"HEARKEN TO THE WORD OF THE LORD, FOR THERE SHALL NOT ANY MAN
AMONG YOU HAVE SAVE IT BE ONE WIFE." -- BOOK OF MORMON. JACOB 2:6.
Vol. 27.
Plano, Ill., December 1, 1880.
No. 23.
[p. 357]
Polygamy
NOT A DOCTRINE OF JOSEPH SMITH, THE MARTYR.
BY SIMON SMITH,
Who has Lived Twenty Years in the Territory of Utah,
and who for six years has been Bishop of Clarkston,
Cache Co., in this Territory.
______
TEXT. -- "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable
before me, saith the Lord." -- Book of Mormon, page 118, par. 6.
To those of the Church in Utah, and elsewhere, under the presidency of John Taylor, Greeting: -- I emigrated to
this Territory A. D. 1859, firmly believing at that date, and until a very short time since, that Utah was the gathering
place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I believed also, from the teachings of the late Pres. Brigham Young and others of the presidency of said Church, that
their right to said presidency was in accordance with the law of God and the divine will; but to my great disappointment,
after careful and candid examination of that law, I found that nowhere did it sanction such claims; they are then, but
assumptions.
Not only did I find their claims wrong, but their doctrines too. The law of God nowhere commands polygamy; on the
contrary, its practice is denounced therein as wicked, and an abomination in the sight of God. On this subject I wish
to treat.
The publications of the Church show that for sometime after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, polygamy was proclaimed
against as a false and corrupt doctrine. I have proven it to be so, and will give a very brief sketch of my life in
support of this statement.
For several years previous to my emigration to Utah, trouble was in my family, caused by the doctrine of polygamy.
My wife was bitterly opposed to it, from its first announcement to us. As an instance of this, she said once at a public
gathering, "My husband wants me to go to Salt Lake to be queen over seven wives, and because I do not want to go, we
live very unhappily." I state this to show that even before another wife has been taken, the theory of it makes the
true wife unhappy; how much more the reality, when she sees and suffers from the practice. In my case, because my wife
could not receive it, this strange doctrine led to our separation for eighteen long years. Nevertheless the hand of the
Lord has been over us for some cause best known to him, and by his all-wise providence, we have been brought together
once more.
During the time mentioned, to do my duty, as interpreted by "the law of the Utah priesthood and the new and everlasting
covenant of marriage," according to Pres. B. Young, I had to marry other wives, or I could not receive a fulness of
glory. Such was my confidence, and such my convictions at that time, that I did as I was instructed. Many other's had,
and some have such convictions yet, and so strong are they, that I am satisfied many would die "a martyrs death" rather
than to deny, or be compelled to forsake the belief in, or practice of them.
But to return to my history. After my arrival in Utah, notwithstanding my wife was yet living, and in England, I was
told by Pres. B. Young and others, that I ought to marry another wife, and be raising another family. The result was
I married again. But what were the fruits, and what the final result of such a marriage? When my first wife and family
came to Utah, to have peace in my house, I had to do like Abraham of old, I gave gifts and sent them away. Some of my
brethren thought my act a wrong one, and said I ought rather to have put away my first wife, because she was opposed to
polygamy. Yet; notwithstanding my family perplexities, and the admonition of my brethren of the priest- bood, my faith
in the divinity of the "revelation" (!) on plural marriage was as firm as ever.
A short time after this occurrence, a volume of the Times and Seasons was handed me. Reading this, was my
eye-opener. Here for the first time I saw or read in any publications of the Church, with the signatures of Joseph
and Hyrum Smith attached, a declaration against teaching or practicing the doctrine of polygamy. Here, to my great
surprise, I read as follows:
"As we have lately been credibly informed that an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by
the name of H. P. Brown, has been preaching polygamy and other false and corrupt doctrines, in the county of
Lapeer, State of Michigan, this is to notify him and the Church in general, that he has been out off from the
Church for his iniquity." -- Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, page 423.
I also read on page 474, (dated March 8th, 1844, Ibid.) as follows:
"To the Brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints living on China Creek, in Hancock county,
greeting: Whereas, Bro. Richard Hewitt has called on me to-day, to know my views concerning some doctrines that
are preached in your place, (meaning Nauvoo - S. S.), and states to me that sole of your Elders say, that a man
having a certain priesthood may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here, I say unto you
that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here, neither is there any such thing
practiced here. And any man that is found teaching, privately or publicly, any such doctrine is culpable, and will
stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also."
I also read on page 711 (Ibid.) an endorsement by the Editor, (John Taylor), acknowledging a certain
communication received from a person who signed himself "An Old Man in Israel, in which communication occurs the
following, page 715, (Ibid): --
"The Saints of the last days have witnessed the outgoings and incomings of so many apostates, that nothing but truth
has any effect upon them. In the present instance, after the sham quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible,
Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to skulk off under the 'dreadful
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splendor' of 'spiritual wifery,' which is brought into the account as graciously as if the laws of the land allowed a
plurality of wives is fiendish. Woe to that man or men who will thus willfully lie to injure an innocent people! The
law of the land, and the rules of the Church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once, but
if a man's wife die, he has a right to marry another, and to be scaled to both for eternity, to the living and the dead.
There as no law of God or man against it. This is all the spiritual wife system that ever was tolerated by the Church,
and they know it."
I also read as follows, on page 888, vol. 6:
"For once let us say," (said your present President, John Taylor), that Cain, who went to Nod and taught the doctrine
of a plurality of wives, and the giant who practiced the same iniquity, and Nimrod who practiced the common stock
system, and the Jews who commenced crossing sea and land to make proselytes without revelation; and the Christian
sects who have went all lengths to build up churches, and multiplying systems without authority from God, are all
co-workers on the same plan. When the reward for every man's work is given, this will be the everlasting answer to
all sects, sorts and conditions, from Cain down to Christian Israelites, 'I never knew you.'"
Such is the language, and such the testimony against the doctrine of polygamy, and that too by the highest authority
of the church which practices it. The reading of it gave me cause for much thought and reflection; and the enquiry
arose as to who could be the author of the reputed revelation on plural marriage. A candid and due consideration of
this evidence against the doctrine of polygamy leads me to condemn it too, as a false and corrupt doctrine. According
to this testimony, that pretended revelation commanding the practice of polygamy could not have come through, or been
the production of Joseph Smith, or of those who thus proclaimed against it at that time. And, further, the record of
those men indicates that they would not stoop so low as to be guilty of betraying the cause of God and bringing
themselves into bondage by publishing a falsehood to the world, and certifying to the Church that ouch a doctrine was
neither taught nor in practice by any one belonging to said Church. And if it was, they would be dealt with and be cut
off from the Church.
Thus, when I read such declarations against the doctrine of plural marriage, as being a false and corrupt doctrine,
and that it was not a doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and reflected upon it, I became
conscious of the situation of those who were now reaching and practicing it, and I could not any longer conscientiously
advocate or practice it I must henceforth regard it only as a doctrine of evil, which, if practiced, would bring the
displeasure and curse of God. A few quotations from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, (third European edition), the
Book of Mormon and the Bible upon this subject, will show you that these books condemn the practice of polygamy.
First, see Book of Covenants, page 330, par. 2, also page 331, par. 4:
"Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving, and at the solemnization, the persons to be married,
standing together, the man on the right, and the woman on the left, they shall be addressed by the person officiating,
as he shall be directed by the Holy Spirit; and if there be no legal objections he shall say, calling each by their
names, 'You both mutually agree to be each other's companion, husband and wife, observing the legal rights belonging
to this condition; that is, keeping yourselves wholly for each other, and from all others, during your lives.'"
This certainly forbids a man marrying more than one wife. Recollect you have to make a solemn covenant, both the man
and the woman, that you are to keep yourselves wholly for each other during your lives.
Again, par. 4: "Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy;
we declare that we believe that one man shall have one wife; and one woman but one husband) except in case of death,
when either is at liberty to marry again."
This declaration against the practice of polygamy in the church is very explicit. But polygamists in our day say, that
that law on marriage, forbidding more than one wife, and its declaration against polygamy as being not a tenet of
the church, was published to blind the outsiders. They further tell us that the plural law on marriage was
understood as early as A. D. 1832, and that it was a true principle; vide Elder Orson Pratt; sermon on Celestial
Marriage, Salt Lake City, October 7th, 1869. But this assertion of Elder Pratt's is in direct contradiction to the
written law I have quoted, which says that polygamy is "a crime." Again, Joseph Smith, and others I have quoted, call
polygamy a "false and corrupt doctrine. How can a false doctrine become a true principle? Again, B. of C., par. 1:
"All marriages solemnized in the Church of Christ should be solemnized IN A PUBLIC MEETING,
or a FEAST, PREPARED FOR THAT PURPOSE." What! All marriages of the Church of Christ to be solemnized in
a public meeting, or at a feast where the marriage is published. Then any, marriage solemnized otherwise than in the
way provided, can not be a marriage belonging to the Church of Christ.
Again, to show that the one wife system was the only one acknowledged and commanded throuah the martyred prophet, see
B. of C., page 125, par. 7: "Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else,
and be that looketh on a woman to lust after her, shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he
repents not, be shall be cast out." This command, recollect, was expressly given to the church, to be a law to the
church, to regulate the marriage relation? and he that broke that law was to be cast out of the church, if he repented
not.
Again, B. of C., page 218, par. 3: "and again I say unto you, that whose forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for
marriage is ordained of God unto man; wherefore it is lawful that be should have one wife, and THEY TWAIN
shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation, and that it might be filled with
the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made."
This quotation declares that it was lawful for a man to have one wife. If then it is lawful for a man to have one
wife, would it not be unlawful for him to have more than one, unless in case of death, when he would be at liberty
to marry another, as the law provides?
I will now refer you to the teachings of the Savior, an recorded by Matthew, 19th chap., 4th, 6th and 9th verses:
"Have ye not read that he who made man in the beginning, made him male and female. * * * For this cause shall a man
leave father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. * * * If any man shall put
away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, and shall marry another, he shall commit adultery." Here the Savior
has shown clearly the order of marriage. Said he, "Have ye not read that He in the beginning made them male and female?"
as much as to say, hat was a pattern for all time to come, that one an should have one wife, and they two, or twain,
shall be one flesh. In the ninth verse, it is said, if a man shall put away his wife, or, in other words, give his wife
a bill of divorcement unlawfully, and marry another, he will commit adultery. Such an explanation by the Savior of the
marriage relation, and its order and design by the Creator, ought to be sufficient to all to show that if man will
transcend its bounds by marrying a second wife, or more, while his first is legally his, and is alive, be commits
adultery.
Again, see 1 Cor. 7: 22: "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and every woman her
own husband." What do you say, Paul, "Every man to have his own wife?" Then, Recording to Paul's doctrine, none of
the ancient apostles were polygamists, for every man should have his own wife. Polygamy was not a doctrine of
the apostles.
Again, see Mal. 2:14, 15: "Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy
youth, against whom thou bast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did he
not make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And Wherefore one ? That he may seek a godly seed. Therefore take
heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth." Malachi also teaches the same doctrine
that others taught, namely, that in the beginning only one woman was created to be a help meet for man. Malachi (like
the Savior) charged Judah with being transgressors in breaking the marriage covenant, for said be, 'Thou hast dealt
treacherously with the wife of thy-youth." How like the account given in the Book of Mormon about the sorrow and
mourning of the wives of the Nephites, whose husbands were polygamists.
Again, see Deut. 17:14-20: "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and thou shalt possess
it, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as other nations that are about me; * * * neither shall he (the king)
multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver or gold.
And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book
out of that which is before the priests the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days
of his life; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes to do
them; that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the the right hand, or to the
left, to the end that
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he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children in the midst of Israel."
I have been rather lengthy in this quotation, that I might show you how particular Moses was in giving his charge to
the children of Israel, in regard to the law of marriage, and other statutes the Lord had commanded him to give unto
his people to observe, and that the king should have a copy of them before him when he sat upon the throne of his
kingdom, and that he should read therein all the days of his life, to learn to fear the Lord, that he might not turn
to the right or the left from the commandments of the Lord, that his days and his children, might be prolonged in
Israel. Then Moses actually commanded his people, especially the king, not to multiply to himself wives to turn his
heart from the Lord. But how many kings have observed the strict law of God? The divine record tells us only a few.
