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FAIR Questions: Are William Clayton’s journals and other evidences suggesting Joseph Smith practiced plural marriage just “revised history”?

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FAIR has a service where questions can be submitted and they are answered by volunteers. If you have a question, you can submit it at https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/contact. We will occasionally publish answers here for questions that are commonly asked, or are on topics that are receiving a lot of attention.

 

QUESTION:

My dear friend shared with me some information suggesting Joseph Smith’s involvement in plural marriage was doctored in after the fact by Brigham Young and his associates, especially William Clayton. To support this, they refer to public speeches by Joseph and Hyrum Smith, denying participation in plural marriage. So much of what we know depends on what is in the William Clayton diaries, which they say is possibly “revised history.” I also noted that it was announced that the William Clayton Diaries would be made available a few years back, but haven’t been yet. Do you know of any further information on that?

[Read more…] about FAIR Questions: Are William Clayton’s journals and other evidences suggesting Joseph Smith practiced plural marriage just “revised history”?

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

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Much is Required

by Autumn Dickson

Rather than talking about a specific verse from this week, I want to talk a bit more about context so that the verses we read are more powerful. Hearing the Lord speak about gospel principles is wonderful, but sometimes understanding the stories behind the principles He chooses to talk about make a big difference because it makes it more relatable. So let’s talk a bit about what’s happening in the lives of the people who the Lord is speaking to. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

Spiritually Whole in Him

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Finding Wholeness While Waiting for Healing

I think we have all wondered why God doesn’t heal every pain, fix every struggle, or resolve every heartache right now—especially for those who earnestly follow Him. Watching my parents, family members and children go through so many difficulties has taught me just how much we all long for relief—for miracles. 

Through these challenges, I’ve begun to learn something life-changing: wholeness isn’t about a life free of trials. It’s about a heart full of Christ. Illness or death doesn’t mean God’s disfavor. Trials—if we let them—can bring us closer to Him, not farther away.

In her General Conference message Spiritually Whole in Him, President Camille N. Johnson reminds us of this truth. She teaches that while physical and emotional healing may come later—in the Lord’s time—we can be made spiritually whole now through faith, repentance, and covenant connection with Jesus Christ. [Read more…] about Spiritually Whole in Him

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

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A Recycled Revelation

by Autumn Dickson

This week I’m talking a lot about context rather than any specific verses which is not usually my norm. However, I think that delving into the context of these sections is really important and can make the scriptures feel more rich. Just as we learn from the stories in our other books of scripture, we can learn more about the revelations from the Lord by studying when they were given. So here is some context for what we read this week.

Section 81 was originally given to a man named Jesse Gause who was called to serve as Joseph Smith’s counselor in the forerunner of what would eventually evolve into the First Presidency. When Gause was excommunicated, he was replaced by Frederick G. Williams. Gause’s name was also replaced by Williams’ name in the revelation that was given. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson

Not By Bread Alone: Capturing the Inspirational Stories of the Saints in Africa on Film

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by Junior Banza and Jeffrey Bradshaw at the 2024 FAIR Conference

Introduction to the Session “Faith and Growth of the LDS Church in the DR Congo” – Dan Peterson

That’s fun to do this, because if you’re an academic, if you’re a professor, you talk for a living. So, you’re glib; you don’t have to know anything about what you’re talking about, but you can sound really convincing. [Read more…] about Not By Bread Alone: Capturing the Inspirational Stories of the Saints in Africa on Film

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 78, 80–83, 85, 92, 104 – Mike Parker

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The office of high priest; the United Firm (D&C sections 78, 80–83, 85, 92, 104)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 78, 80–83, 85, 92, 104 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 77–80 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

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Be of Good Cheer

by Autumn Dickson

The Doctrine and Covenants are interesting as a book of scripture. They are different from other books of scripture. So many of the scriptures that we read are stories from which we can draw lessons or sermons given by the people in those stories. The Doctrine and Covenants is simply the voice of the Lord as He directs His restored gospel. He reveals things a bit at a time as the people are prepared to receive. And though He is revealing much, He is not revealing everything. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 77–80 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson

Drawing Near: How We Come to Know Christ

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Spiritual Epistemology in President Eyring’s “Draw Near unto Me”

Have you ever wondered how you can really know the Savior—not just believe in Him, but know Him?

In his deeply personal testimony Draw Near unto Me, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency invites us to consider the many ways we come to know Jesus Christ—not just through grand revelations, but through small, faithful acts: prayer, covenant, scripture, service, and spiritual memory. [Read more…] about Drawing Near: How We Come to Know Christ

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Mike Parker

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The Vision of the three degrees of glory (D&C section 76)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Mike Parker

Doctrine & Covenants 76; the Vision of the Degrees of Glory

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Compiled by Dennis B. Horne

Elder Harold B. Lee told a close friend (who decades later told me) that, “Twenty years ago, the most electrifying and most interesting man in the Quorum of the Twelve was Melvin J. Ballard. People used to travel miles just to go and hear him at a stake conference. People just flocked to hear him. Hardly anyone knows who he is now.” Elder Lee told the Ballard family that of all the men he knew, he most wanted to be like Elder Melvin J. Ballard.

Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve (Pres. M. Russell Ballard’s grandfather):

Excerpts from his famous address, “The Three Degrees of Glory”:

The greatest revelation the Lord, Jesus Christ, has ever given to man, so far as a record is made, was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith on the 16th of April, 1832, known as the 76th section of the book of Doctrine & Covenants, commonly called for years and still known as “The Vision.” This to my mind is the climax of all wonderful revelations that have come from the Lord from the days of Father Adam until the present moment. . . .

Your minds and hearts are set upon knowing what you must do to obtain the greatest thing the Lord has offered. I want to talk about that more than anything else because I do not discover many of you who would be satisfied with second-hand things, and you are not contented or happy by having second best or third best. So we will begin by reading a description of the terms and conditions that we must comply with to obtain the celestial glory. I think it will be worth every sacrifice required and a hundred times more if need be. Personally, I would give it to attain that which God has offered to men and women who enter into the celestial glory.

CONTINUED HERE

 

 

Dennis B. Horne grew up in south Davis County and he served in the Independence Missouri mission. He attended BYU and Weber State Universities, earning a degree in Communications. After working in television broadcasting for a number of years he became a technical writer for the LDS Church Material Management Department. He became an independent researcher/author because of his love of church history and doctrine. This pursuit led him to write a biography of Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an edited publication of the diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, and biographies of President Lorenzo Snow and Orson F. Whitney. He also wrote about callings to serve in the church, the doctrine of giving healing blessings, and a compilation of the teachings of prophets and apostles about how to determine doctrinal authority. He has twice presented at the BYU Church History Symposium. His articles occasionally appear at Truth Will Prevail, Interpreter, and FAIR.