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< Joseph Smith | Polygamy
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|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith | ||
|subject=What was Emma's reaction to Joseph's practice of polygamy? | |subject=What was Emma's reaction to Joseph's practice of polygamy? | ||
|summary=Critics contend that Emma Hale Smith either did not approve of the Prophet Joseph Smith having plural wives or know of the revelation concerning celestial marriage(s). | |summary=Critics contend that Emma Hale Smith either did not approve of the Prophet Joseph Smith having plural wives or know of the revelation concerning celestial marriage(s). | ||
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|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Eliza R. Snow and the stairs | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Eliza R. Snow and the stairs | ||
|subject=Eliza R. Snow and the stairs|summary=Some charge that Eliza R. Snow, one of Joseph's plural wives, was pregnant by Joseph. According to the claim, a furious Emma pushed Eliza down the stairs, resulting in a miscarriage. | |subject=Eliza R. Snow and the stairs|summary=Some charge that Eliza R. Snow, one of Joseph's plural wives, was pregnant by Joseph. According to the claim, a furious Emma pushed Eliza down the stairs, resulting in a miscarriage. | ||
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|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Hiding the truth/Did Emma know | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Hiding the truth/Did Emma know | ||
|subject=Hiding the truth about polygamy from Emma | |subject=Hiding the truth about polygamy from Emma | ||
|summary=Joseph Smith did not always disclose his plural marriages to his first wife, Emma. How might we understand his decision? | |summary=Joseph Smith did not always disclose his plural marriages to his first wife, Emma. How might we understand his decision? | ||
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|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Emma to be annihilated|subject=Emma to be annihilated | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Emma to be annihilated|subject=Emma to be annihilated | ||
|summary=In the revelation D&C 132 Emma was promised annihilation if she failed to 'abide this commandment.' | |summary=In the revelation D&C 132 Emma was promised annihilation if she failed to 'abide this commandment.' | ||
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|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Sealing | |link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Emma Smith/Sealing | ||
|subject=Sealing of Emma to Joseph|summary=Critics contend that although Emma Hale Smith was Joseph's first wife, that Joseph was sealed to other wives before being sealed to Emma. The assumption follows that Emma was not in a position to consent to Joseph's other marriages, since she was not longer the "first wife." | |subject=Sealing of Emma to Joseph|summary=Critics contend that although Emma Hale Smith was Joseph's first wife, that Joseph was sealed to other wives before being sealed to Emma. The assumption follows that Emma was not in a position to consent to Joseph's other marriages, since she was not longer the "first wife." |
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Did Emma Hale Smith either did not approve of the Prophet Joseph Smith having plural wives or know of the revelation concerning celestial marriage(s)?
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
Emma was aware of plural marriage; it is not clear at exactly what point she was made aware, partly due to there being relatively few early sources on the matter. Emma was generally opposed to the practice of plural marriage, and did much to try and thwart it. There were times, however, when Emma gave permission for Joseph's plural marriages, though she soon changed her mind.[1] Emma was troubled by plural marriage, but her difficulties arose partly from her conviction that Joseph was a prophet:
Emma never denied Joseph's prophetic calling; she did, however, teach her children that Joseph had never taught the doctrine of plural marriage, and blamed its introduction on Brigham Young. Torn between two certitudes—her conviction of Joseph's prophetic calling, and her hatred of plural marriage—Emma had difficult choices to make for which we ought not to judge her.
But, the critics ought to let all of Emma speak for herself—she had a great trial, but also had great knowledge. That she continued to support Joseph's calling and remain with him, despite her feelings about plural marriage, speaks much of her convictions. As she told Parley P. Pratt years later:
Summary: Critics contend that Emma Hale Smith either did not approve of the Prophet Joseph Smith having plural wives or know of the revelation concerning celestial marriage(s).
Critics often neglect to provide citations from eye-witnesses who reported Emma's attitude toward plural marriage at other times:
Emma's inner conflict was also dramatized in another report:
Emma asked Joseph for a blessing not long before he went to Carthage. Joseph told her to write the best blessing she could, and he would sign it upon his return. Wrote Emma:
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