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Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith
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Contents
Criticism
A brief explanation of the criticism.
Source(s) of the Criticism
Response
Critics often neglect to provide citations from eye-witnesses who reported Emma's attitude toward plural marriage at other times:
- Allen J. Stout, who served as a bodyguard for Joseph, recounted a conversation he overheard in the Mansion House between Joseph and his tormented wife. A summary of his account states that “from moments of passionate denunciation [Emma] would subside into tearful repentance and acknowledge that her violent opposition to that principle was instigated by the power of darkness; that Satan was doing his utmost to destroy her, etc. And solemnly came the Prophet’s inspired warning: ‘Yes, and he will accomplish your overthrow, if you do not heed my counsel.’”[1]
Emma's inner conflict was also dramatized in another report:
Maria Jane Johnston, who lived with Emma as a servant girl, recalled the Prophet’s wife looking very downcast one day and telling her that the principle of plural marriage was right and came from Heavenly Father. “What I said I have got [to] repent of,” lamented Emma. “The principle is right but I am jealous hearted. Now never tell anybody that you heard me find fault with that[principle[;] we have got to humble ourselves and repent of it.” [2]
[Emma Smith to Maria Jane Johnston, as quoted in Newell and Avery, Mormon Enigma, p. 161.]
Conclusion
A summary of the argument against the criticism.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
External links
- Links to external web pages
Printed material
- Printed resources whose text is not available online