Maxrep wrote:Its also important to note that the project of testing for Joseph's offspring seems to have been prematurely halted. Results for only some of his possible children have been shared.
It is also my understanding that those who have allowe for dna samples have the sole discretion of choosing whether or not to make the results of these paternity tests public. I believe too, the organization performing the test is either owned by the church, or is acting under its direction. Any clarification on this?
"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."
I think Mary is specifically asking about this book, justme.
I've skimmed it and find it problematic as it is based on the misunderstandings of JSIII and the early RLDS.
Mormon Enigma attempts to explain the reasoning behind Emma's careful explanations of Joseph Smith to her sons, and I think that it is a plausible argument.
As for the issue of "issue," that Fanny was pregnant when Emma turned her out seems to be accepted (see Bradley's discussion in the Persistence of Polygamy) and the Lyons daughter is pretty well sourced. And I don't think we've heard the last of genetic testing either (I'm not at liberty to say more).
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
zeezrom wrote:If active LDS members could change one historical fact, it would be Joseph's sexual relationships.
Ever wonder why LDS members are just fine with Brigham Young (and others) having sex with all his polygamous wives but will not accept that Joseph Smith had sex with his wives?
zeezrom wrote:If active LDS members could change one historical fact, it would be Joseph's sexual relationships.
Ever wonder why LDS members are just fine with Brigham Young (and others) having sex with all his polygamous wives but will not accept that Joseph Smith had sex with his wives?
Why the double standard?
Perhaps because Joseph lied about it his whole life. Brigham eventually was truthful about polygamy. I'm really not sure why the double standard.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
zeezrom wrote:If active LDS members could change one historical fact, it would be Joseph's sexual relationships.
Ever wonder why LDS members are just fine with Brigham Young (and others) having sex with all his polygamous wives but will not accept that Joseph Smith had sex with his wives?
Why the double standard?
No surprise here. The Church has been open and upfront about Brigham Young's practice of polygamy while it has avoided mention of Joseph Smith's involvement in it because of the issues that surround him. I find it interesting to ask members how many wives they think Brigham Young and Joseph Smith had. The BY number is usually in the 30s while the Smith number is usually single digit. "Polyandry" is also a term that most members do not understand.
"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."
Maxrep wrote:Its also important to note that the project of testing for Joseph's offspring seems to have been prematurely halted. Results for only some of his possible children have been shared.
It is also my understanding that those who have allowe for dna samples have the sole discretion of choosing whether or not to make the results of these paternity tests public. I believe too, the organization performing the test is either owned by the church, or is acting under its direction. Any clarification on this?
just me wrote: Perhaps because Joseph lied about it his whole life. Brigham eventually was truthful about polygamy. I'm really not sure why the double standard.
When Joseph died and the Mormons left nauvoo, polygamy began to be practiced rather openly. There was no more fear of the mobs knocking down doors. Once the LDS were in Utah, the openness with polygamy became more pronounced until the federal government was threatening more persecution. When Joseph Smith was alive, any mention of proof of polygamy and the mobs would be rioting in Nauvoo, destroying homes and killing members.
Polygamy was basically practiced by Joseph Smith during a brief two year period in Nauvoo. How does translate into lying about it all his life?
Last edited by Guest on Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
Drifting wrote: Although Oliver Cowdrey didn't seem to think Joseph's motives with Fanny were Cekestial in nature...
Did oliver catch Joseph Smith and fanny in the barn or was it heresay? Joseph Smith and oliver were having problems, I believe, before his statement. But Oliver did return to the fold and gave a wonderful deathbed testimony of the Book of Mormon. Go figure.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith