Without the prospect of eternal marriage, we Mormons would have little to recommend ourselves to the world. If men and women were to remain single forever, what would be the point of existence? Other religions offer beautiful teachings that have the power to make bad people good and good people better, but without the prospect of eternal marriage and family, these religions amount to nothing more than nice philosophies. The sealing ordinance is the fundamental purpose of our creation and the creation of the earth. From the outset of the Restoration, we were told that unless husbands and wives and children were sealed together forever, “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at [Jesus’] coming” (D&C 2:3).
To my single friends who long for
the blessings of eternal marriage, I reiterate the myriad assurances made by
prophets and apostles that your present situation is seasonal. If you remain
faithful to every covenant that you have received, you will be offered the
fullness of the new and everlasting covenant (“Covenant”), which must culminate
with eternal marriage: the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” (D&C
131:2). If you were born in the new and everlasting covenant, you inherited
that right. You received that promise again when you entered into the Covenant
by baptism when all three members of the Godhead effectively signed their names
to the Covenant. They guaranteed that they would offer you every blessing
pertaining to the Covenant....
Books of the
Week: Joseph Smith-Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman; I
told him I remained a Mormon because when I followed my religion I became the
kind of man I want to be. Carthage Conspiracy-The Trial
of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith, by Dallin
H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill; 24 Hours to
Martyrdom, Reed Blake
Events leading to the Martyrdom of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith
1. Apostasy of
John C. Bennett.
A. August 1840 - Arrives in
Nauvoo-experience as physician, Methodist preacher, founder of a college,
university president, military leader, quartermaster general of Illinois.
B. April 1841 - Presented as an
Assistant president until President Rigdon's health restored. Lobbied for
passage of Nauvoo Charter. officer in Nauvoo Legion, 1st mayor of Nauvoo
C. 1841- June 15 - Joseph receives
letter from Hyrum in Pittsburgh, confirming rumor that Bennett had wife and
child in Ohio.- Bennett feigned remorse and attempted suicide. Spiritual
wifery. attempted assassination of Joseph
D. Spring 1842-Bennett
excommunicated, kicked out of Legion, resigned as mayor, expelled from Masonic
fraternity and became full time anti-Mormon.
2. Political
complications
A. Whigs and Democrats equal in
Illinois.
B. Thomas Sharp editor of Warsaw
Signal decided the Mormons were out to establish a kingdom not just a church.
He lost an election. On May 18, 1844- Regular anti articles. He told his
readers he would not be surprised to hear of Joseph's death by violent means in
a short time.
C. June 1841- Anti-Mormon party
established in Hancock Country -frustrated as Nauvoo grew.
D. Stephen A. Douglas (5' 100 lbs)
supported Joseph when he was arrested in Adams County.
E. Thomas Ford (democrat) won
governorship with support of LDS.
F. Joseph ran for President of the
USA
3. Renewed
threats from Missouri
A. May 1842 - Attempted assassination
of former governor Boggs.
B. June 1843 - Joseph arrested in
Dixon (200 miles north of Nauvoo) on Bennett inspired Missouri treason charges.
Congressional candidate Cyrus Walker intervened upon promise of Joseph's vote.
Joseph released on writ of habeas corpus.
Joseph voted for Walker-other Church members voted for his opponent.
Both parties upset at Mormon influence and political power.
4. Plural
Marriage - "There
is much that I do not know. I do not know how to understand plural marriage. I
have studied the complicated historical record of it diligently and there is
very much that remains unclear. I don’t know exactly how to understand D&C
section 132. I recently gave a talk at a leadership meeting. My topic was
historical issues with which Saints sometimes struggle. I catalogued the
historical problems, briefly describing each. While describing the received
wisdom on plural marriage, I had a distinct and undeniable thought that came
from outside me. “You do not know what you are talking about,” it said. It was
right. I do not know how to think about plural marriage. I continue to
thoroughly examine the historical record, seeking light and truth by study and
also by faith. I do know, as a result of that process, that Helen Kimball and Lucy
Walker both left testimonies that Joseph did not exploit them, and that they
both testified that they received their own revelations, as Joseph invited them
to do, before being sealed to him. In other words, I know that the historical
record created by witnesses and participants does not match the sensational
books and online material created by people who know less than I do. And I know
that I don’t know." (Steven C.
