When I was done I reread the FARMS review which was now obviously inaccurate. The FARMS review was similar to the anti-mormon literature out there and almost outlandishly dogmatic. Obviously the reviewer was offended that someone had published a book about Joseph Smith having more than one wife.

The only aspect of the review that held water was the fact that Compton filled in some of the blanks on his own. Although he did have a point I didn’t agree that it was a reason to condemn the book for two reasons. First, it was the only way to make the book read fluidly and not like a bunch of statistics. Second Compton made it obvious whenever he was making an assumption, which let the reader decide for himself.

One thing that I feel the review did was help to support the distance that the Church is producing between itself and polygamy. I fail to see any good being done by an inaccurate review. My take on the book was that it was very well researched and presented a lot of valuable information. I have yet to meet a historian that has only read one book in his area of expertise. Although it is not an all inclusive treatise on polygamy and Joseph Smith it moves the reader one step closer in understanding how people in that time period felt and why they did what they did. Isn’t that why we read history anyways.

I guess in a sense I agree with the comments then. This was the last FARMS review that I have read.

Whether their attacks are accurate or not, many feel they may go over the top.

Comment by Deep Sea — December 31, 2008 @ 3:58 am

Comment by Ben — December 31, 2008 @ 11:24 am

What am I missing?

This is what happened to me. I was reading all of this early church history when I kept running into the “P” word. Having been raised in the church I knew all about it. When the Saints came across the plains the men worked themselves to death and there were all of these widows that couldn’t take care of themselves. The few men that were left had to take all of these widows in and provide for them even though they didn’t want to. They still tell that story apologetically in my gospel doctrine class.

After reading countless journals and early church history I had developed my own picture. There was no apologizing and they actually defended it. Near the time of the first Manifesto they actually held special priesthood conferences to encourage more men to enter into polygamy. At the same time the women in the church formed a group to defend polygamy.

I have wondered many times if the early Prophets and Apostles are as embarrassed of us, as the church is today of polygamy. At one point those that served time in prison for polygamy offered the Hosanna shout from inside the prison. Just because we acknowledge that it did happened doesn’t mean that we want to revive the practice.

Q: In your research do you encounter the idea that Joseph is perhaps working on a revelation plan? That he knew who his wives were supposed to be when he came here?

GS: The question is. Did Joseph give any signals that he knew who his wives were going to be? I’m not aware that he did, I think that would be a remarkable thought to pursue. If you found examples of that, I think that would be something to publish an article on.

I remember reading this in a book or journal at one time too.

We’ll just have to wait for the FARMS response in print. Maybe they will devote a whole issue? *shudder*