Why does it matter if Joseph had relations with his wives

[_Buffalo]

Further, it is clear that most of his marriages were absolutely SEALING ONLY

CFR. What evidence is there that most or any were not consummated?

[_Runtu]

No, it wasn't. The laws of the state and the laws of God forbade it. It was called bigamy/adultery then, and it's called bigamy/adultery now.

Even if such plural marriage was lawful, it seems odd that, after laying out the requirements for plural marriage, God would authorize Joseph to conceal at least some of the marriages from Emma. If there were no sex involved, Joseph wouldn't have felt the need to keep the marriages hidden from Emma; and it is the deceit that indicates that his behavior was both unauthorized and morally wrong.

[_Stormy Waters]

First, Joseph only married THREE people if I'm remembering right under 18, out of some 30 marriages. I don't call that much of a pedophile, similar to Warren Jeffs. Further, it is clear that most of his marriages were absolutely SEALING ONLY, especially when that what everyone knew and said, and he married other mens wives also, by sealing only.

So how many girls under 18 does one have to marry to be considered a pedophile?

[_ldsfaqs]

Further, maybe he did have sex with some, but like has been said, it was lawful and likely authorized.

No, it wasn't. The laws of the state and the laws of God forbade it. It was called bigamy/adultery then, and it's called bigamy/adultery now.

It was lawful, because God DID authorize it..... And people are under no obligation to obey laws that are contrary to their religious beliefs and conscious. It's the age old tradition of American Civil Disobedience.

Further, the Church wasn't actually practicing Polygamy per-se, and especially officially, thus it was in compliance in essence with the law. Joseph and others only lived with ONE WIFE.

[_bcspace]

Joseph's sexual desire may have played a part in it, but I have never believed that was his primary motivation.

That's good. Neither do I.

[_Runtu]

So how many girls under 18 does one have to marry to be considered a pedophile?

To be clear, I do not believe Joseph Smith was in any sense a pedophile. From what I understand, the average age of his plural wives was 19, with the youngest being fourteen-year-old Helen Mar Kimball.

There are plenty of reasons to be troubled by his practice of polygamy and polyandry, but pedophilia is not one of them.

[_ldsfaqs]

No, it wasn't. The laws of the state and the laws of God forbade it. It was called bigamy/adultery then, and it's called bigamy/adultery now.

Even if such plural marriage was lawful, it seems odd that, after laying out the requirements for plural marriage, God would authorize Joseph to conceal at least some of the marriages from Emma. If there were no sex involved, Joseph wouldn't have felt the need to keep the marriages hidden from Emma; and it is the deceit that indicates that his behavior was both unauthorized and morally wrong.

Joseph only "hid" some of the marriages during the initial period in which Emma was still learning and trying to understand it. He did so out of respect for her feelings. You can claim nothing "sinister" by the hiding because various other people were involved in ALL the sealings, including family members, fathers, mothers, etc.

[_ldsfaqs]

So how many girls under 18 does one have to marry to be considered a pedophile?

To be clear, I do not believe Joseph Smith was in any sense a pedophile. From what I understand, the average age of his plural wives was 19, with the youngest being fourteen-year-old Helen Mar Kimball.

There are plenty of reasons to be troubled by his practice of polygamy and polyandry, but pedophilia is not one of them.

Your "average age" is significantly off..... Look it up. Most of the marriages were to those in their 20's and 30's, including a few much older.

[_sock puppet]

So it all comes down to testimony of this Church as God's work and therefore it does not matter if Joseph Smith had sex with his wives or not. Critics start with things like plural marriage as if it were the foundation and ignore the actual foundation this is all built on.

And such a testimony would (as I suspect most are) facile if one has not plumbed and sorted these issues out.

But keep repeating your mantra, "The Church is true, the Church is true,...". It's kind of fascinating in the way an auto accident is.

[_bcspace]

Combine that with "best buddies with a known abortionist."

Doesn't seem to be the case.