Transcription
Historical figures can be difficult to understand. What motivates them? Why do they make the decisions they do? Today, let's try to understand Joseph Smith using sources Latter-day Saints themselves consider authoritative.
According to Mormon teaching, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Eldia scripture even praises him in remarkable terms. One passage says, "Joseph Smith has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man that ever lived." His revelations are recorded in texts like doctrines and covenants and other early Latter-day Saints records which are widely available online. So everything here mentioned in this video can be checked.
Joseph Smith taught that the heavenly father commanded the practice of plural marriage. This command is recorded in doctrines and covenants 132 which Latter-day Saints accept as scripture. The revelation states, "If any man espouse a virgin and desire to espouse another, then is he justified? He cannot commit adultery if they are given to him." According to the LDS church's own historical essay on the subject, Joseph Smith was sealed to multiple women, eventually numbering several dozen. On a totally unrelated note, the revelation that allowed Joseph Smith to take many wives was revealed to Joseph Smith. But that's just a coincidence. Joseph Smith just wanted to obey the voice of the heavenly father, a voice which only he could hear.
According to early Latter-day Saint testimony, Joseph Smith also said that an angel appeared to him with a drawn sword and threatened him if he did not introduce plural marriage. Several early church figures recorded this claim. Apostle Orson Pratt reported that Joseph said an angel commanded him to practice plural marriage and warned him that he would be destroyed if he refused. Later, the fifth LDS president, Lorenzo Snope, also recalled Joseph explaining that the angel of the Lord stood by him with a drawn sword and threatened his destruction if he did not establish the principle. In other words, Joseph explained that God sent an angel with a sword to force him to introduce plural marriage. On a totally unrelated note, this command from heaven was delivered to Joseph Smith. But that's just a coincidence. Joseph Smith simply wanted to obey the voice of the heavenly father, a voice that only he could hear.
The LDS church's official essay on plural marriage acknowledges that Joseph Smith married several young women. One example is Helen Mar Kimble, who was sealed to Joseph Smith when she was only 14 years old. Helen later herself wrote that the marriage was presented as part of God's commandment regarding plural marriage and would bring salvation to her household. Once again, the revelation allowing Joseph Smith to marry a 14-year-old girl came through Joseph Smith. But that's just a coincidence. Joseph Smith simply wanted to obey the voice of a heavenly father, a voice that only he could hear.
Joseph Smith's first wife, Emma, struggled with the idea of plural marriage. The revelation recorded in Doctrines and Covenants 132 addresses her directly. The text states, "And let mine handmmaid Emma Smith receive all those who have been given unto my servant Joseph, and if she will not abide this commandment, she shall be destroyed." In other words, the revelation warns Joseph Smith's wife that she must accept his additional wives or face divine punishment. On a totally unrelated note, the revelation threatening Joseph Smith's wife for refusing his plural marriages was revealed to Joseph Smith. But that's just a coincidence. Joseph Smith simply wanted to obey the voice of the heavenly father, a voice that only he could hear.
The LDS church also acknowledges that some women to Joseph Smith were already married to other men. This practice is sometimes called polyandry, meaning a woman was sealed to more than one husband. Once again, the authority for these marriages came through Joseph Smith's prophetic revelations. On a totally unrelated note, the revelation allowing Joseph Smith to marry women who were already married to living husbands came through Joseph Smith. But that's just a coincidence. Joseph simply wanted to obey the voice of the heavenly father, a voice that only he could hear.
In conclusion, Joseph Smith's motivation is clear. He simply wanted to obey the voice of the heavenly father, a voice that only he could hear. What an extraordinary coincidence that so many of these revelations granted Joseph Smith new authority, new privileges, and new wives. But according to Mormon scripture, if he do anything in my name and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him. So don't blame Joseph Smith, said Joseph Smith. I mean, oops. Don't blame Joseph Smith, said the Heavenly Father. to Joseph Smith.