(Plural Marriage)-A Plausible Scenario
This scenario explains one possible way, based on history, experience, and in some parts revealed truth, in which the revelations given in Section 132, could fit together in a unified and sensible way:
What if…..prior to the recorded revelation, Joseph Smith had taught Emma the principles eternal marriage, and the law of plural marriage as he understood it, and Emma, with the great Abraham like sacrifice, overcame her sorrow, fear, and objections and at first consented to Joseph being sealed to other wives. As time progressed Satan was clearly active among the saints in seeking to destroy both doctrines and was aggressively stirring up rumors, innuendos, false accusations, and paralyzing confusion. A prominent member, John Bennett was teaching and practicing a corrupted version of the truth that he called spiritual wifery, in which he was seducing married women, and dishonestly proclaiming he had Joseph’s consent and authority.
These false rumors and filthy claims made against Joseph, must have hurt Emma deeply and colored her understanding of the true doctrines. In response Emma withdrew her support of plural marraige and cast out those wives she had previously consented to let marry Joseph. Then, in an attempt to get Joseph to realize just how painful and difficult such things were to her, she may, as many do today, have contemplated hurting Joseph by being unfaithful to him, thus bringing about the Lord’s warnings to her. The fear, and pains they were both suffering took a tremendous toll on their usually loving relationship.
In an attempt to bring healing and reconciliation, Hyrum convinced Joseph to write down the revelations Joseph had received over time with regard to those laws. The writing which became Section 132 was a compilation of doctrines, which also included some timely counsel from a loving God to a clearly struggling Joseph and Emma. His counsel was for them to be faithful to one another, for Emma to “receive” those she had consented to, and if she did not, for Joseph to trust God to care for the presently expelled wives, and to not act rashly with his property. God further directed them to follow Jesus' teachings and to forgive one another their trespasses. He also acknowledged the sacrifices that following God’s command had required of them both.
While Emma rejected the written revelation, as it pertained to plural marriage, it still seemed to have an effect on her and Joseph. Soon after it was recorded he deeded much of his property over to Emma to care for her. The other wives were in fact taken care of by God and some reportedly married Brigham Young after Joseph’s death. Emma stayed faithful to Joseph and their deep love was saved to the degree that even many years after his death and her subsequent 2nd marriage, she still loved him. At her death bed it was recorded that “Emma seemed to sink away, but then she raised up and stretched out her hand, calling, “Joseph! Joseph!” Falling back on Alexander’s arm, she clasped her hands on her bosom, and her spirit was gone.”
Since the time period of the recorded revelations where filled with false witness, rumor, and inuendo, and we do not have records of the thoughts and feelings of Joseph and Emma on this issue, it is difficult to know what really happened. This much I do know, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and pure, holy, honorable and virtuous man. God is a just loving and merciful God who loves his daughters as much as his sons, and He would never act in a way that would force the human mind or invent laws that would destroy agency. God would not create lip service laws, (Law of Sarah) with the appearance of agency, but lacking any real freedom. Based on that I reject any clams by historians or others, and any and all interpretations of Section 132, that are inconsistent with those revealed truths.
Joseph Smith and Polygamy: My View
Based on the foregoing and what has been revealed to me about the moral character of Joseph Smith, I believe that:
1. Joseph Smith did, with Emma’s consent, enter into some plural marriages, none of which violated the directives and principles as God revealed them, and as they were later recorded in Section 132.
2. Some of those plural marriages were for the eternities only, while others were initially entered for life and eternity, with the intent to raise up seed.
3. However, because Emma withdrew her consent, and based on the great pain Joseph saw that the practice causes to one he loved so deeply, I do not believe that ANY of the plural marriages Joseph entered into were ever consummated.
NEXT: The Plural Marriage Matrix