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Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage
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Polygamy > Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage
Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage
Summary: Joseph Smith's introduction and practice of plural marriage have been the source of speculation and criticism since he first introduced plural marriage. This page gathers all the questions that have arisen and responds to them.
- The Reality of Joseph Smith Practicing Plural Marriage
- The Origins of the Plural Marriage Revelation
- Joseph Smith's Motives in Starting Plural Marriage
- Bios of Joseph Smith's Wives
- Joseph and Emma Smith's Struggle with Plural Marriage
- Potential Children from Joseph Smith's Plural Marriages
- The Legaltiy of Plural Marriage in Ohio and Illinois
- Plural Marriage and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants
- Joseph Smith's Polyandrous Sealings
The Reality of Joseph Smith Practicing Plural Marriage
The Origins of the Plural Marriage Revelation
Joseph Smith's Motives in Starting Plural Marriage
Bios of Joseph Smith's Wives
Joseph and Emma Smith's Struggle With Polygamy
Potential Children from Joseph Smith's Plural Marriages
If the only purpose of plural marriage was to “raise up seed,” why did Joseph Smith not have any children by his wives? * Did Joseph Smith father any children by his plural marriages? * Did Prescindia Buell not know who the father was of her child?
- Did Joseph Smith father a child by Prescindia Buell Did Joseph Smith hide plural marriages from Emma?
The Legality of Plural Marriage in Ohio and Nauvoo
Was polygamy illegal? Was Joseph Smith charged with adultery under Illinois Law? Did Joseph Smith violate marriage laws in Ohio by performing plural marriages? * Were there any similar cases under Illinois adultery statute which demonstrate that Joseph Smith was not breaking the law? * When Joseph Smith performed the marriage of Newel Knight and Lydia Bailey, were they guilty of bigamy since Lydia had not been formally divorced her previous husband?
Plural Marriage and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants
- Does the 1835 statement contradict polygamy? * Was Oliver Cowdery aware that some in the Church were practicing plural marriage when he authored the statement in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants?
- Was plural marriage general knowledge when the 1835 D&C was authored?
Joseph Smith's Approach to Contracting Additional Marriages
- Did those that entered plural marriage only do so because Joseph Smith told them to?
- Were plural wives forced into the marriage?
- How many Mormon women refused offers of plural marriage?
- Did any women suffer consequences for turning down Joseph Smith’s proposals?
- Were women put under “tremendous pressure” to accept a proposal of plural marriage?
- Did Joseph Smith give a woman only one day to decide about entering a plural marriage, and would refusal mean terrible consequences? * Did Joseph Smith claim that an angel threatened him with a drawn sword or flaming sword if a woman refused to marry him?
- Were women “locked in a room” to get them to accept a proposal of plural marriage?