But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the … Read more
Excerpt from an April 17, 1860 New York Times article, ‘Polygamy and its Fruits’:1 ‘Some time ago HEBER KIMBALL was lecturing some missionaries who were preparing to start out on foreign missions, in the Tabernacle, and said to them: “Brethren, I want you to understand that it is not to be as it has been … Read more
Excerpt from the “Affidavit of Hyrum Smith, Times and Seasons 3 (1 Aug. 1842):870–72: 1 “AFFIDAVIT OF HYRUM SMITH. On the seventeenth day of may, 1842, having been made acquainted with some of the conduct of John C. Bennett, which was given in testimony under oath before Alderman G[eorge] W. Harris, by several females, who … Read more
Excerpt from the journal of Wilford Woodruff: 1 June 14, 1857: I attended the prayer circle. The presidency and W. W., G.A.S., A. Lyman, and C. C. Rich of the Twelve were present. There was much conversation upon various subjects. President Young said I shall not seal the people as I have done. Old Father … Read more
Brigham Young Interview by Horace Greeley (New York Tribune editor), ‘Two Hours With Brigham Young’, Salt Lake City, Utah, July 13, 1859: 1 My friend Dr. [John M.] Bernisel, M.C. [Mormon Church], took me this afternoon, by appointment, to meet Brigham Young, President of the Mormon Church, who had expressed a willingness to receive me at … Read more
Excerpt from an address by Russell M. Nelson, September 17 2019: 1 It is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth! Excerpt from ‘Address … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo’: 1 Following his marriage to Louisa Beaman and before he married other single women, Joseph Smith was sealed to a number of women who were already married. 29 Neither these women nor Joseph explained much about these sealings, though several women said … Read more
Discourse by Apostle Orson Pratt, ‘Celestial Marriage’, Salt Lake City, October 7, 1869, JOD Vol. 3 Pg. 195: 1 It was announced at the close of the forenoon meeting that I would address the congregation this afternoon upon the subject of Celestial Marriage; I do so with the greatest pleasure. In the first place, let … Read more
Address by LDS Apostle Erastus Snow, delivered October 4, 1857 – ‘Preparation of Heart for Divine Blessings—Responsibility—Family Government.’: 1 ‘I feel like offering a few of my reflections in connection with those remarks we have heard this morning from Elder Hyde. I feel that they are timely and good for the congregation of the Saints … Read more
Affidavit by seventeen year old Martha Brotherton published in the newspaper, ‘Quincy Whig’ August 06 1842, Pg 2: 1 Martha H. Brotherton’s Sworn Testimony ST. LOUIS, July 13th, A. D. 1842. Gen. John C. Bennett. DEAR SIR: — I left Warsaw a short time since for this city, and having been called upon by you, … Read more
Affidavit by seventeen year old Martha Brotherton published in the newspaper, ‘Quincy Whig’ August 06 1842, Pg 2: 1 Martha H. Brotherton’s Sworn Testimony ST. LOUIS, July 13th, A. D. 1842. Gen. John C. Bennett. DEAR SIR: — I left Warsaw a short time since for this city, and having been called upon by you, … Read more
Excerpt from the Mormon Newsroom, Topic – Polygamy: 1 “Today, the practice of polygamy is strictly prohibited in the Church, as it has been for over a century. Polygamy — or more correctly polygyny, the marriage of more than one woman to the same man — was a part of the teachings of The Church … Read more
Child Sexual Abuse: 6 Stages of Grooming, Dr. Michael Welner: Child Sexual Abuse: 1 Grooming is the process by which an offender draws a victim into a sexual relationship and maintains that relationship in secrecy. The shrouding of the relationship is an essential feature of grooming. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner explains the six stages that can … Read more
A Discourse by President Brigham Young, Delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, September 21, 1856: 1 “Before I sit down, I shall offer a proposition to the congregation; though I will first say a few words concerning our religion, our circumstances, and the circumstances of the brethren and people generally that inhabit these … Read more
A Discourse by President Brigham Young, Delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, September 21, 1856: 1 “Before I sit down, I shall offer a proposition to the congregation; though I will first say a few words concerning our religion, our circumstances, and the circumstances of the brethren and people generally that inhabit these … Read more
A Discourse by President Brigham Young, Delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, September 21, 1856: 1 “Before I sit down, I shall offer a proposition to the congregation; though I will first say a few words concerning our religion, our circumstances, and the circumstances of the brethren and people generally that inhabit these … Read more
Doctrine and Covenants 132:61-63: 1 61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topi Essay, ‘Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo’: 1 The revelation on marriage required that a wife give her consent before her husband could enter into plural marriage. Nevertheless, toward the end of the revelation, the Lord said that if the first wife “receive not this law”—the command to practice … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo’: 1 “After receiving a revelation commanding him to practice plural marriage, Joseph Smith married multiple wives and introduced the practice to close associates.” “Polygamy had been permitted for millennia in many cultures and religions, but, with few exceptions, was rejected in Western … Read more
Excerpt from an address by Heber C. Kimball, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, February 1, 1857: 1 Supposing that I have a wife or a dozen of them, and she should say, “You cannot be exalted without me,” and suppose they all should say so, what of that? They never will affect my … Read more
Excerpts from ‘Evidences and Reconciliations’ by Apostle John A. Widtsoe, 1943: 1 “Plural marriage has been a subject of wide and frequent comment. Members of the Church unfamiliar with its history, and many non-members, have set up fallacious reasons for the origin of this system of marriage among the Latter-day Saints. The most common of … Read more
Revelation given to President John Taylor September 27, 1886:1 “My son John, you have asked me concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant how far it is binding upon my people. Thus saith the Lord: All commandments that I give must be obeyed by those calling themselves by my name unless they are revoked by me … Read more
LDS Official Declaration 1, October 6 1890, Wilford Woodruff: LDS Official Declaration 1 – https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/od/1?lang=eng To Whom It May Concern: Press dispatches having been sent for political purposes, from Salt Lake City, which have been widely published, to the effect that the Utah Commission, in their recent report to the Secretary of the Interior, allege that … Read more
William McLellin, Letter to Joseph Smith III, July 1872, Community of Christ Archives: 1 “Now Joseph I will relate to you some history, and refer you to your own dear Mother for the truth. You will probably remember that I visited your Mother and family in 1847, and held a lengthy conversation with her, retired … Read more
Excerpt from an address given by George Q. Cannon, November 1, 1891, reported by Author Winter. Published in the Deseret Weekly News, November 21, 1891: 1 “I myself have testified before presidents of the United States before cabinet officers before judges of the Supreme Court before members of the United States Senate and House of … Read more
On August 18th, several weeks after his marriage to Sarah Ann Whitney, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to his new bride and her parents. At the time he was hiding from the law at a home on the outskirts of Nauvoo: 1 “Dear, and Beloved, Brother and Sister, Whitney, and &c.– I take this oppertunity … Read more
