CRWujBaEvq0J:farms.BYU.edu/getpdf.php%3Ffilename%3DODI2MjQ3MzE2LTEwLTIucGRm%26type%3DcmV2aWV3+Lawrence+Estate+joseph+smith&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

the footnotes and mention of other works could give you a direction to other authors which could lead to other authors.

thestyleguy wrote:

Runtu wrote:I can't seem to find much information about how Joseph Smith became the manager of the Lawrence estate and guardian of the children (two of whom he married). It seems odd, given that the mother was still alive, and her second husband contested Joseph Smith's control over the estate. Does anyone know of a good resource?

I found this on a google search. Be careful as it's a FARMS review of Todd Compton's book:

see page 25:

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:CRWujBaEvq0J:farms.BYU.edu/getpdf.php%3Ffilename%3DODI2MjQ3MzE2LTEwLTIucGRm%26type%3DcmV2aWV3+Lawrence+Estate+joseph+smith&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Yeah, I saw that, but it's mostly nitpicking over which monetary figures to accept, at least as far as the Lawrence girls are concerned.

Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi Footnote indicates the source as Joseph Smith Estate papers

In June, 1841, Smith had been appointed guardian of the minor heirs of the Edward Lawrence and trustee for them and of an estate of $3,831.

In 1842 both girls began living in Joseph's home. In May of 1843 Joseph married both girls for which he had been appointed guardian. These were Sarah and Maria Lawrence, age 17 and 19. Joseph was 37 at the time. Sarah and Maria Lawrence

Not only was he in a position of power as their prophet, but he was in a position of trust as their legal guardian. I can't imagine a way this doesn't seem a bit slimy.


Phaedrus

Phaedrus Ut wrote:Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi Footnote indicates the source as Joseph Smith Estate papers

In June, 1841, Smith had been appointed guardian of the minor heirs of the Edward Lawrence and trustee for them and of an estate of $3,831.

In 1842 both girls began living in Joseph's home. In May of 1843 Joseph married both girls for which he had been appointed guardian. These were Sarah and Maria Lawrence, age 17 and 19. Joseph was 37 at the time. Sarah and Maria Lawrence

Not only was he in a position of power as their prophet, but he was in a position of trust as their legal guardian. I can't imagine a way this doesn't seem a bit slimy.


Phaedrus

I read elsewhere that William Law's suit against Joseph (for adultery) was related to that position of trust and the inherent conflict of interest. Apparently, Joseph tried to arrange for John Taylor to assume guardianship. It's all kind of sketchy, though.

Phaedrus Ut wrote:
In 1842 both girls began living in Joseph's home. In May of 1843 Joseph married both girls for which he had been appointed guardian. These were Sarah and Maria Lawrence, age 17 and 19. Joseph was 37 at the time.

THe only reason people have a problem with this is because of "presentism."

SatanWasSetUp wrote:

Phaedrus Ut wrote:
In 1842 both girls began living in Joseph's home. In May of 1843 Joseph married both girls for which he had been appointed guardian. These were Sarah and Maria Lawrence, age 17 and 19. Joseph was 37 at the time.

THe only reason people have a problem with this is because of "presentism."

Crap, I just spit out my Pepsi. Too funny.

Hi Phaedrus... :-)

In 1842 both girls began living in Joseph's home. In May of 1843 Joseph married both girls for which he had been appointed guardian. These were Sarah and Maria Lawrence, age 17 and 19. Joseph was 37 at the time. Sarah and Maria Lawrence

Not only was he in a position of power as their prophet, but he was in a position of trust as their legal guardian. I can't imagine a way this doesn't seem a bit slimy.

You are so kind.... :-)

A "bit slimy?"

umm... How about completely and utterly despicable and abhorrent?!

:-)

There is just no way to justify or rationalize such horrific behavior....

First, since marrying multiple women was illegal he was basically just sleeping with two girls of whom he had custody...

Can you imagine if a foster father today slept with two of the girls in his custody telling the courts he married them so it was all find and dandy?

I mean this would make front page news around the country and he would be thrown in jail so fast we would hardly have time to have a trial.

But... it was Joseph Smith, so hey... no problem!

AARRGGHHH....

~dancer~

Just to be clear... I'm not suggesting that you are rationalizing or justifying Joseph Smith's behavior. I realize you do not. I'm talking about Joseph Smith supporters here! ;-)


Edit - After reading the above posts...I forgot that it was OK for older married men who have custody of girls to sleep with them back then! ;-)

SatanWasSetUp wrote:THe only reason people have a problem with this is because of "presentism."

Ahh yes the good ole days when is was morally acceptable for a guardian to start banging the teenage girls in his care. It's the modern moral decline that has lead us from such wonderful circumstances.


Phaedrus

Phaedrus Ut wrote:

SatanWasSetUp wrote:THe only reason people have a problem with this is because of "presentism."

Ahh yes the good ole days when is was morally acceptable for a guardian to start banging the teenage girls in his care. It's the modern moral decline that has lead us from such wonderful circumstances.


Phaedrus

Yeah, that is one of the dumber arguments, isn't it? After all, back in the 1840s it was perfectly acceptable to send someone away on a religious mission and then have sex with his wife while he's gone. duhhhhhh