Some of our polygamist brethren have tried by rnisquotations and a misconstruction of the word of God? to prove that
the Lord at different ages of the world has commanded the practice or polygamy. But, we discover that the law of God,
from the beginning until now, proclaims against it, and the law that the Lord gave through Moses to the king, (when
the people should say they wanted to be like other nations round about them, and have a king to rule them), he (the
king) was forbidden to go into polygamy, because the Lord well knew if he did it would lead him astray, and hence he
would become a transgressor of the law.
I will now refer you to the Book of Mormon, pages 115 and 116, par. 4: "And now it came to pass that the people of
Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves some. what in
wicked practices, such as like unto David of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son."
Here again we are told that it is wicked to do like unto David and Solomon, to pervert the law of God by practicing
polygamy.
Again, page 118, par. 6, "And were it not that I had to speak unto you concerning a grosser crime, my heart would
rejoice exceedingly because of you. But the word of God burthens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus
saith the Lord, this people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the Scriptures, for they seek to excuse
themselves in committing whoredome, because of those things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
Behold David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord:
Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm,
that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. Wherefore, I, the Lord God
will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore, my brethren hear me and hearken to the
word of the Lord; for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife, and concubines he shall have none
* * * Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of hosts, or cursed be the land for their
sakes."
This quotation from the word of God ought to put an end to all contention concerning the doctrine of polygamy as to
whether it was a principle approved of God or not. Certainly the Lord has forbidden the practice of polygamy through
Jacob as he did through Moses, saying he had led forth his people from Jerusalem by the power of his arm for the very
purpose that he might thereby raise up a righteous people, certifying to them that they should not do like unto them
from whom they had come; but if they did, the land should be cursed. What? the land be cursed if they had more wives
than one? Certainly. "Because, saith the Lord of hosts, ye shall not do like unto them of old." As though be had said,
I gave my law through my servant Moses, but they observed it not. I have given it now to a branch of Israel, through
my servant Jacob that I might from them raise up unto me a righteous people, but if ye will not hearken to my law ye
shall be rejected also, and the land shall be cursed to you also, for you seek also to excuse yourselves in what is
written concerning David and Solomon, not understanding the Scriptures.
Those polygamists who lived in Jacob's time are brethren with those who live in our day; for those say that David and
Solomon, and all the prophets were justified in all their acts (in taking wives) excepting one; and further, teat
there is a clause in the paragraph I have quoted providing for a command in the future to be given to practice
polygamy, and which is considered strong proof for their practices. But, like the Nephites, they understand not the
Scriptures. The clause reads as follows: I For if I will, saith the Lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will
command my people; otherwise ye shall hearken unto these things." Jacob does not state what law the Lord would give to
raise up seed. Hence the benefit of the doubt can not be considered in favor of polygamy, since we find by divine truth
that such a doctrine is "a corrupt doctrine," But by reading farther on in the same paragraph, and the very next
sentence, we discover that there is one good reason to believe the Lord would not give a polygamic command for his
people to obey, for he says:
"Behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and board the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of
Jerusalem; yea, in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands, and I
will not suffer, saith the Lord of hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out
of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of hosts; for they shall
not lead away captive the daughters of my people, because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore
curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of hosts."
Also, page 119, par. 7: "And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father Lehi;
where- fore ye have known them before; and ye have come under great condemnation. * * * Ye have broken the hearts of
your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them, and the sobbings
of their hearts ascend up to God against you."
Thus the Lord proclaims against such practices. Utah polygamists, this ought to be a lesson to you. The strict command
of the Lord who changeth not against the practice of polygamy, is a sufficient reason why he would never give a
commandment fear its practice.
See also par. 9: ‘O, all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast
upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever. But wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart; that are
filthy this day before God, for except ye repent, the land is cursed for your sakes; and the Lamanites, which are not
filthy like unto you, (nevertheless they are cursed with a sore cursing), shall scourge you even unto destruction.
And the time speedily cometh, that except ye repent, they shall possess the land of your inheritance, and the Lord God
will lend away the righteous out from among you. Behold, the Lamanites, your brethren, whom ye hate, because of their
filthiness and the cursings which have come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten
the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our fathers, that they should have save it were one wife. * * * And
now this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore, because of this observance, IN KEEPING THIS
COMMANDMENT, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become
a blessed people."
