Episode 29

Polygamy Apologetics, Spiritual Wifery, etc

Original Air Date: 2022-11-17

PolygamySpiritual WiferyApologetics

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Here is a detailed summary of the video "Polygamy Apologetics: Calling it 'Spiritual Wifery' & more," based on the provided transcript.

Overview and Context

This video is the sixth and final installment of a series on polygamy within the "LDS Discussions" project, hosted by John Dehlin on the Mormon Stories Podcast 1. The discussion features Mike, the author of the LDS Discussions essays, and Alicia, a commentator known as "Faith Unraveled" on TikTok 1, 2. The episode focuses on analyzing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ best apologetic arguments—primarily those found in the official Gospel Topics Essays—and reconciling them with the historical record and modern implications of the doctrine 3, 4.

The "New and Everlasting Covenant" and John Taylor’s 1886 Revelation

A central theme of the discussion is the definition of the "New and Everlasting Covenant." Modern apologists often argue that this term refers to celestial marriage broadly, rather than polygamy specifically, to distance the modern Church from the practice 5. However, the hosts present an 1886 revelation from the third prophet, John Taylor, which explicitly links the covenant to "the works of Abraham" (polygamy) 6.

  • The Revelation: In this text, God allegedly tells Taylor that the "Everlasting Covenant cannot be abrogated nor done away with" and that he has "not revoked this law nor will I" 7.
  • The Implications: This revelation presents a dilemma: God declared the law everlasting and unchangeable, yet the Church issued the Manifesto ending the practice just four years later due to political pressure 8, 9. The hosts argue this suggests the modern Church is technically in apostasy regarding its own original revelations, which explains why fundamentalist groups (like the FLDS) view the mainstream Church as having strayed 10, 11.

    • "Spiritual Wifery" vs. Plural Marriage

    The video analyzes the Church's attempt to distinguish Joseph Smith’s "plural marriage" from the "spiritual wifery" practiced by John C. Bennett 12.

  • The Apologetic: The Church’s essay frames spiritual wifery as an unauthorized, sinful seduction used by men like Bennett, while framing Joseph’s polygamy as a divinely mandated religious practice 12.
  • The Rebuttal: The hosts argue this is a semantic game, noting that Bennett was Joseph's "right-hand man" and part of the First Presidency 13, 14. Accounts from women like Catherine Fuller and Margaret Nyman reveal that men soliciting them used Joseph Smith’s own teachings—specifically that "there is no sin where there is no accuser"—to justify sexual relations 15, 16. The hosts conclude that "spiritual wifery" became a "trash can" for the Church to dispose of the ugly aspects of polygamy once they were exposed, despite Joseph practicing the same behaviors 17.

    • Carefully Worded Denials and Honesty

    The discussion highlights the Church’s admission that leaders used "carefully worded denials" regarding polygamy 18.

  • Official Denials: Joseph Smith, along with other leaders and the Relief Society (including Emma Smith), signed public affidavits stating that the Church practiced only monogamy 19, 20. At the time these were signed, many signatories were actively practicing polygamy or knew about it 19.
  • The "Weasel Words": The Church’s essay explains that these denials were technically true because they were denying "polygamy" (which they defined as unauthorized marriage) while practicing "celestial marriage" 18. The hosts argue this violates the Church’s own definition of honesty found in their manuals, which condemns creating false impressions or telling only part of the truth 21.

    • The "Reluctant Polygamist" and the Angel with a Sword

    A common apologetic narrative is that Joseph Smith was a reluctant participant who only practiced polygamy because an angel with a drawn sword threatened to destroy him 22.

  • Analysis of the Threat: The hosts point out that Joseph used this "angel and sword" story primarily on women who had initially rejected his proposals, such as Zina Huntington and Elizabeth Rollins Lightner 23. This suggests it was a manipulation tactic rather than a genuine hesitation 24.
  • God’s Priorities: Mike highlights the theological problem this story creates: Mormon God is depicted as sending an angel to threaten a prophet over a lack of sexual partners, yet sent no angel to warn about boiling water to prevent cholera, to condemn racism, or to correct the translation of the Book of Abraham 25.

    • Dynastic Sealings and the Law of Sarah

    The video addresses the argument that Joseph’s marriages—particularly to already married women (polyandry)—were for "dynastic sealings" to link families rather than for romance or sex 26.

  • Law of Adoption: The hosts counter that Joseph had the "Law of Adoption," which allowed men to be sealed to other men, available to him 27. He could have linked families without marrying other men's wives or teenage girls, yet he chose marriage 26.
  • Eternity Only: The Church claims some marriages were for "eternity only" (no sex in this life). The hosts argue this is arguably worse, as it implies Joseph "bookmarked" women for the next life, separating them from their earthly husbands and children for eternity 28.
  • Law of Sarah: D&C 132 establishes the "Law of Sarah," requiring the first wife's consent. However, verses later, it states that if the wife refuses, the husband is exempt from the law and she will be destroyed 29, 30. The hosts describe this as a "heads I win, tails you lose" scenario for Emma Smith 30.

    • Modern Implications and Conclusion

    The series concludes by emphasizing that polygamy is not merely historical but remains current doctrine 31.

  • Current Practice: Current Church President Russell M. Nelson and Apostle Dallin H. Oaks are both sealed to two women (a deceased wife and a current wife), meaning they are practicing spiritual polygamy according to Church doctrine 31, 32.
  • Impact on Members: The hosts discuss the trauma this doctrine causes for modern women who fear they will be forced into polygamy in the afterlife or "destroyed" if they do not accept it 33, 34.
  • Final Assessment: Mike concludes that Joseph Smith’s behavior regarding polygamy—using coercion, secrecy, and changing revelations to suit his desires—mirrors that of other high-demand religious or cult leaders like Warren Jeffs or David Koresh 35, 36.

    • To summarize the central argument of the video using an analogy: The hosts suggest that the Church's defense of Joseph Smith is like a man caught cheating who claims he didn't lie because he used a different definition of "relationship," while simultaneously claiming an angel forced him to do it, and that his wife had a "choice" to agree or be destroyed.

    Episode Info

    Guests: Mike (LDS Discussions)

    Related Article: LDS Discussions