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I have heard for many years critics of the LDS Church claim its own members are not taught that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced polygamy, but that it was an innovation of Brigham Young.

I have some anecdotal evidence to pass on in this regard.

I was talking with my 23-year old daughter this morning. She is no longer active, but was certainly raised in the LDS Church in Utah, and attended meetings regularly.

We were talking about how Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah, and for some reason she mentioned Brigham Young starting polygamy.

I asked her if she was saying that she thought polygamy didn't begin until Brigham Young was president of the Church.

She confirmed that was her understanding.

I broke the news to her that actually Joseph Smith started it in the 1830's and practiced it, and that other Mormon church leaders practiced it during Joseph Smith's lifetime.

My daughter was surprised by this news.

(I asked if she had ever read section 132. She said no, and if she did, she probably wouldn't understand it anyway. Although I think she would understand more than she thinks, is her position that different from many active LDS?)

I told her it was practiced clandestinely, though word got out, until 1852 when Brigham Young announced it publicly.

So all I can say is those who claim the Mormon Church does a good job of not teaching Joseph Smith's involvement with polygamy are not just barking up a tree.

(She also said polygamy was practiced because there were so many more women than men. Another surprise awaited her.)

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Agree with all you posted.

Consig,

I am a seminary graduate, RM, attended BYU for 7 years and I never learned that Joseph Smith was married to 34 women.

I did learn the standad spiel that polygamy was only practiced by a few and that it was a necessity because there were more women than men.

The Church can obviously do a much better job educating and being honest to its members about the past.

It would be interesting to do a simple poll of members in which they were asked to list the number of wives Joseph Smith had. I would bet the average would be under ten, probably closer to 5.

thewingnut wrote: "I am a seminary graduate, RM, attended BYU for 7 years and I never learned that Joseph Smith was married to 34 women."

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Sure you are. Seven years at BYU. You probably just didn't pay attention when the facts were taught.

consiglieri wrote:
(She also said polygamy was practiced because there were so many more women than men. Another surprise awaited her.)

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

sweet mary how dishonest members were/are, I don't hear too many repeat such nonsense, unfortunately members have created a myth and members keep the myth alive.

I have searched all the Church resources available to me and I cannot find a single solitary mention of Joseph's marriages to women who were already married. Not one.

I have searched all the Church resources available to me and I cannot find a single solitary mention of Joseph's marriages to women who were less than 15 years old. Not one.

I have searched all the Church resources available to me and I cannot find a single solitary mention of Polygamy being a practice that was kept secret from the general membership. Not one.

Does the Church teach the truth about Polygamy? No. Not even close.

I don't think the Church does a good job on this issue. I think we can do better, and am working toward seeing that we do.

Daniel Peterson wrote:I don't think the Church does a good job on this issue. I think we can do better, and am working toward seeing that we do.

As we hear a huge sigh of relief from Romney and Huntsman in their campaigns knowing that "Provo" is about to give "official" support to America's christians' questions! Thank God Peterson's gonna take this one on with all his message board influence!

I was just at a Huntsman fundraiser this past Wednesday night in Vegas. He had no problem bringing this issue up about in jest and reality. My gosh Peterson, does he know that YOU are getting involved to let America know the real "official" response and story?

Game changer from Provo! Only from Provo!!

Joey, you're a boring monomaniac with an absurd personal chip on his shoulder, and you seem to be about twelve.