In this episode, we’re joined by historian and mapmaker John Hamer as he responds to Michelle Stone’s recent claims that Joseph Smith did not practice polygamy. Drawing from historical records, primary sources, and his extensive research, John offers context and analysis on one of the most debated topics in Latter-day Saint history. Join us for an insightful conversation unpacking the complexities of Joseph Smith’s involvement in early Mormon polygamy.
John Hamer is an American-Canadian historian who has focused primarily on Mormon history and has published a number of books on the topic, including Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism and House of the Lord: The Story of the Kirtland Temple. John Hamer was raised in the Mormon Church, left the religion and joined the Community of Christ Church in 2010 and now serves as a pastor in their Toronto Congregation.
One Response
Minor correction. Joseph Smith did not propose a “wife swapping” notion according to William Law. According to Law what Smith proposed in conversation was that William would agree to become a “substitute” surrogate sexual partner for Emma. There are places is the 132nd section of the D&C that make oblique references to that in terms of telling Emma that she must cleave to Joseph and none else lest she be “destroyed”. That adjustment was clearly an effort to cover the notion that the Lord at first approved of the surrogate husband thing, but then that approval gets reversed by revision of Section 132 together with the notion that the original approval was just a test. If it was a test the minute that Joseph proposed this to Law he failed that test in my view. But in any case Law told him no. As the second councilor in the First Presidency Law was privy to a whole lot of what was going on in Nauvoo even while Joseph was denying involvement in polygamy (see History of the Church vol 6 page 411) BH Roberts. See also Dr. Wyl’s “The Mormons in Nauvoo” “an Honest Man’s Remorse” published in the Salt Lake Tribune July 3, 1887.