Harper, mormonscholarstestify.org)
A. Jacob
2:27-30
B. 1831 - Revelation first received as Joseph worked on
JST. (Matt. 22:30 & Old Testament)
C. What drove Joseph to a practice
that put his life and his work in jeopardy, not to mention his relationship
with Emma? (Bushman p. 437)
D. The Lord evidently gave Joseph
an ultimatum he had no doubts about. The revelation of the new and everlasting
covenant of marriage required an Abrahamic test, which for Joseph and Emma and
other members of the Church was plural marriage. Helen Kimball, who became one
of Joseph's plural wives, testified that Joseph said that the practice of this
principle would be the hardest trial the
Saints would ever have to test their faith." (Harper p. 481)
E.
1832-Joseph shared knowledge of Plural Marriage, indicating the time was
not yet.
F. 1835? - Joseph took his first plural wife? Fanny
Alger
G.. 1841-42 - Taught to leaders
after their return from missions
a. Brigham's
reaction
H. Revelation governs & dictates this practice not only
generally, but case by case.
a. Lucy
Walker -
b. Zina
Huntington- "A greater sacrifice than to give my life. I searched the
scripture & by humble prayer to my Heavenly Father I obtained a testimony
for myself that God had required that order to be established in his
church." (Harper p. 482)
c. Benjamin
Johnson- Sister Almira
d. Heber
& Vilate Kimball-"Heber what you have kept from me the Lord has shown
me."
5.
July 12, 1843 - D&C 132 - The most exalted of the exaltation revelations
(D&C 76; 84; 88; 93; 131)
A. Vs. 1-2 -The product of a
question posed by Joseph as he was working on the JST and asked about Old
Testament prophets having more than one wife.
B. Vs. 3-33 - Eternal Marriage
(7-8 & 15-21)
C. Vs. 34-66- Plural Marriage -
"beginning in verses 34, the Lord justifies plural marriage in cases where
he commands it. Indeed, the justification is that he commands it. If he does
not command it, it is not justified. The Lord illustrates, citing David as one
who entered plural marriage without justification and lost his exaltation as a
result." (Harper p. 487)
6.
1862 - Anti-Bigamy Law
A. Plural Marriage is bigamy B. $500 and/or 5 years in jail
7.
1867 - Talk by Elder John Taylor J.D. 11:343
The Prophet said: That our country is governed by law we all
admit; but when it is said that no assumed revelation justified any one in
trampling on the law, I should respectfully ask, "What! Not if it
interferes with my religious faith, which you state is a matter between God and
myself alone?" Allow me, sire, here to state that the assumed revelation
referred to is one of the most vital parts of our religious faith: it emanated
from God and cannot be legislated away. The Republicans... have been very fond
for a long time of talking about a high law of some kind. We, too, have a
higher law... a law that emanates from God, a law that is calculated to promote
the best interests and the happiness of this people... Then do you profess to
ignore the laws of the land? No, not unless they are unconstitutional, then I
would to it all the time. Whenever the Congress of the Unites States, for instance,
pass a law interfering with my religion, or with my religious rights, I will
read a small portion of that instrument called the Constitution now almost
obsolete, which says Congress shall pass no law interfering with religion or
the free exercise thereof and I would say, Gentlemen, you may go to Gibraltar
with your law, and I will live my religion. JD 11:343
8.
1882 - Edmunds Law - A. Polygamist cannot vote B. Polygamist cannot hold public
office C. Polygamist cannot serve as jury members D. A "Utah Commission"
established 1. They registered Utah voters 2. Test oath, "I do not cohabit
with more than one woman in the marriage
9.
