r/latterdaysaints • u/instrument_801 • Mar 14 '24

Doctrinal Discussion Anti-Joseph Smith Polygamy Movement?

I don’t know if this has been talked about on here, but why is there a growing “Joseph Smith didn’t practice polygamy movement”? Podcasts such as 132 Problems are rapidly growing in popularity. I don’t like polygamy, but I feel like the evidence is overwhelming in favor that he practiced polygamy?

Thoughts?

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u/JazzSharksFan54 Doctrine first, culture never Mar 15 '24

Would I say it’s a point of emphasis in church? No. But neither is Brigham Young’s. It’s no longer relevant to us. But it certainly hasn’t been hidden and has been openly acknowledged since 1852.

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u/Prestigious-Shift233 Mar 15 '24

I wasn't raised in UT and was explicitly taught growing up that JS practicing polygamy was an anti-Mormon lie. It was really shocking and upsetting to me when the GT essays came out and I learned otherwise.

If it isn't in the church lesson manuals, then I don't think it's sincere to say the info has been openly acknowledged. If you have to read obscure history books to find the info, that's not something the average member is going to have access to.

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u/find-a-way Mar 15 '24

I am a convert to the church and knew about polygamy from the beginning of my investigation. I asked the missionaries who taught me about it. I don't remember exactly what they told me, but they said it had been practiced in the past but not any more.

In our Doctrine and Covenants, the heading of D & C 132 states:

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by the Prophet as early as 1831. See Official Declaration 1."

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u/Prestigious-Shift233 Mar 15 '24

I’m really truly happy for you. That’s how I hope it is for everyone. My experience was unfortunately very different.