What plainer language can be used to show that God disapproves of the doctrine and practice of polygamy? Jacob calls
those who are not in polygamy the pure in heart, but those who have more than one wife he represents as being more
filthy than the Lamanites, who had been cursed with a skin of blackness. For said Jacob to these polygamists, 'Except
ye repent, the Lamanites shall scourge you, and shall possess the land of your inheritance;" and this too because they
had not forgotten the commandment, that they should have but one wife.
And farther, I refer you to Mosiah, chap. 7, (page 167), par. 1: "And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the
kingdom upon Noah; one of his sons: therefore Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of
his father. For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart.
And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and to do that which wag abominable
in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms, and all manner of wickedness. And he laid a tax of
one-fifth part of all they possessed; a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fiftfhpart of their ziff,
and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also, a fifth part of
their grain. And all this did he take, to. support himself and his wives, and his concubines, and also, his priests,
and their wives, and their concubines: thuse had changed the affairs of the kingdom."
On page 168, par. 5, we see the fruits. "And it came to pass That he (King Noah) placed his heart upon his riches,
and spent his time in riotous living with big wives and his concubines; and so also did his priests spend their time
with harlots."
This King Noah was the son of a righteous man; but, according to this extract, when be was made king be walked not
in his father's footsteps; be changed the affairs of the kingdom. Abinadi, the prophet, warned Noah and his people
that, unless they repented of their wicked restless the Lord would cause destruction
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to come upon them. (Par. 8). To the very letter was this fulfilled. But those who repented of those practices, the
Lord blessed and he delivered them from destruction. Read the history of Alma in the Book of Mormon.
See also Book of Ether, chap. 4, par. 5: “And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the
sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon man's shoulders which was grievous
to be borne. * * * And it came to pass that he did afflict the people with his whoredoms and abominations * * * for
the space of forty and two years." King Riplakish was a descendant of those who came from the great tower of Babel at
the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and although they bad been a highly favored people, became
extinct through wicked practices, of which polygamy was one.
I have now shown from the revelations of ancient and modern times, the Book of Covenants, the Bible and the Book of
Mormon, that polygamy is not a doctrine or principle of truth; nor one to be practiced by God's people in any age,
or in any part of the earth. There is abundant proof 'Man, in his carnal and selfish nature, practiced polygamy to
gratify lust. Some have taken one ground for excuse, and some another.
Men in our own midst have not only misquoted divine truth in trying to establish the doctrine; but have sought to make
it appear that even Jesus Christ and his apostles taught and practiced it. See Compendium, page 188, where the
following is given as a quotation from St. Mark's record of the teachings of Christ. Chap. 10, 29th and 30th verses: --
"There is no man that leaves houses, lands, wives, children, or friends, but what shall receive an hundred fold
in this life." Let us now quote from the Bible. "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you I There is no man
that hath left house, Or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake,
and the gospels, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers,
and children, and lands with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life." Elder F. D. Richards has quoted it
wives, instead of wife. That misquotation, no doubt, was intended to back up Jedediah M. Grant's sermon
published in the Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, page 345, August 7th, 1853, as follows: "The grand reason why
the Gentiles and philosophers of his (Celsus') school persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives. There
were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a best of others that followed him. After Jesus went from the stage of action, the
apostles followed the example of their Master." Also on page 346, we read as follows: 'A belief in the doctrine of a
plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers." What an assumption! Jesus Christ and his
apostles polygamists! Polygamy the cause of their persecution! Polygamy led to the crucifixion of the Savior! What a
horrible presentation to sustain polygamy!
Elder F. D. Richards, no doubt intended by that misquotation to also patch up that repute revelation of July 12th,
1843, and proclaimed by Pres. Brigham Young and Elder Orson Pratt) in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Aug. 29th, 1852.
Pres. B. Young finally had this "revelation" published in the new 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, and left
out the section defining the marriage rule of faith as established by Joseph the Martyr. The marriage rule so left out
was the only one established by Joseph Smith. I will quote his own words on the matter from the Times and Seasons,
vol. 3, page 939, October 1st, 1842) of which the Prophet at that time was Editor.
"We have given the above rule of marriage as the only one practiced in this church, to show that Dr. J.C.
Bennett's secret wife system is a matter of his own manufacture; and further, to disabuse the public ear, and show
that the said Bennett and his misanthropic friend, Origen Bachelor, are perpetrating a foul and infamous slander upon
an innocent people."