1887 - Edmunds-Tucker Law A.
Disincorporated the church B. Female suffrage abolished C. Dissolved the
Perpetual Emigration Fund
10.
1890 - Manifesto
"D&C 132 resulted in an
Abrahamic test. The most difficult trial of Joseph and Emma's life and of the
lives of many LDS today." (Harper p. 488)
FACTS AND FIGURES
1. 15-20% of those marriageable
age practiced plural marriage or10-27%
2. 66% had 2 wives 21% had 3 wives 6% had 4 or more wives
3. 30% of plural wives were in
their teens- 67% over 25- 30% over 30 -1% over 40
4. The average polygamist wife had
5 children. The average monogamist wife had 8 children
5. Average polygamist family size
was 15
6. Joseph had 42 wives or 31 or 60-
Brigham 27 or 28-John Taylor 15- Heber 45 Orson Pratt 10
7. There were never more women
than men in the church
8. 97 or 91% of 1st wives gave
their permission
9. The one advantage which many
Mormon women spoke of highly was that every Mormon girl could find a husband
and a home, in the words of Heber Kimball, "even if she had a head three
feet long." Apparently there were no old maids among the Mormons, nor for
that matter any bachelors.
5. Nauvoo
Expositor
A. William (2nd Counsellor in 1st
Presidency)and Wilson Law led the conspiracy against the prophet &
organized. Willard Richards said
William was in the mob that martyred the prophet.
B. Robert D. and
Charles Foster
C. Chauncey & Frances Higbee
D. Charles Ivins - Rachel R.
Grant: The Continuing Legacy of the Feminine Ideal- Ronald
W. Walker.
E. April 28,
1844- 1st meeting. William-President-not prophet. Joseph a fallen prophet. By
mid-May - 300 attending their meetings.
F. June 7 printed 1000 copies of Nauvoo Expositor.
- Joseph is a fallen prophet. We want to have the Church the way it was. Repeal
Nauvoo Charter.
G. June 10 -Press destroyed by order of city council.
H. Warsaw Signal response, "Citizens arise, one
and all-Can you stand by, and suffer such infernal devils to rob men of their
property and rights, without avenging them. We have no time for comment, every
man will make his own. Let it be made with powder and ball." -Sharp had
his excuse.
I. Governor Ford wants Joseph to answer it court for
Expositor's destruction.
6. The last Days
A. Sunday, June 16- Joseph gave preached his last
sermon. He spoke of many Gods using the Bible as a text
B. Monday ,June 17- Joseph puts Nauvoo under martial
law.
C. Frida,y June 21- Ford arrived in Carthage. John
Taylor sent to speak for Joseph.
D. Saturday, June 22- Ford said, "Joseph had
broken the law in shutting down the press without a fair hearing and must come
to Carthage to stand trial. Joseph crossed the river late Saturday night.
E. Sunday, June 23- Joseph back in Nauvoo
F. Monday, June 24- Joseph left for Carthage- twice-
arrived in Carthage about midnight.
G. Tuesday, June 25-Court hears charge or riot against
Nauvoo officers. Defendants released on bail and bound over to next circuit
court. Before the hearing, another charge of treason was brought against Joseph
and Hyrum. Not the government, but dissenter Augustine Spencer accused them of
calling out the legion to resist the state militia. They were sent to prison
without a hearing. (John Taylor)
H. Wednesday, June 26- Joseph appealed for a release to
Governor Ford. Ford told Joseph that he was going to Nauvoo. At 4 pm Joseph
& Hyrum were brought before Robert Smith, the justice of the peace to be
examined on the treason charge. The hearing was postponed until noon the next
day and later to Saturday while the defense collected witnesses from Nauvoo.
Joseph & Hyrum back to jail.
I. Thursday, June 27 5:16- The martydom.
