Question
I have been searching for answers about the book of Mormon. What is your view on the subject? “It reads funny” to me.

Answer
The practice of polygamy began in 1831 after Smith moved his family and followers to Kirkland, Ohio. Smith inquired of the Lord if the principle of taking more than one wife was a true principle. It is not difficult to see that he simply wanted to have God justify adultery. In the 1840s polygamy came to an apex. Emma Smith, Joseph’s wife, opposed the practice bitterly. In response Joseph gave her a revelation, “And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord.” With convenience Joseph popped another revelation that further demonstrates his corrupt character and his need to place revelations above revealed Scripture. Of interest, this admonition to Emma not only approved of Joseph having adultery, but gave Emma a death threat. “And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord, for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abides not in my law.” Joseph is reported to have had twenty-seven wives.
To be continued…

This entry was posted on Monday, October 24th, 2005 at 9:13 am and is filed under Bible, Bible Q&A, Mormonism.