Books have been written and papers published that have accused, inferred, or suggested that Joseph Smith committed adultery multiple times. He has been accused of having married women who were already married to living men as well as having had intimate relationships with young girls. Many people feel like this is “important history” that the church had kept quiet. I have heard many say that these things have been compiled and written by the top scholars and historians of the day, so they must be true. Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have tabled these claims, saying they will understand why at some future date, without even questioning their validity. Guess what? We can and we should question their validity.
If a highly educated and academically acclaimed historian came out today with evidence that President Monson had committed adultery when he was younger, would you not question those claims?
I provide this as a sample of how throughly the well has been poisoned against anything negative about Joseph Smith.
The Church has confirmed that, whilst legally married to Emma, Joseph Smith had sex with women to whom he was not legally married. Is there another definition of adultery that I'm unaware of?
That said, with the Book of Mormon, we are not dealing with a civilization with no written record. What we are dealing with is a written record with no civilization. (Runtu, Feb 2015)
If Joseph Smith had indeed been committing adultery, we can be sure that the Lord would have removed him from his office as prophet, seer, and revelator.
The truth is, yes, of course, there are writings that suggest that Joseph Smith committed all kinds of evil, including the evil that we understand to be second only to murder, adultery (Alma 39:5). This “historical evidence” has been taken from the enemies of Joseph Smith and the enemies of the truth.
So, the Church and lds.org are the enemies of Joseph Smith and the enemies of truth...who knew.
That said, with the Book of Mormon, we are not dealing with a civilization with no written record. What we are dealing with is a written record with no civilization. (Runtu, Feb 2015)
When you are seeking to know and understand the character of Joseph, do not go to his enemies expecting to find the “real truth”. Look to his works, his words, the accounts of the people who knew him, and the accounts of our trusted apostles and prophets today. Yes, please, ask, seek, and knock. You do not need to table your questions.
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
He has been accused of having married women who were already married to living men as well as having had intimate relationships with young girls
I have to wonder if she is even aware of the church essays?
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
When you are seeking to know and understand the character of Joseph, do not go to his enemies expecting to find the “real truth”. Look to his works, his words, the accounts of the people who knew him, and the accounts of our trusted apostles and prophets today. Yes, please, ask, seek, and knock. You do not need to table your questions.
Sammy Jankins wrote:I might be mistaken, but it appears they are actually deleting comments from people who are linking to the essay on their Facebook page.
Diane Robertson is obviously an enlightened LDS, schooled up and skilled in the art of denial. Ignoring the facts is always easier than trying to reconcile those facts that are incongruent with the myths one holds dear.