In this quotation you have the Prophets direct declaration that he knew of no other rule of marriage than the one he
referred to, which is the one that Pres. B. Young has set aside. Here is another instance, similar to that of Elder
Richards; but greater in magnitude. Franklin left a fragment; but Pres. Young has destroyed the whole structure of
marriage, as by God instituted, that thereby be might more fully establish his polygamic doctrine.
What deception has been resorted to, to deceive the honest and confiding who received the gospel in sincerity, here
and in foreign lands. Believing that the Elders were advocating nothing but true and correct principles, as long as
they held up before thew the divine mission of Christ and of Joseph, and firmly believing that every principle they
taught was the doctrine of Christ, polygamy was imposed upon them; "polygamy," which in the language of Joseph and
Hyrum Smith, is "a false and corrupt doctrine," and not the doctrine of Christ. We read, "Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father
and the Son." -- 2 John, 9th verse.
And farther, to prove that polygamy was not a doctrine of Joseph the Martyr, I will quote the testimony of his widow,
(Emma), given a short time before her death, as published in The Saints' Advocate, October, 1879: "There was no
revelation on either polygamy or spiritual wives. There was some rumors of something of the sort, of which I asked my
husband. He assured me that all there was of it was) that in a chat about plural wives, he had said, 'Well, such a
system might possibly be if every body was agreed to it, and would behave as they should; but that they would not, and
besides, it was contrary to the will of heaven.' No such thing as polygamy, or spiritual wifery was taught, publicly or
privately, before my husband's death, that I have now, or ever had any knowledge of. He had no other wife but me; nor
did be to my knowledge ever have."
This testimony of the prophet's widow is direct testimony both against the pretended revelation said to have been given
by her husband, and against the charge that he had any wife beside her. Remember that such a doctrine as polygamy was
never taught by him, either privately or publicly. Nor is the widow's testimony unsupported. It agrees almost to a
word with that of Hyrum Smith's about three months before his martyrdom, when he published a notice to the church that
no such doctrine as polygamy or of a man having many wives, was either taught or practiced in Nauvoo, and that if any
was found teaching it, either privately or publicly, they would be treated as criminals.
Many other references might be given from holy writ, and from the standard works of the church published during the
prophetic life time to prove that polygamy is not a doctrine of Christ, but I trust what quotations I have made will
suffice. In the language of him you delight to honor as being the instrument in the hands of God to establish the
kingdom of God for the last time on the earth, a martyr to the cause, "polygamy is a false and corrupt doctrine,
contrary to the will of heaven." And in the language of those whose record he was the honored instrument (in the hands
of God) of bringing forth to this generation, it is "all abomination in the sight of God." Why then should you contend
for it? Why say that it is a true principle, which will tend to your salvation, when the teachings of the Savior and
his servants all proclaim against it, and not one sentence in the divine records can be found wherein God has commanded
it to any man. Take the admonition that Jacob gave to his brethren, after they had perverted the law of marriage and had
thereby become transgressors.
"O, my brethren, hearken unto my Word arouse the faculties of your soul; shake yourselves, that ye may awake from the
slumber of death; and loose yourselves from the pains of hell, that ye may not become angels to the devil, to be cast
into that lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death." -- Book of Jacob, chap. 2, par. 11.
In conclusion, I will state that I have written this address as a labor of love. I have been in your midst. I have
taken part with many of you in helping to build up settlements. I have also wrought in the ministry with you. I am
somewhat acquainted with your views and faith, and knowing that some of you, like myself, have been misinformed
respecting the origin, the efficacy, and the truthfulness of the doctrine of polygamy, I have been anxious to show you
its error beyond a doubt, and from what you and I recognize as reliable sources. That you may be able to comprehend your
true position, and judge for yourselves between truth and error, that you may return to the pure doctrine of Christ, and
no more be led and blinded through priestcraft, respecting the law of God in relation to marriage) is my prayer for you.
OGDEN, Utah Ter., April, 1880.
Note: See the Saints' Herald of
Feb. 1, 1881 for a letter from Elder Smith,
in reference to the last days of Martin Harris, etc. Smith's obituary was published in the Herald of May 18, 1898.
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